Genealogy / Poland Genealogy Resources [130]

1.try nasza-klasa.pl although it is very likely that people might have changed names, however it's a start, if she had brothers, there's a chance that the surname might bring some results.

2.go through the phone books in the town where she was born,
3.post her surname and all details that you know (name of mother/father, place and date of birth, siblings, history) on all fora available on the internet.

Real Estate / Shared property ownership in Poland, what are your rights? [11]

It all depends. As it happens, I am a part-share owner of a 'kamienica' (house). Each one of us has different percentage of shares, but no matter.

Do you have a flat/flats which form your percentage? In that case, you can sell your flat/s to a third party, but it would be common courtesy to have a 'general meeting' of the other owners and tell them of your intentions. The future owner takes over your shares.

As a part owner you are responsible (proportionately) for the repairs/and bills of all amenities which form the 'common' parts (but you already know that).

Please remember also your tax position - but this has been discussed elsewhere.

Real Estate / Shared property ownership in Poland, what are your rights? [11]

I suppose you have a key to the flat. If not, why not?
A better idea would be to get 4 or 5 of your young, beer-guzzling, loud-mouthed, music playing friends and have them move in (even when there is someone else in the flat) and stay in the flat for a few days.

The other owners of the flat would soon get the message, that the flat is for all- not just one.

Work / What Jobs are there in Poland for an Englishman besides teaching english? [70]


Oh no, who would have thought it.

When I worked in Warsaw, grant it some years ago now, I worked for one of the Big 5. Anybody with good accountancy qualifications can get work at one of the Big accountancy firms. They are always advertising. Mind you, you have to be good.

However, if the qualification that the original poster has, is the fact that as an Englishman, he can speak English - I'm afraid it will just not be enough to land a good job (other than teaching)

Life / Babcia klozetowa alive & well? [35]

In Krakow, public toilets near Wawel and others are a pleasure to use. Clean, well-kept, supplied with paper, soap and hot water - for 1 pln you can't get better.

The best ones were the ones in Sukiennice which I used for years and at that time they were 30groszy. Now places charge up to 2pln

I well remember the times, when babcie klozetowe allowed you three strips of toilet paper which you got on your way in...oh, the good old days....

Life / nasza-klasa.pl - If you looking for your classmates or friends in Poland [95]

Sign up again...and search for yourself.
Also Please Note: The rules and regulations on Nasza-klasa have changed. Once you sign up, you now give them absolute permission to use your photos and any descriptions of yourself for their promotional material..please be aware...

A lot of people are now leaving nasza-klasa because of this. It was supposed to be a 'private site' but now photos of you, your friends, your car, your house or anything else about you can find themselves everywhere.

If that suits you - fine. If it does not, do not sign up again.

Love / 20% of adult Poles are single and live with Mummy! [241]

In today's Daily Mail there is an article quoting how many young women - 18-34 live by themselves & how many young men still stay at home.

So the situation repeats itself in many countries.

Law / UK driving license mess in Poland [72]

Do no 5 and beg for mercy. Say that you have returned to the UK last week with the intention of permanent residence.

Law / UK driving license mess in Poland [72]


...because ...you can't beat the system.

Law / Are banks from Poland safe? [42]

I have some money in Polish banks, and as I understand up to a certain limit the cash is guaranteed.

Genealogy / THE MEANING AND RESEARCH OF MY POLISH LAST NAME, SURNAME? [4500]

Dereniewski

Law / Last Will and Testament - should items go to a Polish or EU person? [24]

If a Polish person makes a Will and Testament the other closest relatives have a right of call upon these assets. Eg if it is a grandfather then his children (have a right to have his assets divided up equally amongst them). If one of his children has died, then their children are entitled to that share and so on.

It really does not matter that a parent leaves everything to a dog's home, the family have a right to that estate.
My mother died and left everything to my brother (with my full agreement before the Will and after) but I had to go to Court and formally declare that I did not want any share of the estate.

Law / Last Will and Testament - should items go to a Polish or EU person? [24]

It is possible for a Canadian to inherit something from a Polish person's estate, ONLY if the other members of the family agree to it and by doing do, the action is not detrimental to them in any way, e.g. a promised favourite item - but even that must be agreed.

It makes no difference whether the 'external' person is Polish, American or Chinese.

Law / Last Will and Testament - should items go to a Polish or EU person? [24]

>>>>>Basically in Poland the desires of the deceased don't matter. An odd situation when you consider how the dead are idealized...

>>>>>It' my understanding that if there's family then family gets it whether they deserve it or not and whether or not that's what the deceased wanted or not.

Unfortunately, you are right - family is family. (good or bad)

Law / Last Will and Testament - should items go to a Polish or EU person? [24]

Re: the antiques - if you mean a statue, book, small painting - there are rules...if you disobey them they will confiscate the item at the border controls - never to be returned.

Law / Last Will and Testament - should items go to a Polish or EU person? [24]

Border controls - I meant at the airport.

Travel / Best place to exchange money in Poland? [98]

Outside each Kantor you will find a display of the rates being offered. They are generally not the same ones in each kantor. You can always go inside any bank and ask for the rate of exchange, but generally, it will be lower than in a kantor. And remember the ones near the centre offer lower rates.

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

You can exchange OLD Polish money until the end of the year in Polish banks. They are likely to give you today's equivalent.
Sometimes on gumtree there are people who may need a particular note to complete their collection, but are unlikely to pay a lot for it.

Language / Niech będzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus - a religious greeting? [39]

Niech bedzie pochwalony........is still used when greeting old people in villages or coming inside their houses.
This is closely related to the old Polish proverb: 'Gosc w domu, Bog w domu' - (Guest in your house, God in your house). All priests would use it when they enter your house.

And as an aside - I always use the form of 'plural you' (wy) when I speak to older people.

Language / Niech będzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus - a religious greeting? [39]

When it comes to 'wy', (plural you) I would never even consider using anything else with a proviso that this is only to the older members of the community. I use it very frequently in the centre of Krakow to older people and nobody bats an eyelid.

It does NOT come from the Communist party era - it comes from the time when Poland had KINGS.

Language / Niech będzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus - a religious greeting? [39]

>>>It's true, it doesn't come from the communist party era, but still it was used frequently in those days.
....Did you actually live in Poland during the Communist Era?
Where and when did you hear such as greeting, when Members of the Communist Party were forbidden to be Catholic and go to church???

Life / Why Do You Love Poland? [907]


Give me LUST everytime. At least when I look at a man he knows exactly what I'm thinking and when he's on a promise of 'bara bara' he will happily stand in a ladies clothes shop while I try the 20 dresses they have in stock.

A man who loves you will just give you the money and tell you to go by yourself.

Life / Why Do You Love Poland? [907]

>>>It is your choice...
...No, I just think like a man - why have the hassle of washing his dirty socks and cooking meals and cleaning, and more often than not getting some 'sarky' comment about there not being enough salt in the soup....when you can just have wonderful 'bara bara' every time?

Hard question, isn't it?

Life / Why Do You Love Poland? [907]


...scared? of what? may I ask
little - no way...I give any mattress a run for its money...
girl...its centuries since anyone called me a girl...(but thank you for the compliment)

Life / Customs - First Holy Communion in Poland [42]

Generally, first communion and the whole circus that's developed around it is just about showing people how much you can afford to spend (even if it's borrowed money) and that you expect substantial presents from all those invited.

What I cannot understand is why people don't make copies of their bank statements and stick them outside their front door, so that everybody would know how much they can afford, and have the first communion for the child the way it was originally intended.

Real Estate / Cost to build in Eastern Poland - Ideally per m2 [71]

Yes, but the ad clearly states that the house will be in 'development stage' and in order to put the last finish - count on at least 1K per metre. And unfortunately you still have to buy the land, so count another 5K per metre- all in all the house fully built (without furniture etc) will cost you 9K per metre. Now if you think that this is a good deal - so be it.

Life / Poles speaking English - examples [245]

Chicago Pole repels the gator attack
...it's the best I've seen for a very long ltime. Laughed so much I nearly peed in my knicks....

Travel / Ideal amount of PLN for a week holiday (Krakow, Warsaw, Salt Mines, Auschwitz, etc) [9]

Things have changed a lot in the last 10 years. You will find that some things are dearer in Poland than in the US. Few weeks ago - bread over 3PLN, beer 10PLN and that's just for starters.

Life / Fat People in Poland? [161]

All the doctors will advise eating 'healthy' foods, plenty of vegetables and fruit.
However, McDo, KFC, Burger King have become enticing as meeting places for people. What clever marketing device that is.
Doctors advise also PLENTY of daily exercise which is hard.
But remember this: in some countries 'fat people' are revered.

Life / 200zl mandat and 3 points for not wearing seatbelts? [75]

Why do you think (and give me EVIDENCE) that the LAW should not apply to you?

The law says you MUST wear a seatbelt. End of. You either follow the law or you PAY.