History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]


Yes. Even Rolls Royce is tainted with vulgarity. A Bentley is the only way to go.

News / Pawel Adamowicz, Gdansk mayor, dies after stabbing [354]


I know how fond you are of grammatical constructs, but that would be conjecture :)


And yet it's thanks to him that you now find yourself in the position of having to deal with the fallout from the 'no homework' policy for which the education system is ill-prepared. It was he who mooted it in the first place. When you make foolish promises to get votes you then have to deliver on them.I'm afraid it's another example of populist policies that lead at best nowhere and at worst to disaster. As I've often said, they're all as bad as each other in different ways.

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

Pawian, the problem is not the abolishing of homework, the problem is piecemeal educational reform being carried out by governments on a whim. The 'no homework' policy works - just look at Finland - but only as part of a whole system. The curriculum, the methodology of teaching, the measuring of students' progress and attainment, everything needs to change - and it needs to start at pre-school level, just as it does in Finland.

Anyway, you're a creative person so you can meet the challenge. Look at it as an opportunity for something new in your teaching life.

News / How will Poland be affected by WW3 which has now started [559]


No. What Anders means by a citizen army is basically an army reserve. The units would be equipped, not the individuals. My own grandfather was in the British army reserve for eight years and did regular training, extra courses etc. He was called up when war broke out. He was a proper trained soldier already, that's what Anders means. It's also essential for a solid core of NCOS which are really the backbone of the British army. A good Corporal can quickly be promoted to Sergeant in the event of war.

Life / Satanic and Heretical Manifestations in Poland [123]


A very credible author. Do you doubt the veracity of the facts he presents?

Life / Satanic and Heretical Manifestations in Poland [123]


So tell me what you know, based on your reading. It's too much I suppose to expect that you remember the title of the book or the author?

Life / Satanic and Heretical Manifestations in Poland [123]


Irish history and mythology are pretty much inseparable so I'd suggest you read the first history of Ireland written by the monks, the Leabhar Gabhála Éireann (The Book of the Taking of Ireland, also called The Book of Invasions). The basic gist is that Ireland was invaded five times by supernatural races, the last of them being the Tuatha Dé Danann and finally by humans who reached a pact with the Tuatha who retreated underground but who still come out from time to time, which is why people may encounter them.

If you want a quick potted history of the war, this is accurate:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuatha_D%C3%A9_Danann

For the full mythology you need to read the Four Cycles:

Mythological Cycle: The first Irish mythological cycle details the arrival and disappearance of the first inhabitants of Ireland, a group of godlike or supernatural people called Tuatha Dé Dannan. The disappearance of these people gave rise to the Aos Sí, more contemporary mythical Irish creatures including leprechauns, changelings, and the Banshee.

Ulster Cycle: The second cycle is thought to have taken place in the 1st century, around the time of the birth of Jesus Christ. It details quests and feats of ancient heroes, specifically in the areas of Ulster, in the north, and Leinster, in the east.

Fenian Cycle: The third cycle recounts the journey of the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill and his mighty warriors, known as the Fianna.

Historical Cycle: The final Irish mythological cycle, known as the Cycle of the Kings, is the history and genealogy of ancient Irish royals as told by court poets.

Unfortunately there is really no single source for any of this. No single book covers the whole thing or even a whole cycle but there is a collection of translations of tales from all four cycles by Cross and Slover called "Ancient Irish Tales" which is pretty comprehensive.

Oh and there's also this one, very good.

amazon.co.uk/Early-Irish-Myths-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140443975/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37CAXBNM8LAPA&keywords=early+irish+myths+and+sagas&qid=1706110208&sprefix=early+irish+m%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-1

News / How will Poland be affected by WW3 which has now started [559]

Why don't we wait to hear the actual speech instead of what he's expected to say. Btw he expects war with Russia at some point in the next twenty years, not any time soon.

Work / Teaching (high school) Art & Design in Poland realistic? [4]


Not in your field :)

These look interesting:

mnw.art.pl/projekty/wolontariat/informacje-podstawowe/

ochotnicy.waw.pl/aktualnosci/847-ksiazka-i-sztuka-warszawskie-partnerstwo-dla-wolontariatu-na-zoliborzu

Work / Teaching (high school) Art & Design in Poland realistic? [4]


Bascially any jobs website will have an education section.


I presume those are private pre-schools? The pay may not be as much as they say. They sometimes advertise high salaries, especially if they're using a recruitment agency, but the actual offer is lower or if it's from an agency the job doesn't really exist. They just want to register you on their books and that's how they suck you in. Do the jobs mention language skills in Polish?

Another thing to bear in mind if working for private pre-schools is that they are often run by chains on a franchise basis and the owners/principals of the schools have no background in education and make a lot of demands on staff. Expecting you to do a lot of stuff outside of working hours is common.

The only thing I can think of that you may have overlooked is working in art therapy or art for disabled adults or children, maybe in a centre for autism or something.

A lot of jobs in Warsaw are found by word of mouth, through making contacts, so I'd say get out and about and start networking in likely places. You can also go door-to-door with your CV. In Poland a visit in person still works better than emails.

You could also try making contacts through volunteering, though it's not a big field in Poland.

Forgot to mention, a public high school in Poland would require fluent Polish.

Life / Satanic and Heretical Manifestations in Poland [123]


A banshee IS a fairy - 'bean sidhe', it means fairy woman. But the fairies of Ireland are not cute little things with wings and floaty dresses. They are more like another race of people, a supernatural race with whom we share the land. The story is that there was a great battle between us a long time ago and we finally agreed to share the place and not interfere with each other.

I really can't see an issue with it. I think that to deny the possibility of their existence is a lot stranger.


Actually that was the Irish monks :) and don't forget the Book of Kells.

But I love England.

Life / Satanic and Heretical Manifestations in Poland [123]


What are you on about?


They didn't 'choose' it. They converted because their ruler did, as was the case in most countries - but not Ireland of course :)


Verily I salute thee, oh master of witicisms!

Life / Satanic and Heretical Manifestations in Poland [123]


Maf strikes again! That one deserves a standing ovation :))


There is a difference between Satanists (idiots) and Pagans or those who are interested in following pre-Christian religious practices. For example in Ireland, many pre-Christian beliefs and practices survived and co-existed quite happily alongside Christianity. My own grandmother who went to Mass every day, knew and believed a lot of stuff that you would probably call witchcraft eg. the custom of the piseog, the belief in fairies and the necessity of respecting them for fear of retribution. She wouldn't see any contradiction between the two belief systems and neither do I.

rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/0706/1151667-piseogs-ireland-folklore-evil-magic-spells/#:~:text=The%20word%20piseog%20has%20different,are%20not%20exclusive%20to%20Ireland.

Life / Medical screening in Poland [4]

There is a chain called Lux Med who have English speaking doctors. The rest of the staff have limited English though.

Life / Satanic and Heretical Manifestations in Poland [123]

Johnny, I think you'll find that Bobbers is attempting 'being hilariously funny'. Doesn't quite make it but a few marks for effort.

Law / Taxes and money, need some clarifications... [8]


There is a very good online accountant called Taxe.pl. My husband used them when self-employed and they were very efficient. The package he used cost under 100zl per month and they did his monthly income tax and VAT returns and ZUS for that. They send in the relevant paperwork to the tax office and notify you of how much you have to pay.

taxe.pl/oferta.html

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]

Yes, very weird. According to RTE news he was Lithuanian.

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]


It's nice, isn't it? I love seeing all the generations playing music together, the youngest kids and the 'aul fellas' :)) They put the word out on Facebook a few weeks before and gave the name of the tune to learn and then people simply turned up on the day with their instruments.

Another thing you'd like is in Dublin on Tuesday nights in the Stag's Head pub. You bring your ukelele - I'm serious! actually you can bring a guitar or a banjo as well, you won't be turned away. If you can't play you can just join in the singing:



I'm sure that as a Brit you know what I mean about missing 'the music' when I'm in Poland.

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]

I agree and don't forget the music! Everybody in the world should be doing this. None of these people had met before the day they recorded this. That's what being a nation is about:

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]

No need for that. They can have a GAA cumann. Poland already has Cumann Warszawa :))

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]


The Chinese Premier was in Ireland today and according to the Irish government Ireland wants a "very strong and constructive relationship" with China, Whilst the old Chinee himself said "We are both committed to long-standing friendship and co-operation between our two countries, which really is the theme of this relationship and second there's huge potential in our cooperation," So you'd better watch your step Comrade :) you could all be speaking Irish a few years from now ;)

Off-Topic / Pop A Cork - Wine [437]


Wonderful! I had one granny who was tee-total apart from a half pint of Guinness now and again for the iron - the other had her hair dyed bright red, Elsie Tanner style, and frequented the lounge bar of the local hotel, knocking back gin and tonics and cavorting with her old flames from pre-Grandad days :))

Off-Topic / Pop A Cork - Wine [437]

Accidental. Martell cognac was founded by Jean Martell and Martel champagne by a chap called Gustav Martel.

Law / Father is on life support in Poland. I am in the USA and his only heir. What are the steps I need to take? [3]

Hi Steve, sorry to hear about your troubles.


There isn't much you can do until he actually dies. You have six months to reject the inheritance but bear in mind that if you do, the inheritance passes to the deceased's grandchildren, so if you have kids, be aware of that. They also need to be included in their own right in any rejection process.

The best thing you can do while in Poland is to gather all the information you will need for the rejection eg. things like your father's Polish PESEL number, his full address etc.

If you want to reject an inheritance, you must submit a written or oral declaration of rejection to one of these places. The first two are only if you live in Poland.

at the notary,
in the district court competent for your place of residence,
in the inheritance court,
at the territorially competent consular office of the Republic of Poland - this applies to persons living abroad, who must also submit their declaration to the above-mentioned inheritance court.

So, in your case, after your father dies, I would get a translator to create a document for you, stating your rejection, take it along to the Consulate and also send the same thing by registered post to the inheritance court. The court competent to hear an application for confirmation of inheritance is the District Court, Civil Division, of the last place of habitual residence of the deceased. To be on the safe side, I'd get the document notarized. Poland loves notarized documents! Office staff in Poland can be a bit careless especially with communications from abroad, and they'll pay more attention/be more careful with a notarized document.

Here is an article that explains the process of how to reject the inheritance in depth. It's in Polish, so use Google Translate to get it in English.

totalmoney.pl/artykuly/odrzucenie-spadku-jak-odrzucic-spadek-dowiedz-sie-jak-wyglada-postepowanie-spadkowe

Life / Has feminism and lesbianism progressed in Poland? [645]

I've finished the ironing........... see how sad I am :(( There simply MUST be something more to do!

• 
  sl1600.jpg
  

Life / Has feminism and lesbianism progressed in Poland? [645]


I think there have always been Lucy Loud-voice types. Otherwise Shakespeare's King Lear wouldn't have made the point about Cordelia that ' 'Her voice was ever soft, Gentle and low - an excellent thing in a woman'.

Life / Has feminism and lesbianism progressed in Poland? [645]


Civilized people put felt pads on their furniture legs. This also stops noise. Carpet can only be damaged if it's cheap nylon, foam-backed stuff. Even then, it would take considerable force to rip through it with a sofa!


Well, they did have something along those lines once upon a time. Ever heard of a scold's bridle? I must say American women really do sound quite dreadful. It must be a great disappointment, if not a torture to you to have two daughters and all those granddaughters.

Life / Has feminism and lesbianism progressed in Poland? [645]


Only if it's one where I can talk about embroidery and fluffy kittens - or housework of course.

Anyway, I simply must share this wonderful find with all of you - a leg brace which will keep any lady firmly manacled to the kitchen sink, while not compromising her elegance. Its made of transparent plastic so nobody will know you're wearing it but it will hold you firmly in place, just in case you get an unwomanly impulse to abandon your domestic duties. A fabulous find!

• 
  2725072662_e3bbfc551.jpg
  

Life / Has feminism and lesbianism progressed in Poland? [645]

Well, all the laundry is done - doesn't it look nice? Now, what can I find to do next? What about a spot of vacuuming and sweeping!

• 
  51327257490_f1a80e1d.jpg
  
• 
  Housework759x1024.j.jpg
  

Life / Has feminism and lesbianism progressed in Poland? [645]

Oh, Paulina, Lenka! Hey girls! My husband just surprised me with this fabulous laundry set! I can't wait to get started. Now every day can be wash day!

• 
  360_634df7363266ea82.jpg