Law / Do I need a Notary to witness my signature on a witness statement? [6]

Really, a notary to witness a witness statement? In the UK as long as the Police see you doing it that's enough.

Life / Golden Wedding in Poland, the protocol for giving gift for a wedding? [58]


Ditto this, some people are a bit ungrateful, thinking you will help pay for the wedding you're not going to. If that's the attitude...send them a gift voucher of $20 for Amazon

Life / Golden Wedding in Poland, the protocol for giving gift for a wedding? [58]


A bit too generous if you ask me. Keep in mind they may have closer family than you giving less than that. I would stick to what others said 250 to 400PLN depending on your relationship with the couple and your own income. If you are really not going to be hard up then you could push it up to 500 and that would be very much appreciated. More than that and I would feel you were being a bit flashy.

Travel / Swedish 19y male, Spontaneous visit to Warsaw, what to do? [10]


Yeah, pop over to Poland for a few days and grab a curry...

Life / Getting kaucja back - dealing with landlords [20]


I have never been a landlord, but I can see what you mean. A foreign tenant is a much higher risk. If you have a Polish person you have their Pesel and main address. However, a foreign person could just fly off home and not pay final bills...why should this person be given back their deposit based on honour? I think the best option is get the final bills and change the billing back to you and then, once all is finalised then give back the deposit.

Personally, it appears a lot of people here have such an "us and them" relationship with their landlord. I have always tried to be as friendly and open with landlords as possible in order that, if something happened with my income, I would let them know there may be a delay and they were always clear with me about where charges are coming from with receipts. My current landlord I have even invited over for drinks (it helps that he works for Heinenken and brings free beer!).

Why can't we all just get along?

Law / Is it possible to convert my Pakistani driving licence to a Polish one? [46]

To The OP

Various countries have differnet rules concerning driving. If you wish to have a Polish license then you will need to pass the test, if you had an EU driving License then you could possibly do a direct swap, however you have a non-EU license. Your best bet is to spend some time, with a Polish friend, on the main website for driving in Poland and that will give you the exact rules and procedures. Easier to go to the source than a website that will either give you bad information because of vaguely racist tendencies or wrong information from inexperience.

Life / Getting kaucja back - dealing with landlords [20]

As the owner, she has every right to withold the deposit until the final utility bills can be confirmed. If you need your deposit back ASAP then contact the utility companies for proof of payment. I had one situation where I actually got more than my deposit back 2 months later because I had overpaid my bills.

Put yourself in the owner's shoes, she doesn't know how much you have used of the utilities, why give you the deposit back and then have to chase you up for money when you are long gone?

USA, Canada / Living 16+ years in the US. Is moving back to Poland a good idea? [14]


Also keep in mind that smaller cities, while hard for a non-Polish speaking expat, could be quite enjoyable for someone who speaks fluent Polish.

Food / Are eggs in Poland refrigerated/not refrigerated? [33]


Auchan and some Carrefours in Kraków have their eggs in the fridge...that would make the claims of it being illegal pretty far fetched.

Travel / Where do Polish people fly to for beach vacations in the winter? [34]


So a barman earning 7PLN per hour living in a flat that costs 700PLN per month (before bills) can easily afford the flights, hotel costs and entertainment to have a good holiday in Tunisia. Plus Ryanair doesn't fly there so you'd probably be looking at travel agent commision as well. It doesn't really sound financially viable to me!

Travel / Where do Polish people fly to for beach vacations in the winter? [34]

I think you are vastly overestimating how much Polish people earn. I would suggest the vast amount of people don't go for "winter sun" holidays.

Law / I'm looking for a polish website similar to Nisbets or Russums. [3]


Possibly one of the best websites ever. Even outside of the trade they still offer trade prices and delivery before 6am next day!

Food / Traditional Polish Foods [42]


Mmmmm, my father in law smokes all his own meat and whenever we go over the house is full of meat...talk about meat sweats!

Food / Traditional Polish Foods [42]


Yes, yes and yes! Love me some Bigos!


If you are in a place selling good traditional Polish food and the only beer they have is Zywiec, walk away. It's the Polish equivalent of Carling or Tennants. You should be able to find a lot of places that serve much better beer.


Kotlet Schabowy may not be the national dish of Poland, but it's something so many Polish people that live outside of Poland miss. It's simple, delicious and pleases everyone.

Can I also suggest polish pancakes (naleśniki) with savoury fillings, really really tasty! Also if you are lucky enough to have a market in the square when you are there. Grab some grilled meatstuffs!

Oh and Golonka...I could go on!

History / What Hitler really thought about Poles? Hitler's letter to Himmler 1944 [111]

I am not sure if this has been covered already, but Hitler was keen to kill academics in Poland, like the Soviets did. So whats the use of him saying hey are clever if he only intends to kill the people he's talking about?

Love / What documentation do I need to marry a Polish girl in Poland? [28]


I agree and, as a leper in my own country, I can see why Poland whouldn't be keen, but if he get's a tourist visa he should be fine!

Law / Polish divorce - there is next to no help available from the law! [11]

Divorce is almost always messy, I have an aunt an uncle that are still fighting over property and custody for 15 years (and all their kids are adults now) and they still seem as far from a resolution as it was 15 years ago. I still think it's the courts forcing conflict to get more money.

Love / What documentation do I need to marry a Polish girl in Poland? [28]


As they are planning to live in India, surely the chap only needs a tourist Visa for Poland? He's not planning a prolonged stay, just go over, get married, and come back. In that case it's only a certificate of non-impediment that has been translated by a sworn translator and proof of marriage preparedness issued by the Church which does not need to be translated as it can be sent from his diocese in India direct to the diocese in Poland within the church.

I can see why people would be suspect, but if the plan is to live in India and they are both Catholic (I noticed he mentioned Christian and not Catholic) then it won't really be so hard.

Life / Want to watch BBC iplayer in Poland? [59]

I just went through the apps on chrome and it worked without problem...

Life / Want to watch BBC iplayer in Poland? [59]

If you only use Chrome you can use the Hola! Better Internet app and you can chop and change between countries as you wish.

Law / Karta Pobytu - Is the plastic card only given to non-EU people? [8]


That is indeed the case, I asked in the office when I got mine about it being rejected because there is no photographic evidence on it. They gave me a small sheet of paper I can bring along with it explaining that it is a legal document and it must be accepted as such. I have never had a problem with it being accepted, but I always carry the legal sheet with the Karta Ponytu just in case.

But yes, a photo card would be much more convenient.

Classifieds / Jute bags in Poland - lucrative business? [16]


These are really nice and I always use a canvas bag for my shopping but...

...near enough 30PLN for a shopping bag...I think not!

Law / Is there a difference between karta pobytu and Europa card? [15]

I have never had a visit from the police and I have my PESEL and zameldowanie and have done for a year...should I still be expecting a visit?

Food / The great British baked bean in Poland [26]


And that's why it's comfort food, cheap and cheerful and brings back memories of younger days. Maybe people ate baked beans because they had no money, but looking back you see the good memories of those times when you eat them.

I know that for me the best comfort food is Marshall's Macaroni Cheese in a box (Made with Real Cheddar...powder no less!) and packs of Batchelor's Pasta and Sauce. That's what I lived on when I was working 80 odd hours in hospitality. Yes, it was a fine dining restaurant and I would have some of the finest food ever at work from time to time, but I go home after 16 hours on my feet and all I want is something that will be ready in 5 minutes. I still love the stuff, as awful as it is for you.

Law / Are there any specific regulations regarding the Importation of alcohol from EU to Poland? [4]

Yes Balazs, you will need a license. As with everywhere in the EU, you can bring in as much alcohol as you want for your friends and you to drink, but as soon as money is changing hands you will have to pay duty. If I were you I would either find a supplier of Hungarian beer already in Poland to supply your pub or forget the pub and open an import business and try to flog Hungarian beer to pubs already here. I know my mate's pub has a Ukranian beer that's been selling pretty well. The Polish market is keen on new beers from different countries and small breweries especially.

Law / I'm interested in opening a small Mexican Restaurant in Poland - looking for information [21]

The market for restaurants in Kraków is pretty saturated and so it's hard to get into. There are a few Mexican restaurants, mostly selling tex-mex stuff. Gabriel who is Mexican and works at Taco Mexicano runs mexican nights and cooks proper authentic food and it goes down well for the people he invites. However I think a lot of people (not just Poles, but in the UK as well) are not that open to authentic Mexican food. I personally think it's wonderful but most would prefer fajitas, burritos and tacos.

News / Parliament in Poland clears way for nuclear plant [78]


I don't think we're gonna have to pay a lump sum...

And it's good that not as much coal would be burnt. Poland has 3 cities in the top 10 most polluted in Europe, that's not just cars you know. The air quality in Poland is not so much better than that of China.

Love / Cultural difference or flirting? My boyfriend is from Poland. [7]

Hard to say really without being there, it is most likely that it's as he says and they were just catching up. And I wouldn't say asking for a dance is flirting, in fact I often feel it's a necessity in a lot of situations and it would be considered rude not to ask someone to dance.

Love / Do Polish men make good husbands? [106]


I would say that, if you are airing these questions to the internet, you should say no.

Law / Preferred online store for purchasing Electronics Item in Poland [22]

There are a good number on the internet. When I was shopping for a TV i just searched RTV AGD <insert name of city> and google brought up a good number of choices.