History / Khazar migrations to Eastern Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine [106]

The things you say in the above post are interesting, but none of those things are unique or even specific to the 10th century Khazars or people in a hundred places then or now. They are common human traits. They are not even specific to Belarus or anywhere else in the region.

If you want to claim an actual cultural link to the Khazars, rather just saying that you think they were 'ranchers', farmers and were tough, and so are you a thousand years later you need to be a bit more specific. I'd be really interesting to hear of any real Khazar specific traditions rather than just general human behaviour shaped by landscape and economics however all respectable sources say that none have survived.

What did you think of that article, by the way?

Life / What's wrong with Poland? I don't see anything. [121]

There was a Europe-wide survey done about people's willingness to do unpaid and voluntary work in the community. Poland came fairly near the bottom. There was quite a lot of publicity about it at the time. I don't know about 'returning' Polonia, but I do know that some of the things I've been involved with would be glad of input from them or anyone else and given the American tradition of community work I would have thought that plenty are willing.

eurofound.europa.eu/pubdocs/2011/02/en/1/EF1102EN.pdf

Life / What's wrong with Poland? I don't see anything. [121]


Exactly. There are plenty of opportunities do do voluntary work. I sometimes help out with a Catholic organisation which runs social events, parties and other activities for people who for various reasons receive 24 hour care from often elderly parents. The attendees get a rare chance to get out of their 4 walls and also gives their careers a much needed break from physically demanding and intensive personal care. They are always very glad of hands-on volunteers. Speaking Polish helps, but isn't necessary since most of the people who come to the events don't communicate by speech. PM me for details.

There are also many other opportunities to do unpaid work in Warsaw.

People can easily talk about what's wrong with Poland, but most visitors, expats (and even returning Polonia) don't always scratch the surface.

History / Khazar migrations to Eastern Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine [106]

This article is one of the most intelligent I've read on the matter.

en.mirzexezerinsesi.net/articles/2009/05/10/the-khazars-fact-and-legend

He mentions the urban legend about red hair. Amazing that some people try to find concrete cultural links with a culture which ended over 40 generations ago and left no surnames, no traditions and no heritage.

Language / The shame! I can't pronounce my Polish wife's name (Ola) [69]

Because the issue is straightforward. There is only one pronunciation of the name and it is not difficult. A simple short sound that occurs in several languages. And by the way, I do know what I'm talking about.

Language / The shame! I can't pronounce my Polish wife's name (Ola) [69]


Some of us however do both. And Ola is a very easy name to pronounce.

Language / The shame! I can't pronounce my Polish wife's name (Ola) [69]

No need. It's very straightforward really. It's one of the most common sounds in the language and very easy to reproduce correctly. I, and every other Polish speaker, use that sound thousands of times a day.

Language / The shame! I can't pronounce my Polish wife's name (Ola) [69]

And it is not the sound in 'Ola'.

Language / The shame! I can't pronounce my Polish wife's name (Ola) [69]

'Allofon', you are wrong. /ɔ:/ is not a short vowel. It is (in standard British English) the 'or' sound in 'horse' and the 'aw' sound in 'law'. It does not exist in Polish.

You might like to use your normal username/s.

Language / The shame! I can't pronounce my Polish wife's name (Ola) [69]


No. There is no /ɔ/ in Polish. The O in Ola is a short O.

Life / What's wrong with Poland? I don't see anything. [121]


I thought you lived in Canada, not Poland?

Life / What's wrong with Poland? I don't see anything. [121]


When and why did you leave originally?

Life / What's wrong with Poland? I don't see anything. [121]


The same can happen here. Poland has a very high prison population. And a tax system where the state is always right. The police and courts too aren't great to deal with.

Life / What's wrong with Poland? I don't see anything. [121]


So basically on holiday. Not dealing with the tax office on a cold winter's day, arguing with trashy neighbours about the rubbish they store long term in the hallway or fending off advances from drunken goldiggers. Very different from a short holiday.

I notice that you say you think Polish people are absolutely the best. You would know if you spent a bit more time here that It is a country of extremes. There are indeed some absolutely wonderful people here, but there is also the polar opposite.

Real Estate / Dzialki - allotment gardens regulations in Poland [27]

They have running water, electricity, toilets, etc and people fit showers.

I too think they should stay in the hands of the gardeners. Have you heard of 'guerilla gardening'? Very new to Poland, as far as I know only in Warsaw.

Real Estate / Dzialki - allotment gardens regulations in Poland [27]

You own a special sort of lease. A right to use the plot with restrictions.

Real Estate / Dzialki - allotment gardens regulations in Poland [27]


With difficulty. Leases do come up for sale now and again but usually they're sold very quickly to people who know the vendor. From time to time there's a small ad in the newspaper but they tend to be snapped up right away. Most people who want a dzialka nowadays have to buy a piece of land privately.

Real Estate / Dzialki - allotment gardens regulations in Poland [27]

You might be able to lease more than one plot but the allotment asociations who own the freehold wouldn't allow anyone to do that. There is a very strict size limit to the buildings and year round occupancy isn't allowed (though very occasionally happens)

Remember though that the word dzialka just means plot of land. If it isn't on one of the recreational dzialka schemes people can do whatever they want.

Genealogy / Common surnames in Poland NOT of Polish origin ? [89]

According to the Internet there are over 6000 mostly in Warsaw and £ódź. Including of course a former Premier.

Food / What's more popular in Poland beer or vodka? [59]

Beer is much more popular nowadays here in Poland

Life / Are Polish roads really this bad? [237]

The driving standards here are still shocking, no matter how many new roads are built by the EU. A solution to this problem is hard to find, not that the authorities seem to be doing much to address it.

Genealogy / Are Silesians people German/Germanic? [178]

It's an irrelevance. The culture in Silesia is informed by both Poland and Germany. Some people may strongly identify with one or the other, however Silesian identity is Silesian. Most Silesians are loyal to Poland, however they are still Silesians.

Love / Sexually liberal ----- Is this a fact or myth for Polish women living in Poland? [61]

inflatable Polki?

History / What do Poles owe to Jews? [593]


This isn't a degree course, this is an Internet forum. Ironside, for all his good qualities was taking the thread off topic by questioning someone's credentials. By the way, I made no 'claims'. Only statements of facts. That the gentlemen whose book I cited was an eminent historian (perhaps you expect me to link to all his published works and university appointments!) and they the Endecja movement was racist (no doubts there!).

But then again, since you don't really have anything to say in this thread, it isn't any wonder that your thrashing about looking to go off at a tangent.

History / What do Poles owe to Jews? [593]

Unfortunately labels are more often than not far from meaningless.

Btw, if you want links etc or to learn something about the history of Endecja, try google...

History / What do Poles owe to Jews? [593]


Check him out. You might find some of his works interesting.

By the way, the Endecja was also considered racist at the time. The rest of your comments don't really mean anything.

History / What do Poles owe to Jews? [593]


Now that one's bizarre even by your standards.


However this comment actually manages to top it. Must be a record for PF.

History / What do Poles owe to Jews? [593]


The are threads aplenty here detailing the racist actions and words of the Endcja movement and reams on the Internet if you care to look.

And simple because you haven't heard of the late Dr Piotrowski doesn't mean he wasn't a very eminent historian.

History / What do Poles owe to Jews? [593]


Yes it is indeed his opinion. The opinion of a respected Polish academic, based on exhaustive research and eyewitness accounts.

By the way. Your comment about ND, or the openly racist Endecja movement is neither here nor there. But at least one part of your comment is fortunately true - the voters ensured they were in opposition. Having said that. It would be a shame To taint the entire NSZ by the actions of a minority.


Some dreadful parts of the Poraimos happened here.

And if the Jewish community were as underassertive as the Roma in this matter, so much of the Holocaust would have been swept under the table too. As a few here wish it had been.

Travel / Pot in Poland for tourists [285]

It's quite a hot topic here at the moment. Very illegal, but prominent politicians support legalisation. Also, Poland has a lot of countryside and the right summer temperature to grow it.