Varsovian
19 Oct 2010
News / 30 to 40 thousand abortions by Polish girls in foreign countries [142]
Weren't you a child yourself once?
Hating children, tut tut.
Weren't you a child yourself once?
Hating children, tut tut.
Varsovian
19 Oct 2010
Varsovian
19 Oct 2010
News / 30 to 40 thousand abortions by Polish girls in foreign countries [142]
Not from my experience with the girl over the road ...
Not from my experience with the girl over the road ...
Varsovian
19 Oct 2010
Love / How should I approach this young Polish man that I like? [48]
It's bad in Britain but worse in Doncaster!
It's bad in Britain but worse in Doncaster!
Varsovian
24 Oct 2010
Food / Any królik (rabbit) fanciers on PF? [76]
Miniature rabbits don't taste nice, apparently. One of my son's friends rears rabbits for meat na wsi.
We have miniature buck without a doe. A few years back, when we still thought he was a she we left him with friends who were looking after another holidaymaker's doe. Hmmm - Bunny was disappointed when we took him home, but like that he had kids.
There's a blanket ban on eating rabbit at home - the children would never forgive us. Anyway, it's a taste you can get tired of - my mother ate it all through the war (in Lancashire), but never served it to me as a kid.
Miniature rabbits don't taste nice, apparently. One of my son's friends rears rabbits for meat na wsi.
We have miniature buck without a doe. A few years back, when we still thought he was a she we left him with friends who were looking after another holidaymaker's doe. Hmmm - Bunny was disappointed when we took him home, but like that he had kids.
There's a blanket ban on eating rabbit at home - the children would never forgive us. Anyway, it's a taste you can get tired of - my mother ate it all through the war (in Lancashire), but never served it to me as a kid.
Varsovian
24 Oct 2010
News / Why is Poland developing so slowly or in the wrong direction? Who is responsible ? [317]
Polish agriculture was highly successful before the war, especially in the East: top class soil and cheap labour. Before you snear at exploitation of landless Ukrainian peasants, even now - almost 20 years after independence - Ukrainian agriculture is only developing thanks to foreign investment.
BTW, funny how the Dmowski/Piłsudski debates rumbles on. Dmowski being the hero of the pseudo-thinkers and Piłsudski the hero of the pseudo-righteous. Dmowski's ideas of course won in the end. And Piłsudski was denounced in Poland at the time as a Jew-lover and outside of Poland as a fascist.
Polish agriculture was highly successful before the war, especially in the East: top class soil and cheap labour. Before you snear at exploitation of landless Ukrainian peasants, even now - almost 20 years after independence - Ukrainian agriculture is only developing thanks to foreign investment.
BTW, funny how the Dmowski/Piłsudski debates rumbles on. Dmowski being the hero of the pseudo-thinkers and Piłsudski the hero of the pseudo-righteous. Dmowski's ideas of course won in the end. And Piłsudski was denounced in Poland at the time as a Jew-lover and outside of Poland as a fascist.
Varsovian
26 Oct 2010
Life / Picking up BBC television in Poland [41]
I must admit here to a touch of smugness ho ho ho ...
Get a 2m dish and you get everything free to air except BBC 3 and 4.
BBC2 was available daytime only ... until a couple of days ago when mysteriously BBC2 Northern Ireland came in loud and clear 24 hours a day. Oh the joys of University Challenge - even got a few questions right :) Still miss Bamber Gascoigne though, with his wacky hair.
And Chris Evans on Radio 2, as I munch on my morning toast and marmalade (home made). Oh smug, smug, smug!
And to top it all, I even have home-made crumpets - excellent with Golden Syrup!
I must admit here to a touch of smugness ho ho ho ...
Get a 2m dish and you get everything free to air except BBC 3 and 4.
BBC2 was available daytime only ... until a couple of days ago when mysteriously BBC2 Northern Ireland came in loud and clear 24 hours a day. Oh the joys of University Challenge - even got a few questions right :) Still miss Bamber Gascoigne though, with his wacky hair.
And Chris Evans on Radio 2, as I munch on my morning toast and marmalade (home made). Oh smug, smug, smug!
And to top it all, I even have home-made crumpets - excellent with Golden Syrup!
Varsovian
2 Nov 2010
Life / All Saints' Day in Poland - Commemoration or Carnival? [44]
Some people seem to have missed the point that at least part of the whole funeral rite is it gives the LIVING an opportunity to come to terms with their loss.
Also, it gives the living the sense that they are part of a bigger thing - commemorating your ancestors is therapy par excellence. And in Polish terms it really is group therapy - the number of relatives from all over Poland I've met over the years in a tiny town in the back of beyond on or around Nov 1st beggars belief. OK, it takes some getting used to - meeting up in cemeteries by chance - but it's yet another chance for the extended family to meet up and exchange news. You also exchange memories about incidents in their lives - Westerplatte for example, divorce, strife, happiness. And the little worries about your own life are put into context at least for one day :)
Some people seem to have missed the point that at least part of the whole funeral rite is it gives the LIVING an opportunity to come to terms with their loss.
Also, it gives the living the sense that they are part of a bigger thing - commemorating your ancestors is therapy par excellence. And in Polish terms it really is group therapy - the number of relatives from all over Poland I've met over the years in a tiny town in the back of beyond on or around Nov 1st beggars belief. OK, it takes some getting used to - meeting up in cemeteries by chance - but it's yet another chance for the extended family to meet up and exchange news. You also exchange memories about incidents in their lives - Westerplatte for example, divorce, strife, happiness. And the little worries about your own life are put into context at least for one day :)
Varsovian
8 Nov 2010
Law / EU citizen's residency Registration Certificate: Poland application form [14]
Errm - weird.
I'm just going thru this process myself :)
To avoid confusion - there are 2 options available and it is best if you can go to the office in person and ask which of the two is best for you.
Option 1
Document certifying right to stay in Poland (unlimited duration)
No photos. Cost PLN 1, by bank transfer, bizarrely. Application to be done in 4 copies.
Option 2
Registration of permanent stay (I think that's what the woman said)
This is valid for 10 years and you need photos.
Mazowiecki "voivodship" puts karta pobytu renewal application forms online but, as I found out, these are NOT what you want. That refers to renewal of any karta pobytu issued years and years ago. Whatever - probably applies to 2 and a third Ukrainians.
It takes about 3 weeks to issue the necessary document.
As I'm married to a Pole, I had to show documentary evidence of this. As I have my marriage registered on their own Mazowiecki database, they didn't demand that I get an aktualny wypis showing that I'm not divorced. Also: take a couple of photocopies of passports/karta pobytu and your meldunek (original and photocopy).
And smile - it helps.
Errm - weird.
I'm just going thru this process myself :)
To avoid confusion - there are 2 options available and it is best if you can go to the office in person and ask which of the two is best for you.
Option 1
Document certifying right to stay in Poland (unlimited duration)
No photos. Cost PLN 1, by bank transfer, bizarrely. Application to be done in 4 copies.
Option 2
Registration of permanent stay (I think that's what the woman said)
This is valid for 10 years and you need photos.
Mazowiecki "voivodship" puts karta pobytu renewal application forms online but, as I found out, these are NOT what you want. That refers to renewal of any karta pobytu issued years and years ago. Whatever - probably applies to 2 and a third Ukrainians.
It takes about 3 weeks to issue the necessary document.
As I'm married to a Pole, I had to show documentary evidence of this. As I have my marriage registered on their own Mazowiecki database, they didn't demand that I get an aktualny wypis showing that I'm not divorced. Also: take a couple of photocopies of passports/karta pobytu and your meldunek (original and photocopy).
And smile - it helps.
Varsovian
8 Nov 2010
Love / I'm impressed by Polish girls and their beauty, going to marry my Polish GF [16]
No - he talks like an Iranian friend of mine. His UK identity card is a scream - seeing's believing. It puts all his details then states that they might be untrue.
He was detained at Heathrow on arrival years ago. The immigration officer said there was a problem with his passport. His reply: "What problem? It's the best one I could buy!"
He got asylum.
No - he talks like an Iranian friend of mine. His UK identity card is a scream - seeing's believing. It puts all his details then states that they might be untrue.
He was detained at Heathrow on arrival years ago. The immigration officer said there was a problem with his passport. His reply: "What problem? It's the best one I could buy!"
He got asylum.
Varsovian
8 Nov 2010
Love / I'm impressed by Polish girls and their beauty, going to marry my Polish GF [16]
My mate's excellent - I'd have nothing against hoards of people like him with culture and appallingly bad English and a superb sense of humour. I write his cv and cover letter (IT expert).
My mate's excellent - I'd have nothing against hoards of people like him with culture and appallingly bad English and a superb sense of humour. I write his cv and cover letter (IT expert).
Varsovian
8 Nov 2010
Law / EU citizen's residency Registration Certificate: Poland application form [14]
Harry - the difference between the two option is essentially that you can buy land in otherwise protected areas if you go for option 2.
Are you living permanently in Poland?
Delhidopamine - you can't re-apply for a 5-year card. That's not an option. Change of regulations.
As for operations/illness, you probably wouldn't be in a fit condition to travel. I have had all my cancer treatment in Warsaw. Faster here too. I got next-day operation.
Harry - the difference between the two option is essentially that you can buy land in otherwise protected areas if you go for option 2.
Are you living permanently in Poland?
Delhidopamine - you can't re-apply for a 5-year card. That's not an option. Change of regulations.
As for operations/illness, you probably wouldn't be in a fit condition to travel. I have had all my cancer treatment in Warsaw. Faster here too. I got next-day operation.
Varsovian
8 Nov 2010
UK, Ireland / UK residency without living in the UK? [15]
The Polish tax office sends you a tax bill first, then you pay it, then you can appeal.
I have a tax specialist friend (Polish tax lawyer) who tells me hair-raising stories
The Polish tax office sends you a tax bill first, then you pay it, then you can appeal.
I have a tax specialist friend (Polish tax lawyer) who tells me hair-raising stories
Varsovian
8 Nov 2010
Law / EU citizen's residency Registration Certificate: Poland application form [14]
Re land - there are various transition arrangements affecting foreigners until 2014.
Land for the purpose of constructing a second home, forest land, land in border areas - from the top of my head. Can't swear to them as they don't directly affect me. Whereas residency does.
Re land - there are various transition arrangements affecting foreigners until 2014.
Land for the purpose of constructing a second home, forest land, land in border areas - from the top of my head. Can't swear to them as they don't directly affect me. Whereas residency does.
Varsovian
8 Nov 2010
Travel / Insights about winter in Poland. Polish winter during holidays as charming as spring? [21]
One thing you have to remember is that you need to go and get winter tyres.
I'm English - this is not a joke. I did without for a few years because I thought I could brazen it out. Daft idea. The contrast in winter is amazing.
One thing you have to remember is that you need to go and get winter tyres.
I'm English - this is not a joke. I did without for a few years because I thought I could brazen it out. Daft idea. The contrast in winter is amazing.
Varsovian
8 Nov 2010
Travel / Insights about winter in Poland. Polish winter during holidays as charming as spring? [21]
Maybe:
If you had a garden you'd have noticed how the early frosts killed a lot of insects and the fruit this year has been appalling - too much rain at the wrong times, pest infestations.
Bears don't have gardens, but they notice when their food goes missing. As I'm sure you would. It doesn't say much about the weather forecast though.
Maybe:
If you had a garden you'd have noticed how the early frosts killed a lot of insects and the fruit this year has been appalling - too much rain at the wrong times, pest infestations.
Bears don't have gardens, but they notice when their food goes missing. As I'm sure you would. It doesn't say much about the weather forecast though.
Varsovian
8 Nov 2010
Travel / Insights about winter in Poland. Polish winter during holidays as charming as spring? [21]
Poles don't know how to ski - so look out!
If you have a car, it's best going off to the Austrian Alps - that'll be about 8 hours drive for you. A flat for 4 costs about EUR 80 a night (that's not per person).
I've not heard anybody say anything good about a Polish ski resort - apart from the food on occasion.
Poles don't know how to ski - so look out!
If you have a car, it's best going off to the Austrian Alps - that'll be about 8 hours drive for you. A flat for 4 costs about EUR 80 a night (that's not per person).
I've not heard anybody say anything good about a Polish ski resort - apart from the food on occasion.
Varsovian
8 Nov 2010
Travel / Insights about winter in Poland. Polish winter during holidays as charming as spring? [21]
A ski-do is serious gear.
I bow in respect of a greater being :)
A ski-do is serious gear.
I bow in respect of a greater being :)
Varsovian
9 Nov 2010
Life / Fighting for your rights in everyday Poland's life (TPSA, post office, mayor...) [3]
My side street sucks in terms of road surface. we've been promised a hard surface for years now - and are seeing other streets having their brick surfaces replaced by asphalt.
This is particularly galling because I helped to build this street right at the beginning. I bought a load of rubble and took a sledgehammer to it.
Anyway, after my wife and her sister pestered the wójt (mayor) endlessly - even in person - we have eventually got a few tons of proper hard core down, but it's still not good enough. It's taken 10 years of failure to get to this point ...
Still, at least they haven't definitively refused to build a road. TPSA (relict of a telephone monopoly) signed a landline contract in 1999, and in 2007 said they wouldn't honour it after all because France Telecom had nicked all the money and they weren't investing in any infrastructure anywhere.
The post office has had a change of heart and has decided to start delivering letters again. Well, sort of. We have to chase up the utilities to find out how much we owe, because by the time the bill comes we've missed the payment deadline and are being charged penalty interest.
They did stop all deliveries for 2 years because the postie said the number of new houses in the area was too much for him and affected his sleep/drink patterns. I wrote to my local MP (email, naturally) - a fat pratface called Komor something or other (wonder what happened to him), but he didn't bother replying. Oh yeah, I remember now - he's our ever-listening president. ("Vote for me, I'm not Kaczynski" - rhymes).
Life's a *****, but I pay 19% tax, have no mortgage and keep having foreign holidays. Oh - the wife's pretty and the kids are clever ( a bit too clever), so I suppose on balance ...
My side street sucks in terms of road surface. we've been promised a hard surface for years now - and are seeing other streets having their brick surfaces replaced by asphalt.
This is particularly galling because I helped to build this street right at the beginning. I bought a load of rubble and took a sledgehammer to it.
Anyway, after my wife and her sister pestered the wójt (mayor) endlessly - even in person - we have eventually got a few tons of proper hard core down, but it's still not good enough. It's taken 10 years of failure to get to this point ...
Still, at least they haven't definitively refused to build a road. TPSA (relict of a telephone monopoly) signed a landline contract in 1999, and in 2007 said they wouldn't honour it after all because France Telecom had nicked all the money and they weren't investing in any infrastructure anywhere.
The post office has had a change of heart and has decided to start delivering letters again. Well, sort of. We have to chase up the utilities to find out how much we owe, because by the time the bill comes we've missed the payment deadline and are being charged penalty interest.
They did stop all deliveries for 2 years because the postie said the number of new houses in the area was too much for him and affected his sleep/drink patterns. I wrote to my local MP (email, naturally) - a fat pratface called Komor something or other (wonder what happened to him), but he didn't bother replying. Oh yeah, I remember now - he's our ever-listening president. ("Vote for me, I'm not Kaczynski" - rhymes).
Life's a *****, but I pay 19% tax, have no mortgage and keep having foreign holidays. Oh - the wife's pretty and the kids are clever ( a bit too clever), so I suppose on balance ...
Varsovian
9 Nov 2010
Food / Any królik (rabbit) fanciers on PF? [76]
I went rabbit shooting with my uncle in the Highlands (Scotland).
I missed.
I went rabbit shooting with my uncle in the Highlands (Scotland).
I missed.
Varsovian
12 Nov 2010
UK, Ireland / EXCHANGE RATES BETWEEN POLISH ZLOTY AND BRITISH POUND [73]
Interesting - I sometimes take my eye off the ball. The euro is certainly going to get hammered over the next month - all the newspapers will be taking it in terms to say the news is driving the market.
The dollar is also set to rise - because it's so cheap.
Everything comes in waves.
Interesting - I sometimes take my eye off the ball. The euro is certainly going to get hammered over the next month - all the newspapers will be taking it in terms to say the news is driving the market.
The dollar is also set to rise - because it's so cheap.
Everything comes in waves.
Varsovian
16 Nov 2010
News / Why is Poland developing so slowly or in the wrong direction? Who is responsible ? [317]
Poles are entrepreneurial but the tax office scares everyone off. If you issue a big invoice and the client doesn't pay, you pay tax on it anyway - the tax office automatically assumes the client pays and hits you accordingly. The tax office doesn't care that it's hounding you out of business on spurious reasons.
Unfortunately, in this small business-unfriendly environment of Tuskdom no change is imminent. He hates small business and loves his big boy friends like Krause.
Poles are entrepreneurial but the tax office scares everyone off. If you issue a big invoice and the client doesn't pay, you pay tax on it anyway - the tax office automatically assumes the client pays and hits you accordingly. The tax office doesn't care that it's hounding you out of business on spurious reasons.
Unfortunately, in this small business-unfriendly environment of Tuskdom no change is imminent. He hates small business and loves his big boy friends like Krause.
Varsovian
16 Nov 2010
Life / Polish authors, books & literature. [94]
Merged thread:
Excellent book: Nadberezyńcy by Florian Czarnyszewicz
A good read, but these things are subjective of course.
Any other good books around?
Merged thread:
Excellent book: Nadberezyńcy by Florian Czarnyszewicz
A good read, but these things are subjective of course.
Any other good books around?
Varsovian
16 Nov 2010
News / 100 days of Komorowski presidency [41]
But he is handsome - has anyone mentioned that yet? Positively dashing. Evidently highly intelligent and irreproachably 'above politics' ...
But he is handsome - has anyone mentioned that yet? Positively dashing. Evidently highly intelligent and irreproachably 'above politics' ...
Varsovian
18 Nov 2010
Travel / From Krakow to Warsaw. Where else can I go during Christmas in Poland? [6]
I'm sure little places would be shut.
I'm sure little places would be shut.
Varsovian
18 Nov 2010
Life / Polish gimnazjums - memoirs of a teacher [32]
Polish middle schools are inefficient. They end up wasting teaching time - would be better to split education between grade school and high school. The liceum is where the true high-level education goes on.
Polish middle schools are inefficient. They end up wasting teaching time - would be better to split education between grade school and high school. The liceum is where the true high-level education goes on.
Varsovian
18 Nov 2010
Life / Polish gimnazjums - memoirs of a teacher [32]
There are lots of new pre-schools opening without proper facilities. One in my village just outside Warsaw. There's a concerted push to get grannies into work and outsource their erstwhile tasks.
Also, people are moving around more - it dislocates families badly.
As for schools, I find that many people who talk sagely about them have little relevant experience.
There are lots of new pre-schools opening without proper facilities. One in my village just outside Warsaw. There's a concerted push to get grannies into work and outsource their erstwhile tasks.
Also, people are moving around more - it dislocates families badly.
As for schools, I find that many people who talk sagely about them have little relevant experience.
Varsovian
22 Nov 2010
Life / Heart attack/stroke - money please! This is public service healthcare in Radom! [7]
So my overweight aunt stuffed herself stupid at a christening last Sunday. Gave herself a heart attack and stroke the day after.
Sort of a public healthcare message lurking in there somewhere.
Anyway, got taken to the regional hospital - intensive care unit - but the doctors faced a dilemma: how do we get money out of this woman who's paid her public healthcare subs? Answer: deny all news to relatives - absolutely refuse point-blank to speak to them - unless they pay for a private consultation with the lead doctor.
Simple solutions are always the best.
Meanwhile, her prognosis is unclear.
So my overweight aunt stuffed herself stupid at a christening last Sunday. Gave herself a heart attack and stroke the day after.
Sort of a public healthcare message lurking in there somewhere.
Anyway, got taken to the regional hospital - intensive care unit - but the doctors faced a dilemma: how do we get money out of this woman who's paid her public healthcare subs? Answer: deny all news to relatives - absolutely refuse point-blank to speak to them - unless they pay for a private consultation with the lead doctor.
Simple solutions are always the best.
Meanwhile, her prognosis is unclear.
Varsovian
22 Nov 2010
Love / Sexual diseases! Please tell me how I go about getting tested in Poland? [103]
You could always post a picture and we could tell you what we think ...
You could always post a picture and we could tell you what we think ...
Varsovian
22 Nov 2010
USA, Canada / PolAm style Thanksgiving? [35]
Yeah, let's celebrate the Red Indians (sorry, native Americans) for being the dumbest people on the planet and helping out the English colonists in their hour of need.
I have Sioux in the family (by marriage).
Yeah, let's celebrate the Red Indians (sorry, native Americans) for being the dumbest people on the planet and helping out the English colonists in their hour of need.
I have Sioux in the family (by marriage).