Varsovian
15 Jul 2010
Life / Can anyone recommend any piece of modern Polish literature? [8]
I'm a bit tired of reminiscences from childhood in the summer of 1939.
I'm a bit tired of reminiscences from childhood in the summer of 1939.
Varsovian
15 Jul 2010
UK, Ireland / Not all is bad for Poles in Scotland! [167]
The tuition-free education is a major plus. It's a bleedin' disgrace what happened south of the border - Labour should hang their heads in shame. GBP 3-5000 a year is a lot.
The tuition-free education is a major plus. It's a bleedin' disgrace what happened south of the border - Labour should hang their heads in shame. GBP 3-5000 a year is a lot.
Varsovian
15 Jul 2010
UK, Ireland / Not all is bad for Poles in Scotland! [167]
I think the West Lothian Question is a paradox worth enduring. I'd hate to have an English parliament - even more bureaucrats. Also, it'd be a permanent Conservative govt = increased corruption (we need revolving party govt)
I think the West Lothian Question is a paradox worth enduring. I'd hate to have an English parliament - even more bureaucrats. Also, it'd be a permanent Conservative govt = increased corruption (we need revolving party govt)
Varsovian
15 Jul 2010
Life / To ex-pats living in Poland. Hanging around more with Poles or other expats? [20]
Learn to say "tak, masz rację"
Learn to say "tak, masz rację"
Varsovian
15 Jul 2010
Food / Do Polish beers contain adjuncts? [34]
Belgians have the only real beer!
Shame I've moved on to good ol' red wine
Belgians have the only real beer!
Shame I've moved on to good ol' red wine
Varsovian
22 Jul 2010
Real Estate / Poland: the building boom goes on [28]
Yeah, sure the Chinese helped.
I mean, they have been awarded ONE cut price highway construction contract, and fairly minor at that.
However, what is slightly worrying is that the govt signed immigration deals with the Indian and Chinese govts allowing up to 100k people of each nationality entry into Poland. No-one kicked up a fuss at all.
Yeah, sure the Chinese helped.
I mean, they have been awarded ONE cut price highway construction contract, and fairly minor at that.
However, what is slightly worrying is that the govt signed immigration deals with the Indian and Chinese govts allowing up to 100k people of each nationality entry into Poland. No-one kicked up a fuss at all.
Varsovian
23 Jul 2010
Life / Reactions to death in Poland [4]
If you announce a death in the family, the other person shakes your hand. Sort of a nice reaction and very much part of Polish culture.
I thought of it today on hearing about the death of a friend's brother.
Any other reflections on death, apart from:
(i) the macabre trend in the names given to funeral companies? Like "Hades", for example (ii) the fact churches sometimes dig you up after a generation or two - we've had problems finding relations on occasion.
If you announce a death in the family, the other person shakes your hand. Sort of a nice reaction and very much part of Polish culture.
I thought of it today on hearing about the death of a friend's brother.
Any other reflections on death, apart from:
(i) the macabre trend in the names given to funeral companies? Like "Hades", for example (ii) the fact churches sometimes dig you up after a generation or two - we've had problems finding relations on occasion.
Varsovian
23 Jul 2010
Life / Who's Leaving Poland? [138]
I'm staying in Poland for the foreseeable future - job, properties, extended family, teenage kids have another few years in (Polish?) education.
Hell, I even mowed a meadow this morning - before the rains come! I never did that in England!!
I'm staying in Poland for the foreseeable future - job, properties, extended family, teenage kids have another few years in (Polish?) education.
Hell, I even mowed a meadow this morning - before the rains come! I never did that in England!!
Varsovian
23 Jul 2010
History / Polish aristocrats - would be better off if we had Polish magnate families? [69]
Polish aristos put themselves first, "their" peasants third and the country 17th.
Yes, I am discalculate - I used to work for PwC!
Polish aristos put themselves first, "their" peasants third and the country 17th.
Yes, I am discalculate - I used to work for PwC!
Varsovian
23 Jul 2010
Life / Private medicine is great in Poland [8]
You get sick - you can afford to see a doctor privately. Need a scan? You don't have to be super rich. Need specialized treatment? Not a problem if you live near Warsaw.
Shame the UK can't afford it.
You get sick - you can afford to see a doctor privately. Need a scan? You don't have to be super rich. Need specialized treatment? Not a problem if you live near Warsaw.
Shame the UK can't afford it.
Varsovian
23 Jul 2010
Life / Private medicine is great in Poland [8]
Convex - I know a lot of people from various walks of life in the UK, ditto about people in Poland.
I know nobody in the UK without healthcare insurance who ever went private. Now, is that something to do with the way the NHS was set up back in 1947? Too damn right. One other thing - it would be so interesting to do a comparison on how many patients a UK consultant actually sees a year compared to a Polish consultant.
Consultants get treated like gods in the UK, and get massively overpaid. It's not cheap to go private in Poland, but it is affordable.
Just remembered - the only Brit I knew who went private without insurance ... went to Greece (after her York NHS cancer "specialists" refused to test her - even getting a second opinion on the matter). Saved her life too.
Convex - I know a lot of people from various walks of life in the UK, ditto about people in Poland.
I know nobody in the UK without healthcare insurance who ever went private. Now, is that something to do with the way the NHS was set up back in 1947? Too damn right. One other thing - it would be so interesting to do a comparison on how many patients a UK consultant actually sees a year compared to a Polish consultant.
Consultants get treated like gods in the UK, and get massively overpaid. It's not cheap to go private in Poland, but it is affordable.
Just remembered - the only Brit I knew who went private without insurance ... went to Greece (after her York NHS cancer "specialists" refused to test her - even getting a second opinion on the matter). Saved her life too.
Varsovian
26 Jul 2010
Life / Do Polish People steal a lot? [330]
There are certain cultural differences between countries when it comes to stealing. Neighbours engage in petty theft, in villages especially.
The usual items stolen are chickens and fruit. part of the problem is the lack of fences - the border between farms is usually marked by a line of turned turf, and this is an obvious target for getting one over the neighbour. And the spark for decades of low-level warfare. My parents-in-law suffer from this whenever they come to babysit. The chickens can be killed (and frozen), but the tomatoes and fruit remain.
In the suburban context the focus shifts somewhat. If you try to rebuild a broken fence, the neighbour will agree to everything, then when the old fence has been dismantled he will say that is was originally put up in the wrong place.
Also, if your plot is not being lived on, it is open season for the neigbour to dump anything he wants there - even to pump out his septic tank.
This are alien environments for many people on this forum - hence the kneejerk reaction along the line "there are thieves in every society", which is obviously also a valid remark. However, "opportunity makes the thief" is also true and has shaped this very much peasant society.
There are certain cultural differences between countries when it comes to stealing. Neighbours engage in petty theft, in villages especially.
The usual items stolen are chickens and fruit. part of the problem is the lack of fences - the border between farms is usually marked by a line of turned turf, and this is an obvious target for getting one over the neighbour. And the spark for decades of low-level warfare. My parents-in-law suffer from this whenever they come to babysit. The chickens can be killed (and frozen), but the tomatoes and fruit remain.
In the suburban context the focus shifts somewhat. If you try to rebuild a broken fence, the neighbour will agree to everything, then when the old fence has been dismantled he will say that is was originally put up in the wrong place.
Also, if your plot is not being lived on, it is open season for the neigbour to dump anything he wants there - even to pump out his septic tank.
This are alien environments for many people on this forum - hence the kneejerk reaction along the line "there are thieves in every society", which is obviously also a valid remark. However, "opportunity makes the thief" is also true and has shaped this very much peasant society.
Varsovian
26 Jul 2010
Life / Do Polish People steal a lot? [330]
My experiences:
Direct:
The fence episode involved a poor person.
Dumping of garden waste and stealing (digging up) a tree - a rich engineer neighbour.
Indirect:
Parents-in-law - pensioners with a small farm, their peasant neighbours stole chickens and fruit ... and anything that wasn't tied down.
The septic tank episode was a trick performed by a well-off retired army colonel - on my brother-in-law.
So that's pretty much a cross-section of Polish society.
My experiences:
Direct:
The fence episode involved a poor person.
Dumping of garden waste and stealing (digging up) a tree - a rich engineer neighbour.
Indirect:
Parents-in-law - pensioners with a small farm, their peasant neighbours stole chickens and fruit ... and anything that wasn't tied down.
The septic tank episode was a trick performed by a well-off retired army colonel - on my brother-in-law.
So that's pretty much a cross-section of Polish society.
Varsovian
26 Jul 2010
Love / POLISH WOMEN THE MOST SEXUALLY ACTIVE IN EUROPE...! [54]
The story behind the headlines is that this figure includes MARRIED women - who get a whole load more sex than single women. More Polish women marry early and this figure was about young women (to the age of 24).
Sexual liberation? Don't think so. Most people's parents had more sex ... how sad for the "liberals".
The story behind the headlines is that this figure includes MARRIED women - who get a whole load more sex than single women. More Polish women marry early and this figure was about young women (to the age of 24).
Sexual liberation? Don't think so. Most people's parents had more sex ... how sad for the "liberals".
Varsovian
30 Jul 2010
UK, Ireland / A polite request for your help re: your personal experiences in the UK [8]
Do you know someone called Kumaran?
Serious question.
Do you know someone called Kumaran?
Serious question.
Varsovian
30 Jul 2010
News / Anti-business Platforma mulls over huge hike for small businesses [3]
PO, the party backed by big business and crooks, is considering raising taxes on small businesses from 19 to 40%.
The 19% rate was brought in by the pro-business former Communists. Corrupt as hell, but the only properly functioning party.
PiS could be a decent party, if there were no Jarosław K. but was led by Gilowska. Then it might resemble a conservative party.
PO, the party backed by big business and crooks, is considering raising taxes on small businesses from 19 to 40%.
The 19% rate was brought in by the pro-business former Communists. Corrupt as hell, but the only properly functioning party.
PiS could be a decent party, if there were no Jarosław K. but was led by Gilowska. Then it might resemble a conservative party.
Varsovian
21 Sep 2010
Language / Is math in Polish different than in English? [59]
re. billion - Brits use the US version and have done for as long as I can remember.
Punctuation is a real pain. This is a real problem if you are, for example, a German locum doctor working in the UK at the weekend. There's a massive chance of getting ten times the correct dose. I just hope Polish nurses in the UK have worked this out.
Maths is different in Polish schools. I know, my kids go to school in Poland!
Just pity my sister-in-law (a maths teacher in Poland) - she has a Jamaican in her class and communication is difficult.
re. billion - Brits use the US version and have done for as long as I can remember.
Punctuation is a real pain. This is a real problem if you are, for example, a German locum doctor working in the UK at the weekend. There's a massive chance of getting ten times the correct dose. I just hope Polish nurses in the UK have worked this out.
Maths is different in Polish schools. I know, my kids go to school in Poland!
Just pity my sister-in-law (a maths teacher in Poland) - she has a Jamaican in her class and communication is difficult.
Varsovian
21 Sep 2010
Life / Confirmation / Bierzmowanie experience in Poland. [5]
My son got confirmed last night by the Bishop of Warsaw.
Funny experience - church packed out on a Monday night - funny hat of the bishop - nervous parish priests - so much incense - better music than usual - the bishop's crystal clear diction - the overly obsequious bishop's assistant. My dad got confirmed way back when by the Anglican Bishop of London - strange contrast.
And the Bishop told the applicants not to let themselves be pushed around by anti-Christians ... especially on the internet!
My son got confirmed last night by the Bishop of Warsaw.
Funny experience - church packed out on a Monday night - funny hat of the bishop - nervous parish priests - so much incense - better music than usual - the bishop's crystal clear diction - the overly obsequious bishop's assistant. My dad got confirmed way back when by the Anglican Bishop of London - strange contrast.
And the Bishop told the applicants not to let themselves be pushed around by anti-Christians ... especially on the internet!
Varsovian
21 Sep 2010
Life / Confirmation / Bierzmowanie experience in Poland. [5]
Grandfather confirmed by the Anglican Bishop of a capital city, grandson confirmed by the Catholic Bishop of a capital city.
How times change.
And my CofE father having 2 Catholic sons (one emigrating to Poland) and one atheist banker.
Grandfather confirmed by the Anglican Bishop of a capital city, grandson confirmed by the Catholic Bishop of a capital city.
How times change.
And my CofE father having 2 Catholic sons (one emigrating to Poland) and one atheist banker.
Varsovian
21 Sep 2010
Life / Things we enjoyed as kids in Poland [140]
I have fond memories of chanting GE - STA - PO at the Zomo lined up opposite Warsaw University.
I have fond memories of chanting GE - STA - PO at the Zomo lined up opposite Warsaw University.
Varsovian
21 Sep 2010
Real Estate / If you own a property in Warsaw, you don't own the ground it stands on! [9]
The difference with Warsaw is that the so-called "right of perpetual usufruct" (99-year lease of publicly-owned land) affects the whole city, which was nationalised under the Warsaw Decree of 1944.
Citizens who had friends and could bribe their way round administrative problems managed to reclaim their land in a few years for a minimal lease fee. Others were not so lucky. Restitution cases started after independence in 1990, but the success of former owners (or rather, their descendants) depends on legal skill, surviving documentation, attitude of judges in the past etc etc - and if the council has sold the land on to a third party (often Party members) in the intervening years then the option is to go for compensation - a fraught process.
Things get even more complicated if the former owners/descendants did nothing to assert claims earlier due to emigration.
The difference with Warsaw is that the so-called "right of perpetual usufruct" (99-year lease of publicly-owned land) affects the whole city, which was nationalised under the Warsaw Decree of 1944.
Citizens who had friends and could bribe their way round administrative problems managed to reclaim their land in a few years for a minimal lease fee. Others were not so lucky. Restitution cases started after independence in 1990, but the success of former owners (or rather, their descendants) depends on legal skill, surviving documentation, attitude of judges in the past etc etc - and if the council has sold the land on to a third party (often Party members) in the intervening years then the option is to go for compensation - a fraught process.
Things get even more complicated if the former owners/descendants did nothing to assert claims earlier due to emigration.
Varsovian
21 Sep 2010
Life / Confirmation / Bierzmowanie experience in Poland. [5]
Catholic now - apart from the atheist, that is!
Catholic now - apart from the atheist, that is!
Varsovian
21 Sep 2010
Language / Is math in Polish different than in English? [59]
The real massive differences occur at age 16, where in the Polish system you compete for places in grammar school and are thrown into a highly academic atmosphere.
Amazing what you can achieve when the "real people" leave your classroom. The matura exams at age 18/19 are not up to much though. Both Platforma and PiS are hell-bent on destroying the education system. All in the hope of getting better statistics. The results are plain to see already, even at places like Warsaw University - where standards have declined according to a well-placed academic I know.
The real massive differences occur at age 16, where in the Polish system you compete for places in grammar school and are thrown into a highly academic atmosphere.
Amazing what you can achieve when the "real people" leave your classroom. The matura exams at age 18/19 are not up to much though. Both Platforma and PiS are hell-bent on destroying the education system. All in the hope of getting better statistics. The results are plain to see already, even at places like Warsaw University - where standards have declined according to a well-placed academic I know.
Varsovian
21 Sep 2010
Life / Gypies/Indian-looking women with kids beg for money in Poland [143]
I keep on being approached for money on the street by Indian-looking women carrying little kids.
I keep on being approached for money on the street by Indian-looking women carrying little kids.
Varsovian
21 Sep 2010
News / Polish in vitro treatment fully refundable - bonkers! [62]
For a country that can't afford a fully-functioning health care system and doesn't want to make simple changes to regulations that block childless couples from adopting, Donald Tusk is going to make in vitro treatment fully refundable of the NFZ.
Bonkers!
Give us dialysis machines, scanners, electronic surgical aids, growth hormone, edible hospital food, motivated nurses on a living wage ...
This is a politically motivated move which is designed to divide society along the usual Polish lines. I have absolutely nothing against in vitro, but not at the cost of people dying.
He should make adoption by childless couples possible. At present, in practice, you can only adopt if you already have kids. The obstacles they put in the way of childless couples is heartless and, frankly, dumb in the extreme.
For a country that can't afford a fully-functioning health care system and doesn't want to make simple changes to regulations that block childless couples from adopting, Donald Tusk is going to make in vitro treatment fully refundable of the NFZ.
Bonkers!
Give us dialysis machines, scanners, electronic surgical aids, growth hormone, edible hospital food, motivated nurses on a living wage ...
This is a politically motivated move which is designed to divide society along the usual Polish lines. I have absolutely nothing against in vitro, but not at the cost of people dying.
He should make adoption by childless couples possible. At present, in practice, you can only adopt if you already have kids. The obstacles they put in the way of childless couples is heartless and, frankly, dumb in the extreme.
Varsovian
21 Sep 2010
News / Polish in vitro treatment fully refundable - bonkers! [62]
Sorry about that - just a Warsaw Voice information blip, not my fault!
One round of in vitro?? Daft idea medically. No, hold on a moment. Great idea! It won't change actual availability one iota (typically, you need a few tries) and it will divide the country. Brilliant.
Sorry about that - just a Warsaw Voice information blip, not my fault!
One round of in vitro?? Daft idea medically. No, hold on a moment. Great idea! It won't change actual availability one iota (typically, you need a few tries) and it will divide the country. Brilliant.
Varsovian
21 Sep 2010
News / Polish in vitro treatment fully refundable - bonkers! [62]
Ah, Harry is going to enlighten us as to why Poland doesn't face a demographic timebomb like elsewhere in Europe.
Perhaps he has a solution:
Technology perhaps?
Global warming, making us all live more cheaply?
Making people work until the day they die?
Ah, Harry is going to enlighten us as to why Poland doesn't face a demographic timebomb like elsewhere in Europe.
Perhaps he has a solution:
Technology perhaps?
Global warming, making us all live more cheaply?
Making people work until the day they die?
Varsovian
21 Sep 2010
Language / Is math in Polish different than in English? [59]
Everyone's child deserves to be beaten up and deprived of a real education, so they can have the privilege of meeting "real people" - as opposed to the opposite!
Everyone's child deserves to be beaten up and deprived of a real education, so they can have the privilege of meeting "real people" - as opposed to the opposite!
Varsovian
27 Sep 2010
Love / Unmarried couples in Poland = pathology [310]
Rules are invented to be broken! Marriage was invented to keep society working - not to make people perfect. Nobody in their right mind would try to deny that broken families can produce well-rounded children or vice versa.
HOWEVER, from the point of view of society functioning properly divorce has to be kept to a minimum, because dysfunctional homes have a greater tendency to produce dysfunctional children and a whole host of related nastiness.
So, what are we discussing here? Morality? That's a personal thing - though I'm Christian. No, I take the moral stance that I want:
i) A greater chance of hapiness for children
ii) Higher academic success by children
iii) Less anti-social behaviour
Children born in wedlock have a better chance of a happy life. So, why not go for the best option?
Rules are invented to be broken! Marriage was invented to keep society working - not to make people perfect. Nobody in their right mind would try to deny that broken families can produce well-rounded children or vice versa.
HOWEVER, from the point of view of society functioning properly divorce has to be kept to a minimum, because dysfunctional homes have a greater tendency to produce dysfunctional children and a whole host of related nastiness.
So, what are we discussing here? Morality? That's a personal thing - though I'm Christian. No, I take the moral stance that I want:
i) A greater chance of hapiness for children
ii) Higher academic success by children
iii) Less anti-social behaviour
Children born in wedlock have a better chance of a happy life. So, why not go for the best option?
Varsovian
27 Sep 2010
UK, Ireland / Ed Miliband, new Labour leader, talking about Polish immigrants yesterday [62]
He said on Andrew Marr's BBC politics show yesterday :
I'm not anti-Polish but they came here and reduced living standards by undercutting wage rates.
Hmm - yes, he's right. But at least they didn't try to treacherously overthrow or undermine the state like his communist ancestors who fled central Europe to try to deliver Stalinist freedoms to the huddled masses. 2 known KGB agents in the family plus an "illustrious" Marxist father. Not bad going.
However, from direct personal knowledge I know he does look after local Polish constituents. So he isn't racist ... perhaps some of his best friends...
[FYI Ed Miliband's political power base is the big public service unions.]
He said on Andrew Marr's BBC politics show yesterday :
I'm not anti-Polish but they came here and reduced living standards by undercutting wage rates.
Hmm - yes, he's right. But at least they didn't try to treacherously overthrow or undermine the state like his communist ancestors who fled central Europe to try to deliver Stalinist freedoms to the huddled masses. 2 known KGB agents in the family plus an "illustrious" Marxist father. Not bad going.
However, from direct personal knowledge I know he does look after local Polish constituents. So he isn't racist ... perhaps some of his best friends...
[FYI Ed Miliband's political power base is the big public service unions.]