History / The Grunwald Battle: Today is 600th anniversary of the greatest medieval battle. [66]


Well, I can't agree it is rabbish. The siege lasted until end of September and didn't achive anything. Even in 1454-1466 war, when finally those lands fallen under Polish king, it wasn't conquered but entry was bought from mercenaries. Malbork wasn't and isn't just any castle, it is still the largest brick castle in the world after all...

Anyway, there can be many speculations, some cool advert of this year reconstruction:

youtu.be/vpR_Ckg3q6s

UK, Ireland / Are the working class in the UK now shunned in the 'new' Poland? [53]


The short answer is: no
The medium is: depends by whom
And simple question for you is: do you speak Polish?
If you don't speak Polish and if your opinion is based on talks in English with random Poles, then your chances to have reasonably fluent conversation with true "working class" representant of Polish society are quite slim... Ergo, your statistical base is flawed from the start and consequently your conclusions are wrong.

UK, Ireland / Are the working class in the UK now shunned in the 'new' Poland? [53]


Rhetorical question or/and answer for thesis made in question is usually considered equal to conclusion... Well, for sure you advanced a thesis ;-)


Well, my post was maybe short and cold, but certainly it wasn't offensive, so you don't need to be either... I merely pointed to posible incoherence in your generalisation, there is no need to taking it personally... I was rather hoping you will answer my question instead but I kind of lost my interest now... Anyway, have fun. EOT

Work / Mechanical engineer born in Poland, grew up the States. Go back to PL. How? [29]


Well, I don't if it is a good plan for making money, but it is certainly interesting idea :-) If that is your plan, then definitely you should check this places:

(there is a possibility that you would have to register (for free) in order to gain access):

skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=45

This is a forum where construction geeks both hobbists and professionals shares opinion about new and old buildings. Every good photo is appreciate there :-)

Just to show what you can find there:

Warsaw National Stadium

Gdansk Stadium

Poznan Stadium (almost finished)

Wroclaw Stadium

Wroclaw Bridge on Highway (supposedly the biggest of this kind (concrete category) in the world)

[sources: all pictures from polish forumers of SCC]

PS. Whatever some grumblers will tell you, there is plenty of interesting construction sites in Poland right now. Is it boom? I don't know, but definitely there wasn't anything similar in Poland for couple of decades...

News / Why are Czechs more effective than Poles and Poland? [116]


Your link gives nominal data. In PPP terms gap is narrowing.

As for general question, important factors to notice are:
1. better starting position for Czech economy in 1989 (much smaller debt burden)
2. because of 1. much smaller debt burden relative to GDP now -> more stable currency (that is why I prefer PPP numbers in comparisions)
3. better geographical position (closenest to very rich Bavaria and Austria)
4. historically very good engineering traditions from pre-communist period
5. last but not least Prague as a single most attractive tourist city in CEE. Prague is a gem and Czechs use this advantage well.

But overall, it is better to have richer neighbours, isn't it? ;-)

Life / What are the things which cause culture shock in Poland? [164]

Just to add something to "gest Kozakiewicza" discussion ;-)
Indeed the old name for that is "takiego wała".
Which more or less means "I have such a big dick that you all " hm... "możecie mi skoczyć" ;-)

"wał" means "dick"...

Law / Online Payment in Poland [13]


https://polishforums.com/law/poland-online-payment-30287/

Market share? there is Allegro and the rest. EBay tried to enter the market but failed miserably.

Travel / Wroclaw to Cologne [13]

Without a car you should check buses vs trains:

buses: busy.info.pl/2,42777,46544,wroclaw,kolonia.html

the prices seems to be about 200 zł:

If I'm not mistaken it works more or less like with flights, the sooner you buy the better price you get.

As far as trains are concerned, there is couple of trains you can use. Before modernization there was office for international trains info on rail station, but now I don't know where to look for it. Maybe they move it into temporary terminal.

Travel / Tri-city travel (want to see Gdansk and Sopot) [10]


If you are more into cultural events try to explore this event: en.solidarityofarts.pl

Solidarity of Arts

If you like jazz even a little try to get tickets and hear Leszek Możdzer,
concert is on 21.08:
en.solidarityofarts.pl/events/view/22

this guys is really great:
youtube.com/watch?v=qEx739dYw40

Travel / Changing trains in Poznan [29]

In my opinion you have less than 50% chance to make it, especially with an old lady. Try to ask train staff what are your chances. They usually know things like if they will be on time and if the other train is waiting and on wich platform.

PS. But be carefull what kind of ticket you have, there are about tree different rail companies on this route. If you will have wrong ticket, you will have to buy another one (you will can get part of the money back on the station though why bother with that..). So, about an hour before arrival time to Poznan, with your ticket in hand and maybe along with some good soul speaking both polish and english go to the conductor and ask him what are your options.

Life / Poland and Shakespeare [23]

Since I have a coffee break ;-) ... :

1. What experience of Shakespeare did you have whilst doing the Szkola Srednia?- if so which play(s)

As of books, from obligatory stuff, Hamlet and Macbeth. Besides of that some theater plays in TV (it was something like that in Poland till public TV were really public...), the best from that was "The Taming of The Shrew" with Gajos.

Post school I've read "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in English more like an language practise though.

PS. I've build countless Sheakspear Theaters in Civ 1, but I don't think it counts ;-)

2. What did you think of his (Shakespeares work?)
Typical cliche: great writer with great insight into human nature and entertainer at the same time.

3. How were you taught it (reading or acting through)
Reading and discussing it (I really didn't liked Hamlet guy, he was such a p...y ...)

4. Did you ever do a performance of his work?
Nope.

5. Did you watch Roman Polanski's 'Macbeth' -if so, reactions
Nope, but I've watched among others Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood" based on Macbeth, highely recomended. Not so long ago I've seen Macbeth made by "SONG OF THE GOAT THEATRE" in old English, well... I didn't understand much of what they were chanting...

6. What do you think are the differences in how Shakespeare is received in Poland to other countries.
No idea, I've never had a chance to talk with foreigners about Shakespeare...

7. Is Shakespeare relevant to Polish students? If so in what way?

Don't know about others, but I simply enjoyed his work, nothing less not much more...
And from more practical perspective if I recall it correctly it was never a bad idea to put some quotation from Shakespeare in school essays ;-)

News / Poland sends firefighters to help Russia [67]

Poland sends firefighters to help Russia
And this is good thing, that is what the neighbours do (if they are not at war at the moment;-) ).
They did help us with floods after all with similar symbolic gestures..

Besides I really cann't restrain myself from general observation, that those firefighters are paid by Polish citizens, by Polish taxes (including mine), and some of "Poles" living a couple of decades abroad have nothing to say about it, at least they shouldn't have... The longer I think of the fact, that some guy who is only visitor here, or even didn't bother to drop by in last decades, he is not a taxpayer here and in the same time has the right to vote, the more clear to me is how not right it is. I mean I think it is good, it is ok to maintain some kind of a bond, interest in culture and stuff like that. But when some guy from the other side of Atlantic is starting to whine about what we should do or not with some firefighters team, then it is a place when he is crossing a line.

What I want to say to such a person is a simple: IT IS NOT YOUR BUSSINESS PAL!

Travel / Camping in the Baltic Coast area, too cold? [16]


Most of the factors are unpredictable... But usually in September nights tend to be cold, it can be under 10 degrees Celsius at night, but it is nothing that can't be dealt with good sleeping bag (don't get go crazy with that though, it is not Siberia here... pis*ing at night can be quite a chalenge though, I mean "go out from a tent and pis* or wait till morning that is the question" ;-) ).

As for the weather it is all about luck, it can be cold and raining all the time or it can be beautifull quite warm end of the summer time with this feeling of autumn coming. But more likely mix of the two.

One thing to remember, the day becoming to feel a little short in September, the sunsets are about 7 pm then it is also becoming a little after season time. So, less people but also less things to do in the evening, some good book can be helpful.

Travel / Bieszczady or Zakopane? [23]


Well, hard choice, those are two different kind of the mountains actually... It depends how much you like trekking...
As a trekking type of a man I can offer a few hints:
a) If you prefer smaller version of Alps like mountains go to Zakopane and Tatra mountains
b) If you prefer more hills like mountains choose Bieszczady.

Ad. a) Tatra mountains in the summer are terribly overcrowded but there is a way to avoid this, but maybe a little chalenging. The thing you should do is to not even stop in Zakopane or maybe just for one day. Instead of that go with your backpack straight into the mountains and Tatra National Park. There is a couple of nice refuges there. So if you start trekking from the refuge early enough in the morning, the feel of emptiness, wild and beauty will be your reward. Personally I see no point in other approach to the Tatra mountains in the summer, there is just to many people. As for refuges there is probably no way you can book anything right now, but at least in last year, except from refuge "Piec Stawow", in every refuge you will find shelter but sometimes on the floor.. It is a hazard, but when in last year I was doing backpacking through refuges line, we get some beds everytime...

Ad. b) I've not been to Bieszczady for ten years but I've heard it tends to be overcrowded in the summer to in those days... But if you go there it is not a bad idea to spend a couple of days around Solina lake.

Travel / Bieszczady or Zakopane? [23]


Well, I don't really know how to call it in English. It is not hotel, rather not hostel, it is better than refuge or chalet... I propose to visit and eat "szarlotka" in every one of them ;-)

Travel / Bieszczady or Zakopane? [23]

useful site with maps online about polish mountains:
e-gory.pl/index.php/Mapy-online

Life / what is with the blasphemy laws in Poland? [9]

Actually there is a law for blasphemy in a sense:
"Kto obraża uczucia religijne innych osób, znieważając publicznie przedmiot czci religijnej lub miejsce przeznaczone do publicznego wykonywania obrzędów religijnych, podlega grzywnie, karze ograniczenia wolności albo pozbawienia wolności do lat 2."

which means more or less:
who offends religious feelings of others can be fined and/or putted in jail for up to two years.

But in real live it is rarely used... The most scandalic in recent years was probably a case of young female aritist who in late 2001 putted pictures of man genitals on the cross. After 8 (yes eight) years of a case in various courts she was finally exculpated from a charge. Court of a higher instance decided that she didn't wanted to offend anyone, case closed...

Travel / Camping in the Baltic Coast area, too cold? [16]

No, right know is about 12 to 15 at night. But in the begining of September below 10 at night can happen.

History / Polish civilization is older than English or French. Why do Poland follow them? [64]


Because youth is so refreshing ;-)

PS. btw polish civ is not older, but lets not go into that...

History / A view of Poland from far far away [14]

Hi Galloglaich

First piece of info: there is not much Poles on this forums actually, what you get here are mostly foreigners views of Poland some of them with Polish roots. So if you are looking for "Polish views" on Polish history then there will not be many.

As for sabre scenes in "The Deluge" it was made by this guy: "Waldemar Wilhelm"
filmpolski.pl/fp/index.php/11994
His CV says that he was doing quite a lot choreography for duel scenes.

As for "Colonel Wolodyjowski" the story here is maybe more interesting, because main choreographer for duel scenes there was Andrzej Piatkowski a Polish sabreur who won three medals at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrzej_Pi%C4%85tkowski
sport.interia.pl/inne-sporty/news/zmarl-andrzej-piatkowski-trzykrotny-medalista-olimpijski-w,1491617,3511

As for historical fencing I will not help, but certainly there is quite a lot people in Poland who invest a lot money and effort into it:



those above are only show for "common folks" but in fact many of those guys are very careful about historical details. Maybe you can try to estabilish some contact using that lists:

Those are "Flag commanders" on this show (in polish):
grunwald1410.pl/index.php?art=1
Those are craftsmans making medieval staff (in english):
grunwald1410.pl/index.php?cat=151

As for general history for English speaker, books by Norman Davies can be a good read:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Davies
especially
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcosm:_Portrait_of_a_Central_European_City
as a description of complexity of this region history using example of Wratislavia, Wroclaw, Breslau.

Work / Black English Teacher going to Wroclaw [247]

Hi CzarDaniel, happy birthday :-)

As for racism thing I agree with what others already posted. So in general you should be ok, but be careful with youth mob especially in the evenings. Some of them likes to fight when drunk, black skin colour as a rarity in Poland can be just an excuse for them.

A lot of people will probably stare at you, but don't panic, most will be just courius.

Last but not least I assume you will be coming in the autumn. If you coming from more southern place than Poland then bring with you positive attitude because when in few months there will be already dark and gloomy at 4 p.m. then you will really need that.

News / Polish leader urges EU to keep generous aid funds [32]


Specify "every one else". Because if you look at this: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Per_capita_benefit_ from_EU_for_budget_period_2007-2013_-_vertical.png

You will see that Poland is among 17 others of 27 who are net beneficiares of EU budget, and not the biggest one per capita. So why focus on Poland. What is more, why focus on any country, when in fact the base entity is a region not a country? It is almost certain that in a few years Masovian Voivodeship will be net payer (or, if Warsaw will be excluded from overall poor region, then only Warsaw...).

So, the question is not: should Poland pay more? the question is rather do you support current EU policy which is to lever up modernization of poorer regions?

Besides what do you expect as an answer from most of Poles when one of the main reasons why Poland accessed EU was because of exactly that kind of policy? It worked for Spain (regardles recent problems) probably it will work for Poland too. In the end, Poland will be net payer if GDP will be bigger then average.

Last but not least you should check carefully what companies are building Polish highways... Among many Polish ones, you will find many Western ones. Some of those EU funds finds a way home in the end, that is the case in many fields of EU support... As much as maybe some Germans or Swedes are mad because of the fact that they pay more than get in EU budget statistics, fact is that many of their building companies are flourishing in Poland thanks to those EU funds. What is probably more important for them, they will finally get decent connection with Moscow wich is what they always dreamed of, but this time trough peaceful means ;-)

Polands position on the map is both a curse and blessing. Now is the blessing time.

News / Polish leader urges EU to keep generous aid funds [32]


Agricultural subsidies is a tricky subject, I don't feel I have enough info to made hard opinion on this one. But regarding your questions: first: yes they do at least in Poland, second: it would be nice to see some stats.

The entirely other issue is do I support it. Thing is that in Poland those subsidies are in a way a social issue and highly political one. In short farmers were one of the group hitted hardest in 90', their support for EU entry was partially buyed by those subsidies. There is still to many people working in that sector, farms are still to small. Therefore I don't see political posibility to stop any funds for farmers. Simply speaking those funds are a life line in Poland in transitional period in which bigger farms are forming. Probably it would happen faster without it but with much more social cost.

Least but not last Poland is far from being the biggest recipient of those funds.

PS. I've found nice article (but in Polish) about direction of agricultural changes in Poland:

versita.metapress.com/content/e74t37022741t513/fulltext.pdf

Life / Best of two worlds - Poland and... Germany [29]


Part of family of my friend done that, but basically because their father were 1/2 German, so they've got various help from Germany gov. (though they still struggle with German :-)).

Anyway, in their case things are like that:
- they were born in Zgorzelec as Polish citizens, but a few years ago they've got German citizenship also
- now they are living in a nice though relatively small flat in Görlitz in a tenement house (they have some ease from local gov. with rents),

- the guy is working in Zgorzelec (the funny thing is that he is quite often controlled by German police because he is walking through the not existent border very early in the morning)

- they have a child, his wife is probably working in Görlitz now.

As a not so frequent visitor to Zgorzelec and a listener to some stories I can tell this:
Though Görlitz+Zgorzelec is not a very small town, there is a feel of it there, because there is not many young people. Görlitz got a lot of money from West Germany in order to renovate and the city centre is really nice and worth a trip, but it is at the same time quite dead. So there is a big chance that moving there from Oslo will make you bored soon.

As for Zgorzelec and its duskiness, it is because this town basically arised after WWII. Before it was just small suburb of Görlitz, so there is not much of historical buildings there but a lot of commieblocks.

As for general idea moving from Norway to Poland or even to East Germany town, well that is risky. Norway as a Kuwait of the north is bathing in oil and gas money and it will stays that way for a long time. Poland has a long way to go to even have half of that...

Travel / Hospitality, Scenery, Food, Clean Streets: My POSITIVE experiences in Poland (!) [39]


Depends where, try some trips to Warmia&Masury region, or Suwalsczyzna. They have nice variety of local fishes over there in some restaurants. Also at the Baltic region.

As for carp, well it is traditional fish for Christmas Eve in Poland and those of you who spend some time in Poland knows what it means :-) But not all is lost, the thing with carp is that it has to be taken in right time, it has to be a couple of days in fresh water and of course it has to be cooked properly. Unfortunately to acomplish all of this you need some proper babcias and mamas who has their sources and even then it not always works...

Real Estate / Cost of rent for a four room apartment outskirt of Wroclaw [17]

Hi
Here you have sites to start:
autogielda.pl/nieruchomosci_do_wynajecia_mieszkania_4-pokojowe.ht ml
autogielda.pl/nieruchomosci_do_wynajecia_mieszkania,do_wynajecia_ mieszkanie_3-pokojowe,II0RAWMK.html

Overall it is rather not possible to have 4 room apartment for 1500-2000 all included. It is rather more like ~2000 + utilities.
Of course it depends what you mean by outskirt. If you mean something in city limits then those links above are correct. If you mean something in agglomeration limits, ie. including near towns like Olesnica, Trzebnica itp. then it is doable. But one word of warning: Wroclaw is currently terribly congested city due to big road building program. If I were you I wouldn't go for outskirts flats in next two years.

Real Estate / Cost of rent for a four room apartment outskirt of Wroclaw [17]


True, that is why only recently most of Poles was looking at most of foreigners willing to move here like at total madmans. Well, times change, now they are perceived as kind of freaks only ;-) ...

Anyway, it is not the right thread for that discussion I suppose ;-)

Life / Polish "Forfiter" :) [26]

Yeah, forfitter rules!
And those blues boys have very good sense of humor :-)

Life / Polish "Forfiter" :) [26]


Here you are: forfiter.istore.pl

:-)

Genealogy / Does anyone have any 1925 to 1945 images of Grudziadz [10]

Hi

grudziadz.pl/portal.php?pokazg=yes&idg=469
grudziadz.pl/portal.php?pokazg=yes&idg=109