News / Amnesty to Illegal immigrants in Poland [102]

Ironside

I'll try again (due to the unfathomable deletion algorithm)

In the UK the fear doesn't seem to be the foreignness of a person, in general, but the numbers of immigrants in one's area.

Poland is one of the most homogeneous societies in Europe, so how can attitudes be the same in a country with a long history of waves of immigrants vs. one that doesn't?

People might resent being outnumbered in their communities by immigrants after large influxes in a relatively short space of time, as happened in parts of the UK, with Asians and even Poles, even Irish if you go back in time. Interestingly, even my Polish Mrs can't believe how many Poles are in some towns in the UK and she genuinely worries in a 'Rivers of blood' kind of way, and says that she couldn't imagine so many foreigners integrating into Poland.

News / Amnesty to Illegal immigrants in Poland [102]


Really? as a foreigner who spent 16 years in the UK, in general I don't think that gives Brits enough credit (apart from Daily Mail readers) for their tolerance.

In the UK the fear doesn't seem to be the foreignness of a person, in general, but the numbers. People might resent being outnumbered in their communities by immigrants after large influxes in a relatively short space of time, as happened in parts of the UK, with Asians and even Poles, even Irish if yo go back... and for that matter France and Spain, where massive Brit enclaves are created, but that is different to disliking/fearing/resenting all foreigners.

One country had the biggest empire the world has ever known and one, well was at the other end of that type of experience. In all empires, things/wealth/people gravitate to the centre, so you get places like London, Paris even Madrid and Lisbon with vast numbers of people descended from immigrants and no one gives a toss, whereas homogeneous and embracing foreigners rarely go hand in hand.

Language / Why is there no Polish word for Tacky? No, really, why? [18]

Not only am I a more educated person now, based on repetition of use, I imagine that my pronunciation will be perfect within the week. ;)

Language / Why is there no Polish word for Tacky? No, really, why? [18]


No, I think you're right.

Language / Why is there no Polish word for Tacky? No, really, why? [18]

or "banal" perhaps? ;)

Language / Why is there no Polish word for Tacky? No, really, why? [18]

A quick google image search on badziewie found this type of thing:



whereas tandeta found these:



so there seems to be a big link between tandeta and weddings... which shouldn't be a surprise I guess.

Funnily enough, the one in the clouds makes me feel more queasy than any other (dunnhedanielcraigseyes?). Sadly, I just know my mrs will say "ładny, nie?" when I show it to her. Sad face.

Language / Why is there no Polish word for Tacky? No, really, why? [18]

Thanks, I feel both empowered and enlightened.

Travel / The situation with the Krakow central railway station? [4]

cool. thanks. A Weegie friend of the stepdaughter is coming over to see her and he wants make it here (Opolskie) by himself on public transport, which is OK, but I wondered how difficult it would be for him if the station was still in a state.

dtaylor, any idea what response he'll get if he wears a kilt to a matura function thing? My Polish step daughter is worried that he will get grief over it.

This thread is about Krakow Central, please don't take it off topic

Law / How to register a new business in Poland [129]

Well, time to give her a little bit of credit, as she has arranged to do my employees personal taxes, something I wasn't aware of. Apparently for every year a person spends at university, it equates to some% of one years working, in reference to pensions etc.

As the son in law has just finished a five year MA, she wants to get him any pension etc entitlements he's entitled too. This is why she wanted evidence of qualification.

It still doesn't explain her comment about 'if they do an inspection' but I guess I'll work that one out too eventually.

Anyone heard of an elevator operators license?

We are about to rent first floor workshop space (2nd floor for Americans) in a two story 1960s concrete building and asked about the lift - which appears in perfectly good condition - and were told that one of the landlord's staff will need to operate it as there is a mandate if you are caught (presumably at an inquest) having operated it without the 'training certificate' which BTW costs 600zl.

Has anyone heard of this before?

Law / How to register a new business in Poland [129]


That's the thing Johnny, he has a degree in culture (sort of limiting his employment options, but he's as smart as a shithouse rat, which is why I want him to work for me) and my business is connected with manufacturing products for the building industry, so no connection but none needed.

I agree with you that yes 'HR' records are between me and him, so I'm not sure if she want to generate more work or is obsessed with 'they' and wants to make sure that she can't get into trouble. The Mrs told me that her aunt is an accountant and had been under communism too, which was modified to 'bookkeeper' after I highlighted the "under communism" bit. The trouble is that the 'accountant' is a very close friend of the family and helps me as she speaks great English, so I'll need to wait a bit then look around I think.

Life / Diesel GTI not a good choice for Poland? [25]

Ah, good, some more ammunition for the fully comp argument.

Funnily enough, I had an idea that the hand break thing might have been to do with cold weather experiences, but this happened in July so it was just stupid (along with not have comp on a new car).

Life / Diesel GTI not a good choice for Poland? [25]

On the topic of running costs: How many people have fully comp insurance?

My Mrs WON'T and says it's a waste of money and none of the people I've asked have it. This includes her pals who recently spent 80 000zl on a brand new Honda and can't drive it until they save up enough to have it repaired: It rolled down a friggin hill into another car, as a result of not using the hand brake, this being another local fashion, I've noticed. Christ knows why.

Law / How to register a new business in Poland [129]

Follow on question:

The son-in-law will become an employee after Christmas and has just been asked by my accountant to bring his qualification papers into her office, and "BTW what are they?" When he told her he has a MA in culture, she went on about how it's not connected with what he is doing for me, "If there is a government inspection there might be an issue, but it should be OK as you are in a small company."

I can't get hold of her until after christmas. In the meantime, does anyone know what the f'ck she's banging on about? Inspection? An accountant requesting copies of employee qualification? What does it have to do with her, or the state?

Is this crap normal in non-licensed occupations?

Law / How to register a new business in Poland [129]

REGON arrived today. Bloody hell, allowing for the mail delivery, that's only about three or four business days, it's like lightening!

Law / Medical Malpractice in Poland - seeking accountability? [146]


The wealth comment was tongue in cheek. But for the record, she has asked at least two of the specialists if she should be seen privately - at my suggestion as her health is more important than any money we may have saved - and was told not to bother by said doctors. She has, BTW seen two of them privately prior to being put into the system, which had more to do with expediency and paid. Each visit was approx 125zl and a receipt was issued.

Unless you pay for medical treatment at Harley st / 'expat' centric style treatment, you have no choice to use public hospitals, as we have been told by the doctors, but their knowledge might not be on the same level as your jingoism.


But even if he is correct? You're no doubt correct, but telling people to go as soon as they point out perceived shortcomings isn't very constructive either. Do that in the new world and there'd be no one left in it.

Again, the treatment is not for me, but for my wife. Short of an emergency, I'd be happy to go back to the UK to be treated, I'm not fussed either way. The irony there being that no doubt the Daily Mail brigade would say 'Look at him, lives overseas but comes back here for health treatment.' Both arguments ignore the fact that tax payers fund the system.

The other thing is that none of my Polish friends - apart from a SIL who says all emigrants are traitors (unquote) - have taken offence. then again, a face to face conversation can't really be replicated in forum.

Law / Medical Malpractice in Poland - seeking accountability? [146]

peterweg

Sorry, it was actually aimed at wielka pan.

Apart from the "health care money doesn't come from taxes" statement.

Law / Medical Malpractice in Poland - seeking accountability? [146]


Is that the view from your London home? And if the money doesn't come from taxes it must come from the EU? What are the other option? What a load of pish! There is no non-private system in the world that isn't funded by tax of some description.

BTW, do you get really angry at your Polish friends when they use the NHS?
Do you get on the Polish language forums and tell all the Poles to leave the UK whenever they complain about the it?
Do you get angry about the money that gets pumped in the the EU by Polish tax payers in the UK? Somehow I doubt it.

Silence hey?

What you basically said is that Polish people only deserve 2nd best and shouldn't complain and if foreigners say anything then they should leave, very f'king mature. The response is a bit like the one received by that Colombian American who along with his Polish wife, were assaulted in Gdansk.

"I love Poland"
"I got attacked"

......."Well if you don't like getting attacked, why don't you f'ck off"
......."yeah, what he said, f'uck off if you don't like being punched"

What is this? F'king five year old week? A child would have more mature and rational conversation than that.

And....

I actually like it here, but if I do f'ck off, there'll be a few more unemployed Poles. After all, how dare I come here all bill paying and showing off my wealth by contributing to ZUS and VAT payments! Yeah, what a f'king leech. A bill paying, employing, subsidiser. I should just f'ck off, along with my Polish mrs who complained about a crap doctor. What a traitor she is eh?

The trouble is that tongue in cheek rant probably sounds quite reasonable to you, yeah?

Actually, is that the cause of your resentment? Is it a bit of self loathing is it? You won't live here yourself, but you'll be damned if you let a foreigner criticize it?

Why don't you come back, or are you in the UK to get what you can out of it before you leave anyway?

And you bandy about the word "freeloader".

Christ on a bike!

Law / Polish Visa, Work Permit, Residency for Spouse of Polish Citizen [69]


You'll probably be waiting a long time chief. I'd call or get your wife to noise them up. I've had contact with the Polish consulates and Embassy in London and didn't to get a response and I was asking about starting a business and employing people so you'd think they would be more proactive. Then I sent a nasty email asking the contact if he still worked there or had been sacked for not answering correspondence...then gI ot a nice reply.

Mind you, the now closed Australian consulate in Edinburgh was no better, I think that diplomatic staff forget that they have a job...like in the way most receive their own national public holidays and those of the country they are in.

Law / Medical Malpractice in Poland - seeking accountability? [146]


Of wanting staff competent enough to use the equipment they are paid and trained to use?

Anyone working here and paying taxes here is not freeloading, and my POLISH Mrs is highly critical of the Polish system, then again, she had a consultant who couldn't read a friggin scan correctly. Or does that serve her right for not paying bribes in advance...just in case? Pigsarse.

And given that the hospital has a great big F'KING sign in it saying how much equipment in it was paid for by the EU (that is, tax payers from all over Europe) you might want to reassess exactly how judge who pays for it.

Law / Medical Malpractice in Poland - seeking accountability? [146]


What about six weeks ago? That's when my sister-in-law paid a bribe to get to the front of the queue for her hip operation.

In this sense, I get the impression that despite all the big shopping centres and expensive cars, there are often more parallels here with Greece than Germany here. Unfortunately.

Food / Anyone recommend a nice strong Polish tea(bag)? [11]


Ah, I see now.


Thanks. I'll give then a go.

Law / Medical Malpractice in Poland - seeking accountability? [146]


True.

Doesn't mean they don't though.

Food / Anyone recommend a nice strong Polish tea(bag)? [11]


And that's different from the 'English' method? i.e. waiting a few minutes before pouring, or not, depending on your preference.

Or are you talking about Dr Otteker's Tea flavouring/essence?

History / Why have Poles contributed so little to Academics? (Particularly Science) [180]


To see how many times you can get the word 'liar' in any one post, I think.

History / Do Poles really blame Britain for Poland becoming Communist after the war? [104]

Dance, apparently.

Law / Medical Malpractice in Poland - seeking accountability? [146]


Haha! No, but it was her nephew who said she 'needed' to go. I didn't see the place, but the mrs said it was fantastic. Then again, yardsticks and all that.

History / Do Poles really blame Britain for Poland becoming Communist after the war? [104]

"...Their days are spent making intricate embroidery, singing traditional Polish songs and dancing Polish dances. ..."

And you can't take photos of them as they think is steals their souls? Really? What, all day, every day?

Is that not a bit of condescending 19th century style journalism?

Law / Medical Malpractice in Poland - seeking accountability? [146]

Do you think?

The MIL recently went to the sanatorium for two weeks and got the works: exercises, massages, sauna etc. She loved it and came back jumping out of her skin. Never heard of that in the UK, but I might be wrong.