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

I guess there was an information that your grandfather was born in "Nieschowmie". So, in nominative case the name of the city may sound like "Nieżychowo", "Mieszków", "Nieszawa", "Mieszkowo", "Nieszkowo", "Nieszków". The two last ones would sound in Polish: "urodził się w Nieszkowie".

Good luck with searching!

Life / Why Polish people should be proud of being Polish? [370]

First contacts are usually great, but, after it? I have a feeling that people stay with each other in good relations just during some time. Finding good friends is sometimes hard, when the great summer time finishes.

Life / Weird names Polish parents give to their kids [43]

Sameligelimelion or it's a mistake in callendar.

Life / Why Polish people should be proud of being Polish? [370]

It's a good trait. They just become friends and don't judge each other. They are kind and funny. just love company of others and have their celebrations, parties and twitter meet-ups. I'd rather say that many Polish stick to their families and close friends. They don't like to trust strangers. It's a bit sad.

Life / Why Polish people should be proud of being Polish? [370]

Just a few words... Why Australian, American, others can go abroad and stay there for years without hearing from countrymen: "You are emigrant, it is so wrong!" It's just so normal for them: they visit other countries, have plenty adventures, new experiences and plenty problems and at least they know that they live instead of having a style of life some people who stay here and don't see opportunities the world gives us.

Some of us just have to go abroad because they have not many (saying gently) chances to be someone and achive something in their country. Are they proud that they are Polish? For sure, yeah, some are, some aren't.

:)
I actually envy people who live and work abroad. There are many reasons for it. I am not so courageous yet. Maybe one day I will go to Scotland, Ireland, or somewhere else, to the dream land were are plenty astonishing and incredible castles, clean air and friendly people, I don't know. But for sure it won't change being proud of my nationality, national heroes, language, artists, history and wonderful cities.

Language / Special Polish Prayers / (Funeral too) that stand out [12]

I've found four songs for you. Maybe you will like them like I do. Finding an English translation is difficult.

Chwalcie łąki

1. Chwalcie łąki umajone,
Góry, doliny zielone.
Chwalcie, cieniste gaiki,
-ródła i kręte strumyki!

Czarna Madonna

1. Jest zakątek na tej ziemi
Gdzie powracać każdy chce,
Gdzie króluje Jej Oblicze,
Na Nim cięte rysy dwie.
Wzrok ma smutny, zatroskany,
Jakby chciała prosić cię,
Byś w matczyną Jej opiekę oddał się.

Z dawna Polski Tyś Królową

1. Z dawna Polski Tyś Królową, Maryjo!
Ty za nami przemów słowo, Maryjo!
Ociemniałym podaj rękę,
Niewytrwałym skracaj mękę,
Twe Królestwo weź w porękę, Maryjo!

Kiedy ranne wstają zorze

Kiedy ranne wstają zorze,
Tobie ziemia, Tobie morze,
Tobie śpiewa żywioł wszelki,
Bądź pochwalon, Boże wielki!

Language / Differences in Polish and English idioms [69]

Summa summarum, my favourite example of Latin saying, "suma sum" lub "wszystko razem"...
Good times of my life, when I was learning Latin are in front of my mind now. Thanks for that. Yes, it is.
:)

History / Tuchola in Poland - roots of Katyn? [220]


Can You? So do this. As you probably heard in Katyń was murdered a flower of Polish intelligentsia. Thats why I wrote that they were too wise to live for some torturers.


Sigh.

History / Tuchola in Poland - roots of Katyn? [220]

ConstantineK
Ok, so, somebody wanted to escape trying to go through a barbwire... Maybe he had a weak psychic and just wanted to die? Maybe it was his choice? If he thought: we can wait for a rescue, we will be trying to run away somehow, we will wait for somebody who will help us... there are plenty options instead of just going on a fence knowing a soldier will kill me. He will, because he has to do his job. Because in that case it was his duty. I have always a choice. When I become a prisoner of a war, I need to know that I can be killed without reasons. I don't see that Polish officers wanted very much to eliminate Russians there. They didn't. The matter looks different from Poles' point of view. Polish officers in Katyń were tortured and killed. Because they had no right to live due to Russians. Because they had to be eliminated. Because they were too wise. Well, nothing really smarter comes to my head now.

Just, please, don't try to say, that Tuchola was roots of Katyń, because it wasn't. Catchy title, isn't it? Very nice, author.

History / Tuchola in Poland - roots of Katyn? [220]


I'll think about a proper argument tomorrow, when ill be more intelligent than today.
Thanks so far for discussion.
:)

History / Tuchola in Poland - roots of Katyn? [220]


You should not name them victims. Because nobody killed them. They just died. They died because of plenty reasons, among many because they were ill and weak, but Poles had nothing to do with their death. This is a key difference, ConstantineK.

I really stand for people who lived during war. I admire all of them, I don't look at their nationalities. I feel sorry for all of them. I admire heroes of those times. I really am so thankful, that I live in rather safe times.

History / Tuchola in Poland - roots of Katyn? [220]


I think it's an interesting point. Can you go a bit further and explain what do You mean? I think nobody is ideal, but trying to become better in many issues is just a normal step on the way to natural development. Be predictable is boring. Nobody wants to be boring I guess.

So, do You want to say you can predict what Poles will do in any situations, because they are just... I'm not sure, too proud and easy to give in? (historical miasma, OMG what's that?!)


There were victims of a crime and victims of the war...
I cannot believe you can't see it.

Life / Is/was Polish society patriarchal or matriarchal? [37]

I think women in Polish society likes often dominating man. It's natural for me. A man who is a bit weak (who doesn't like to hide his emotions, who is not afraid to show that he also cries from time to time) and a bit strong, is an ideal person. A perfect mix is needed for a wonderful partner or husband. Somebody who can say : "I want it" with a tap but who will also listen to his woman opinion.

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

One of the commentators on Polsat News (I guess) found 12 causes of the tragedy. Till the moment people will feel they want to discuss about it remember it, the topic will not disappear. It still warms up people's emotions. At in my opinion it's good, because (among many reasons) it still has a strength to join people somehow. I still like to listen (well, really, I do) about Smoleńsk. I think, AdamKadmon, that it's not a proper time for "forgetting" about event which has changed so much in our country and its people.

Life / Is/was Polish society patriarchal or matriarchal? [37]


I have to say I've been thinking you're a female. What an intuition! a very unmale ;) trait. I'm toying with idea to make a driving licence, but somebody told me I would be a bad driver, because I think too much. But, that men was my ex who didn't use to think enough.

:)


Agree. Making a good team is both a challenge as well as hard work, but results may be excellent for each side.

Life / Is/was Polish society patriarchal or matriarchal? [37]


Yes, of course, many women in Poland think today about own families at the age of 30. It's so common these days. Before it? Studies, then a year or two of working abroad, then coming back, new studies, better job, own car, gorgeous flat and maybe, maybe, a family at the age of 30 or 31...

Life / Is/was Polish society patriarchal or matriarchal? [37]

Why not to be very nice today?
One on ten?
;D

Life / Is/was Polish society patriarchal or matriarchal? [37]

A good point, Lodź the Boat. Bravo! You are very perceptive. Usually men aren't as perceptive as you were.
;)
Or maybe one in a thousand.
:)

Life / Is/was Polish society patriarchal or matriarchal? [37]

Oh, Gosh? Are men are bad at memorising centuries?

Life / Is/was Polish society patriarchal or matriarchal? [37]


:) Oh, really?
No, this is just a very short example of one of plenty other ideas for advertisement or new Polonius3 book.
;)
Well, seriously, the topic is so wide... that finding a good answer is... a bit challenging.
Many women feel bad being in a role of a man in family. They aren't often masters at technical skills, driving a car is for them an extreme feat. I envy women who in todays world are good engineers or drivers. I think men should be good at things which making or doing is easy for them. But I'm rather a traditionalist. I don't know, maybe girls find exciting being race drivers or plumbers.

Women don't become as aggressive, when something goes wrong, as men, they are better at psychology, calming down emotions and know better people's souls. Men are better at logical thinking. It's so obvious...

I think these roles should be shared 50/50. Everybody have some talents, when a woman is better at organisational skills, is naturally stronger, she can become a "head" of home. But, won't men feel strange when he will have to listen to his wife?

I think that the head of the family becomes a person who has just more energy and who wants to be a leader in everyday family life.

:)

Life / Is/was Polish society patriarchal or matriarchal? [37]

I stand for patriarchal society. However men feel a bit disorientated being in a company of women who are able to do plenty "male" duties. I think many of them miss traditional model of family where they play leading roles. Still many of them do I hope. I guess we will be slowly coming back to times where men behaved like men and women like... women.

:)
Benefits?
Both men and women will feel better with their natural calling.
Disadvantages?
Let's say, a matter of ambition. Some women feel the best when they are equal to men with for example, technical or driving skills. But do they loose a little part of feminity then? I think they do...

Well, I don't catch why so many women wear trousers and behave like a men.

News / A devestating verdict on the Polish church [279]


He what!?

I had a chance to spend there over 6 months. I know how the newspaper works. I am not a pig and I will not criticise them, but those I worked with don't see opinion of normal people. I was treating not nicely (saying gently) there by many who worked with me. That's why I rather not change my opinion about GW soon.

Sorry GW.
:(

News / A devestating verdict on the Polish church [279]

Church itself as an institution. Don't treat believers like poor sheeps who follow priests' calling in every case. People have brains. They think. They have always a choice. Being a part of a Christian society is demanding. For many being a part of it is just too difficult. They can't stand Church's rules. Because they choose easy life.

And unfortunately I share opinions with people who don't like GW. I agree with a term "not a gentle" paper.
:)

Life / The Art of Complaining by Polish people [47]

I think complaining can be also said in a nice way. It depends on somebody's voice. People have often a distance to complaining because it is often considered as our national treat. It drives me mad a bit.

I also agree with PlasticPole that it might be constructive in many cases.
You can thanks to it notice more optimistical/lighter aspects of a situation. You disagree with somebody and thanks to it you can see more clearly what is not good, what has to be improved, what should be changed for better...

However "what a wonderful evening" sounds a lot better than: "what a s****, cold, winter day".

Language / Differences in Polish and English idioms [69]

I find useful these ones:
"the tip of the iceberg": wierzchołek góry lodowej
"play second fiddle": grać drugie skrzypce
"the bottom line": bilans zysków i strat - a bit different meaning in Polish, what is interesting
"keep your chin up": nie upadać na duchu, nie poddawać się
"turn the corner": wyść z kryzysu na prostą
A bit amusing?
"flog a dead horse": tracić czas i energię

Love / Polish men are complete doormats (especially after they get married) [125]

Doormats, oh, sounds awful. Gosh, so happy I haven't decided yet I will marry a Polish guy!
:)
Fortunately many of my cool friends are happy with some Polish men who became their husbands!

History / Tuchola in Poland - roots of Katyn? [220]


I am interested in facts very much. I love history. I can't watch the film because my loudspeakers are out of order right now.

ConstantineK
Did I get a shot in my back for disobedience?
For what?
If I were in a prison I would never go on a fence or barbed wires to escape. I would have been able to predict that somebody wanted to kill me. I love life too much to make such irresponsible step.

I would rather do anything what possible to survive and to listen my torturers. Even if I had awfully bad opinion about them. I know what does it mean to be obedient, Sir.

:)
I have to say that a way people think being in extreme conditions is strange.

History / Tuchola in Poland - roots of Katyn? [220]


I'd say: you have no right to place me here. I have a human right to live and not to be hungry. So, I would say: let me go, please. I prefer to die because of hunger or epidemy than to be killed because of Your irresponsible action filled with violence and aggression.

History / Tuchola in Poland - roots of Katyn? [220]


We can't. Shoots need performers of the action.
Epidemy is more like an event which is independent on anybody's will. It's difficult to stop because it expands without anybody's fault.

History / Tuchola in Poland - roots of Katyn? [220]

Saying that Tuchola is a roots of Katyń is a huge exaggeration.
You can't compare those two places. Among many because of the reason:
Russian there died because of epidemy, they were not killed by Polish soldiers
I will remember about Russian victims in Tuchola.