Work / Black English Teacher going to Wroclaw [247]


We're used to sth here :)

Yes - keep us up to date, would be nice!

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

Work / Black English Teacher going to Wroclaw [247]


First of all, after Sokrates' racist intermezzo, welcome to PF. It shouldn't matter whether you're black or not, if you're good at your job, then this is the only thing that really counts. And I take it you are, otherwise you wouldn't get offered a job.

Anyway, I can't tell you much about how day-to-day life in Poland would be as I don't live there, but I can wish you the best of luck in your new job and I hope you won't have any trouble finding a place to stay nor with anything related to the colour of your skin. SeanBM is right, you should check out mask98's posts, it might be of value for you.

Again, welcome to PF and good luck :)

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

History / Today is the 1st of September (WWII start in Poland) [138]

Ah ok. I was just wondering because in NL they don't commemorate the day that the Nazis invaded, the 10th of May, but the day we got liberated from them - I think the same in Belgium and France.

Is there actually a "Liberation Day" in Poland? I don't mean liberation of Communism, but the end of WW2?

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

History / Today is the 1st of September (WWII start in Poland) [138]

So it's a militairy event?

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

History / Communism fell 20 years ago, Poland led the fight since WW2 [339]

First of all, thank you for this impressive collection of pictures, you put up a nice piece of work there and it makes sense what you're saying. In 1980/81 as a schoolkid I followed the proceedings around Solidarity (forgive me for writing the English name) and then it kinda sank away into the annals of history. To my personal surprise they re-surfaced in early 1989 and indeed in June won the elections overwhelmingly.

However, I do have a question: you mention that Poland has led the way since WW2, how should I see this within the context of Hungary 1956 and Czechoslovakia 1968, perhaps even Berlin 1953?

I think, but I am not sure that this was what Shelley was aiming at last year when she said that the West sees CZ (the mentioned Spring in Prague) and especially Hungary (not only the Imre Nagy revolt, but also the opening of the border with Austria in the summer of 1989 for waiting East Germans) as torch-bearer in the liberation of Eastern Europe. Don't get me wrong, with this I don't mean any disrespect to Polish efforts in that respect and I personally knew that it was the elections of June 1989 which set the dominoes in motion, but to the general public in the West it always has been Hungary and to a lesser extent Czechoslovakia that pulled the trigger. We didn't get that much news coming out of Poland and for some reason CZ and HU have always been looked upon as most "Westernized" countries, that is, through the general Western eye.

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

Life / Polish pride. PL stickers, flags and the white eagle! Where does our obsession come from? [79]

That's good, because some Polish films made in the era are considered among the best cinematography has to offer.

>^..^<

M-G (personally thinks Man of Marble from 1977 is a great movie)

Life / Polish pride. PL stickers, flags and the white eagle! Where does our obsession come from? [79]

Ah it's after 1945. So there is history up until 1945 and then a big black gap and things merrily continue in 1989?

>^..^<

M-G (weird)

Life / Polish pride. PL stickers, flags and the white eagle! Where does our obsession come from? [79]


What, no lessons on Joe Pilsudski?

>^..^<

M-G (surprised)

News / Weekend of carnage as 41 people lose their lives on Poland's roads [44]

You need a license to ride a bicycle?

>^..^<

M-G (?)

News / Weekend of carnage as 41 people lose their lives on Poland's roads [44]

I meant a bicycle, not a motorcycle. I do acknowledge that the word "bike" was somewhat confusing. Basically anything in or on which you move faster than you would be when walking are prohibited from operating when drunk or intoxicated in any other form.

>^..^<

M-G (that means also if you're stoned and riding on your bicycle and police grabs you, you're in trouble)

News / Weekend of carnage as 41 people lose their lives on Poland's roads [44]


Alfa Romeo drivers are considered the most anti-social drivers, at least in NL.

>^..^<

M-G (more than drivers of any other brand)

Life / Polish pride. PL stickers, flags and the white eagle! Where does our obsession come from? [79]


It's wearing off. When I first came here in Dubs, some 6,5 years ago I was actually surprised how many flags were flying in the neighbourhood where they found me a place to live. But now, you see this much less - although more ppl than previously talk about Irish identity as opposed to the EU and stuff like that.

But every now and then you come across an individual who's "100 per cent Oirish" and only speaks English because he "has to". And some I come across refuse to go to the North as they "don't want to exchange money in my own country". But most Irish I know don't have that as strongly anymore. I'm sure that in the 1930's it was different, but then again, Irish national pride was always more anti-British than anything else. Perhaps the Irish don't have these national sentiments that strongly, perhaps because there are more Irish living outside of Ireland than in Ireland herself. Proof of this lack of national sentiments imo could be that the only fascist movement Ireland has ever known, the Blueshirts, at the height of their strength never had more than a handful, perhaps a few hundred, followers.

Another reason could be that Ireland, except the last 15 years, always has been very poor - ppl moving away, daily struggle for survival had more priority than feeling proud of your country. Perhaps they weren't that proud of their country because it was so poor and perhaps ppl were instead of proud angry at the govt for not being able to make the Irish state a welfaring one befor the 1990's.

It's actually interesting to see as to why it was never that strong. Some say that as long as the Irish can go to their pubs and have a pint, everything is ok with them, which could explain the lack of willingness to demonstrate when the govt fcuks them over once again. And they would be certainly able to paralyse Dublin city if they would simply say they wouldn't take that Bullcrap the govt pours on them anymore and would strike. Last year two garages of Dublin Bus were on strike for a day or two. Already there were major problems.

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

News / Weekend of carnage as 41 people lose their lives on Poland's roads [44]



Don't forget the Alfa Romeos :)

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

Life / Polish pride. PL stickers, flags and the white eagle! Where does our obsession come from? [79]


Best example would be Japan. Divided as hell, tribes constantly waging war on each other, but when an external threat ocurred, they immediately stopped all internal warfare, bound together and expelled the external threat. Once the threat was gone, they merrily continued with their internal wars.

>^..^<

M-G (Japan never has been conquered that much)

News / Weekend of carnage as 41 people lose their lives on Poland's roads [44]


Indeed. I've had three car accidents in my life - all three of them caused by sober drivers who didn't pay attention: one just drove up the main road and she didn't bother to look if sth was coming from the right and slammed into me on the right-hand side; the other one decided to overtake me just before a crossroads and then, without even fully having passed me, turned right, forcing me to go abrubtly towards the pedestrian path where I nearly hit a child before slamming into a wall and the last one crashed into me because he "saw" much too late that there was a traffic jam and cars had to stop - he smashed into my car from behind - darn, that was a brandnew Rover 75 totalled!

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

News / Weekend of carnage as 41 people lose their lives on Poland's roads [44]


I agree with that, but it seems that it's getting less as more and more ppl are getting aware that it's not acceptable to drink and drive. I personally think those DOE ads have helped in that as well as my, my, they are shocking! But still, 15 young ppl dead is too much, way too much.

And I don't understand it either as I believe that the penalties for drink and drive in Ireland are pretty severe. I mean, I do understand going to a pub for a pint, but if it's in the village, what's wrong with walking? Or getting a designated driver who stays sober? In NL they now have started a total war on drink and drive, it seems from the newspapers: you now get also official fines for riding a bike drunk. In fact, this has always been illegal in NL: if you're drunk, the only means of transportation that are legal are either your own two legs or a sober driver. Riding a bike, moped or anything that moves faster than when you walk, is illegal to operate when being drunk.

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

Life / Polish pride. PL stickers, flags and the white eagle! Where does our obsession come from? [79]


Well, you must not forget that Ireland has been independent now for over 80 years and as I mentioned, over time it will slowly, but surely fade away into the folkloristic corner. But I live in Ireland myself and I can tell it's faded pretty much, but you still get this national pride, albeit mildly and mainly folkloristic. However, I noticed that they go looking more for, for example Americans of Irish descent than other ppls do, or they like Australians a lot as they say they are mostly of Irish descent and the Australian accent is supposed to be derived from the Irish accent.

In short, in Ireland it's definitively more than in the Netherlands, where I am originally from, but much less than in Poland, but that is mainly caused by the length of time they have been independent. After a while, most ppl just want to get on with their lives and just try to be as successful as they can be.

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

News / Weekend of carnage as 41 people lose their lives on Poland's roads [44]

In Ireland it's also a problem; a few years ago, about 1 in 3 drivers during the weekend were above the legal limit when stopped - but they found a way to make it socially unacceptable as far as it wasn't yet: they show truly shocking (and I mean truly shocking - after seeing a couple of them, they made me shiver and I really didn't feel good) govt msgs on the TV and it seems they are making the effect desired. This is one of them:

youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BYOl4AgsnD4

Drinking and driving should be regarded as a crime and if you kill sb in an accident when drunk behind the wheel, you're nothing less than a premeditated murderer and should go to jail for at least 10 to 20 years.

>^..^<

M-G (never drinks and drives and never has)

Life / Polish pride. PL stickers, flags and the white eagle! Where does our obsession come from? [79]

It will disappear, though. It always does. Not fully, it will make a transition into the folkoristic area and ppl will emerge that will frown or laugh upon it, but that takes time, usually 2 or 3 generation. And the Scots? They wear skirts as a protest :))))

>^..^<

M-G (tiens - more coffee is needed)

Life / Polish pride. PL stickers, flags and the white eagle! Where does our obsession come from? [79]


I guess it has sth to do with their history. PL has been abused many times throughout her history, enjoyed only 20-odd years of independence after having disappeared from the map, before embarking on 50 years of foreign occupation by first the Nazis, then the Commies. Now that they are finally independent (which is coincidentally at this moment about the same length as the period before they went yoked under some form of totalitarian régime, be this National Socialism or Communism), they will show that they are. It's common for ppl who have suffered under foreign occupation for extended lengths of time to boost their national identity when this situation has been removed and they are free. It's not typically a Polish thing, other countries had/have it too, look at the US, they still are eerily show their pride of being American with regards to the flag and anthem. It will fade over time, but for now, and probably the next generation, albeit it a bit lesser than the current one, you will see this quite often. I'd say in about 100 years from now it will have virtually disappeared, assuming Poland will stay free and independent.

Hope this helps, Kangaroo.

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

Life / Any treatment centres for homos in Poland? [455]

How about shock-treatment? :) I know a few Slavs that would be eligible for that :)

News / Weekend of carnage as 41 people lose their lives on Poland's roads [44]

How about drink-driving? I assume this is illegal in Poland too, but in NL Polish men seem to think it's legal and do this quite often, if I may believe the newspapers - nearly every weekend, according to those newspapers, multiple Polish drivers are being stopped and arrested for being drunk behind the wheel. Last weekend a guy was arrested for driving with about 10 times the allowed of alcohol in his blood. And this was not the first time that sb who could barely stand on his own two feet is being caught behind the wheel. It seems to get such a problem that police in NL is actually setting up teams specifically to check on Polish drivers. Drink-driving is one of the bigger offences one can make in NL while partaking in traffic. Is this a problem in Poland too?

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

Life / Any treatment centres for homos in Poland? [455]

I always wondered how come that the same guys who like to penetrate a girl in her arse condemn homosexuals for doing the same :)

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

Travel / My (short) Poland experiences - bad luck? [142]


Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz (Vicky Leandros)

Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Steh auf, Du altes Murmeltier,
Bevor ich die Geduld verlier.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Ich habe diese Landluft satt,
Will endlich wieder in die Stadt.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Gott verlaß'nes Dorf, nur Heu und Dorf.
Stets der gleiche Trott, nur Hü und Hott.
Im Stall die Kuh macht muh,
Die Hähne krähen dazu.
Das hält keiner aus, ich hier raus.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz
Da packen wir das Glück beim Schopf
Und hauen alles auf den Kopf.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Diese verdammte Nest, gibt mir den Rest.
Ich fühl mich zu jung für Mist und Dunk -
Ich brauch' Musik und Tanz und etwas Eleganz.
Gib Dir einen Stoß und dann geht's los.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Dann feiern wir ein großes Fest,
Das uns die Welt vergessen läßt.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Dann kann ich leben, dann bin ich frei -
Und die Liebe ist mit dabei.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Komm' mit, die Pferde warten schon,
Steig' ein und sei mein Postillion.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.

:) Who said there weren't any German songs about Polish cities? :) Ok, she is Greek, but that doesn't matter.

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

Life / How can Polish immigrants complain about other immigrants? [65]


Oh really? And this:


would not be deemed a personal remark?


As I remember, I wiped you repeatedly under the table, at least enough times for you to keep coming back at it; none of you had any credible points, so...Pls stop being so arrogant, you have no reason to be arrogant at all, given the way I buried you several times :)

Pls don't reflect your own revanchistic character upon sb else. It would suit you better. You've been like this from the start - as many could see on here.

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

Life / How can Polish immigrants complain about other immigrants? [65]

If so, it would be highly surprising, given the fact that my nick is mentioned several times. If I would start a topic based on what sb else mentioned any time earlier, I would've said "sb mentioned this or that". That would be the most apropriate way to do this. Now it has the shine of what I mentioned in my previous post all over it.

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

Life / How can Polish immigrants complain about other immigrants? [65]

Bzibi is just out for retribution as she can't stand to lose all of the time and having to revert to verbal violence, like the Topic Starter. They both should be embarrassed to bits for reverting to such low practices.

Anyway, here in Ireland Polish immigrants are complaining about other, non-European immigrants on several occasions I have personally witnessed this. I am a foreigner as well in the country where I live, but I don't complain about others who are same. They're in the same boat as I am and faced the same issues I faced at the start.

But you're right, this thread is just intended by nott and Bzibioh to get back at me personally, and I will ask the mods to close this thread for two reasons: first of all, this topic has been conducted and discussed many times before on this forum and secondly, in referral to forum rule #2 and #8.

So, I don't know which one of the moderators is present at the time, but I would like to ask him/her to close this thread based on forum rule #2 and #8 and because of the fact that this thread is solely intended for personal gratification and retributtal purposes of some forum members.

>^..^<

M-G (some ppl are really childish)

Life / Any treatment centres for homos in Poland? [455]


Unfortunately there are too many of those kind of individuals here. P3 is actually a mild one, even. There are much worse on here.

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

Life / Any treatment centres for homos in Poland? [455]


Freedom of speech, but within reason.


So is mine.

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)