Genealogy / THE MEANING AND RESEARCH OF MY POLISH LAST NAME, SURNAME? [4500]


Do you have any definitive proof of this?

I'm a firm believer that this name comes from the Scottish "Napier" and not the Polish word at all.

Law / Zloty lifts Poland's Economy [58]


I'd argue that Poland isn't big enough to play the game against even individual investors, let alone the big banks.

Law / Zloty lifts Poland's Economy [58]

So, all the improvements and investments we see aren't real, then?

News / Sikorski doctrine - Eastern Europe under threat. Poland's foreign policy. [203]


I have images of Jaroslaw Kaczynski with a nuclear briefcase.

Frightening.

(still, I suspect Poland armed with nukes would be a much saner place : no need for all the paranoia about Russians and Germans)

Language / Spelling "aunt" in Polish [142]


No. They were born in Minsk, Russan Empire. Nothing else.

History / Prophesy - Poland from sea to sea. [57]


I dunno, can't we give independence to places like Kielce?

News / Polish President Lech Kaczynski and gov officials die in a plane crash in Russia [686]


Either way, apparently the pilot glided in from 9100 metres. If so - what a hell of a job to save so many lives!

Love / 20% of adult Poles are single and live with Mummy! [241]


Easy to say in the land of opp...house price crashes, not so easy to say in Europe where housing costs are significantly higher.

Food / Do you call it kiszka or kaszanka? [61]


Because the American Polonia use words dating from the time when Pollock Johnny was a mere twinkle in his mother's eye.

Or they simply don't know Polish.

UK, Ireland / Best way to get boxes from UK to Poland? [25]

atrans.wikidot.com

Can totally recommend - plenty of forum users have had positive experiences too with him.

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]


As a European citizen, I can vote in local and European elections. Normal European law, applies to all EU citizens in all EU countries.


Sadly, no. Not yet, anyway - though I'll likely be able to vote in the next Presidential election.

Personally, it irritates me that Poles abroad (who don't pay taxes in Poland) can vote, but I, as a resident and taxpayer can't. Reminds me of the old DC "no taxation without representation" argument.


The elections last week, the last European elections and the 2nd round of the city Presidential election next Sunday.

Both my votes went to centre-left candidates who are concerned with social justice - I'd like to see a Poland that allows anyone who can, to do. The current situation where children have to go without schoolbooks if they can't afford them is nothing short of scandalous.

For what it's worth, I'm in the middle of setting up a foundation which will (hopefully!) provide scholarships to poorer children with potential. Do you think the American Polonia would support such an organisation? It really makes me mad whenever I hear about some cases here, such as kids being deprived school trips through not having the money :(

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]


But what do you know about Poland today? Nothing.


Sorry, another 3 years and I'll be entitled to apply for Polish citizenship. I think I shall as well, just for fun :)


You don't get it, do you? I don't call Polish people "Polacks". I call American Polonia "Polacks" because that's what they are - they're certainly not Polish!


Sorry, I have my own business here, I'm getting married in a few months and generally - I'm much more productive in Poland than you are. At the end of the day - you're just a Plastic Polack who is only Polish when it suits him.

Tell me, what would you do if America and Poland went to war? Would you come and fight for Poland? Would you ****.

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]

Sorry, as a European Union citizen, I can stay in Poland all I like. And guess what - I like Polish culture and her history. The arts scene is booming in Poland :)

Anyway, you don't even live in Poland, so what makes you qualified to comment? You're just another Plastic Pole who eats kielbasa and thinks that he's a patriot. When you pay taxes in Poland, you can comment, sunshine.

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]


I seriously wonder if you can read or not.

What part of "I like Polish people, just not dumb American Polacks pretending to be Polish" don't you understand?


In the ones where I'm entitled to, of course. It's a civic duty to be well informed about the election and to vote according to one's conscience. I have a horrific decision to make next weekend, and not voting isn't an option either :(

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]


They would probably refuse to accept it if it wasn't written to conform to their viewpoint. It's not a bad idea, but remember - the potential audience thinks that Poland still has the values of the 1930's, not the 2010's.


Not a damn thing. I asked quite a few Poles what they thought about it, and they all said "why would we be offended by the word for a male Pole?"

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]

That's the problem :(

The English language media in general doesn't "get" Poland and the complex dynamics here at all. I still don't think I've read one English language source that really gets to grips with the people-Church-State dynamic for instance.

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]


Nope. Not offended at all.

I'm offended by American Polacks acting like they know best about Poland when none of them pay tax here or indeed do a damn thing to help the country. Now - that's offensive.

Don't you see MediaWatch - I like real Polish people. You know, the ones who lived most of their lives in Poland, who want to see it develop and who passionately care about the place. Even the ones who don't care less are still fine by me, because they live here and pay taxes here and contribute to society, even if their contributions are worthless.

American Polacks on the other hand can get lost.

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]


Hmm. I think it's the way that they patronise, look down on and act superior to Poles that annoyed me, along with the way that they seem to want to dictate to Poles how Poland should be, without actually being here to make a difference.

But - it's dumb Polack "culture"...schematics, I know, but the point is that they have no culture ;)

(too much time on my hands, I think)

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]

This thread is about dumb Polack "culture", not Russia.

Tell me, as a Polack - are you offended by the use of the word?

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]

So - why hasn't one Polack commented on the list of Polacks that I provided?

This must surely be as offensive as it gets, no?

/Polock-Johnnys.gif - POLOCK!

Or is it just like others, choosing to be "selectively" offended by things?

News / Polish Lithuanian Diplomatic War? At last. [534]


Out of interest, did Poland ever sign an agreement with Lithuania confirming the borders as permanent, like Poland diid with Germany?

News / Polish Lithuanian Diplomatic War? At last. [534]


No, they don't. They'll use the standard English alphabet, and as far as I know, even Welsh/Scots Gaelic/Irish diatrical marks aren't recognised in official documents. I could be wrong, but I've never seen an example of it.

The thing I don't understand - wouldn't it be easiest for Poland to simply issue the Lithuanian Poles with Polish passports?

News / Polish President Lech Kaczynski and gov officials die in a plane crash in Russia [686]


No no, I can't remember exactly who, but certain people in the military were appointed by Kaczynski to their posts - which sadly, they now have to investigate his death.

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]

I just looked at my passport, says "British Citizen".

Odd. The place of birth is also in Scotland.

Very strange.

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]

Do you know many? I don't.

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]


Heck, even the Swiss try that game!

You should see the lengths that the Swiss go to in order not to pay customs duty.

But anyway, dodging a few taxes doesn't mean much. I don't do it, but if it's Poles doing the dodging, well, their call.

On the other hand, nothing is worse than "Polacks" who come to Poland to work cash-in-hand in language schools. Not only do they patronise people, but they evade tax too - and live here illegally!

News / Polish President Lech Kaczynski and gov officials die in a plane crash in Russia [686]


Do you think people like Komorowski, who was jailed for his opposition efforts, would seek to cover up the truth about the death of a democratically elected President of Poland at the hands of Russians?

It's a pretty loaded accusation to make.

Something you seem to forget - political allies of Tusk/Komorowski died in that plane as well.

History / Roman Dmowski-Patriot, Nationalist, Anti-Semite? [252]

Jonni, can I use this expression from now on? It's fantastic!

News / Polish President Lech Kaczynski and gov officials die in a plane crash in Russia [686]


Not when some of the people involved in the investigation were hand picked by Lech Kaczynski.

Anyway, a patriot by definition should support their actions, regardless of their motive.

Life / Polish authors, books & literature. [95]


Yes, the only Education Minister who managed to attract huge protests against his appointment. His entire era can be summed up through focusing on banning mobile phones instead of actually fixing the very real problems in Polish education.

Tell me, what did Giertych actually do as Education Minister? He certainly didn't abolish the mental law that forbids the explusion of children under 16 from school.