Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]


It was a struggle on that. But I have heard that gradually wages for service staff are going up, which is a good thing. However, not as fast as living costs are going up...but hopefully we'll find an equilibrium soon.

Work / Teaching English in Krakow -- how to find students? [52]


yup, soft o in the first and hard o in the second, there is some phonetic explanations, but my keyboard can't type them :P

Life / Doctors taking bribes in Poland [76]


That's a very fair point, are those two scenarios really so different?

Language / is it stll jeden [33]


One what?

For each of these examples it could be jeden, jedno or jedna depending on what the object of the sentence is.

Or I think so anyway.

Life / Do you think a smoking ban would be a good thing in Polish restaurants and Bars? [217]

As a smoker, i support the smoking ban. I have no problem with going. My problem is with the proposed 15m rule. It could ruin places!

Off-Topic / An English Version of Gadu-Gadu? [105]

There is none, but if you go onto the website, it's pretty much the same form layout as most websites like this...just use some common sense and you'll be fine.

Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]


I have found the exceptions are increasing in number too. I think opening up to a wider tourist market has had a very positive effect on service here. An easy example is to go to a bar in Rynek Głowny (Kraków) or Kazimierz then go out to one of the places in the suburbs...they are worlds away from each other.

News / Zloty exchange rates - is this just speculation? [87]

Yes, it's like trading on the stock market. And there are a lot of people who trade their currencies as if they are stocks and shares. I always use a currency trade site for checking current rates [xe.com]

Travel / Why some travelers hate Poland? [45]

Could you fix the link, i have tried adjusting it myself but i'm getting nothing.

Life / Wearing "strange" things for poles and consequences, is it true? [44]


However this is another one I wouldn't use around older folks. Not incredibly rude, just seems that it's not nice conversation.

UK, Ireland / Female health in Britain - Polish view [105]


I have to agree with this. Just because you don't call a midwife "Doctor Whatever" doesn't mean they are less qualified. I would go as far as to say that most doctors would feel rather stressed and probably struggle through the childbirth process. Midwives are specialists in their chosen field. I wouldn't want one operating on my heart...but then (if I were a girl) I would rather have a midwife on hand than a doctor when giving birth.

UK, Ireland / Female health in Britain - Polish view [105]


Because you immigrated into the UK?

Just guessin...

UK, Ireland / Female health in Britain - Polish view [105]

Keep in mind as well Ksysia that your level of health care (not that I agree with it) will also depend on where you are in the country, sometimes even what part of a particular city you are in. In Glasgow for example I would try to avoid going to the Royal Infirmary or the Victoria, but instead would always go to the Western or the Southern General because the waiting times are shorter and they are known to deliver a better sense of care.

As for GPs, it's just luck of the draw. I have had 2, one in Glasgow who is excellent and another in Inveraray who was downright dangerous...I have signed various petitions to have him removed from the post after he refused to treat people he didn't like, and misdiagnosed multiple people.

Then emergency dental treatment, I have never had to use it, but I have heard nothing but good things from any friends who used the dental hospital in Glasgow.

I guess it's because there is not just one NHS, but there are 4 different organisations in each of the 4 countries of Great Britain, and then of course there will be regional offices that head up different areas. Not really great Ksysia I agreee, but it very much depends on luck as to wether you get good treatment or bad.

Law / What do you think about the Gerlach company? [28]

a)


You wan't to do business with them but you are not willing to take the 5 minutes to install a browser??

b)


I find it quite sweet that you really expected to get a direct contact to the president of the company. He has no idea who you are and what you want, why would he want to talk to you? Also they have a Foreign Trade Office which is there to deal with exactly what you are looking to do...so why bother the president? Do you think he has all the books on your market and prospective other clients lying on his desk? No he has an entire other department to deal with that.

c)


I love the word trustables, I am going to use that in future! However this attitude to women in the workplace is wayyy off and isn't going to do you any favours.

All in all I would say that if you want to do business with a company, you need to put in the effort to find about them, go through the right channels to get what you need and respect any cultural diffferences that there may be between your country and theirs (i am not sure where you are from, apologies)...then you'll be all set. There's no easy quick fix here I'm afraid.

Law / What do you think about the Gerlach company? [28]


Or they are trained sales staff who are used to dealing with large orders and overseas clients and so would be able to offer you all the advice and information you needed.

If you do get in touch with the President of the company then he will probably say something along the lines of, "I am very happy that you are so interested in our product and that you are willing to spend so much money. However, in order to process this more efficiently, I will pass you onto one of my foreign sales managers who will handle your account."

So really by contacting the president you are introducing an unnecessary middle man.

You don't walk into a restaurant and ask that you are served by, your wine is selected by and your food cooked by the owner.

Law / What do you think about the Gerlach company? [28]


Of course they are strategists, and yes, a company president does deal with the day to running of the company on behalf of the CEO. However as a first point of contact, the president is not the guy to be speaking to, and if you do get through to him you will be promptly told to go through the appropriate channels. Obviously you should be aiming high and you don't want to talk to a sales assistant, but if you aim too high it looks equally unprofessional. Talk to a foreign sales manager first, if it is a new emerging market then s/he will talk to the president about opening a new market and they will get back to you depending on how viable they see the opportunity.

Law / What do you think about the Gerlach company? [28]

Can I just ask what country you are based in? Your unabashed mistrust in women could really hit your business ideas hard when trying to deal with European companies.

UK, Ireland / Female health in Britain - Polish view [105]


Pay money in the UK and you will get a better level of health care too.


Interesting point there. We do hear that women are having children later and later. Now I'm not a doctor and so I don't know if the human body is capable of this better now than in the past. But for either parent, having a child too late is not as fair on the child in my opinion. Not just childbirth is hard on the human body, but raising a child is too. I am all for the younger generation caring for their elders, but after they have had a chance to live their own life. Not having to support frail parents pretty much after they leave school...but I am straying off the point.

Travel / Stag Parties in Kraków [119]


That does my tits in. So many tourists do it though. I'm all for maybe having one familiar meal while on holiday, because everyone likes that bit of comfort. But there is no point coming to a different country and then doing exactly the same as you would at home. Not only that, but you hear loads of people moaning that not enough people speak English, or that they don't have the same shops. If you want a holiday that is the same as being at home, then book a nice break somewhere else in the UK, there are plenty of lovely places there that are cheap and everyone speaks the same language, buys the same drinks and shops in the same places.

The same can be said of a lot of expats sadly, living here for years and hanging about almost exclusively with other expats and tourists, eating the same food as back home and moaning about almost everything. Don't get me wrong, I will spend the odd night down Nic Nowego chatting in English and reading the papers, and when I cook at home it's mostly british food I eat (that's what I know and have been taught)...but most of the time I eat Polish food and hang about with Polish friends from work...sure it's not easy when everyone is speaking a different language from me, but it is a great way to learn, and it means you don't need to rely on a few people who can translate for you.

Travel / Stag Parties in Kraków [119]


I think you will notice, I didn't say people aren't allowed to do that. I just said that there is no point.

Travel / Stag Parties in Kraków [119]


Exactly

However,


I do agree with this statement and it angers me when I hear about places in the UK having to change to suit certain groups of immigrants. I have lived in many different countries all over the world and every place I have adapted to the local customs and respected local cultures. I think it's terrible when people, if they are moving to the UK, Poland, Dubai, etc, don't accept that they are somewhere different and adapt to that environment.

Life / Bilet, controler and the Poland Police. [78]


Yes, and it works rather well too. The only time I don't buy a ticket is if I am just jumping one stop to get out of the rain. The rest of the time the stress of watching every person on the tram for tell-tale signs is just too much and it's better just to have your ticket, better still just grab the monthly ticket and there is no stress at all.

Life / Bilet, controler and the Poland Police. [78]


I thought the sign on the tram said it was 100?

I have also heard from various sources (never been caught ticketless myself) that the inspectors get 35zł for every fine they give out and so you can give them 40zł and do away with the paperwork. This is pure speculation though that I have heard from a couple of people here in Kraków.

Life / Bilet, controler and the Poland Police. [78]


Yup, I have to agree. Any time I have seen the inspectors they give you ample time to validate your tickets. The first thing you should do is get to the machine and check your pockets for your ticket, if not then get to the driver. If you took too long doing this then it's really your own fault.

Life / Bilet, controler and the Poland Police. [78]


I agree, you see it on the buses in Glasgow where you have to pay (in exact change) at the entrance of the bus. It's fine when there is only one or two people at the bus stop, but at busy times the bus can be at the stop for up to 4-5 minutes, which is unacceptable.

Life / Bilet, controler and the Poland Police. [78]


I would agree with you here Sean. If the system was as Havok says then I would just buy one ticket and never validate it unless a controller came on, and I normally only see them once or twice a month. I would not be the only person thinking this. Can you see anyone validating their ticket if they knew they didn't have to?

People might complain about the current system, but it works. Most people buy tickets and validate them. If they don't then they get fined, it's simple and the trams are all pretty efficient (except the 13 in Kraków which for some reason is always at random times). Compared to the buses and trains back in Glasgow they are a dream!

Travel / Stag Parties in Kraków [119]


If you are going to be a pedant then get your tenses right ;P

Travel / Stag Parties in Kraków [119]


Well you know what happens when you make an assumption, you make an ass out of U and mpti....ok, you get my jist. I made the assumption too on him saying was instead of were to mean he was no longer in Krakow. But I can see how you would make the opposite.

Food / Bread Baking in Poland [65]


Have you ever eaten bread in France a day after it was baked? Same deal, and you will find that most fresh bread without additives will do the same. Most shop-bought bread (be it Polish Style, Baguettes or white bread) will be treated with additives and have the recipe slightly adjusted to give it a longer shelf life.

Go to a proper baker in the UK and you will get good bread and the same applies anywhere.

Love / Are Polish men shy and take things slow? [116]


Am I the only one playing "spot the innuendo"?