UK, Ireland / The best way for a Polish person to learn English? [34]

some studying with the book is necessary, but I learned how to speak English from American TV and radio. In Chicago I saw a lot of Polish people unable to give up their Polish media.

Now I'm teaching myself Spanish the same way. Radio is a riot, but TV is pretty bad.

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


Thanks Polonius! I always teased my mother about her maiden name and her thrifty ways - she is staunchly anti Israel but suprisingly pro Jewish - but all she had to do was point at that side of her family; blond, steel blue eyed with little upturned noses.

How about Raś? Any idea where they came from?

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

What about last name Furman, from Świętokrzyskich? Is it a Jewish last name?

Travel / Photos from Poland [258]


Wow McCoy! Some incredible shots! Are they yours? Do you have a website?

Food / Do Polish people really love cabbage ?? [78]

When most of fresh food in my refrigerator rotted, there was still a nice head of cabbage and some potatoes left.
LOL Disclaimer: that's a proof of cabbage superior storage capability, not an insight into my current practices.
How about cabbage and mashed potatoes? Colcannon Irish call it, right?

Genealogy / Clan Prus I here! [12]

I see. Thanks you! Forwarding it to my father.

Genealogy / Clan Prus I here! [12]

Yes. Technically, we're Prus II as well, but if you listen to my father you'd think that the "merger" did not sit well the original, hence the distinction.

Food / Do Polish people really love cabbage ?? [78]

my mother makes her own sauerkraut and eats a spoonful every time she gets an indigestion/ sour stomach. Does not make any sense to me but she swears by it!

Food / Do Polish people really love cabbage ?? [78]

Yes we love cabbage.
It's easy to grow and has myriads of health benefits.
I like it as a side veg, steamed, lately with ginger and soy sauce.
I also make many different simple salads - cole slaws variations, sans mayo.

Genealogy / What are common Polish character traits? [417]

About the complaining thing. It's a warped kind of being humble. For example, if someone says "You have a beautiful house", a Polish person will find something wrong with it in reply, like "oh it's too drafty, too expensive, neighbours are a pain...". To this day I can't take a compliment. Even if we're enjoying ourselves, we like to temper it by pointing out anything that is or might be wrong with it. It's a form of politeness. ;) Another side of it is that we are very good at worst case analysis. Half empty kind of people. It keeps down the number of disappointments.

History / Polish historical myths - to break or not to break them? [257]


Crap. One less thing to b!tch about.

History / Polish historical myths - to break or not to break them? [257]

duct tape (could not help it, it's a personal pet peeve)

Life / Poles are not racist [873]

seriously, dude, you're like a rabid chihuahua. I'm going to have to ignore you (until that button comes!).

Life / Poles are not racist [873]

1jola LOL you are trying way too hard fool

Life / Poles are not racist [873]


LOL! You didn't get the sarcasm! Sorry you had to exert yourself like that.

Life / Poles are not racist [873]

During communism Poles were educated about the evils of racism. It was a perfect opportunity to show how capitalist America was treating their oppressed descendants of slaves.

I don't think you can generalize when it comes to Poles and racism. We have both extremes. Many are incredibly open, constantly trying to prove it (to the fault sometimes), and many are so hateful, as if seeing somebody of a different color is a sure sign of imminent Tatar invasion.

Off-Topic / What's your connection with Poland? Penpals. [554]

Polish. At tender age of 16 transplanted, with my family, to USA.

Language / Polish Swear Words [1242]

that's funny!

Work / Teaching English in Zakopane, is it safe? [45]


That's funny - I got berated for speaking English last time I was in back, and by my waitress, no less!

Language / 'ucha' [23]

to me, most of the time it does add a slight derogatory slant.
for example:
stara - starucha
does not mean a big old lady, just not a nice old lady. Staruszka implies a nice old lady. Polish dimunitives imply affection.

I guess -ucha it would be an opposite of dimunitive.. whatever that word is.

Love / I love my Polish girl! Wanted to share my story. [55]

Why can't she rent out her apartment in Warsaw? You're probably committing not only to support her, but her apartment in Poland as well. And whatever other obligations she might have there...

And you worry about her feeling bad about it. You are so sweet. I hope she really loves you.

Food / What is your favorite Polish Vodka? [653]

I've done the taste test, and could not tell gut rot from expensive stuff.
But, I've been trying to conduct the relative hangover experiments, and although it's impossible to do scientifically, I'll still swear you get what you pay for. Belvedere is much kinder to me next day than, let's say, Skol.

Food / What is your favorite Polish Vodka? [653]

Belvedere

Language / "There will always be a Poland" in Polish [9]

'as long as' instead of 'until'

History / Polish-German alliance. [489]


What's with the 'vermin' dude, you really like repeating that word? How about this quote from Hitler: “How fortunate for leaders that men do not think.”

Language / It is not possible to translate names into English or Polish! [52]


I was joking... sorry.
Jaszcz might have been some kind of waggon.
Or the beginning of lizard - jaszczurka

Language / It is not possible to translate names into English or Polish! [52]

Jaszczak sounds bad. I hope I'm wrong, but it might have something to do with pi$$ing.
I also think that just about every Polish last name has originated from some recognizable word.
Go ahead, hit me up. Give me a POLISH last name and I will translate it for you!

Language / IS "MURZYN" word RACIST? [686]

I thought czarny/a is least offensive, if somewhat grammatically incorrect.
Murzyn is negro - not so neutral, according to the exact translation.
Czarnuch is n!gger, the most offensive.
African, to me, is stupid. There are many white Africans as well.
Mulat is so similar to mulatto, which means half black half white.

Language / Polish Swear Words [1242]

goscccc
LOL
Kurva also can be an exclamation of high praise, depending on circumstances.
Just as "suck my d!ck" can mean "wait a moment, please" if you ever worked in a New York kitchen.