History /
Polish nobility - what is the status of princes and aristocrats in modern Poland? [33]
@jon357
In personal relations it get's easily self regulated, not to mention the internet, published sources and ancestral lineage and DNA tests posted and shared on certain internet sites. (Yes there are sites where you can find people you are related to by simply giving your own heritage history)
Not to mention it's not widely popular among most people in modern society, where plenty of people think of it as outdated, a thing of the past or irrelevant. So more often then not, one is more prone to become an target of ridicule. Rather then awe or respect.
And yes there are people even changing their names to prince/princess or surnames. Protected titles are reserved for professional use via education (doctors etc)
So in Poland the heritage itself has more sway among Polish nobility itself, not the title in itself. It's more about belonging to a social group which is restricted, not by law (like in the past) but, through social connections.
Most everyday Poles probably have no clue or idea there actually still are Polish nobles in Polish society at large as, fashion and design/clothes used by nobility today aren't class restricted (certain way of clothing/lifestyle was restricted by law and punished dutifully as claiming privileges falsely was a major offense)
Nowadays if you wear a Kontusz, nobody will bat much of an eye at you and will most likely think it's a reenactment performance from the trilogy of Sienkiewicz or something.
Also not to mention the unnecessary funding of Złoty only a small portion of society would interested in/ be conscious about. So I honestly don't see it as a problem in Poland. U.K on the other hand with certain nobility having their own political chamber, it's another story which could easily create a scandal.