USA, Canada / Any Polish in, or coming to Hawaii? [24]

Curious if there are any Poles living in Hawaii?

Life / Are foreigners welcome in Poland? [267]


ooshak - sorry for 'butting in' in your discussion but I thought I'd give you my perspective...

I spend most of my childhood and teenage years in Sweden and now live in the States. I think Swedes are very tolerant although there are neo-nazis and others who embarrass the country. Many Swedes are more uncomfortable with Muslims rather than with with a specific race as they do not seem to assimilate as easily into the Swedish society. In some areas you'll find people who've lived there for years and years and they barely speak any Swedish yet they get food, housing and child care subsidies from the Swedish government. Needless to say it feeds resentment. Also, there have been several "honor killings" in Scandinavia in recent years (personally I think that term should be changed to "dishonor murders" but that's a different story) and that doesn't help. Overall though I truly believe Swedes are very tolerant despite what some people here say...

...but I think that racism exists everywhere. Sometimes I wonder if it's a natural process of getting to "feel better" about ourselves by exploiting differences in others whether the difference is the language, the religion, the skin color, the sexual orientation, etc, etc... Someone MUST always be "worst" than us...

USA, Canada / Any Polish in, or coming to Hawaii? [24]


Huh? Not sure what all this means...

Weather? High 27C, Low 19C, right now 24C.

Love / I love my Polish girl! Wanted to share my story. [55]

Clewinton - you seem like a nice guy.

Is there any chance for you to get another job in Poland? Spend more time with her, get to know her, pick up some Polish, learn new traditions and see where it takes you?

Parents always worry about their kids for a good reason; they always assume their child deserves a better husband/wife, that the other person will hurt their child, etc.

If you add different countries, languages and traditions to that equation you can multiply the parents' worries ten-fold.

Respect and acceptance are earned, never deserved. If you spend more time with her, treat her like the princess that I'm sure she is, learn something about her country and her traditions you will guaranteed win over her family.

When your family realizes that you're really serious about her, that she makes you happy and makes you "want to become a better man" (what movie is this quote from? ;), that she tries to learn about your culture and plans for a future with you they will accept her too.

Just my thoughts on it and I wish you both the very best.

Disclaimer - had I followed my own advice or rather had I known better at the time I wouldn't be divorced today. So in a nutshell try to learn from others peoples' mistakes...

PS. I live in the States and my ex was Italian-American but love is universal and knows no borders therefore I think my advice would work in your situation too.

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


Do it! Swedish is easy, logical and sounds great. American women love the "singing intonation" too... At least so I've heard... ;)

On a more serious note, the foreigners trying to learn Polish shouldn't be too worried about not being fluent... I travel in my job and noticed that as long as you make an attempt, try to learn the local language and respect the traditions and show an interest you will be welcomed whether in Poland, Brasil, Taiwan, China, Malaysia or Japan.

...well, I should add don't tell the Taiwanese they are really part of China because then no matter how much Mandarin you've picked up - you're dead to them... LOL

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


That's why the American English is so much easier, the spelling is more logical, follows the actual pronunciation a little bit more. Of course I'm biased and it all depends on what you're used to.

By the way, if you mention a "queue" in the US they'll think you're talking about a pool (billiard) "cue".

(hey, I'm talking about the cue, not her... ;)

Here instead of queueing we simply wait in line. LOL

...and while I'm at it...

Has there ever been a spelling reform in the Polish language? For example would it be possible to abolish the letter ó and only use u? Or to get rid of the spelling difference of h and ch? ...how about ż and rz? Different spelling but the same pronunciation, right? At least I think so? Has that ever been considered?

I'm wondering because of the way Webster reformed the English language. Noah Webster is the gentlemen who made our lives so much easier here in the US. In his own words he saved us from the "clamour of pedantry" that surround the (British) English grammar and pronunciation. :)

"...Webster complained that the English language had been corrupted by the British aristocracy, which set its own standard for proper spelling and pronunciation. As a spelling reformer, Webster believed that English spelling rules were unnecessarily complex, so his dictionary introduced American English spellings, replacing "colour" with "color", substituting "wagon" for "waggon", and printing "center" instead of "centre"..."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noah_Webster (Off the subject - Note that the statue of Webster in West Hartford, Connecticut which is included in this article was designed by a Polish American - Korczak Ziółkowski)

UK - US

aeroplane - airplane
annexe - annex
cheque - check
doughnut - donut
encyclopaedia - encyclopedia
foetus - fetus
mould - mold
neurone - neuron
disorientated - disoriented
phoney - phony
programme - program
plough - plow
sceptic - skeptic
storey - story
theatre - theater
tyre - tire

Thank you Mr. Webster!

So has there ever been a similar language reform in Poland?

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


You're right, the truth is always somewhere in between.


wǒ yī or I agree - mandarin is pretty tough. I'm picking up as much Mandarin as can but the pronunciation is tough. Also the dialects are very diverse. Cantonese (Hong Kong area) and Mandarin (most of China) are basically different languages. However even Beijing (Peking?) and Shanghai dialects are pretty different even though it's all Mandarin Chinese.

By the way you meant to say "Polski is not the hardest language to learn." ;)

Zai jain (good bye) :)

Love / I love my Polish girl! Wanted to share my story. [55]

Really? I thought I had all the answers and knew exactly what I needed to do, look where it got me (divorce). I think it's great the guy's being proactive and tries to learn from others.

Don't be so brutal, oh wait, you can't... ;)

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

...but why, after all the stuff you check for in your bag was paid for with a check (ok, credit card) :)

Love / POLISH WOMEN ARE PROMISCUOUS? DISCUSS. [153]

Could you please tell me where else you've heard that besides Canada? or was it Canada only? I have lived in Sweden, Norway, US, and a brief period in Australia, I have never heard that Polish women are promiscuous. I have heard many times, and sometimes it's true, that Polish and other east (central) European women only want a green-card and possible half of the man's savings when they divorce him but I think it shows a person's character more than anything. Some women are like that, I doubt the majority of them are.

Should you be offended? Damn right you should. You have a sister and I have a sister. I can tell you that would I ever hear anything like that from someone in my presence I'd get really mad. I'm not a violent person and there wouldn't be any physical violence of course but I'd definitely want to get the person to explain himself/herself. By the way, I'd act the same way if it was about an American or a Chinese woman.

Isn't it amazing that when a woman (I'm a guy) dates a bunch of guys she becomes a slut, w-h-o-re, loose, you name it. When I or any of my friends do the same we becomes studs, ladies-men, etc. Unfortunately there's a double standard and it's too bad.

Not sure if it'll ever be totally equal between the sexes but from what I've noticed women are tough on other women, guys seldom care. I do think change starts from the bottom up so it is up to us, usually guys to defend the ladies when stupid BS is being said about them.

If she "sleeps around" - well, it's her business and eventually she'll learn that it won't make her a happier person, in fact usually it's the other way around but it's up to her to figure that out.

You said you have a sister but didn't mention your gender, I'm assuming you're a guy, correct?

Next time you hear something like that - get mad and do something about it - that's what being a man is all about.

Just my 1/2 penny which equals 1/4 of a penny in Obama's world.

Language / Terms of endearment in Polish [222]


Well, would you be offended if someone said "you have a small dick? ;) Unless you're a woman than you DEFINITELY do not want to hear that!" LOL

Seriously, you never joke about age with women no matter what nationality they are... Remember they're from Venus - different rules over there...


Aloha Anjelkake,

Kauai'i rocks - I live on Oahu... ;)

A hui hou

PS. Your link doesn't work


I don’t get this joke but I’m sure I translated it all wrong so help me out here…

Two guys are talking::
- What kind of sweet (flattering, praising) words (or compliments) do you use when addressing your wife?
- I say to her: darling, dear, sunshine. And you?
- I call her a piece of fleece.
- Why fleece?
- Because it's such a diminutive form of a rag.

Did I get it right? If so, what’s funny about a rag? Here “she’s on the rag” is an unflattering way of saying she's on her period; so I just don’t get the joke…

PS. Great screen name btw, just too many "j's" and "a's" and... LOL

Language / Terms of endearment in Polish [222]

I see, thanks. Yeah, I was wondering why he was making fun of his wife having period? I figured, he ain't gonna get any for a looong time! LOL

Of course, it sounds like this meaning might be even tougher on his wife, huh?

I think jokes are really hard to interpret, often the true meaning just doesn't translate...

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

Joland - I agree with you, I think it all depends on a person's background. For a Slovak Polish isn't that hard, for a German and an American it's pretty darn hard and for a Chinese and Korean it's almost impossible. Of course the reverse applies too.

So it's all very relative.

As far as Finnish - Long time ago when I lived in Sweden I lived with a Finnish girlfriend so I took Finnish classes; wanted to be able to talk to her folks in Finland (Suomi). The hardest things for me were all the double a's, etc and the fact the prepositions were "backward" - you wouldn't say something is "on the table" - instead the translation would be something like "tableon" - makes for loong words... lol. Makes for pretty sound though (and women ;)

Love / POLISH WOMEN ARE PROMISCUOUS? DISCUSS. [153]


I agree with you but at the same token I don't like when women or men who'd just broken up with their latest flame immediately start dating a new person and "rub it in" without any consideration whatsoever for their old love. I think that's rude - no reason to be hurting the ex just to be a jerk. Let the ex heal first or at least keep your new relationship as private as possible for a while.

I have to admit I did something like that in the past and it wasn't until several years later that I was told how "ruthless" she thought I was after the break up. I honestly had no idea, didn't even know she cared but I guess she did. The thing is she was really nice and kind to me so I don't know why I was such a jerk. Anyways, my point is when love ends there's no reason to be ruthless - the 'dumped' person is hurting bad enough.

Love / How do Polish boys feel about foreign girls? [163]


I live in the States. Two of my best friends married Latinas, one is from Argentina the other from Peru, both are very happy with their wives. I used to date a Brazilian lady and she was great, VERY emotional and always full of expresions ;) but the long distance relationship didn't work though...


Tjenare fröken Smith,

Agree with you but why all the yelling? ;)

Ha det bra.

I don't know Brutal, she's hot and a sweetheart. They've been married for 5 years and their 2 little girls like mini Angelina Jolies - I think he struck gold... :)

Love / How do Polish boys feel about foreign girls? [163]


I see where you're coming from, I really do.

Having said that I'd like to marry someone who views me as her lover, her friend and her true soulmate and I'd want to view her in the same light.

If she happens to be Polish (or Swedish, or American, or Brasilian, or...) that'll be the extra bonus. If you truly love someone and she loves you, you will be able to maintain your heritage because she'll want to learn everything about you and your culture, and vice versa. So I'll let my heart guide me rather than use passports for orientation.

Again, I do see your point but I've seen some 'unexpected' couples and the happines that followed and I became inspired... Maybe it'll happen and maybe it won't but it never hurts to aim high and hope for the best...

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


Not sure about that. A friend exchanged some of the old Zimbabwe dollars and the bank made an error - instead of getting back US $50 dollars he got US $5,000. When they realized their error they have him 30 days to repay it then they started charging him an interest on the money, as if he'd taken a loan from them. He contacted an attorney who said he had no case. He repaid it a few weeks later. By at Bank of America.

Sorry about the spelling errors above, not enough time to correct...

Those of you who have "old" (pre-1995 but post-1945) Polish banknotes and want to know how much they're worth - remember, the largest note today is 200 Złoty.

It's really simple - if you have a 10,000 Złoty bill obviously it must be an old bill, there are no new bills over 200 Złoty remember?

Simply divide it by 10,000 (1 new Złoty = 10,000 old Złoty - or Złotych) and you have the value of the new Złoty.

In other words:

10,000 old Złoty equals 1 new Złoty or 35 US cents.
100,000 old Złoty = 10 new Złoty or US $3.5, etc.

Today Tuesday 19th Jan 2010

PL 1Zł = US $0.35 (or 35 cents)
US $1 = PL 2.78 Zł

However check yahoo currency or your bank for today's value.

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


Pirate, I think your experience with Polish people is an exception to the rule. However, not just with Polish people... I've always heard Thank You after a meal in the US, or a Merci in France and Quebec, Gracias in Mexico and Costa Rica, Xie Xie in China and Spaciba in Russia. Most people are polite by nature but every now and then you run into the brutes of the world. Sounds like you drew the short stick there, sorry about that.

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


...I know you're a linguist and that this example was just an analogy but I think it would've been better if you said "Russian is an uneducated version of Polish". Ok, I'm slightly biased. ;)

Language / Polish slang phrases - most popular. [606]

Not in Polish but maybe someone can translate. You can always try the classic (and seldom working :) line

- Do you have any Polish/American/Swedish in you? (as in heritage). If she says No

– Would you like some? LOL

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


...and a few Germans struggle with English too... LOL

youtube.com/watch?v=yR0lWICH3rY

PS. I tried the embedded youtube link but it didn't work. How do you post videos here?

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


Duh, what was I thinking... lol thanks. By the way, your video is hilarious.

Disregard the weird headline - the video is not anti-semitic at all.
youtu.be/TmKy_W1Mtw0

"Deutlish"
youtu.be/kf891kuuf54

Since this is a "hardest language" thread - I use this video (and a few others) to practice Mandarin. Not sure if it's the hardest language but the pronunciation is tough for us, westerners.

youtu.be/jEHVLuhQ9aU

...and here's yet another hard "language" to learn... ;)
youtu.be/2lLW5rtBEbw

Language / Polish slang phrases - most popular. [606]

I know, I've seen "dumbest pick-up lines" thread before (not on PF) and this one came to my mind... Women are smart no matter what country they live in... LOL

Language / Polish slang phrases - most popular. [606]


"Would you like some more?" ;)


I might have missed the translation but what the heck does that mean? - to have sex? Really? Could someone use that term in a sentence?

My polish vocabulary is quite "sex-less"... At seven when we're moving away from Poland I felt all girls were really annoying and had cooties. Had no idea how much fun one could have with a girl, that discovery happened a few years later :)

Language / Polish slang phrases - most popular. [606]

Ooops, I was way off!

I'm sort of glad I'm not dating a Polish lady. I'd probably end up asking her to get drunk or lost while attempting to be sensual... LOL

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

Lyzko - could you give us the German version too? I'd like to compare, it does sound funny

I'm sure the Germans don't struggle with English as much as the Italians do... LOL

History / Famous Russian Poles [243]

Sasha - I don't want to ruin your thread; find it very interesting - the different people you and some others keep digging up.

No too long ago I was in Sweden and while in a cafe I got to watch a Polish satellite channel (SatPol or PolSat?).

There was a program on people of Polish heritage who still live in Russia and other former Soviet republics who've been trying to move to Poland. Do you have any links, info on that subject? Preferably in English or Polish. I read and understand Russian but poorly. Find the subject interesting.

Mahalo or спасибо

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


Poland has a second official language? What do you mean by that statement? Confused...

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

It is so true! Never thought of it.

Here's a disadvantage of English (or a version of it ;) being "widely spoken" in several low cost countries...

- Sound only
youtube.com/watch?v=Y6C8Z9aBa2Y

In case the lingo gets confusing - pilots call "crew schedulers" to rearrange their schedules, drop or pick up trips, rearrange vacations, etc, etc...

- alpa is a pilot union
- "widebody" - is a large aircraft - not a person LOL
- "min coverage" - not enough pilots 'standing by' for someone to ask for a day off
- "oops" - "out of position" or no-show for work

Love / How do Polish boys feel about foreign girls? [163]


You're welcome Jazz - working hard on bringing you some more of that to your perfect society... In the meantime keep telling all the aborigines and also the immigrants in your internment camps that all the evil came from America.

(Off the record - I do love Australia but obviously they have their share of 'problems')