mafketis
22 Oct 2010
Law / Poland residency dilemma - illegal worker affecting my income [19]
How do you know he's illegal?
How do you know he's illegal?
mafketis
22 Oct 2010
Law / Poland residency dilemma - illegal worker affecting my income [19]
Are Polish employers fined for hiring illegals?
Are Polish employers fined for hiring illegals?
mafketis
21 Oct 2010
News / Do Poles take Kaczynski seriously!? [199]
That's an understatement. During the presidential campaign he was unusuallyt subdued and some people thought he'd changed and would be more diplomatic in the future. It later came out that he was drugged up at the time (this from Jadwiga Staniszkis, usually a Kaczynski supporter).
Since coming off those drugs (and starting new ones?) he's all but openly accused Tusk and Komorowski of actually planning the crash (or knowing it would happen). That's the only way to interpret some of the things he's said.
There's a core PiS constituency that will support him no matter what (because who else do they have?) but that's not enough for PiS to get back into power. But nothig they're doing now will get the middle of the road voters they need. Some younger members of PiS have tried to tone down the rhetoric but they get marginalized or kicked out for their efforts.
It's sad, really. Poland needs some kind of effective opposition but Kaczynski is no longer that. Bu
He unashamedly accuses the current govnt of being morally responsible for the smolensk tragedy
That's an understatement. During the presidential campaign he was unusuallyt subdued and some people thought he'd changed and would be more diplomatic in the future. It later came out that he was drugged up at the time (this from Jadwiga Staniszkis, usually a Kaczynski supporter).
Since coming off those drugs (and starting new ones?) he's all but openly accused Tusk and Komorowski of actually planning the crash (or knowing it would happen). That's the only way to interpret some of the things he's said.
There's a core PiS constituency that will support him no matter what (because who else do they have?) but that's not enough for PiS to get back into power. But nothig they're doing now will get the middle of the road voters they need. Some younger members of PiS have tried to tone down the rhetoric but they get marginalized or kicked out for their efforts.
It's sad, really. Poland needs some kind of effective opposition but Kaczynski is no longer that. Bu
mafketis
20 Oct 2010
News / Politician shot in Lodz - two assistants to lawmakers from Law and Justice (PiS) party [66]
Barbara Blida
The suicide/accidental death/murder(?) helped evaporate enough public support for PiS that new elections were called and PO became the governing party.
I seem to recall a couple of years ago when PiS government were getting police to set up stings against opposition members as part of anti-corruption campaign. There was a raid on the flat of a female politician who got shot at some point in the proceedings. Can't remember her name.
Barbara Blida
The suicide/accidental death/murder(?) helped evaporate enough public support for PiS that new elections were called and PO became the governing party.
mafketis
20 Oct 2010
News / Should government monitor the net in Poland? [38]
Reposting from another thread:
You better be good, you better watch out, you better not threaten, you better not shout...
The Polish Internal Security Agency (ABW) is coming to the forums.....
PiS wants political forums monitored and for administrators to inform on users who seem threatening.
tokfm.pl/Tokfm/1,103087,8540447,PiS__Groza_nam_w_internecie
New content: As for the question, the great thing about the net is how is levels the playing field and its harder for the elites (of whatever stripe) to carefully control what gets said in public. Poor, sad, old politicians like Tusk (and Kaczynski) can't stand it and don't know how to deal with it.
On the other hand, his comment 'we'll look into it' is just politico speak for "leave me alone". The whole designer drug kerfuffle was a pointless distraction as is the in vitro kerfuffle.
Reposting from another thread:
You better be good, you better watch out, you better not threaten, you better not shout...
The Polish Internal Security Agency (ABW) is coming to the forums.....
PiS wants political forums monitored and for administrators to inform on users who seem threatening.
tokfm.pl/Tokfm/1,103087,8540447,PiS__Groza_nam_w_internecie
New content: As for the question, the great thing about the net is how is levels the playing field and its harder for the elites (of whatever stripe) to carefully control what gets said in public. Poor, sad, old politicians like Tusk (and Kaczynski) can't stand it and don't know how to deal with it.
On the other hand, his comment 'we'll look into it' is just politico speak for "leave me alone". The whole designer drug kerfuffle was a pointless distraction as is the in vitro kerfuffle.
mafketis
19 Oct 2010
News / Politician shot in Lodz - two assistants to lawmakers from Law and Justice (PiS) party [66]
This is either the work of a) a mentally unbalanced madman acting on his own or b) a despicable and evil person acting on his own
One might hope that this would be a clue to tone down the rhetoric, let's see what some politicians from PiS have to say:
"Tusk is responsible"
"PO is responsible for this death"
"The killing of the opposition has begun in Poland"
Sigh.
Look, this is a horrible thing to happen and I'm sorry the guy was killed and I hope the scum that killed him is locked up and never sees daylight again. But Polish politics is really entering the twilight zone now. Let's have some sanity for a change and stop trying to milk the unfortunate deaths of politicians for public support. It's gruesome.
This is either the work of a) a mentally unbalanced madman acting on his own or b) a despicable and evil person acting on his own
One might hope that this would be a clue to tone down the rhetoric, let's see what some politicians from PiS have to say:
"Tusk is responsible"
"PO is responsible for this death"
"The killing of the opposition has begun in Poland"
Sigh.
Look, this is a horrible thing to happen and I'm sorry the guy was killed and I hope the scum that killed him is locked up and never sees daylight again. But Polish politics is really entering the twilight zone now. Let's have some sanity for a change and stop trying to milk the unfortunate deaths of politicians for public support. It's gruesome.
mafketis
19 Oct 2010
News / Polish in vitro treatment fully refundable - bonkers! [62]
Polonius3, if clergy speak as individual citizens that's one thing. If they speak as representatives of the church, then the church is a political organization and should be treated as such.
No one denies the church's right to try to convince, or even coerce believers. But civic law applies to all citizens and trying to form civic law that caters to catholic sensibilities when non-believers and non-catholics are not in agreement is a violation of the principles of civic society.
Polonius3, if clergy speak as individual citizens that's one thing. If they speak as representatives of the church, then the church is a political organization and should be treated as such.
No one denies the church's right to try to convince, or even coerce believers. But civic law applies to all citizens and trying to form civic law that caters to catholic sensibilities when non-believers and non-catholics are not in agreement is a violation of the principles of civic society.
mafketis
19 Oct 2010
Study / Student from Nepal travelling to Poland with dependent for further studies. Any job? [87]
It depends, the school in £ódź used to get students with no previous Polish (from Asia, Africa, Latin America) fluent enough to take unviersity courses after one year (still do for all I know).
On the other hand, the students were expected to study Polish full time (as in several hours of classroom instruction a day five days a week with homework). And the students had been kind of pre-selected for academic ability.
Not sure what the case is with current students from Asia is.
It depends, the school in £ódź used to get students with no previous Polish (from Asia, Africa, Latin America) fluent enough to take unviersity courses after one year (still do for all I know).
On the other hand, the students were expected to study Polish full time (as in several hours of classroom instruction a day five days a week with homework). And the students had been kind of pre-selected for academic ability.
Not sure what the case is with current students from Asia is.
mafketis
19 Oct 2010
News / Polish in vitro treatment fully refundable - bonkers! [62]
I'd say the RC has every right to threaten members with excommunication for whatever internal RC reason they think up. As a non-catholic I have no standing to evaluate internal church affairs are between the church and the faithful.
I don't want them trying to set civic law for non-catholics though.
Overall in Polish politics there's far too much concern with telling other people how to live their lives. Whatever happened to 'individual conscience'?
Finally is there any evidence that this would boost low birth rates? AFAICT the problem isn't fertility but women choosing to not have kids because of employment concerns (and the fact that most women don't want more than one or two kids and won't have more unless coerced).
I'd say the RC has every right to threaten members with excommunication for whatever internal RC reason they think up. As a non-catholic I have no standing to evaluate internal church affairs are between the church and the faithful.
I don't want them trying to set civic law for non-catholics though.
Overall in Polish politics there's far too much concern with telling other people how to live their lives. Whatever happened to 'individual conscience'?
Finally is there any evidence that this would boost low birth rates? AFAICT the problem isn't fertility but women choosing to not have kids because of employment concerns (and the fact that most women don't want more than one or two kids and won't have more unless coerced).
mafketis
18 Oct 2010
News / Polish in vitro treatment fully refundable - bonkers! [62]
Personally I have no theoretical problem with in vitro but I don't think it's necessarily a good idea to make taxpayers pay for it.
I thought the mainstream church behaved fairly reasonably in the cross crisis. It wasn't church officials that were rabble rousing.
Personally I have no theoretical problem with in vitro but I don't think it's necessarily a good idea to make taxpayers pay for it.
the Church - who should have learnt a lesson over the recent cross crisis
I thought the mainstream church behaved fairly reasonably in the cross crisis. It wasn't church officials that were rabble rousing.
mafketis
18 Oct 2010
Love / A Polish womans relationship with her mother in law. [44]
My best guess. It's not her, it's him.
It sounds to me like he's probably lying to both of you to keep you at odds. The question is why? I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't continued on with his .... not very good ways and doesn't want his wife and mother to be able to team up and pressure him to get his act together.
Just a guess.
My advice: Politely point out that your the grandmother and want a relationship with your grandchild. Ask what you need to do to establish that.
(for the record, no, there's no rule about Polish women not speaking to mothers-in-law, since in the recent past many women lived with their husbands parents for some years after getting married that wouldn't be practical. I bet he's just making it up).
My best guess. It's not her, it's him.
It sounds to me like he's probably lying to both of you to keep you at odds. The question is why? I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't continued on with his .... not very good ways and doesn't want his wife and mother to be able to team up and pressure him to get his act together.
Just a guess.
My advice: Politely point out that your the grandmother and want a relationship with your grandchild. Ask what you need to do to establish that.
(for the record, no, there's no rule about Polish women not speaking to mothers-in-law, since in the recent past many women lived with their husbands parents for some years after getting married that wouldn't be practical. I bet he's just making it up).
mafketis
18 Oct 2010
Work / Salary for an architect with 3years experience in warsaw [37]
Does anyone deny this? (though enough daily things are still going to be done in Polish that an employee with no or minimal Polish skills is going to be a burden a lot of the time)
But it's of no real relevance to an independent non-native speaker of English in architecture (which deals so heavily with Polish government regulations and a mostly monolingual Polish work force that not knowing Polish will be a plain liability). And that's not addressing the fact that there are lots of qualified architecture graduates looking for internships and then jobs. I'm not sure what a non-Polish architect can bring to the table that can't be filled more simply and cheaply by local talent.
Does anyone deny this? (though enough daily things are still going to be done in Polish that an employee with no or minimal Polish skills is going to be a burden a lot of the time)
But it's of no real relevance to an independent non-native speaker of English in architecture (which deals so heavily with Polish government regulations and a mostly monolingual Polish work force that not knowing Polish will be a plain liability). And that's not addressing the fact that there are lots of qualified architecture graduates looking for internships and then jobs. I'm not sure what a non-Polish architect can bring to the table that can't be filled more simply and cheaply by local talent.
mafketis
18 Oct 2010
Food / What exactly is Polish Bread? [67]
Just to put in a plug for bread made with spelt (orkisz in Polish).
Chleb orkiszowy is really yummy. My favorite is sold in a whole loaf that they slice in the store if you want it that way. Really nice taste and structure, not too hard or gummy or soft and it keeps well. I don't understand why it's not more popular.
Just to put in a plug for bread made with spelt (orkisz in Polish).
Chleb orkiszowy is really yummy. My favorite is sold in a whole loaf that they slice in the store if you want it that way. Really nice taste and structure, not too hard or gummy or soft and it keeps well. I don't understand why it's not more popular.
mafketis
18 Oct 2010
Work / Salary for an architect with 3years experience in warsaw [37]
And the ESL option is basically just for native speakers (and I'd bet a lot of money that zizi does not belong to that category).
if you don't speak polish then your chances of finding employment in poland (other than ESL teacher) are very slim
And the ESL option is basically just for native speakers (and I'd bet a lot of money that zizi does not belong to that category).
mafketis
18 Oct 2010
Work / Salary for an architect with 3years experience in warsaw [37]
Are you saying that most large architectural companies in Poland use English on a day to day basis? My (limited second hand) information would indicate that's just not the case.
And unless you're a really good architect for high profile projects (in which case you're probably priced out of the Polish market), a non-Polish speaking architect is not going to be an asset inside Poland.
If you're a good architect, no. In most large companies the language is English.
Are you saying that most large architectural companies in Poland use English on a day to day basis? My (limited second hand) information would indicate that's just not the case.
And unless you're a really good architect for high profile projects (in which case you're probably priced out of the Polish market), a non-Polish speaking architect is not going to be an asset inside Poland.
mafketis
17 Oct 2010
Work / Studies In Poland, is it easy to survive on part-time jobs? [259]
But they mostly don't hire inside of Poland, especially students from non EU countries who don't speak Polish.
At the multinationals it's all English.
But they mostly don't hire inside of Poland, especially students from non EU countries who don't speak Polish.
mafketis
17 Oct 2010
Work / Studies In Poland, is it easy to survive on part-time jobs? [259]
Poland was never a British colony. That means knowing Polish is more important than knowing Enlgish in finding a job in Poland.
This is maybe different from certain former colonies where English is still more important than local languages. But again, knowing Polish is more important than knowing English here. As a general rule, English only helps if you have really fluent Polish.
Is that clearer?
Poland was never a British colony. That means knowing Polish is more important than knowing Enlgish in finding a job in Poland.
This is maybe different from certain former colonies where English is still more important than local languages. But again, knowing Polish is more important than knowing English here. As a general rule, English only helps if you have really fluent Polish.
Is that clearer?
mafketis
17 Oct 2010
Work / Salary for an architect with 3years experience in warsaw [37]
You should have written that then. The way you wrote helps further the idea that newcomers don't have to learn Polish, the quicker that idea dies the horrible death it deserves the better.
I know basics and although I don't need to use it at work I am trying to learn more
You should have written that then. The way you wrote helps further the idea that newcomers don't have to learn Polish, the quicker that idea dies the horrible death it deserves the better.
mafketis
16 Oct 2010
Work / Salary for an architect with 3years experience in warsaw [37]
You live and work in Poland and don't speak Polish? Aren't you ashamed?
I don't agree, I don't speak Polish
You live and work in Poland and don't speak Polish? Aren't you ashamed?
mafketis
13 Oct 2010
Work / Residence Permit for an Australian in Poland. Applying for another one.. [41]
If anything, a quickie marriage will make them more determined to deport you....
My best guess (without knowing the officials involved but knowing something of the mentality of Polish bureaucrats) is that you'll get a very stern talking to and talking down to, but they might offer a roadmap to legality. The residency and visa rules were not written to expell economically productive westerners and enforcement tends to take that it into account. Not fair (for some others) but it might work in your favor.
The best thing is to work out several possible strategies depending on how things work out and play it by ear (if that seems possible).They may be looking for reasons/justification to let you stay.
On the other hand, the particular local officials might think there's no need for non-EU English teachers anymore and be looking for a halfway good reason to kick you out. There's no way to know ahead of time.
My advice is also to make sure you have a _qualified_ interpreter (not someone whose English is sort of okay who will misinterpret things for you and may get you in more trouble than you are already). It would be better if you thought you could work things out in Polish alone (IME a foreigner who can go through the bureaucracy on their own is more favorably regarded than one who can't) but if that isn't feasible then bring someone who knows what they're doing. Theoretically they may be obliged to supply an interpreter but you're better off not pointing that out.
If anything, a quickie marriage will make them more determined to deport you....
My best guess (without knowing the officials involved but knowing something of the mentality of Polish bureaucrats) is that you'll get a very stern talking to and talking down to, but they might offer a roadmap to legality. The residency and visa rules were not written to expell economically productive westerners and enforcement tends to take that it into account. Not fair (for some others) but it might work in your favor.
The best thing is to work out several possible strategies depending on how things work out and play it by ear (if that seems possible).They may be looking for reasons/justification to let you stay.
On the other hand, the particular local officials might think there's no need for non-EU English teachers anymore and be looking for a halfway good reason to kick you out. There's no way to know ahead of time.
My advice is also to make sure you have a _qualified_ interpreter (not someone whose English is sort of okay who will misinterpret things for you and may get you in more trouble than you are already). It would be better if you thought you could work things out in Polish alone (IME a foreigner who can go through the bureaucracy on their own is more favorably regarded than one who can't) but if that isn't feasible then bring someone who knows what they're doing. Theoretically they may be obliged to supply an interpreter but you're better off not pointing that out.
mafketis
12 Oct 2010
UK, Ireland / The more subtle differences: Ireland/Britain v Poland [310]
My favorite is the condoms next to the candy by the check out in smaller stores. Sme years ago the video place I went to had just a few shelves of dvds (they were still relatively new).
The pûrn shelf was just over the children's shelf (just over the general videos). Of course they occasionally got mixed up so that Anal Adventureland would end up next to Toy Story.
That Polish supermarkets, like Tesco etc still try the old trick of stacking sweet racks and ice-cream fridges by the side of the tills
My favorite is the condoms next to the candy by the check out in smaller stores. Sme years ago the video place I went to had just a few shelves of dvds (they were still relatively new).
The pûrn shelf was just over the children's shelf (just over the general videos). Of course they occasionally got mixed up so that Anal Adventureland would end up next to Toy Story.
mafketis
12 Oct 2010
Work / Residence Permit for an Australian in Poland. Applying for another one.. [41]
I was under the impression that if you have karta pobytu you're entitled to work anywhere that will hire you (roughly) the certified school part was (I thought) just for those wanting to work without a work permit/karta (or until you do get the karta pobytu). I know, regulations may have changed since I was last dealing with these issues several years ago, but that's what I was told at the time at more than one office.
No. You can only work for schools that have acquired a work permit for you
I was under the impression that if you have karta pobytu you're entitled to work anywhere that will hire you (roughly) the certified school part was (I thought) just for those wanting to work without a work permit/karta (or until you do get the karta pobytu). I know, regulations may have changed since I was last dealing with these issues several years ago, but that's what I was told at the time at more than one office.
mafketis
12 Oct 2010
Life / Foreign crap OK, Pułaski not! [14]
Yeah, but you still made it onto Polonius3's enemy list. Expect a knock on the door around one in the morning in a few days.
Got out of that one.
Yeah, but you still made it onto Polonius3's enemy list. Expect a knock on the door around one in the morning in a few days.
mafketis
11 Oct 2010
mafketis
11 Oct 2010
mafketis
11 Oct 2010
UK, Ireland / The more subtle differences: Ireland/Britain v Poland [310]
Pickels and onions don't sound typical for breakfast. Fresh tomatoes, yes.
Traditional Polish (big) breakfast is usually (IME) bread and/or rolls with cold cuts and cheese (yellow and white crumbly). Maybe fresh tomatoes. Everybody makes their own sandwiches.
Not much cooking beyond eggs (esp scrambled and boiled or my favorite, soft boiled eggs with fresh horseradish and mayonaise) maybe boiled frankfurters and milk soup (somthing like very runny oatmeal but maybe barley or rice instead of oats).
British abominations like fried tomatoes and beans are kept well away from the breakfast table.
Pickels and onions don't sound typical for breakfast. Fresh tomatoes, yes.
Traditional Polish (big) breakfast is usually (IME) bread and/or rolls with cold cuts and cheese (yellow and white crumbly). Maybe fresh tomatoes. Everybody makes their own sandwiches.
Not much cooking beyond eggs (esp scrambled and boiled or my favorite, soft boiled eggs with fresh horseradish and mayonaise) maybe boiled frankfurters and milk soup (somthing like very runny oatmeal but maybe barley or rice instead of oats).
British abominations like fried tomatoes and beans are kept well away from the breakfast table.
mafketis
11 Oct 2010
History / How Poland views Europe [44]
Not just Poles. I always thought 'Crazy Serb' was a pleonastic phrase like 'wet water'.
I have heard often Poles who came in contact with Serbs describing Serbs as crazy.
Not just Poles. I always thought 'Crazy Serb' was a pleonastic phrase like 'wet water'.
mafketis
10 Oct 2010
News / Tusk cracks down on designer drugs ("dopalacze") in Poland [171]
LK was _not_ as far as I recall behind rejecting the useless flu shots, that was the health minister in one her (very few) moments of being right. LK was, as I recall, wanting the flu shots (or pretending to in order to appear in opposition to something that PO was doing).
"Banning" something is the surest way to make it go underground and get organized crime involved. P3 should remember his 'coś za coś' thread.
The short feel good of banning dopalacze will inevitably lead to a loooonnngg hangover of an illicit drug trade.
The overall benefits of freedom are that a minority will misue it and end up hurting themselves.
LK was _not_ as far as I recall behind rejecting the useless flu shots, that was the health minister in one her (very few) moments of being right. LK was, as I recall, wanting the flu shots (or pretending to in order to appear in opposition to something that PO was doing).
"Banning" something is the surest way to make it go underground and get organized crime involved. P3 should remember his 'coś za coś' thread.
The short feel good of banning dopalacze will inevitably lead to a loooonnngg hangover of an illicit drug trade.
The overall benefits of freedom are that a minority will misue it and end up hurting themselves.
mafketis
9 Oct 2010
News / Tusk cracks down on designer drugs ("dopalacze") in Poland [171]
Well, unless you're in Poland on a daily basis you don't necessarily realize that ceconomic and social policies don't line up in Poland the way they do in the west.
very roughly:
PiS, economically liberal (socialist really) but socially very conservative
PO, economically more conserivative than PiS and socially a little more liberal
SLD, economically between PiS and PO socially much more liberal than either
PSL, no discernible principles whatsoever, ****** who'll get into bed with anyone offering them a bit of power
They don't closely follow Polish affairs. The fact that most of them believe that Jaroslaw Kaczynski is "conservative" and Komorowski "liberal" tells you that they know nothing.
Well, unless you're in Poland on a daily basis you don't necessarily realize that ceconomic and social policies don't line up in Poland the way they do in the west.
very roughly:
PiS, economically liberal (socialist really) but socially very conservative
PO, economically more conserivative than PiS and socially a little more liberal
SLD, economically between PiS and PO socially much more liberal than either
PSL, no discernible principles whatsoever, ****** who'll get into bed with anyone offering them a bit of power
mafketis
8 Oct 2010
News / Tusk cracks down on designer drugs ("dopalacze") in Poland [171]
Yeah, when I was a teenager we did the same kind of thing (ostentatious public shows of being against drugs). The biggest potheads were usually in the front lines (can you say 'cover'?)
disclaimer: I've done fewer drugs than almost anyone I know, but I've never understood the 'illegalize it!' crowd. If I'd wanted to do drugs the fact that they were illegal wouldn't have stopped me for a second.
You may have missed it, but in recent days throngs of teenagers all over Poland have staged anti-designer drug protest outside the shops of the poison purveyors.
Yeah, when I was a teenager we did the same kind of thing (ostentatious public shows of being against drugs). The biggest potheads were usually in the front lines (can you say 'cover'?)
disclaimer: I've done fewer drugs than almost anyone I know, but I've never understood the 'illegalize it!' crowd. If I'd wanted to do drugs the fact that they were illegal wouldn't have stopped me for a second.