History /
POLAND: EASTERN or CENTRAL European country? [1080]
OK Hague I understand but this is how I see it.
For my sins, Poland has been (and possibly always will be) an Eastern European country. Simply because, from my perspective it's "over there", on the fringes, beyond etc. Being a neighbour of
obviously Eastern European countries helps.
As I have said, if I thought for a minute that this term was offensive to Polish people I would never use it.
BUT and it's a big but, and I've said before, so many Poles refer to "the west" as some disparaging otherness, with the attendent usual bullsh1t opinion of decadence, immorality, consumerism and plastic food etc etc
"Oh no, but we're not Eastern European either - we are central European" as if that in itself implied some commonality of mentality, culture etc.
Let's assume for a minute that there is an agreed geographical "central Europe" - which of these countries simultaneously rejects association with both "the west" and "the east" ??
Exactly.
My point being Poles can't have it both ways.
Much as many would like to think, Poland is not this unique misunderstood paradise that defies definition.
I have no problem with Central Europe as a term but many Poles simply need to get a grip. They are not special.
