History / What makes you feel Polish? [167]

Pedantic as I am I'll start with writing that to me being Polish is a choice, I have always felt weird about my fellow Norwegians questioning my interest in Poland and things that are Polish. To me it was fully natural as my biological father is Polish and I associated every bit of upbringing I got from him with Poland. Wether it was movies we saw together (Polish movies/series), language patriotism lessons (Saturday's/Sunday's were dedicated to learning Polish grammar and how to say the months of the calendar in Polish), religion, my family's background and history. How it came to how it was my father got to Norway and why I was born in Norway. Who ruined our family's prospects and why, where Poland was&is located, history of Poland etc.

To me I allways linked Poland with loving her so, to me Poland was allways about love. Whenever I experienced bitterness, hatred, anger, loneliness I allways had patriotic music or something about Poland which reminded me of love.

Later on as I experienced life more and more I have come to appreciate it further, and even tho in my social background we are taught to hide our feelings, and only share it with God as most people seem to laugh at us for them. We are quite mysterious and misunderstood cause of that, many may think the worst of us. Simply cause we might seem so cold, while in reality we quite warm but, knowing of the consequences of sharing your feelings.

This is also why I love Poles so much, no matter what feeling one has, they share it with everyone. Wether it's negative or positive, terrible or awesome. A Poles emotions are sincere, and I want to grow closer to that, more then anything

Life / "Weird" "Strange" "Unique" Polish Customs [36]

@Atch
It was the combination I was thinking about west+east you know :)

@OdrowazP
You wouldn't have to ask, if you knew the answer already. So there are no stupid questions in this regard

I haven't experienced them being cooked (kiełbasa)

Life / "Weird" "Strange" "Unique" Polish Customs [36]

Painting eggs in Easter, putting it in a basket (with some bread and sausage) then get it blessed with holy water at the church. It's a Polish-Catholic tradition

Off-Topic / The tale of a land called "Fieldia" [6]

I am going to write the story in asterisks from now on *

More then happy about comments, suggestions and ideas. Currently pondering over writing a book about Polish history in a "fairy tale" manner

Off-Topic / The tale of a land called "Fieldia" [6]

"Little Bear's" newest wife (He was conquering allright, just not lands. Or was it collecting? Never mind! And please don't ask me questions about this!) demanded that he had to recognize her first as the only wife in his presence. Her name was "Forclapping" (strange name I know...) and created a bit of an headache for the Lil'Bear. He announced loud and sternly that "Forclapping" was his only wife from now on. He had to live up to the Christian life of an monogamous marriage if he were to be seen as a Catholic by the church (meaning also the emperor as catholics see and strive for unity among it's members like one body and soul). For a while this lead to a peaceful and prosperous moment, until the emperor demanded Lil'Bears son to be raised at the emperor's court...

That son was called "Painfully Glorious and bold" which we can shorten down to: Painglor the bold".
Painglor the bold after having learned about the way of life at the emperor's court and being influenced by Christianity (by "The Mutes" mind you, it's the general term every "human by the word" uses for them. We simply call them Germans) after taking on the leadership of the Fielders after his father the Lil'Bear, he persuaded by words or sword that one must unite the remaining tribes of "The people of the word" before they fall under the rule of the Duke of Burnthahill or King Casub. Cause otherwise every human of the word would become a servant of the emperor!

Painglor the Bold began conquering neighboring land by the sword boldly (hence the name) winning approval from the emperor and the priest down in the south (that priest is called Pope nowadays and leads the Catholic Church so we say, which wasn't a clear nor easy thing back then mind you!) as more and more people became Christians. Even tho it dismayed the Duke of Burnthahill, as he saw those lands and people his to plunder and conquer. He couldn't do much, since the emperor wanted it this way. King Casub on the other hand was more then pleased that his family (Painglor the bolds mother came from that kings family after all) was increasing their influence.

After many years of conquest, the pope cheered on by a conflict between the emperor and himself about who is supposed to lead the church, sent in a quite clever manner a crown to Painglor the bold. Naming him a rightful and justful ruler of all fielders, this angered the emperor as the emperor had used a lot of time grooming Painglor the Bold since childhood and considered himself to be the authority about matters of state. (This divided the Germans and had consequences even to this day)

After receiving the crown and named King, within the same year. Painglor the Bold... Died... Leaving no clear successor as he had many sons, the emperor being busy with the pope. His sons divided Fieldia amongst themselves by allying different tribes and everyone calling themselves the rightful ruler of Fieldia. In a true Fieldian way I can assure you. While all this was happening both the Duke of Burnthahill, King Casub and other nearby neighbors saw their chance and either fought over who was to be king of Fieldia or grabbed lands they wanted.

All this went on until the uniter of Fieldia took the stage!

Off-Topic / The tale of a land called "Fieldia" [6]

As the emperors influence grew larger and expanded ever closer, the fielders won plenty of skirmishes and even a battle against one of the emperors servants, a Duke of his newly conquered and acquired land. He called his land "Burn That Hill" little to say, he wasn't fond of anything being on hills. The name changed later on to Burthahill, and you are wise to remember this Duke and his grudge towards the Fielders as it's vital to understand the story later on.

The emperor started hearing about complaints and excuses from his Duke about a troublesome gathering of unknowers halting his expansion eastward. The Emperor was mildly surprised as he had never encountered this problem before, especially in the land close to or people related with fielders as he only knew as "unknowns".

The emperor decided to give the job of finding out about this issue to one of his other servants, a diplomat of some sort. Not knowing the language of these unknowers, the diplomat travelled to the kingdom of "Cause Substance", a very weird name I know. The people there are equally weird, but dearly loved non the less. Let's call it "Casub" for the sake of the story.

The king of Casub pondered about this issue and saw an opportunity of possibly outgrowing the emperor himself and gaining influence within the empire and told the diplomat he would contact these unknowers himself as he knew who they are and is able to communicate with them easily. The diplomat brought the information back to the emperor and now it was the King of Casub's turn to "handle" the fielders. The king of Casub had been watching his rival "The Duke of Burthahill" and his colleagues expanding by the sword in nearby lands, having little chance to prevail he sought it only fit to submit to their boss "the emperor" while gaining a rank and title higher then them. Not only did he cleverly secure his lands from attacks, but he also weren't any less important then his immidiate neighbors. Now these fielders had given him an perfect opportunity to improve his standing in the empire, possibly slow down or even halt this empire from growing larger.

So it wasn't without a reason that the king of Casub gladly contacted the fielders about all this ruckus. This is how "Little bear" and the fielders came in closer contact with the... Let's call them Casubians shall we? Not to be mixed with the "Whatwindowers" which are one of the fielder tribes.

King Casub explained that the emperor knew very little about us "humans living by the word" (it's a lot shorter in their native tongue) and he would more then happy to tell the emperor himself if they told him who they were. "Little bear" told him without much hassle that he had become the leader of these tribes out of the growing concern of this unknown empire. King Casub then told them about the empires main religion and how it was a huge driving force to expand not only to the people of the word but, also to other people they had never heard of. This made the fielders ponder over it a long time, and asked: Who should we talk to about joining this religion? King of Casub seemed rather surprised and answered that the religion is organized by a religious man in a far away land, far to the south where there was once an empire that his emperor tries awaken, but in a different version.

This lead to the events of Fieldia becoming baptized and joining the religious community we now a days call "The Catholic Church", King Casub married away one of his family members. A female mind you! In those times there could only be that form of marriage, between a man and a women. However, "Little Bear" had many females in marriage! Called wives! (We would call them concubines nowadays but, let's get on with the story)

Off-Topic / The tale of a land called "Fieldia" [6]

A long time ago, before microwaves, cars and a boring situation. There was a time of chaos, people attacking and invading other people, treating your neighbor as if he had spoils that should had been your own leading to banditry on a larger scale, bandit leaders naming themselves kings as only other bandit kings could oppose their lies. Cause a king is a right and justful ruler, not one that brings his misery and misdeeds on to others... In this tale more precisely their neighbors.

While the vast lands of the old continent was in conflict (as it useally is) one of it's conflicts grew ever closer to the rather isolated tribes that were settled in what is today's Fieldia. The tribal chieftains of those days were busy enough with drinking, harvesting, fights when need to be and creating more life in general. It all changed however, rumors began to spread from one tribe to another, of one neighbors distant neighbor or other falling before a mighty army ruled by an emperor either by sword or words.

"What has to be done?" Asked the tribes each other, clearly other tribes could not defeat this emperor otherwise they would not have heard of him. One even became a king in that emperors fashion to avoid conflict with him! "What are we supposed to?" After many nights of drinking and quarrels, nowadays called debates. There was one fella, renowned by the name of "Lilttle Bear" he wasn't that little nor was he very beast like either like a bear. It was a crude joke which he had accepted which made people see his true nature more easily. He proposed to unite the tribes under the guise of him being a ruler, while every tribal leader would continue doing what they had done to this moment, "The little bear" would take care and ask for help from everyone when it came to "taking care of" this emperor. Most agreed, and those who disagreed either were left on their own and swallowed up by the emperors servants or reminded of how useful it is to count when harvesting grain when there is not one snowflake falling on your field, but many.

History / Świętowit/Svetovid, God of our ancestors - Does He watch over us even now? [47]

@Crow
Poland is quite stubborn so I agree to the donkey part, it's not being ridden however. More like... been given carrots for a long time and doesn't mind carrying a much larger cargo right now out of thankfulness.

So... don't take away our carrots or our memory of carrots.

German part of me is very small, like grandmother of my grandparent on fathers side. It would mean I could have like, what? Too little Serbianism to even consider it? I need to have my focus on Polish matters

Destroyed? Greeks or Romans haven't destroyed anything in Poland, only been giving ideas. What have they done to Serbia?

History / Świętowit/Svetovid, God of our ancestors - Does He watch over us even now? [47]

@Lenka
There many different variations of Christians and I am not talking about theological differences alone (Catholicism/Protestantism/Orthodoxy)
There are also professional differences and perspective/attitude differences: scholarly one/clergy, crusader/soldier/combatant, nursing/nun/motherly.

Different reactions, words and behavior depending on ones life and experiences. It ain't black and white: This: good for me, that bad for me.

There are variations of good, variations of bad, some things are mixed and others are so strongly good it's bad to call it bad, and some things are so strongly bad it's bad to call it good

@Crow
I should call you a can opener from now on, the German part of me wish this thread to be purely about the thread topic but, alas it is what it is. A thread to discuss

History / Świętowit/Svetovid, God of our ancestors - Does He watch over us even now? [47]

I see that plenty of forum posters have walked in to the domain of a history thread, quite amusing to read it honestly. But still, let's clarify some things

@Crow
"Tell me, what is wrong with Svetovid? Or Yarilo or Perun? Or Baba Yaga?

Why we here talk about guys from deserts?"

Crow, you are posting on a forum with members that are Christian (meaning somebody who believes that Jesus Christ is the God that Abraham spoke to in flesh, came down to earth so that we can rise up from not only the hell we were moving towards on this earth but, also from entering hell in the afterlife and be able to enter heaven),

so comparing Svetovid (which is seen as demonic or an attempt by satan to turn ANY human being away from the light which is Jesus Christ) in a religious context instead of a purely cultural one, which has more to do about: religion being used by pagans in the old times to collect and transfer knowledge and traditions to the next generation. (How to treat nature, relations, animals etc)

If you want to post about cultural heritage of Slavs etc, it is not an issue. Treading in to a theological debate is quite another.

@johnny_reb
I wouldn't say nothing, it had certain influence of the language (Polish), just like Norse mythology have on Scandinavian languages. One only needs to think of the name of the days in a week (Torsdag = Thursday meaning Thor's day)

To me it's symbolic in the way it shows it was used to give hommage to somebody who did a deed in the past (so much it was elevated to deity status before Christianity entered pagan realms) and now is being only used to organize your day. That surely is a great victory for Christianity, turning a lie in to a useful organizational tool instead.

Off-Topic / "the butched launch of cyberpunk" by the economist (Poland in denial again) [19]

Most games these days have a very difficult launch, the larger the company, the greater the expectations and larger push from investors to launch as quickly as possible from fans as well. Just that: buyers expect quality product when launched, and investors want a quick buck and want that quick buck as soon as possible. By both pushing too much, the creative and producing quality of the game is reduced and expecatations usually not met.

So I would rather judge the product after a good amount of patches etc, if the company opens up for it. If the company launches the game, then adds nothing to it afterwards THEN it's 100% only about the money.

That's my opinion anyhow

Law / Registering for military service in Poland. Is it mandatory? [34]

@johnny_reb
Most likely yes, but not with how the law is currently made up. Most likely there would be a general appeal by the government in the media, then rest of society would act out through media/church/jungle telegraph etc. the usual channels of communication in Polish society.

Just like with Polish uprisings, if a man at that time bails instead of going to the fight... well... good luck finding any relationship in Poland after that.

@Novichok
Are you serious? ...
1. Read Polish history
2. Check out Poland's geographical location
3. Learn about how Polish society is build up
4. Learn about Germany's national interests
5. Learn about The Russian Federations interests
6. Learn about how Germany solves conflicts now vs before
7. Learn how The Russian federation solves conflict now vs before
8. Wrestle with the probability of past actions or "traditions" in either Germany or Russian Federation being brought back during a crisis (such as war) or not.

9. Every state needs an army, the very core existence and reason of a state is it's monopoly on violence. Police is an extension of that, just that police is focused with resolving civilian conflicts on their own territory within their own state (internal challenges) while the army is trained, prepared to deal with external threats. In peacetime they co-operate and support administrative factions such like ministry of foreign affairs (or department depending on country) giving weight to diplomatically talks or support external allies for long-term or short-term benefits.

There is also the pre-emptive show of force and deterring tactics. Why attack/invade somebody who has tanks, when you can get the same what you need from hippies jumping around in the streets? (States usually focus on resources and possibility of an increase of tax-income, if the cost of external expansion is too high, like huge possibility of getting nuked or everyone ganging up on you. Then internal strengthening is more feasible)

PS: I didn't add Austria as they are now a minor player and don't seem to be dead set on world conquest or European domination in any sense that can be threatening to Poland's sovereignty

Law / Registering for military service in Poland. Is it mandatory? [34]

@johnny_reb
Not as far as I know, I think there is an internet service aveliable for the military about ones criminal record. So it seems they have access to all PESEL holders, but that's only speculation from my side.

So unless you volunteer for służba przygotowawcza, you are not on the list of reserves.

Law / Registering for military service in Poland. Is it mandatory? [34]

@johnny_reb
You get called in to get a military book at the age of 18. It used to be conscription earlier (remnant of PRL) now it is for volunteers. An internet site has been launched to easily and fast inform of interest. Then you get a date to meet up at ones local recruitment center and deliver required information etc

History / Pre-war or today's Poland? [50]

@jon357
That's because there is perspective of why Poland-Lithuania fell: to strong authoritarian regimes.
Which is why a more collective approach as been a goal in Poland. While at the same time ignoring the short-longevity and internal problems of authoritarian regimes post ww1 era.

No matter what system you have, or how good troops you have. One can't win a fight vs 3 great powers in Europe alone, at the same time

History / Sin of omission against Poland (Uprising ignored by Britannica) [25]

The Polish uprising should be mentioned as worldly important as the event set off the start of the Cold War relationship between the Soviet Union and the west (U.K&U.S.A)

The Soviet leadership saw the uprising as an western plot and thought that there also was sent Polish paratroopers by the U.K into Warsaw (It was the very point of it's existence, but used in Market Garden instead)

Poland remained a sore point of the Cold War conflict, a nation which clearly saw itself in the western "camp" but, under the yoke of the Soviet Union.

If anybody says the Warsaw uprising was insignificant to the world, it's most likely cause the person doesn't want to touch the topic of the Cold War. It was basically a test of the Soviet Union's leadership and showed abundantly clear it wasn't for "the people" and was more interested in plotting

Love / Must go to confession before the wedding in Poland? [20]

@Novichok
I see, continuation of this topic by me seem to not lead anywhere. A was a bit too optimistic.

You don't need to concern yourself Novichok, I am quite allright.

Believe it or not. I just hope I can worry less about you and @Strzelec35

Love / Must go to confession before the wedding in Poland? [20]

@Novichok
You are over stepping your boundaries, I would be careful if I were you. You are playing with fire

Since it's your business, I would do some cleaning before opening the shop again. People do tend to be superficial and look at your actions more then the words itself

As for the topic at hand: Confession is a Good way to lift your burdains, especially if you want the allmighty to hear you in a sincere and honest way

History / Polish nobility - what is the status of princes and aristocrats in modern Poland? [33]

@Novichok
Right about what excactly?

@pawian
I can hardly imagine HIM being one or having aristocratic heritage dear pawian

@jon357
It doesn't have to be regulated, too much paperwork. Especially as it doesn't give any legal advantages. Since the partition of Poland it has been quite problematic to adress it. Most noble families have a clue about the requirements

History / Polish nobility - what is the status of princes and aristocrats in modern Poland? [33]

@Novichok
In the by gone era the supporters of a king or somebody claiming a throne, after conquering lands redistributed a lot of land to their loyal supporters. These supporters gained these lands and governed them on behalf of the ruler, later on one got nobled or knighted by the king for achievements (loyal service, scientific discovery or on the field of battle) this status came useally with a privilege and connections (most lucrative were connections with the royal court)

Privileges included right to vote, less taxation or exempted from it and military service (quite similar privileges as a modern state citizen nowadays)

As there are less royal rulers and nobility around, the chance of becoming one grows slimmer by the day, there are different traditions of enoblement from country to country.

While most countries had a hierarchy of titles showing the amount of land one had and status, other countries saw upon titled nobility as foreign (Hrabia is an example of an aristocratic title with foreign background, useally considered to be bought for money in the Austrian partition)

Nowadays nobility doesn't give any special privileges, except in U.K with the House of Lords. It's only a lifestyle and tradition that is left, unless the family hasn't lost it's estates, then it's that too

History / Polish nobility - what is the status of princes and aristocrats in modern Poland? [33]

@Novichok
This was at a time when photographs became a novelty so: Of course not, ones identity papers did not include any pictures.

Law / Middle name change in Poland. "Van" or "Von"? I got a double passport (Polish/French). [6]

"Von" was a requirement to add to ones surname if you had an aristocratic background in Germany (late 1800?) I am pretty sure it was for the families that had German nobility, even tho all nobles regardless of nationality/culture had to follow Prussia's/Germans heraldic laws

Love / How do Polish men feel about gender equality? [780]

@Lenka
I read the title and presumed too much then

About kids, I would very much prefer to raise them as much as possible in a family (me+a women)

I just don't see it realistic as women tend to issue divorce papers majorly and I am for monogamy, I just have rather grim view of my future partnership with a women. I don't seek a short relationship with several break ups and divorces. If marriage ain't sacred. I just lose interest, not cause I need some legal barrier cause I could think she wants get away as soon as possible, but rather I wouldn't want to bond with someone who see it as trivial or merely a social expectation

Love / How do Polish men feel about gender equality? [780]

@Lenka
Traditional gender roles in a household cut short:
Men: Fixing something broken (material), paying the bills, having professional contacts through their job or spare time activities.
Women: Keeping household clean (dust cleaning/washing), cooking food taking, care of children and having social circles locally with other women to update the entire family of the situation locally.

1. I am fully able to vacuum clean by myself (done so a lot as a kid, also throwing out trash... Not a big deal) washing I got still a lot to learn, there are YouTube videos on that so that so not much of a barrier.

2. I have the last few years focused on my eating habits and I prefer that I cook/make the meal myself as I will know what I eat. Not going to gamble away my health for the sake of somebody's taste sensitivities.

3. Even if I did have kids, there are kindergarten, school etc. most kids don't require that much maintenance like in the past when it came to watching them as parents. The effort required now is more to listen and being there for them, which I can easily do. Kids love me so it ain't a problem.

4. We got newspapers nowadays and female co-workers so we get the information we need anyways. So why even bother.

Love / How do Polish men feel about gender equality? [780]

By being more assertive and demanding more while self bringing less to the table during negotiations... I don't know what ones call it, I myself demand more of myself now and have a hard time finding any women offering enough for me compared to how much I am able to offer now and in the future to her.

I had a very open mind about dating and meeting women, now I prefer to focus on myself as I have become rather pessimistic about meeting somebody I will be able to bond with from the opposite sex.

So in my instance (and possibly other men aswell) you can talk all you want about men not doing their share. I'll do my own share (the 100% share) on my own terms if it's so difficult for women to negotiate.

Life / What do Polish people talk about? [56]

@pawian
That is when hosting a meal (The hosts rules apply) and hospitality seems to be far greater trait shared across local variations. So hospitality is a far more cultural/national trait then local culture (what food to eat/how to drive/Warsaw vs Kraków differences)

Love / How do Polish men feel about gender equality? [780]

@Novichok
I have it opposite in fact: I do not recognize power (as one can't be more powerful then the almighty, so in the grand scale of things we are quite the small rocks of a mountain, either on top or near the foundation of the mountain, still rocks)

While somebody having the knowledge and experience naturally has authority in their "specialty"
Wether somebody specializes one form or multiple ways of communication (oral, written or body-language) their knowledge doesn't become less or more important.

Are you afraid of local religious extremists or a large religious institution dictating your or someone close to you ways of living?

Just curious

Love / How do Polish men feel about gender equality? [780]

@Novichok
I do wonder about that stance and how it is defended when talked about sense of community and how it should be, a religious community should communicate. Should it not? Is one of one body or not?

Life / What do Polish people talk about? [56]

@Fredde
1. You are basically complaining that Poles "overcommunicate" compared to how much Swedes communicate (newsflash Scandinavians in general communicate very little)

2. Yeah Poles are also far more emotional and burst it out by screaming swear words (the lower the social position, the higher frequency of swearing)

3. Most Poles are not raised in the same sense of community like Scandinavians, it's a cultural gap. While Poles tend to have a tremendously high degree of self consciousness about their own needs, others needs need to be stated. Otherwise it will be ignored, Polish society has become well accustomed to a plural thought where there is no guarantee of an other persons habits are the same as ones own. While Scandinavian society's are more accustomed to a set of rules that everyone needs to follow in a much higher degree.

4. Fight your dragons and guard your treasures! :)
There is a Polish saying: "Don't sleep or they will rob you"
There is no excuse to not be responsible for yourself! :)