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

I'd have to say this was something that drove me from Poland. In my eight years there, I met many wonderful people, but I just couldn't stand the coldness people/strangers have towards one another. Where we live in the States, there is such a positive supportive vibe between people.

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

That syrupy sickly smile certainly does exist in the States, and maybe I am being unfair because we are now in a small town as opposed to the big city we lived in in Poland. Life in any big city is somehow anonymous.

Some people in this forum need to drop a valium or two.

Life / Conflicting views about life in Poland? [45]

Living there, I had the impression that Polish workers felt under-valued by their employers. I suppose this was mainly the result of how low wages were compared to how expensive things were.

Life / Polish people are the most ignorant people in the world! [331]

Now I am waiting for the response "You can't generalize or stereotype".

Thanks Sylvia for the honest answer, although I may not entirely agree with it.

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

Yes I agree that if you went to any country, you'd find rude people, but I have never been able to shake the number of times I was yelled at by people in public places in Poland.

When I asked the woman at the kiosk to repeat something, she could obviously see that Polish was not my first language (although I was trying my best) and instead of slowly repeating herself, she just yelled at me what she said before.

The man at the Urzad Skarbowy yelled at me when I submitted my tax forms.

The woman at some other urzad was absolutely beside herself with rage every time I went in there.

The Polish people I came to know as friends and family were lovely, but the ones I didn't know weren't.

Law / The right to own guns: would you support such legislation in Poland? [2237]

An ex-hunter I am, but by no means a card-carrying NRA gun advocate. Actually I gave away my guns 20 years ago. However, one reason us Yanks want to have guns is to keep the government in check. Poles were governed/ruled/enslaved for around 50 years by powers that used the gun to do it. Ain't gonna happen here Bub.

Life / The Polish Dream - move out from Poland as fast as possible [73]

I had the impression after eight years in Poland that Poles simply don't feel appreciated by their employers. Of course money is one way to say "You are doing a good job and we value you." We know they don't get money, but do Poles get any positive affirmation at work? I am happy with my current salary, but I really value my boss who makes sure I know that she and the college appreciate the work I do.

UK, Ireland / Agnieszka Pomaska, beautiful Polish politician [43]

Not surprised at all that Brits can't compete with Poles. Poles are hungry.

Working with Brits for 13 years, I found it disturbing how often I heard them wanting to go home to live on the dole. I find this practice of sucking the government's tit a bit lame.

I taught at a Polish university for eight years and Polish students are smart. Go get those good jobs Poles!

UK, Ireland / Why are Polish people, especially women, so disrespectful toward the English? [437]

I've always lived in other countries by choice and not by necessity. It must be scary as hell to take yourself or family to a new strange place and have 'to make it'. I now live in the U.S. where there are a lot of Central Americans. Sweet people, but I think about how far from home they are and how hard it must be for them. I agree with TaiCat that a smile isn't a lot, but at least it may make them feel a little easier. BTW, I don't have problems with people coming here so long as they follow the laws of the land.

Law / Is it possible to convert my Pakistani driving licence to a Polish one? [46]

Would she only have to take the written test, or the dreaded road test as well? I can't quite recall, is it the road test or the written test (or both) that people fail multiple times?

Life / My experience in Poland 15 years ago as an American trying to live and work there. [167]

Man, you better think long and hard about some of the reasons why you want to leave your home and go to Poland. I lived there for eight years, married there, had two kids there and bought two apartments there, etc. As a single dude, I had a great time, but when life got serious I knew the party was over. I'm not doggin' Poland in any way. I would return there in a heartbeat if I were single and in my 20s, but as a 40-something with a wife and kids, no way.

Life / My experience in Poland 15 years ago as an American trying to live and work there. [167]

I lived in Poznan. I bought my first little place in 2001 for a song, but really got taken to the cleaners when I bought the second in 2007. I left Poland and rented them both out, which worked pretty well. The small place I rented with a rental agreement until I sold it, but the second place I have always rented without any paperwork to students. Basically it's all been done over the Internet, as I don't live there anymore, and I must say it's worked out well. I'd love to get rid of it. It's in a great location in the center on Sw. Wojciech for those of you in Poznan. Is anybody looking for a 76-m2, three-room apartment that needs to be renovated?