Food / Poles prefer pizza & kebab? [73]


Just out of curiosity on this I popped on Just Eat for my area (close to a large city centre in the UK). While there are 11 fish & chip shops, there are 28 Chinese restaurants and 55 Indian. For the sake of staying on topic, there are also 12 Kebab shops. While there is no doubt there will be some crossover (some Indian places will sell kebabs, some kebab shops will sell fish & chips) the numbers themselves tell the story that the humble chippy isn't as popular in the UK as it once was.

In saying that, last time I was in Kraków I noticed that a lot of kebab shops had changed to "noodle and rice bars" and it seemed every new fast food place to open was a gourmet burger joint...so maybe the popularity of kebab shops is waning too. That is just from the one most recent trip, and I don't have numbers to back it up, but I would be interested to see if the numbers of kebab places are falling.

Food / What Polish foods do foreigners generally not take to? [115]


I also like it and am of a similar opinion. That being said, black pudding/kaszanka are very particular to where it was made and by whom. A lot of shop bought kaszanka can be quite bland, but you can get some really good stuff off the beaten track. Same can be said of black pudding, some in the shop will turn to powder (like an overcooked hard boiled egg yolk) in your mouth and leave a poor taste, but proper (Stornoway!!) stuff is second to none!

Food / Kefir drink in Poland [79]


Me too, really good on porridge!

There was one next to my flat in Kraków but not sure if it's still there. It had notices confirming it was unpasteurised and it came from a farm on a monastery. I think the economics of it depend the area. The mlekomat there was filled daily and if you went in the evening it was often empty, but if it wasn't selling out every day, it would be hard to justify the cost of keeping the milk in such careful conditions from the cow to the machine.

Food / Kefir drink in Poland [79]

I always thought Kisiel was that stuff which was kind of like Jelly (Jello for friends across the pond) but with a texture more akin to Angel Delight? Is there something else with the same name?

USA, Canada / Poles in America: How do you pronounce your Polish surname? [128]


That seems pretty contrived. I will be honest, you would want to replace the ff with a v so more like "hov" to rhyme with Hasslehoff. In no way does it rhyme with Loaf...if you have to apply an accent, your pronunciation guide is bad...

USA, Canada / Poles in America: How do you pronounce your Polish surname? [128]


I would say more like Hof as in David Hasslehoff.

Work / What kind of CV for a job in a multinational company in Poland; Europass or traditional one? Address problems. [19]

Agreed regarding the address, also I would include information about not speaking Polish. Don't make someone do the digging, they won't appreciate it. My CV is pretty honest and concise. All personal information is there, brief descriptions of previous jobs, education info and a quick 2 liner about interests (I always liked reading what people were interested in.

I had never heard of a Europass CV before and quickly googled it, from a recruiters point of view, avoid this like the plague. I always wondered why so many people had identical CVs that I would pass over. You want to stand out, use the Europass as a starter template and then make it your own.

Also, I have noticed in Poland people always put a picture on their CV but in the UK we don't. Is there a particular reason for the picture? If I was keen I would check LinkedIn/GoldenLine. Always thought there was little point in a picture on a CV, what is the PF consensus?

Life / Funeral Traditions in Poland [67]


I think that's the same most places. I know once I was on a single carriage way in a bit of a hurry and there was a bit of a queue. There was plenty of space in the other lane so I buzzed past, almost died (pun intended) when I realised there was a hearse at the front. Put my hurry to the side and pulled in at the next lay by and got out the car to let them pass. Never felt so bad as a driver.

News / Surprising ranking of Polish supermarkets (Biedronka expensive?) Living expenses in Poland. [35]


I noticed the basket of shopping they were judging on had a few specific brand names in there, in those cases your biggest supermarkets are going to be able to outprice smaller discount supermarkets. In which case I would say if you bought Biedronka oil instead of Kujawski or Biedronka water instead of Zywiec you can make a pretty fine saving there alone.

Plus, what size of amily shopping are they testing for...1kg of yellow cheese...that would do my sandwiches for a month!!

News / Surprising ranking of Polish supermarkets (Biedronka expensive?) Living expenses in Poland. [35]

I agree with the OP, I know Auchan is cheap but I really didn't think that Biedronka would be so much more expensive...it is marketed as a discount supermarket after all.

I would say that Biedronka is super value for wine and beer (there's always a really good dry white for the 10-13zl mark and beers, provided you're not so fussy, are pretty cheap and in bigger cans than most places). I have also found that Biedronka's deals are sometimes beyond compare anywhere else. I generally get my normal weekly shop online from Tesco and then anything else I need at the last minute from Biedronka.

Food / Where can I buy lamb in Poland? [89]

At only 15zl for 4 chops or two steaks it's a real bargain and I really enjoyed mine just grilled. Missed the mint sauce though!

You wouldn't believe it in Poland were lamb is not popular, but they are selling out really fast, so get to them quick!

Food / What Polish foods and brands do you miss when you go to other countries? [216]

Exactly, if I wanted something similar to Polish bread that you buy in Poland then I would be more likely to go to a decent baker and get a nice sourdough rye. No point spending more money going to a Polish shop and buying mass produced Polish bread that's been stuffed in the back of a van for the better part of a couple of days.

Language / IS "MURZYN" word RACIST? [686]


Just like saying Nig*er is fine if you know some black people. I have black friends here in Kraków and I can tell you Murzyn is never used positively. It's fine whn moderates are saying it, but the racists ruin it for everyone.

For UK people, think of your grandparents saying "negro"

Life / Move to Poland or UK? (Advice needed) [51]

If the OP is worried about multi-culturalism, maybe Saudi would be a good move...it's very mono-cultured.
[edit:and wages are good]

News / Local elections - anyone care to comment? [75]


I would say for local elections it's pretty average, for major elections you would expect a bigger turn out but this isn't such a big deal in most peoples minds (even though, in the small scheme, local elections actually affect your life more than national ones).

Life / Poczta Polska Is Killing ME! Transit time. [28]


Oh tell me about it, I was off work on day and thought to myself "great, I will go and pick up my parcel while everyone else is at work" and off I wandered to the Post Office at 11am. God what a mistake that was, the whole place was full of old people in a queue/mob that had no order. Also people were spending aaages at the counter having non-post related conversations and then, when it finally came down to paying for something, of course it was all paid in Groszy.

I waited for about 25 minutes and, after so much chaos and queue jumping I gave up and went for a pint.

Work / How much is the average living cost in Poland for foreign student? [44]

Yes, but you are forgetting socialising, which is expensive!

USA, Canada / 15 hr. motion on a minimum wage. (USA) [24]


Ummmm, does qualifying for food stamps not mean living under the poverty line??

Food / Where can I find good coffee and Cuban cigars in Stalowa Wola area? [10]


If they are flying back to the States is this not a pretty risky item to be bringing in the luggage?

Also, do you really get better coffee here than over the pond? In Italy I can imagine, but is it that much cheaper to buy it in Poland than it is in the USA? I always think coffee is really expensive here.

Travel / Collection of dress codes in Poland - what to wear? [96]

You will find most occaisions are pretty casual, and even in most workplaces the dress code is smart casual at the strictest. Wear whatever you are comfortable in because it will look much less forced and more natural.

Life / Are there any prescriptions / medications for adult ADHD in Poland? [12]

I have a friend from Canada who tried to do that and the doctor said that it doesn't mean anything and she would have to be examined here and treated as they see fit. This was in both private healthcare facilities and NFZ.

Life / Are there any prescriptions / medications for adult ADHD in Poland? [12]

I think you will find it very very hard to find anyone to prescribe anything for ADHD in Poland. From what I have heard from North American friends is that they are much more likely to prescribe treatments instead. Getting something like adderall is like like getting a free pass to the cocaine clinic.

UK, Ireland / Would life in the UK be very hard for a 17 yr old Polish girl? Advice needed please [33]

Perhaps you could try to find a job that includes accommodation? I know when I moved back to the UK and didn't have much cash I used Dee Cooper and found something within a couple of days. You need to be flexible, and often in rural locations, but it's a good way of getting a foothold in the UK and then you can save for a couple of months and get a flat in a town and a job somewhere more desirable. In the place I ended up, I stayed for 2 years because I got on so well with the people I worked with. I would probably still be there if I didn't have to go and get married!

Food / Polish & US heat & eat foods? [16]

a) It's the Daily Mail...I wouldn't really take anything there seriously.

b) I know the co-op do a salmon en croute which is certified organic salmon...problem solved.

Food / Polish & US heat & eat foods? [16]

When I was back in the UK, I was quite keen on the more modern and healthy take on heat and eat. Instead of microwave packs, they come in aluminium trays and it's things like salmon en croute, hunters chicken and a huge other selection of raw meat/fish with some veg and semi prepared so all you need to do is put it in the over for 40 minutes. The ingredients list has pretty much all food and very few chemicals and because it's fresh, raw meats/fish it actually tastes good.

I would think of it as a good compromise between healthy/natural and convenient. Unfortunately with a pretty terrible selection of convenience foods here, I just cook everything from scratch in big batches and freeze it to make my own ready meals.

Food / Poland's best cheap beers? [72]

If you have a biedronka nearby they are doing Lezajsk Rzeskie for 1.99PLN per can at the moment which is very reasonable and it's actually pretty tasty too.

Law / Can somebody explain ZUS to me? [40]


BOOM! There's a fact right there.

No chance any country with a welfare system is going to reform it. You'd lose half the vote by people saying that now the government is being cruel without saving money to the pulic (because it wouldn't) and the other half would say you are giving the whole public penny to those who "don't deserve it". They are stuck in a catch 22.

Law / Can somebody explain ZUS to me? [40]

Pretty much the same as the UK does with NI, keep raising the rates and ignoring the fact that the system doesn't work.

Law / Can somebody explain ZUS to me? [40]

They have the choice to retire at that age, due to the physicality of the job (which can vary depending on rank and position). However, with the state pension being so low, it's rare you will find a 35 year old retiree in Poland, most will stay in their post (increase the pension) or find other work. You don't want to be 35 and stuck in the house all day...

Law / Can somebody explain ZUS to me? [40]

It's like National Insurance in the UK. You pay a percentage of your wage and it covers costs of hospitals, government pension, prescription subsidies, etc. I believe people think it's falling apart because, with better healthcare and better standard of life, the population is growing older which meants there are more people out of work needing pensions and helthcare while people in work are paying for that people are not happy about it. Plus, because you can opt out of paying ZUS, it means that there are less funds now available. I have always opted in, both in case of emergencies and also I think it's a huge reflection of your country's character how you treat the weakest in society.