History / Alexander the Great - Macedonski. Poland connection? [254]


Isn't this more a result of the Balkan Wars? If Greece and Serbia hadn't joined together, a lot of it would be in Bulgaria now. It's also interesting to consider that in the late 19th/ early 20th century (when the whole region was under Turkey, anyway) that 4 major powers (Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania) were all trying to persuade residents that they were those nationalities. To do this they gave away freebies, built schools etc and proletyzed.

A lot of Greeks in rural areas didn't even speak Greek (although they may have had the consciousness).

It was in this environment the Slavic "Macedonian" movement started up, when it was one (dominated) region and a free-for-all on nation-building.

Genealogy / I have Jewish DNA, but only know of Polish ancestry . [120]

Does anyone else see this a good reason NOT to get DNA checked?

Bruno Schulz, the writer and artist, was Jewish (in what is now Ukraine). Hs fiancee converted to Catholicism and tried to encourage him to, so they could marry. He officially published a notice withdrawing from his Jewish faith, but refused to become a catholic.

There was also a project during the 18th/19th century, I believe, to encourage Jews to convert to catholicism.

yivoencyclopedia.org/article.aspx/Conversion

History / Alexander the Great - Macedonski. Poland connection? [254]

Even the Slavic Macedonians now differentiate between the modern Macedonians and the Ancient Macedonians (Big Alex being one). Of course, some of the more strident nationalists still like to make out the modern residents of Skopje are descended by interbreeding with the Ancient Macedonians.

Genealogy / THE MEANING AND RESEARCH OF MY POLISH LAST NAME, SURNAME? [4501]

Any idea about the name Giera?

And Gawron?

Law / Which is the best city in Poland to open a kebab shop? [56]

There are several kebab shops in Olsztyn. A couple of years ago, we had a lot of saudi students here and one near the school was run by an Egyptian. It was the only halal meat in town. The guy made a fortune and started selling Arabic goods too. Arabs are thin on the ground now, but he still makes great kebabs.

News / Poland's universities go up in world rankings [23]

Having worked with several academics on their articles for international journals and eng-lang publications, I wonder how much is based on the lax attitude some Polish academics have to getting things translated properly. Seriously, some of them don't seem to care what state it's in, as long as they get it in print.

It might also have something to do with young academics having to get their work published in insignificant journals just to get it in print.

Law / Refused credit for having a wrong residency card in Poland [22]


Well, I was cycling home the other day (yes, I finally bought it... my father-in-law just lent me the cash!) and saw a girl who'd been knocked off her bike at a zebra...

Law / Refused credit for having a wrong residency card in Poland [22]

Well, popped into Agricole, who are owners of Lukas bank. They said there was no problem with getting credit and all but took me through the procedure. They didn't even ask about my passport.

I asked why I couldn't get it with Lukas bank and the guy rang them to check. Turns out it must be something to do with the computer system not accepting the number on the Residency card (it has 9 figures... 2 letters and 7 numbers). Whatever.

Rather than get credit from Agricole, I decided to pop to my own bank, Multibank, and see what they could offer. They suggested just using the credit card (they would), as they reckoned the amount was too low for a loan.

I asked to raise my allowance on the credit card... and they couldn't process it cos of computer problems!!!!!

Law / Refused credit for having a wrong residency card in Poland [22]

Great, I'll try that. Thanks.

Be prepared for some mega moaning if it doesn't work ;-)

Law / Refused credit for having a wrong residency card in Poland [22]


Hmm, OK, so I should go to a main office, then.
If they'd said that it wouldn't be a problem.

Law / Refused credit for having a wrong residency card in Poland [22]

No, cos I'd just walked into the shop. He told them I was a brit but they never said I needed to produce a passport.

The guy in the shop was just doing a credit check with the bank.

Law / Refused credit for having a wrong residency card in Poland [22]


Possible. I'm going to go to a branch tomorrow and see what they say face to face.

Just annoying when the shop guy told them it was an official government issue doc and gave them all my details.

Law / Refused credit for having a wrong residency card in Poland [22]

No bugger worth voting for around here, anyway.

Law / Refused credit for having a wrong residency card in Poland [22]


To be honest, no idea!


My old 5 year one did. Just didn't have a PESEL on it! As I say, this was done over the phone and the guy described it, gave them the numbers etc.

Law / Refused credit for having a wrong residency card in Poland [22]

Maybe, after all, the guy was giving them the info over the phone. The problem for me is that it has all my details, PESEL etc... Just don't get it. I had the same with GE moneybank a few years ago, because my 5 year card didn't have a PESEL on the card.

News / Poland is the source of horsemeat in burgers? [169]


I was handed that one on a plate, so my veggy hasn't beat your meat :-)

News / Poland is the source of horsemeat in burgers? [169]


Love it!

Did you hear that the veggy burgers contain uniquorn?

History / What do Poles think about Turks? [761]


Really? And how long did it take for Turks to be able to acquire full civil rights and nationality in Germany?
Until the 1990's children born to 2 non-German parents could not get citizenship and even now it is only possible for children born after 1990.
It doesn't encourage integration.

With regards to the OP, I live in north Poland (I'm not Turkish) and there has been a successful turkish coffee shop (run by a Turk) here for a few years. A former student of mine has just married a Turkish guy and he's moved here. there are also a couple of Egyptian kebab houses.

News / Poland is the source of horsemeat in burgers? [169]


More likely Pony Pies.

The thing is, it doesn't matter where the meat came from, it matters where they were truned into burgers and where they were packaged.

Horse meat is ok, safe to eat etc. the point is that it was sold to a misled public.

seems you can mislead the folk to horse and make them eat.

Genealogy / Polish looks? [1462]


I wasn't thinking of high heels, myself. More like trainers, and a lot of girls seem to walk on their toes/balls of their feet.

I suppose, as well, Polish girls are more used to walking in high boots, cos of all the snow :-)

History / Should we glorify Polish secondary female characters from history? [36]


Apparently the UK government is going to spend millions teaching about WW1 over the next few years, including field trips, projects and such.

Funny how they practically ignored it for a long time.


Why not a "Sue Ryder" shop?

History / Should we glorify Polish secondary female characters from history? [36]

I think the thing with Mary Seacole is that she has been overlooked for a long time... and she's mixed race, showing it wasn't just whitey who did all the work in the empire.

She also did a lot of work in Jamaica. Very interesting lady.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Seacole

What I don't like is the idea she is promoted at the expense of learning about Florence Nightingale. Both should be taught together.

Genealogy / Polish looks? [1462]


Well, compared to many British females, they do.

I've noticed younger women and teenagers often seem to stand straighter and keep their legs closer together. (They are more likely to curtsey, too!).

I've wondered if it is anything to do with the volleyball (seriously). Mind you, there are a lot of dance classes where I live, so maybe there are just more trained postures.

I was working in Paignton (south west England) a few years ago at a language school, and I ended up playing "guess the nationality" in town (there are lots of schools and foreign visitors), and it was surprising how you could tell from clothes and posture (and haircuts) Poles, Germans, Russians etc from Brits (round shouldered and greasy hair).

OK, huge generalisations here, I know.

Work / Opportunities for English speaking actors in Poland? advice on teaching conversational English [13]

You know what might be an idea, is advertise teaching English to actors and/or public speaking to businessmen, teachers etc, where you can use your English/foreign/acting skills as unique selling points.

maybe look at trying to start and English language Theatre aimed at teaching English.

If you have a good speaking voice, you might also advertise as a voice-over artist. I've had a few jobs doing that for museums, firms etc. Not regular, but it exists.

News / What should Poland do to solve the population crisis? [101]

The thing I notice about this demographic crisis is the shortage of teenagers to teach in the language school. The amount of groups has dropped considerably in the last couple of years.

Start shagging, folks... or a lot of us will be without work!

Life / Poland needs more immigrants and their children - which nationalities are the best? [518]


There's been Ukrainian communities in UK since at least the war.

Life / The unacceptable side of Polish culture [48]


maybe only the Poles knew the smell of hash :-)


True, but what about the other poor people in the bar trying to have a quiet drink?

I was in Salthill, Galway on two occasions when I saw a gang chase some other lads (out of towners, I guess) and kick the cr@p out of one of them, on the pavement. Along with a girl whipping him with the belt buckle (stuff he'd probably have paid good money for another time). It wasn't until one of them kicked the boss's car that the bouncers of a local club came and and proceeded to maul one of them.

Meantime, nobody did anything. I eventually walked up to the guy who was kicking the prone body, and said, "I think you'd better go... cops are coming". Then I checked the body was ok. It was him I apologised to.

Another time, I was living in Salthill and saw a fight kick off across the road from my bedroom window. again, someone ended up on the floor getting his own personal performance of Riverdance on his head by an entire cast, for well over a minute. The Garda turned up on that occasion, after the body had lain still for a couple of minutes.

Food / Polish cookies - delicje? [6]


Where are you, Conny?

History / The restoration of Polish cities from WW2 destruction [118]

Great pictures. Thanks.