Food / Confusion over flour names in Poland [46]

baking powder = proszek do pieczenia. You can buy it all the grocery shops, no need to trouble Kuchnie świata ;-)

Language / IS "MURZYN" word RACIST? [686]

PC evolution:

Negro - perfectly neutral word branded as racist and replaced by:
Nigger -perfectly neutral word branded as racist and replaced by:
Black -perfectly neutral word branded as racist and replaced by:
Afroamerican (Afrobritish, afrocaraibbean) - considered by some ppl as racist.

UN resolution states that "there is only one race - human race". Therefore any attempt do describe any group of people as being part of some race is racist by definition. Any word that distinguish one group from another is by definition racist. :-)

Travel / Poland wildlife and similar wild life where you live. [246]

For me this is the best of Poland - Brda river and Bory Tucholskie. For some reason wild animals doesn't care about the river, so if you are quiet you are able to see a lot more.

I recommend this river to anyone, who loves wildlife.

Travel / Poland wildlife and similar wild life where you live. [246]

SeanBM
I don't understand what kind of information you expected? This is common "dzięcioł". Nothing special about this bird.

Here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picidae

Travel / Poland wildlife and similar wild life where you live. [246]


Not really - in the word "dzięcioł" there is nothing about head or banging. :-)
Dzięcioł is dzięcioł. You can spot it in the middle of the city. Nothing special about it. Photos of birds like "głuszec" or "dudek" - that would be something!

By the way - photos of "deer" you can see in this thread are more like "sarna". Sarna is quite common. Big rabbit on the long legs. ;-) I remember that bunch of sarna on the main square of my hometown were common issue in the summer time. From time to time we've got a families (around 10 pct) standing in the middle of the road blocking the traffic. (that's was funny. They pretended to "not give a damn" to the city environment, and ignored any attempt to remove them from the road. Wild boar were worse - they can be pretty aggressive.) Anyway - "deer" is a "jeleń" in Polish. Much bigger and more decent species.

Language / Can accidentally using the wrong gender form cause offence? [26]


Or when talking to servants (Niech Marysia przyniesie) - that form was used when addressing people who dosn't deserve such formalities as "Pan, Pani". 3rd person is dodgy.

Language / Funny/strange/deviant words in the Polish language [35]

Fart - sudden struck of luck. Like when you avoid car accident by inches.
Then you fart.

Language / Anglos don't distinguish kasza from Kasia? [22]

Thats soooo funny!
Just imagine this: "Prosię postawić szę na moim miejscu" :-D

("proszę" - please; "prosię" - a little, young pig)

History / My wonderful boyfriend returned to Poland. Any famous Pole that visits Africa? [26]

Wacław Korabiewicz for instance.
He traveled Africa mostly on his foots or hitchhicking.
He once sid: One wouldn't believe how small the world is and how people are similar to each other unless one would travel it by foot.

Africa is a big land. What part of this land do you mean?

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

Yep that is easy. Exept:
Ę - another oh sound
Sz - another sh sound
Cz - another ch sound

And few other. :-)

Prosię bardzo!

History / Question on Poland's szlachta clan admission [26]

Gee... Clan admission in Poland? Like some organisation with established structure and discipline? Nope. Not in old Poland.

Language / IS "MURZYN" word RACIST? [686]

There is no such word. Never was. Maybe use some dictionary next time.

Language / IS "MURZYN" word RACIST? [686]

Jonni - I've never said that.

Language / IS "MURZYN" word RACIST? [686]


Enkidu did suggested you to use some dictionary before you make a fool of yourself next time.
Do it now. Dictionaries won't bite you.
There is no such word in Polish language. As Magdalena pointed out- there is ONE reference to this world (murzać) in the Polish literature. One.

Life / Womans day in Poland? [242]

Its 8th of March. Consider yourself warned.

History / What do Poles think about Turks? [761]

All I know about the Turkey and the Turkish people is that in times where the Poland get assaulted and erased from the map of the world - basically in these sad one hundred and twenty three years when the Poland was virtually an non-existent country (it existed only in our hearts and nowhere else) - the Turkish Sultan was the only ruler in the world who asked this question on the annual ambassador's assembly:

"Where is the ambassador of the brave Poland? How that is happen he is not here?".
And he embarrass all the kings and prime ministers and presidents that come from the countries from all over the world with this question. For 123 years. Every year.

And that is ALL I need to know about Turkey.

Dammit - our countries were never friends. Actually we did fought a war against each other for more-or-less 500 years. But we learned to respect each other in process.

That is what I want to remember.

Love / Polish men are complete doormats (especially after they get married) [125]

On the other thread we are portrayed as a abusive, aggressive macho men. Now we suddenly become "doormats". I just can't imagine how difficult for one's it would be to be both. :)

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]


Wow! That is what I call the "clash of civilisations". You think that the attendant is an extremely rude and arrogant person. Funny thing - I am 100% sure that he thinks exactly the same of you. :-)

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]

According to Polish standards she shall be the one who speaks first with some greetings like "Dzień dobry Panu!". One is expected to say this every time when entering somewhere (like shop, taxi, cloak room etc)

The famous "Polish blank starring" is not meant to be rude. On the contrary - it is natural reaction of Polish to the behavior that they see as impolite. By remain silent an pretend they can't see an entering person they are try to give "this rude foreigner" some more time, a second chance to behave well.

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]


That is what I call "the clash of the civilizations". :-)
Actually I like to collect this kind of stories. At first glance - Poland and the UK are part of the same culture and European tradition. But there are certain differences. Greetings, table manners etc.

For instance traditional British greetings: "How do you do?" "Fine and you?" transfered on the Polish soil may be seen as slightly impolite.

One of my favorites is about telephone manners in the Czech Republic (it's an Eastern European and slavic country so theoretically there shouldn't be any differences in the standards of politeness). Let's say - you are in the hotel room and the phone rings.

-Hallo?
(at this point you expect that person who just called you, shall introduce himself. Instead you hear:)
-Hallo?
(Now you think - what a bloody redneck! You are polite person therefore you decide to give him a second chance:)
-Hallo?
(Now you REALLY expect some introduction from this person. Instead - All you hear is:)
-Hallo?
Sooner or later - one side would hang up with the impression that he just encounter a VERY rude person indeed.

Explanation: In Poland - If you call someone, it is polite to introduce yourself first. In the CZ is more-or-less the same, but the person who receive the call shall introduce himself.

Culture and a good manners are funny thing sometimes :-)

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]

This short "telephone manners" course shows only how different the politeness can be perceived in the different countries.
When I am in the foreign country, I don't apply a standards from my culture to them.

Therefore I don't believe this statement:


Simply because I believe the "World Universal Politeness Standard" do not exist.

Of course I may be angry at the Czechs, Russians or Americans that they don't behave accordingly to my own "Polish Universal Standards" - but this is rather silly attitude.


Of course she knows. But she expected you to say it anyway. Good manner are not always a logical matter.

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]


If you are accustomed with the US standards - the Polish clerks,attendants, waiters are seems to be rather rude.
Of course - a waiter with the American attitude would be fired on his first day at work in Poland.
Answering the title question - Yes. I think that Polish people are rude. (according to westerners) Maybe it's time to get over it and realise that you are in the different country?

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]


Seanus - I am sorry. I am still thinking in Polish. And in Polish this *you* is referring to any one who is in the foreign country and can't cope with that. I understand that you take personally as addressed to you.

Silly as it seems - it wasn't my intention.

Life / Racism in Poland - the future [558]


I would be happy to read something about pogroms committed by Polish. Could you please provide me with some sources?

Life / Racism in Poland - the future [558]


Thank you Jonni and Harry, but I I've already read a lot about Kielce and Jedwabne accidents.
There is not much more to explore for me. I am sure that the Poles are responsible for the HUNDREDS of other pogrom's apart from these two isolated incidents mentioned above. Unfortunately I am unable to track down these savage atrocities.

I am counting on you, guys.

Life / Racism in Poland - the future [558]

Bialystok in 1905 was a part of Great Russia. Pogrom in Kielce was a provocation of the soviets. Jedwabne - under German occupation. I don't deny the significance and suffering of the victims of these accidents. If I follow this logic - burning down a Warsaw ghetto by the SS, can be seen as a pogrom committed by Polish. Its not fair thinking.

Jews and Poles share the same country for more than 500 years. I am sure that if Poles were such anti-Semite nation - I shall find a lot of proofs of other pogroms. Like in Germany or Russia for instance - pogroms that were initiated or at least accepted by the authorities. Actually I did find a lot of stories of pogroms in these and other countries. On this background Poland seems to be a country of quiet calm tolerance. I am little confused by this.

I can read (on the PF and in other places) how traditionally anti-Semite nation we are. And I started to think - maybe it's true? Who knows? But I can't find any solid proof of it. Only suggestions and accusations. It's frustrating.

Jonni - I don't want to start another historic-Polish-Jew rage. But from the proofs a have got right now it seems that Poland is (and was) far less anti Semite country than many others. Help me.

Life / Racism in Poland - the future [558]

Oh come on. Some people were killed. That's a fact. Get lost with you math.

History / MAP OF POLAND IN 1880'S [95]

Nowhere. Such a map of Poland in the 1880's do not exist. :-)

Food / Polish v Western farm produce? [14]

Partially - you answered your question yourself. Hi-tech modified vegetables and industrial scale farms plus subsidies vs Polish traditional, family running 5ha farms.
But the taste is different.
For instance if you would ask me if the western strawberries taste more like strawberries or shampoo, I would answer: Strawberries, off course. But it don't taste like a real thing.

Living in the UK, I feel very sorry for millions of the natives who never in their life tasted the real butter, strawberries, mushrooms, pork, cream, milk, blackberries, cheese etc. What you can buy at Tesco is a remote remainder of the real taste.

Study / Rumor about racism - will I be fine in Poland as a black International student from Africa? [245]

And the same story again - "famous Polish racism, antisemitism, whatever"... Everybody heard the stories, no one has seen it in action.
Will they kill me, because I black? Will they rob me? I'm betting sick of this kind of questions.
I tell you - It is highly probable that someone will kick your ass badly in Poland. But not because you are black, but because you behave like moron. If you starting your contact with Poland from insulting Polish people on the forum, you probably would end up in the hospital.

Hey Succesor! How would you feel if I ask: Will they eat me in the Nigeria? I heard they eat white people. How would you feel?