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Posts by Torq  

Joined: 2 Dec 2023 / Male ♂
Last Post: 21 Aug 2024
Threads: 8
Posts: 955
From: Gdansk
Speaks Polish?: yes
Interests: about

Displayed posts: 963 / page 6 of 33
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Torq   
30 Jun 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Lucky winner: 1938

The winner of a Polish Radio competition for listeners posing with the main prize - a brand new Opel Olympia.
Torq   
30 Jun 2024
Study / Which is better, Nicolaus Copernicus Medical University or Wroclaw Medical University? [12]

doesn't the exam filter the applicants out?

If this was the case, it would probably show in the rankings...

2023.ranking.perspektywy.pl/ranking/ranking-kierunkow-studiow/kierunki-medyczne-i-o-zdrowiu/kierunek-lekarski

rynekzdrowia.pl/Nauka/Ranking-uczelni-medycznych-2024-Na-czele-Warszawski-Uniwersytet-Medyczny,260131,9.html

... but as you can see Wrocław is one of the best universities whilst Toruń... well. The rankings are based on a variety of factors, including prestige, grads' salaries, scientific potential etc. (you have the detailed list of factors in the second link), so I'd say they are pretty accurate. Of course, you may want to take other things into account and the choice of a university is indeed a very important decision.
Torq   
30 Jun 2024
Life / Poland Is A Gem In Europe [71]

given the number of people that are tighter than a gnat's chuff

There's a difference between being thrifty and being tight. Socialists, however, love to spend money (preferably that of other people). :)

Let them earn for themselves.

Why? If I can spare them the fate of mortgage slaves, I will do it. Think about the amount of stress that they will avoid. It will allow them to concentrate more on their studies, professional development etc. and will give them more freedom in their choice of jobs and careers.

They'll get the house to sell anyway.

Good option for an only child whose parents die early - very rarely the case. With longer lifespans the "kids" can wait until they are 60-65 before their parents kick the bucket :) Also, nobody wants their kids to be waiters... waiting for them to die. :)
Torq   
29 Jun 2024
Life / Poland Is A Gem In Europe [71]

thriftiness isn't a virtue

It is indeed a virtue, albeit a forgotten one.

unless you want to be buried in a gold coffin

Or unless you want to leave something for your children, to spare them the fate of being mortgage slaves in their adult lives. Then thrift and financial responsibility help a lot.
Torq   
29 Jun 2024
Life / Poland Is A Gem In Europe [71]

And capitalists together with their conservative stooges

The same thing is happening in countries where leftist parties rule. Moreover, I would say - observing the people I know - that those leaning politically more towards right are generally more thrifty and financially responsible than others.
Torq   
29 Jun 2024
Life / Poland Is A Gem In Europe [71]

to buy something that is needed now

Yes, the example that you gave is connected with education, and education is one of very few things that is definitely worth going into debt for (in most cases).

What I was talking about was people who take out loans to buy new cars or pay for foreign holidays with credit cards, for example. In other words, buying things they can't afford for money they don't have.
Torq   
29 Jun 2024
Life / Poland Is A Gem In Europe [71]

People want everything "now".

Sad but true.

And it's not even about financial illiteracy - many of them know very well that they hurt themselves immensely in the long run, but still they decide to go into debt.
Torq   
29 Jun 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Bay of Puck: 1933

People enjoying their summer holiday on our lovely Baltic coast, and not a single beach wind screen in sight! :)
Torq   
29 Jun 2024
Life / Poland Is A Gem In Europe [71]

I've seen quite a few people palpably overstretch themselves with consumer credit

Yip. Also, most people I know do the most financially idiotic thing on Earth - they buy new cars on credit. I mean private individuals, for companies and business owners favourable tax regulations apply, so that's a bit different. They do it because they're just not willing to wait, save and buy for cash. In our family my Dad and I are the only people who buy our wheels for cash. Everyone else, including those who are significantly worse off, take out expensive car loans.

Also, I cannot help but wonder how people making around average salaries (about 8.5k pln gross), and still having mortgages/car loans, feel that they simply have to go on foreign vacation twice a year. I blame social media idiocy for that, and it's so sad - instead of saving, investing and building a better, safe financial future for their families, they are trying to "impress" strangers on social media. Mind boggles.

Statistically, it may not be as bad as in the West yet, but we are heading in exactly the same direction at the moment.
Torq   
26 Jun 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

A car in Narnia?: 1935

Well, not exactly. The two gentlemen are standing in front of a public toilet in Three Crosses Square (Plac Trzech Krzyży) in Warsaw.
Torq   
26 Jun 2024
News / France and Germany plan to flood Poland with illegal migrants. [95]

Apparently thousands of migrants are being pushed back to Poland by the Germans...

wydarzenia.interia.pl/tylko-w-interii/news-niemcy-zawrocili-do-polski-tysiace-osob-mamy-dokladne-dane,nId,7598870

... but hey, Tusk talked to Scholz about it, so everything will be all right. *rolls eyes*
Torq   
26 Jun 2024
News / Ups and downs of the democratic government 2023-2027 in Poland [342]

Look he is lying,

If he's lying (and I mean IF), then it will be the end of him and his government. With such strong opposition party, conservative wing of PSL murmuring ever louder, and Konfa in reserve as a potential PiS's ally, Tusk doesn't have too much space for Tusking. Luckily.
Torq   
26 Jun 2024
News / Ups and downs of the democratic government 2023-2027 in Poland [342]

What now?

Well, if Tusk starts Tusking too much, PiS will be back in power faster than he can say "piniendzy nie ma i nie bendzie". :)

However, as far as I know, there will be certain cutbacks in the CPK project but in general they want to continue it.
Torq   
26 Jun 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

It's a heartache: 2024

Euro 2024: Poland drew 1-1 with France and is coming back home with only one point in three games, despite scoring more goals in the group stage than the bookies' favourite (before the tournament) England, and being the only team among all Euro finalists to score at least one goal in 9 consecutive Euro finals games.

Polish NT has to work harder on defence, Polish fans have to heal their broken hearts... until next time. :)
Torq   
25 Jun 2024
Travel / Poles as tourists in foreign countries [93]

Why does anyone go to Russia

Charming and poetic country, amazing wild nature (including women), hospitable and kind-hearted people, beautiful language, relatively low prices - perfect holiday destination. :)
Torq   
25 Jun 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

A bit of capitalism in commie reality: 1957

Buick Super Eight parked at Dom Pod Orłami in Warsaw.

pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dom_Pod_Or%C5%82ami_w_Warszawie
Torq   
25 Jun 2024
Real Estate / Self Build in Malopolska [11]

for up to 70 sqm for self build homes

I just checked and it looks like the law changed and allows up to 70m2, but it has to be for your own accommodation needs ("Wznoszony budynek musi być wybudowany na własne potrzeby") or, in case of summer houses, it has to be for your individual recreation and can only have one condignation (parterowy budynek, który służy do rekreacji indywidualnej).

Bez pozwolenia wybudować dom do 70 m kw może każdy, pod warunkiem, że inwestycja zaspokaja jego własne potrzeby mieszkaniowe lub potrzeby rekreacyjne.

serwisy.gazetaprawna.pl/nieruchomosci/artykuly/8615367,budowa-domu-bez-pozwolenia-2023-dom-powyzej-70-mkw.html

Jasonty mentioned that it's supposed to be a rental property, so he would have to check with his local authorities not to get into any trouble.
Torq   
24 Jun 2024
History / What do Poles owe to Germans? [451]

Strange you have chosen those issues.

I have chosen those issues because they are vital for Poland's development, and that's what's important at the end of the day. I might also add the problems of illegal immigration or the Green (dis)Order but let's not overwhelm Mr Reverend Prime Holy Minster Tusk with too many issues at the same time. Let's rather grab some popcorn and watch. :)
Torq   
24 Jun 2024
History / What do Poles owe to Germans? [451]

Decent Poles and Polesses trust him

The judgement is still out. If we don't see any progress on CPK, ports, the atomic power plant etc. in the coming months, or if Tusk ever abandons the office of Prime Minister for some comfy job in the EU (again!), then PiS will be back in power faster than you can say "für Deutschland". :)
Torq   
24 Jun 2024
Real Estate / Self Build in Malopolska [11]

*thumbs up*

Let us know when you finish the house and tell us about the experience. Best of luck.
Torq   
24 Jun 2024
Real Estate / Self Build in Malopolska [11]

No probs. Sure you can build yourself, many people do that. If your project is approved and you get the permission, you can do everything yourself as long as it's according to regulations. You will need to check with your local authorities anyway for details.
Torq   
23 Jun 2024
Real Estate / Self Build in Malopolska [11]

we are planning to build a relativity compact home (40m2) next year.

You need a permission for anything larger than 35m2 (plus paperwork, building inspector etc.).

So, if you want to cut 5 square metres and deal with fewer formalities, here are examples of projects of under 35m2 houses...

extradom.pl/projekty-domow-do-35m

... and some detailed information about the requirements...

money.pl/gospodarka/jak-postawic-35-metrowy-dom-na-zgloszenie-o-tym-musisz-wiedziec-i-pamietac-6631795503246272a.html
Torq   
23 Jun 2024
News / THE ARMY OF POLAND - THE REALITY [493]

I finish the topic of the howitzer with this video in Engish

Thanks for the video, Pawi.

It's always useful to listen to actual combat veterans describing their experience of employing Krabs!