News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

@Delph: most Poles don't care about all this and I guarantee that within a few weeks, it'll be all finished. Now we have school winter breaks (in Mazowiecki from Feb. 1 to 15 and then in other regions) and I('m sure that a lot of those marching are now on the Alpine's ski slopes ;).

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

Nothing this weekend (I expect leaders to have left for the Alps for skiing ;)! Most probably all this will end very quickly. Most Poles have other priorities.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

@Pol. Gays don't force you to become gay so just give them a break! I'm sure they are not obsessed with you the way you are with them.

Once again, LIVE and LET LIVE!

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

@Pol: it's pure hypocrisy and you know that they do much worse ;). I once had a client from near Serkiewice (sorry, spelling?) whose neighbor there was made pregnant 3 times by her .. own father. How many of such cases elsewhere? How many pedophiles among priests and nuns?

Homosexuals are NO criminals but pedophiles, incestors and the likes ARE and need to be punished.

Homosexuals don't bother anyboty.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

@Pol: Homosexality has always been around. I have often read that in Ancient Greece, it was a way to limit births ;). I do NOT know why some people are homosexual (upbringing, chromosomes.... ) but some people ARE homosexuals and you have to accept it. What do you want to do? To kill them? To send them to camps? To have them wear signs on their clothes? To have them disciminated against?

No, a democratic and civilized society must accept ALL its citizens and not stigmatize any!

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

@Boga: I do NOT care whether he receives or he gives... If he's gay, there is nothing wrong about it, so why not coming out of the closet? ;)

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

The "problem" is not that Jarek K is gay, the problem is that in public he condemns homosexuality as per his solled ultra catholic "morals". It is like in the US with jerky Sarah Palin who is also hollier than thou but whose daughter got pregnant at the age of 15 without being married and now one of her sons got arrested because of violence towards his girl friend.

Pure hypocrisy!

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

"Dear" Levy: easy and hard is of course purely relative ;). Have you ever come across Gaelic languages or ... Basque? I do (since in France we have both Gaelic (Breton in Brittany (Asterix's area ;)) and Basque (+ other languages) and trust me, unless you have a knowledge thereof, there is no way to even recognize a single word... Basque has obscure origins... Although very difficult for NON slavs, Polish is "peanuts" compared to for instance Gaelic languages and to Basque (just to remain in Europe).

Well, continue without me ...

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

"Jeez"! Polish is very very difficult for NON slavic populations but it is VERY EASY for people speaking other slavic languages. I have had a huge number of Russians, Ukrainians, Czech, Bulgarians .... around me and all ("normal" people) were able to learn Polish in a few months. I bet our friend Crow if moving to Poland would learn Polish in a mere couple of months ;)

Languages like Baltic languages, Hungarian, Finnish, Gaelic, Basque (just to mention European languages) are MUCH harder for other Europeans than Polish is for NON slavs. Try to check above languages! First of all, we won't be able to recognize any word whereas any European can figure out a lot of Polish words (both in writing or orally) since a lot of words come from Latin (through French since thousands of Polish words included among those used daily come from French (Napoléon's period only? Only Polo3 will know in PF) , although spellt the Polish way).

Yes, Polish is very hard for NON slavs but NO BIG DEAL for any other Slavic speakers.

PS: I won't mention Chinese ;)

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

As I spend over 30 hours/week in biggest foreign companies in Warsaw, I can say that Poles employed (and well paid) by them do work a lot (and efficiently). If well paid and if given good conditions, Poles - like any other nationality - respond positively. Employees in small Polish businesses are however much different and often still have "communist" mentality. In government institutions (where I also spend considerable time), nowadays, people do work (although of course less than they would if working in the private sector).

Poles are no different from anybody else, if "treated" right, they work a lot and well...

Life / Moving from India to Wroclaw [53]

@Sudah! No problem! :). Obviously ONLY concerned schools can give you the right info. Best of course is to get info from the horse's month. As I said, most peole in PF don't even live in Poland (some have never been in Poland too) to begin with and besides, even among the tew of us living in Poland, it is not so easy to find someone who thoroughly knows said schools ;)

It is like those (not only in PF but in whatever forum) who come and expose their health or legal problems instead of dealing directly with doctors and lawyers ;).

So do get in touch with management and they'll answer your questions! :)

Life / Moving from India to Wroclaw [53]

Why don't you contact schools directly? Owners and principles of course at least speak English. Most people in PF don't live in Poland (and some of them have never set a foot in the country) so what do you expect them to tell you? ;) When school is called '"international", make sure they are truly international. I do live in Poland and am quite familiar with schools but I don't live in Wrocław...

Life / Moving from India to Wroclaw [53]

In your situation: only one solution: (private) school offering British curriculum. Your kids also won't be behind when returning home or moving elsewhere as per your next expat contract.

Besides, Polish is useful in Poland only. Your kids should consolidate their English instead (and later on start international languages).

Life / Moving from India to Wroclaw [53]

The reality is not so brilliant when we know system from inside. Polish kids learn how to read at the age of 7 when western kids learn at 5 or 6. Polish kids are not taught how to think, they are just taught things to memorize and to repeat just like parrots. I am quite familiar with Polish and several western systems. In Poland, kids have fewer subjects. Whereas in the west, kids are taught how to think, how to criticize through literature, philosophy, (for instance), in Poland they do not. Kids are expected to be machines. Polish parents complain a lot. Kids are exhausted, under stress, depressed and I have found out that scarification among "gymnazjum" kids in Poland was not exceptional.

If the kid is to return to his/her country after a stay in Poland, obviously best to stik to internantional (unless his/her school system is present in Poland - there are schools offering British and sometimes from other English-speaking countries, or French, or German system, either private schools or foreign schools depending directly upon embassies) otherwise the kids will be much behind. Last year, I was helping a western kid attending a Polish school but to return home. For instance, Polish kids of his age learn only additions such as: 32 + 7 whereas kids in his country at same age learn additions such as: 43+17 ;)

Basically, in Poland the rule is brainwashing and that is why very rich Poles chose schools with foreign syllabuses. A friend of mine was telling me some 2 hours ago that she and her husband think about sending their 14-year-old son to study abroad as of next year because pure slavery and brainwashing and they have put their other (younger) kids to American School and everybody is happy about the American system...

If we care about the kid's development and happyness, best to avoid Polish schools

PS: if you want to be informed properly, listen (read) people who know about schools.

Classifieds / Korean looking for a job in Poland [18]

As said, it is not only in Poland but everywhere. Any potential boss shall need to prove that they cannot find anybody (Poles and also foreigners allowed to work, like people from EU for instance) able to do the work. Be aware that Poles will have the priority (also they speak local language and know about local market, business local culture). Yes, in order to be issued a work permit, you need to be "better". Why not working in Korea?

Also be aware that a work permit is only valid for one company, one job. If you quit a company, you lose work permit and if you take another job Inside same company, you need to get another work permit.

It is tough but sorry, it is normal to keep jobs first of all to local people!

Classifieds / Korean looking for a job in Poland [18]

@PF: it has nothing to do with Poland since you'll face the same problem in any country. In Poland, only people from EU (so 27 other European countries) are allowed to work, and live without any formalities. Your girl friend is Polish and she does not know that!!!!!! As a Korean, you'll need work permit in any other country and in any country the conditions to be issued work permits are similar as those in Poland.

Sure there are Korean companies in Poland and there are 2 ways: 1. you are a big shot and the company sends you as an expat (with Korean salaries and conditions) to their branch in Poland and 2. you are a local (= Poland) employee. In such a case, your boss will still need to apply for a work permit for you. What are your qualifications and what is your experience? If your only qualification is to be a native Korean, forget it! All the work inside the office is done in English, all clients are Polish and they'll use either Polish or English when dealing with company so no need for Korean language. For the past few years, there are fewer and fewer expats, because 1. too expensive for the mother company and 2. a lot of Poles are able to do the work and as a result now most of exécutives in foreign companies in Poland are Polish. (I have been working for and with dozens of huge foreign companies in Warsaw (not from Korea, but from France, the US, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Canada) for years so I know..).

Sorry but I prefer to tell you the truth so you can try to find a way out rather than letting your dream! In brief, unless you have a fantastic cv and also you speak Polish, you can forget it. Moving to any other country won't be any easier.

I imagine that it is not easy if the Polish girl and you are really serious about each other but have you considered moving the 2 of you to Korea? As said, if you don't have any particular skills and a good experience, no way!

Law / Old Polish money banknotes - what's their value today? [415]

Geez! Why so much ignorance! The money is worth 0.00. How the h... can you expect a country to accept Polish communist money?????? Get a minimum informed before posting!

Classifieds / Korean looking for a job in Poland [18]

The number one problem is that you have to find a potential employer to apply for a work permit for you and in order to be issued a work permit, authorities have to be submitted the proof that potential employer cannot find anybody (not only Pole but also from all EU countries) in Poland to do work and it is hardly likely ;).

Why would you want to work in Poland? Salaries and conditions are much lower than what we can get in western Europe, North America, Japan and Australia/New Zealand.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

maybe some apples and potatoes but Poland imports most manufactured goods (for instance and not only tradingeconomics.com/poland/imports).
I just went shopping at Carrefour (but other stores are the same) and have realized that more than 90% of what I have bought comes from abroad (or from foreign companies). International trade is done in strong currencies, not in ZL and therefore not in favor of Polish consumers.

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

No, weak ZL is no good news for Poland since Poland imports a lot (check in any store for imported goods) and pays for said imports in dollars or in euros. Since importing things will cost more, it'll mean higher prices for customers in Poland just it is the situation now in Russia (for instance) as a result of the collapse of the rubble. Never good news when a currency collapses.

Work / Choice of Poland's OFE ( Open Pension Funds ) [30]

Best not to count on ZUS for retirement! ;)

Life / Welcome to winter in Poland! (-19C tomorrow) [64]

@Roger: thanks but it is a very serious 'awaria" in neighborhood and it seems that water company does not know what to do (great! ;) ( cf. read my message re topic). It could have something to do with very low temperatures although it is not cold now in Warsaw but seriously, in Poland, it is NORMAL to have cold weather in winter so their installations should be appropriate... The problem is that we don't see the end of the tunnel.... My (Polish) neighbor wished me in English 'Welcome to Poland" yesterday ;)

Life / Welcome to winter in Poland! (-19C tomorrow) [64]

@Roger: try also to have NO water right now (the case in my building) ;)! At least we have snow so once melt it can be used.....

Life / Living like a local in Poland - What does it even mean? [30]

@Dolno! You sure do everthing right (in terms of food ;))! Last summer I thought about preparing fruit preserves for the winter but unfortunately I did not. Yes, it would be a good idea and I'll think about it next summer. In winter it is very hard since no fruit. I don't like apples, other than Granny Smith and Ingored (such a name), don't like oranges sold in Poland which have no taste and are very dry, I do like bananas but after a few days .... ;) so preparing summer fruit for the other seasons would be the answer. I don't also like exotic fruit sold in some stores, all the more as they got riped while being on planes so here again no taste....

@Wroclaw: Do you happen to read at least whole sentences if not whole paragraphs before quoting others? ;). I wrote and write again that coming to Poland (or wherever else) and stick to eating unhealthy crap from sh##ty stores because it is cheap and one has to count each coin does NOT make sense unless coming from a place with dramatic (war, dirt poor, etc....) conditions. Yes, if those foreigners arriving to Poland have to rely on Biedronka/Lidl/Kaufland because other stores are "too expensive", it does mean that they should look for employment elsewhere. If I had to buy food at such stores, I would worry ;).

Life / Living like a local in Poland - What does it even mean? [30]

@Dolno: just one recent example, yesterday I stopped with someone at ... KFC's ;). I did NOT eat but I tried ONE fry, it was loaded with salt (added by staff while cooking) and barely eatable.

@Johnny: I know re bread ;). I don't eat much hereof and when I do, it's with no sugar, no salt and no gluten and as to Nowakowski, I may go there 4 or 5 times a year ;). Anyway, better to eat bread from Nowakowski rather than from Biedronka/Lidl.Kaufland and consorts ;)

@Dolno: when I go to McDo and consorts, it's because nothing else around and it is only for coffee (McDo's is fine according to me)

News / Poland's post-election political scene [4080]

I was at PKO this am and saw 1 euro sold .... 4.52 ZL ;) and it could be only the beginning...

Life / Living like a local in Poland - What does it even mean? [30]

for sure, Dolno! All that industrial crap full of salt, sugar, chemicals of all sorts is very dangerous and that is what is found MOSTLY in shops like Biedronka, Lidl, Kaufland and the like. Nowadays there are also a lot of small shops or companies (for instance I really like bread from Nowakowski and whenever I pass one of their stores, I buy several different kinds of rolls) in Poland where we can shop without spending fortunes so why relying on Biedronka/Lidl's crap?

Life / Living like a local in Poland - What does it even mean? [30]

No, not everybody in Poland shops at Lidl, Biedronka & consorts! I don't and I know I am not the only one in this case (most (Polish) people I know don't as well). To mention super and hypermarkets, I shop at Piotr & Pawel (their name brand is very good and not expensive), Leclerc, (big not their express shops) Carrefour, Marks & Spencer and whenever I ran across them to Alma, Simply (owned by Auchan but better), Mini Europa and at small neighborhood shops. I used to shop a lot at Społem store (they had a lot of great products) near MacDo on Marszałkowska, but it closed down some 2(?) years ago. I go to Lidl/Biedronka max. 3 times a year, when I have no choice because no time to go shopping and there is one of such stores where I happen to be. Once I bought plain yoghurt at Lidl and threw it away, it was gelatine (= ox or pig) and another time chicken ham that was so salted that it was barely eatable and ended up too in the garbage can.

Sorry, but discount stores sell mostly crap: industrial s..t full of salt, sugar, conservatives, and other chemicals stuff and their choice is very very limited. I understand that when we have a tight budget, we have no choice but unless being a desperate war refugee, I don't see the point for foreigners to end up in Poland and buy "garbage" because it is cheap. These companies are no philanthropists and if they sell cheap, it is because their products are not worth anything.

I don't care if I sound like a "snob", which I am not but sorry to rely on Biedronka, Lidl or other Kaufland stores to feed oneself in Poland (or elsewhere) is wrong and very dangerous in the long run. If foreigners coming to Poland cannot afford anything better as they need to count each ZL, maybe they should try to get better money elsewhere so they can shop higher quality and tastier food products.

I know some people here are going to tell me that at Biedronka, Lidl, Kaufland, it is just great but to say so, I expect them to be so used to crap that they find it ok.

Believe me, eating good and healthy food is a pleasure and worth it. It is now possible in Poland to eat well but need to shop at better stores. Of course, it is more expensive but worthwhile......

To conclude, NO, living like a "local" does not mean to shop at crapy stores! I know quite a few Poles who would not be caught dead at such stores. However, the Polish society is so diversified that it is impossible to say "Poles do this or don't do that" (same applies to ANY other nationality anyway).

Law / Which is the best city in Poland to open a kebab shop? [56]

Levi: why do you keep saying things that are not true? I am 100% sure you have never lived in Stockholm or in Paris otherwise you would know reality. Anyway unfortunately Poles love (greasy and stinky) kebabs.

News / Throwing away the constitution in Poland? [626]

@Pol: sorry, although I am not crazy about PO, I'd rather have "tuskinization" than "orbanization" or "putinization" which are forms of real dictatorships.