Genealogy / What are common Polish character traits? [425]

What you should remember, beelzebub, is that the Poles tend to live in blocks of flats much more than other Western countries. An estate is a different thing here than back home in that way. Therefore, there is a greater chance that they will talk about things or pry given their relative proximity.

Genealogy / What are common Polish character traits? [425]

Some are nosey and some aren't. The nosey ones are likely just bored, rather than it being a noticeable trait.

Life / How far apart do Poles stand when they talk? [46]

They tend to stand closer than most but it depends on many things like the set up of the room, energy of the speakers and length of discussion.

Life / Why are Poles always so miserable? Why do they never smile? [512]

The OP was looking at too many old people methinks. Still, there are a lot of grumblers amongst the younger generation.

Genealogy / What are common Polish character traits? [425]

Nice rebuttals by rdw.

Now, let's get some more traits out.

Life / The Pole is happy when someone else cries... [75]

Back to the thread. There are some spiteful types like anywhere but I don't think too many Poles laugh at misfortune.

Love / They seem nice, but could Polish girls be "gold diggers"? [196]

Some are and some aren't but money is overdiscussed :(

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

Anna, arbitrary time frames are pointless. Some learn much faster and much more intensively. 16 years is just nonsense! I could use the language more than well enough less than 2 years into my stay here.

How is it a waste of time if you live here?

Life / Feeling ashamed of my Polish heritage. [237]

Jeden, good point. A true exploration of meritocracy would reveal a few things. I just don't like anyone receiving obscene sums of money, it's wrong.

Life / Feeling ashamed of my Polish heritage. [237]

Wouldn't menshevik be a better term? ;) ;)

Life / Feeling ashamed of my Polish heritage. [237]

Provided that there is fair play and not attempts to cheat at every step of the way, then ok. Is Polish fatcat an oxymoron? I've heard of Kulczak or whatever he was called, Jan K :) There are some stinking rich people here but not on the scale of top Jews.

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

I'm not saying that it should be, I just didn't open my mind enough to how widely used it is but now I know.

Life / Feeling ashamed of my Polish heritage. [237]

Sorry Torq, but so many people on high salaries don't deserve such astronomical figures and I'm all for progressive taxation because of that. It supports my idea that, due to their character, people serve their social function whatever it may be. Surely a person is smart for choosing a job that's suitable for them and doesn't bring too much stress as a result. Some directors over-delegate anyway, they deserve to be thumped with higher taxes.

However, you are correct to say that if you are talking about Polish brackets. Back in 2007, I had a discussion with a high-level Director in Vattenfall. He told me how much he got gross and then net and I was astounded. For privacy reasons, I won't reveal the figures but suffice to say that I found it staggering. That idea was corroborated by a discussion with a guy from Isover on a healthy salary. So, a move towards a more proportional system would be better. There should be a 'basta*d tax' ;)

Permission is a normal function of a council, Torq. What's so odd about that? Beeb, I'm fully with you on that. Those old hags need a right good slap on the face with a wet fish. Creating a dour and stale atmosphere in a workplace is such a nasty thing to do.

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

Well, I have revised my opinion. Come to think of it, all 7 cases seem to be in regular use. I was thinking of the dative case but it really is quite widely used when you think about it.

Life / Feeling ashamed of my Polish heritage. [237]

I only hear that the rules are that way without people ever trying to say why. I was told that I don't question enough. Well here I am, why? It's easy to hack out but, as Bob Dylan once said, 'don't criticise what you can't understand'.

Life / Feeling ashamed of my Polish heritage. [237]

What's wrong with progressive taxation? Proportional is better but it's not that bad. What nonsensical rules and regulations?

If they are not doing their jobs correctly, shouldn't they be getting fired anyway?

ZUS, I'm 100% with you on that. It's pure theft, no other way to look at it.

Roads? The Chinese are on their way in the near future, 2050 I heard ;) ;)

Please go on. Every addition diminishes the greatness of the nation ;) ;) ;)

Beeb, it's hear hear and not here here :)

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

The thing is, I didn't say it was the vocative that was the sporadically used 7th case at all. That was attached to my name and it's not true.

Life / Feeling ashamed of my Polish heritage. [237]

What needs sorting out exactly, first and foremost?

Impertinent is quite close, yeah. In fact, cheeky depends on the intonation. It certainly isn't bezczelny as so many dictionaries say. That's more negative. Zuchwały is ok.

So, since when has a great nation needed so much sorting out? ;) ;)

Life / Feeling ashamed of my Polish heritage. [237]

Define 'great nation' please, Torq. You trust the politicians to sort things out? Please give me what you think is the Polish word for cheeky and I'll see if you used that word correctly.

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

6 are used more commonly, ask any Pole. All 7 can be used of course, the 7th is not obsolete but is used sparingly.

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

There are 7 but if we are talking about regular use then 6. The same with tenses. Polish has sth analogous to the past perfect simple tense in English but it is seldom used.

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

Officially 7, yes. However, in reality, probably 6.

UK, Ireland / Warning to British people visiting Poland!! Don't get drunk and smash the place up! [453]

Manners show respect for others and consideration. They are far from worthless. Cannot afford? It's simply about how you were raised. Manners make like better IMHO, they bring out smiles and increase peoples' estimation of you. It's just a shame that many old people and some young people here don't get it!!

Genealogy / Polish looks? [1410]

You're welcome. Serbian women have a good rep too :)

Genealogy / Polish looks? [1410]

Malarija, ask Crow. He is Serbian but knows many Poles. He is a regular on the forum.

Genealogy / Polish looks? [1410]

You definitely look more Serbian than Polish. I can see the difference, malarija

UK, Ireland / Warning to British people visiting Poland!! Don't get drunk and smash the place up! [453]

Ever been to a football match in Poland, beelzebub? They are pretty tough, believe me.

Good manners cost nothing, Ironside, that's their beauty :)

UK, Ireland / Warning to British people visiting Poland!! Don't get drunk and smash the place up! [453]

Well beelzebub, as long as those foreigners don't moan when the Polish police step in and enforce the law in their own way.

Manners must transcend globalism, Ironside :)

UK, Ireland / Warning to British people visiting Poland!! Don't get drunk and smash the place up! [453]

Well, there are cheap flights to get there and some pretty girls to look at so why not? They have every right to complain given disrespectful behaviour.

UK, Ireland / Warning to British people visiting Poland!! Don't get drunk and smash the place up! [453]

I don't think it was really advertised in that way. I think it was more word of mouth. Many came back as satisfied customers and spread the word.