History / Unforgettable quotes about Poland and Poles from Polish and world`s history and culture [99]

Point of information, gang!

What's the exact difference between a "prelate" vs. "a primate", since I always learned in biology class that a primate was some type of

monkey. Only within the past twenty years or so did I hear of a cleric being referred to as a "primate" which I found most amusing indeed:-)

History / Unforgettable quotes about Poland and Poles from Polish and world`s history and culture [99]

True what you said about Miller's exposure to Polish people, but as a writer especially, he was probably prone to outrageous statements! Writers typically like to be known by their colorful utterance, not to mention their behavior away from the typewriter. Just look for example at literati as different in temperment as Alexander Wolcott, Ernest Hemingway or John O'Hara.

The first enjoyed shocking through scandalously anti-Semitic tirades, the second with adventurous exploits, and the latter of the three by sometimes "mock" threatening visitors whom he spied coming up the walkway to his house by aiming a shotgun in their direction, sometimes even firing it in the air, delighted by the startling effect it could have on his "guests".

Shock value was Miller's stock in trade.

Incidentally, he identified his nationality as American, but his ethnicity as Jewish rather than Polish-:)

History / Unforgettable quotes about Poland and Poles from Polish and world`s history and culture [99]

Undoubtedly, his exposure to Polish people, quite apart from the language, was limited to those Polish immigrants whom he encountered while living in Chicago!

Often, Americans can get an unfavorable impression of certain groups based usually on the class of people who are representative of that society here in the US, normally not from the upper eschelons.

History / Unforgettable quotes about Poland and Poles from Polish and world`s history and culture [99]

Always thought of Arthur Miller as a great playwrite. I didn't realize he was also perceptive in other areas of language too!
Thanks for sharing that quotation, jon!

Food / What do non-Poles think about eating the following Polish foods? [1450]

Among desserts, I must confess to a weakness for jableczna with fresh beaten cream, yummy!

Food / What do non-Poles think about eating the following Polish foods? [1450]

Italy, admittedly, I'd have expected such. Can't judge though the other places mentioned.
Not been inside a German school lunchroom in more than a decade, but there too, I can't remember anything
to write home about:-)

Food / What do non-Poles think about eating the following Polish foods? [1450]

Most institutional grub I'm sure tastes the same all over - LOUSY!!!

Food / What do non-Poles think about eating the following Polish foods? [1450]

I once tasted some delicious fish dish when visiting Szczecin. I was told it was a specialty of the region, but have forgotten what it's called.

The only thing I do remember was the barszcz, and that name stuck!
:-)

Food / What do non-Poles think about eating the following Polish foods? [1450]

Polish-style red cabbage, that's the ticket!

Food / What do non-Poles think about eating the following Polish foods? [1450]

You're right about that, paw! Anyhow, when I was last in Poland, I was much younger, plus, an inveterate speed walker:-)

Food / What do non-Poles think about eating the following Polish foods? [1450]

My ideal Polish meal would be: Zurek (or chlodnik) for starters with a main course of bigos, pierogi beneath some sour cream, pyzy, and a nice glass of any brand local beer:-)

After that, I'm set for the day!!

Language / Game - guess Polish idioms/sayings in direct English translation [1756]

Reminds me a little of the German "Stinkbesoffen wie eine Haubitze" = Drunk as a Howitzer
:-)

Genealogy / Which Polish first names are considered unpopular / obsolete in Poland? [124]

...or more PolishLOL

Isn't there some old (children's) folk song, "Halinka, Halinka.......drabinka....", or something like that?
Perhaps I'm just imagining things:-)

...nursery rhyme, excuse me

Language / Game - guess Polish idioms/sayings in direct English translation [1756]

I can recall hearing "Spity jak bela!" = Drunk as a skunk!

Genealogy / Which Polish first names are considered unpopular / obsolete in Poland? [124]

Gosh, she'd likely be at least 38 or so. This was over twenty years ago, at which time, she was about 19.

Yes, seemingly so. Pity too, as those are among my favorite Polish names.
Hope Krysia hasn't too been consigned to the scrap heap!
:-)

Genealogy / Which Polish first names are considered unpopular / obsolete in Poland? [124]

Thank you, kaprys. That's rather what I thought:-)

Genealogy / Which Polish first names are considered unpopular / obsolete in Poland? [124]

How about "Aldona"?

Used to have many students with that name, now, no more.

Language / Game - guess Polish idioms/sayings in direct English translation [1756]

Our idioms, particularly those using phrasal verbs, e.g "get IN", "get OVER", "get BY", with all their seemingly endless figurative nuances, are probably as consternating for native Polish-born English learners such as yourself in much the same way as your verbal aspects like "pisac", "POpisac", "pisYWAC", "ROZpisywac" etc. are for us foreigners!

Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]

I'd tend to agree with your premise, Delph, only sometimes it's also a mater of student expectations, even before they ever come to school.

Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]

I've found though that many teachers teach for the test simply because many students only study in order to pass their exams and little else!

Polonia / What about the Poles living in Germany? [65]

Many Poles whom I've met living in Germany, in general speak better German than English. No surprise there:-)

Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]

The emphasis on written rather than oral is especially pronounced in Asian society, above all, in S. Korea, Japan, and (Mainland) China as well.

Travel / Are Polish people as unfriendly as Slovaks? [84]

As I posted via "private message" some while ago, both Czech and Polish have enough false friends between them to choke a horseLOL
Needless to reiterate, some can be quite embarrassing.

Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]

Yep, been through that before.

Language / Short Polish<->English translations [1050]

Again respectfully, it all depends on the crowd with which you hang along with their level of culture:-)

Genealogy / Which Polish first names are considered unpopular / obsolete in Poland? [124]

Nonetheless, countless Polish males are named Jakub and Szymon, again, non-Jewish Poles to be sure:-)

Genealogy / Which Polish first names are considered unpopular / obsolete in Poland? [124]

Interesting, thanks Lri!

Genealogy / Which Polish first names are considered unpopular / obsolete in Poland? [124]

What about Semyon Jakub or Bogdan?

Travel / Are Polish people as unfriendly as Slovaks? [84]

Yes, perhaps. Then again, who is to say whether or not those represent the up-and-coming majority of today's young Poles?
I do spend a lot of time in Greenpoint discos, thus I speak from experience.

USA, Canada / Just got out of jail in California and met a young man of Polish ancestry whilst in prison [27]

Wariat, my dear, your handle is well chosen indeed.