Real Estate / Best area in Krakow to live? [43]

I stay in Kurdwanów and I like it. New building, very warm, fast internet and then there's loads of trams and buses to get anywhere.

Travel / Is the Irish embassy bar in Krakow open or closed? [9]

Maurice is still there but he has other interests as well and spends a good amount of time in Wroclaw and Ireland. I would highly doubt that the Mbassy would be closing any time soon, i rarely go in myself (city centre is a bit far for me, Kazimierz is about as far as I go) but any time I have been in it's been mobbed!

Law / Can I drive my wife's car in Poland on a GB licence? [7]

You make a good point, insurance companies will do pretty much anything to get out of paying you what they owe.

Life / Are there any Muslim areas in Poland? [173]

I don't understand why the OP would think there would be a dry area in Poland. The UK has a large Muslim community and yet there are off licenses everywhere there. If you choose to live in a non-Muslim country then you need to accept that Sharia law will not apply. Same applies to someone from Europe moving to Saudi for work, you just need to accept the bad differences with the good.

Life / E-books in Poland? [10]

I never really liked reading in PDF format, it reminded me too much of reading on a laptop which I never enjoyed. I now just use iBooks.

Slightly off topic, with Dances with Dragons on iTunes you could buy the whole, unsplit, version for £3.99 or you could buy the two halves for £6.99 each...who is seriously buying the two parts???

Law / Can I drive my wife's car in Poland on a GB licence? [7]

Yes you can, you can use any EU license to drive a car in Poland. Likewise using a Polish license in the UK (although it has to be a new Polish license I believe because the older ones were laminated and not very secure against forgery).

Food / Smalec - how to make it? [53]

It's also poosibly the best thing to line your stomach before a night on the old Polish beer! As to wether it's healthy or not, smalec is near enough 100% fat (as opposed to butter which is about 95) but then fat is good for you and it is a required part of your diet. It's better to have a reasonable amount of smalec in your diet that the rubbish margerine that is all over the supermarkets!

UK, Ireland / How has Polish immigration into the UK helped Poland? [48]

I think economically it did make a difference, I have a number of friend who went to work in the UK and came back to buy properties and used their improved language skills and cultural things they learned to land a better job in Poland than would have been available before. Having a number of people who buy property and are in higher paying jobs equates to higher disposable income. This in turn means they spend more money in Poland now than they would have if they had stayed.

It has made a big difference to the tourism industry as well. When I first arrived in Poland, the hospitality and tourism industry was not pleasant. People were unpleasant and a huge number of tourists would complain about the lack of customer service. Now it's completely different. I would say the "minimum wage waitresses" have come back, demanded higher wages (higher than 5PLN per hour isn't hard for a business owner) and earn better tips. This would be after realising that hospitality staff don't have to be part time students living at home and working for pocket money.

Politically I think people are right. With young graduates leaving, it means there are less educated young people getting involved in politics. This is leading to older politicians just going about their business without a care.

Just my two cents.

Life / Where to buy a clothes dryer in Poland? [16]

Don't bother with dryer sheets, just ball up some aluminium foil and throw it in.

Food / Borscht - Zurek / Bialy barszcz recipe [153]


Yes, that is a good way to make it have the sour taste if you want to have it quick. Traditionally the sour taste comes from fermented rye (or barley) and the difference is quite noticaeable. Luckily here in Poland you can go into any shop and you will find Barszcz Koncentrat which is basically the fermented grain stuff concentrated down to add to the soup. Makes żurek really easy to make quickly, instead of it taking days.

Travel / Ryanair cut charges. Poles to take advantage? [20]


This right here is why I don't want to work for Ryanair. Trying to clean down a plane in tight conditions in the space of 20 minutes seems almost impossible to me. That's a LOT of seats to get through.

I don't see why there is such animosity towards budget airlines. No-one complains about budget bus companies, you get what you pay for. I personally think that, for so long, flying had an air of grace to it. People complain about flying economy class on long haul flights, but it's never great being stuck in a tube for 12 hours. I think people assume that they should have Long Haul level comfort (keep in mind the RyanAir "bus" style seating with no booking and no reclining is a relatively new concept) on the short haul budget lines. Just sit down, be quiet and get on and off in an orderly fashion. It's not so much to ask.

Law / List of banks from Poland offering free ATM withdrawals and spending worldwide? [12]

Back in the day the <30 account with WBK had free ATM withdrawals. But now it's only the salary account with that (it's not much though, only need to put in 1kPLN per month). I know M-Bank is currently advertising free withdrawals but I haven't looked into the details.

As for foreing transactions, unfortunately I'm not your guy as I have bank accounts abroad and I just send money there and spend using a local card.

Travel / Ryanair cut charges. Poles to take advantage? [20]

I agree, it's hardly the most pleasant of flight experiences having to rammy into the plane if you don't want to be stuck between folk. But other than that I have never had a problem, never been late and (because I weigh my luggage and use cabin appropriate cabin luggage) never been stuck with extra charges. I would never want to fly longer than a few hours but you gets what you pay for.

I love all these people complaining at the gate about the charges, but they are very clear about the limits and charges online. It's their own fault for not checking their luggage before they left and trying to cram 42 outfits into a bag for a weekend. If you want to bring big bags and have a seat and fly in comfort, then you need to pay for it.

Life / Halloween vs All Saints' Day in Poland [48]

We have always celebrated Halloween in Scotland by going out guising (similar to trick or treating). The only difference seems to be that in Scotland you are expected to do something (sing a song, say a poem or tell a few jokes) before you get any sweets (or a lot of houses round my way gave out home baking which was awesome!). It was often a case when I was much younger to make costumes and that was often brought through to the more adult parties where there were prizes for the best costume. Now it would appear most people buy their costumes and we have taken the more american approach of just getting sweets for turning up at the door. I have seen a few pre-WW1 comic strips from Scotland where children went out guising so it's hardly a new thing.

I like the Polish All Saints Day and love wandering about the graveyards with my bag of candles and seeing it all lit up at night. I think it's a shame that Halloween is creeping in and people are being encouraged to dress up and go out and party on Halloween, meaning people will be out with hangovers for wandering the graveyards. However, you have to think of it from their point of view. You watch lots of TV, mostly from the US, where people are all having awesome Halloween parties and going out trick or treating. Then you compare that to walking around a graveyard in the cold for hours feeling solemn. I know which I would have preferred when I was younger! Now though, I prefer the tradition and solemnety that goes with All Saints day.

As for commercialism, you can't criticise Halloween for being commercial and not All Saints Day. Go to any shop in Poland in October and you will see candles and flowers and other tacky memorials on sale. Halloween costimes are just another facet to shops making a profit...which, at the end of the day, is what they are there for.

Law / Registering in Poland for a NIP tax number? [9]

It used to be that you needed a NIP for working and PESEL for credit or other stuff. But now it has become a case of one or the other. If you have a PESEL now, you don't need a NIP.

Law / Moving to Poland - How do I get the Polish Identity Card [17]

^Pretty much what they said. If you have a Polish passport then you need to go to Urzad Miasta and they can sort out your ID card. If you have a Polish Passport then you will already have a PESEL so it shouldn't be a hassle. If you don't have a Polish Passport then it might be a bit harder.

USA, Canada / Only one county in the USA has more Polish-Americans than any other group! [38]


That's a fair point, I know a few people who have lived in Poland for years and don't speak any Polish. I think it does make it easier to learn Polish if you are in Poland because you will pick up bits and pieces, but you really need to put in a good amount of effort if you want to be coherent!

Food / PIZZA & KETCHUP served only in Poland? [159]

With a portion of that nuclear chilli sauce that can stain anything within 3 feet!

Law / Where to obtain license plate in Poland? How long it takes? [24]


Is that for foreign cars registered in Poland or a car with a foreign owner? If the latter that's a bit iffy sounding in my book, it sounds like a holdover from "hey Police, there's a foreigner that you can shake down". Is there a reason behind it other than that?

Food / PIZZA & KETCHUP served only in Poland? [159]


A fried pizza with gravy would be grand, but not a regular pizza! I like plenty of cheese and toppings on my pizza in Scotland and Poland. But if I am going for proper Italian pizza then it's all about the dough and so a simple margherita with some fresh basil and garlic is ideal!

Life / Moving to Krakow (and other questions) [23]

How did this get on? Did the OP move in September? Did they get a job? How are they finding it if so?

The thing about being 20 mins from the market square struck me as a big beginner mistake. It's the most expensive area in Kraków to go out. You can get a much better place to stay outside the centre and the public transport is fine and cheap (84PLN for all lines at the moment). You won't be looking at more than 20 mins on the tram/bus to the centre. If you decide to go for the centre then you will be paying over the odds for a flat which may not be that great. Plus if you are a bit out of the town in a block, you can take advantage of fast cable internet and council heating!

Love / Romance with a polish girl... I need help! [7]


Interesting choice of term there. That is a very common Polish mistake in English as the direct Polish-English translation is "on" a destination at times. Sure you are not a native Pole in disguise?

Law / Where to obtain license plate in Poland? How long it takes? [24]


I am with you. I can understand if you own a business and want to keep easy tabs on company cars...but just your name or something? What's the point?

Law / Personal contents insurance in Poland? [2]

Can I just bump this up. I rent and have looked around for contents insurance. It seems that there is such a thing but only if you are the homeowner. I would like to be able to cover the cost of electronics and other items incase something should happen (like it did in the last place). I have good security here both in the flat (metal shutters, solid door with multiple locks, etc), and in the main building (know the neighbours, always lit and CCTV) but I would feel better if, in the worst case scenario, I could claim back the costs of certain items in the flat that would be too expensive to replace out of pocket.

Anyone know if any company does this, and if so, any reccommendations?

Food / What food and drinks should I buy a Polish friend who is missing Poland? [12]


The new Kokosowe ones are to die for! I love Michałki, thought the white ones were too sweet, coffee ones didn't taste that great and the orange ones i hated (I have a thing about orange and chocolate). But these new Kokosowe are the nuts (pun....intended!)!

Life / How can I change 100 PLN bank notes for smaller currency? [17]


I agree with this sentiment. I generally like to keep everything 20gr and under in cups and jars about the house. Must have about 60PLN worth kicking about. But I am not 100% what the script is taking it to the bank. I also don't really want to be the guy at the front of a huge biedronka queue paying in all change. Can I go to the bank and get little plastic money bags to bag it all up and bring it back to them? Someone said just bring it all together, but a)if I do that and the bank says no then I have lugged it about for no reason and b)seems a bit inconsiderate to the bank clerk and people behind me while they have to count through it.

What does everyone else do with their little change?

Food / Is Domino's Pizza popular in Poland? [18]


It is getting better, Polish people going and working in Italy or in the UK (where we have a huge Italian community) and coming home and thinking that they can do better than what is here now. I had a great pizza delivered the other day, home made dough, cooked thin and to a nice crisp outside and chewy inside, and then some nice mozzarella and tomato sauce. Tasted like some of the best pizzas I've had.

Glad it's getting better and so I don't need to resort to chains!

Work / Does google voice work correctly in Poland? [22]

Keep in mind that if you are using it in a home office or just at home. Internet speeds in Poland are some of the best in the world at the moment so you should have no problem running it over Wi-fi.

UK, Ireland / wife wants to have baby in poland not ireland [52]

To re-itterate a few things mentioned in her in my own dwie grosze: She's having a baby, it's best to do it where it's most comfortable for her. The differences in patient care in Europe are minimal at best and to make a major decision on the basis of a few stories would be silly. I myself have never had a bad experience in a hospital (or with a doctor) in Poland or in the UK (I can't talk about Ireland as I've never been to hospital there). There isn't really such a thing a perfect hospital (although Singapore came close) as the amount of money it costs to run a hospital and the amount of money available don't match.

But mainly, have the baby where your wife feels the most comfortable having a baby.

(edit)As for going for scans, they are completely safe and so you shouldn't be wasting money that could be spent on the baby travelling for scans!

Life / Any Polish pride wallpapers? [10]

Why not search for Raclawice and check out the high res images there? It's a hugely famous panorama and there are few parts of it that don't say "Polish Pride".