bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
Food / Coffee in Poland: cheap and undrinkable / expensive and good [89]
i tried the same, drinking plenty of coffee for long car jouneys (warsaw to london or paris) but it did not work.. only thing i found to make a difference is red bull.. same goes on for smoking, i have times when i smoke quite a bit and then i stop, with no particular consequence, no craving... as i speak, haven't smoked for a month..
i tried the same, drinking plenty of coffee for long car jouneys (warsaw to london or paris) but it did not work.. only thing i found to make a difference is red bull.. same goes on for smoking, i have times when i smoke quite a bit and then i stop, with no particular consequence, no craving... as i speak, haven't smoked for a month..
bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
Love / What strange/unnerving/funny things do your Polish wives do? [153]
do I sense a growing sense of disillusionment, Seanus?
Any way to strip my money down to zero and then moan that I have nothing. I can see it moving towards that
do I sense a growing sense of disillusionment, Seanus?
bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
Love / What strange/unnerving/funny things do your Polish wives do? [153]
do not take this badly, Seanus (it would upset me to upset you, you seem an eminently reasonable sort of person from your posts), but i do find strange the habit of talking about her money, my money and so on when one is married. My wife stopped working a long time ago, shortly after we married, but I still considers that what I earn is 50pc hers..it is just ours, not hers or mine.. i think this outlook does make things easier..
do not take this badly, Seanus (it would upset me to upset you, you seem an eminently reasonable sort of person from your posts), but i do find strange the habit of talking about her money, my money and so on when one is married. My wife stopped working a long time ago, shortly after we married, but I still considers that what I earn is 50pc hers..it is just ours, not hers or mine.. i think this outlook does make things easier..
bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
Love / What strange/unnerving/funny things do your Polish wives do? [153]
yes, indeed, from Warsaw..
yes, indeed, from Warsaw..
bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
Love / What strange/unnerving/funny things do your Polish wives do? [153]
nothing worth noting/posting apart maybe an undue (in my eyes!) devotion to JK
nothing worth noting/posting apart maybe an undue (in my eyes!) devotion to JK
bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
Love / What strange/unnerving/funny things do your Polish wives do? [153]
indeed the duckman (not JFK!)
indeed the duckman (not JFK!)
bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
Love / What strange/unnerving/funny things do your Polish wives do? [153]
come on gumishu don't tell me that's enough for you wanting to marry her..there's at least another couple million polish women who feel the same about jk ....
come on gumishu don't tell me that's enough for you wanting to marry her..there's at least another couple million polish women who feel the same about jk ....
bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
USA, Canada / Polish man's visit a nightmare - Welcome To Canada [65]
to pip
who on earth is russell brand??
to pip
who on earth is russell brand??
bullfrog
3 Oct 2011
USA, Canada / Polish man's visit a nightmare - Welcome To Canada [65]
Having spent 4 months in Canada (Montreal) in 1987 probably is not long enough to qualify for a detailed opinion, but I do have very fond memories of what I saw at the time and of the people I met. One of the overriding memories was that the country was the ideal compromise between the European and American ways of life.. I hope you don't lose this specificity.
Having spent 4 months in Canada (Montreal) in 1987 probably is not long enough to qualify for a detailed opinion, but I do have very fond memories of what I saw at the time and of the people I met. One of the overriding memories was that the country was the ideal compromise between the European and American ways of life.. I hope you don't lose this specificity.
bullfrog
3 Oct 2011
Life / How much money did you spend today in Poland and what did you spend it on? [33]
yesterday, I spent the equivalent of 58 PLN on 2 sandwiches (16 CHF) ,about 390 PLN on groceries, 94 PLN on 2 cinema tickets (Zürich Film Festival).. A bit expensive, you might think, but that's Zürich for you..
yesterday, I spent the equivalent of 58 PLN on 2 sandwiches (16 CHF) ,about 390 PLN on groceries, 94 PLN on 2 cinema tickets (Zürich Film Festival).. A bit expensive, you might think, but that's Zürich for you..
bullfrog
3 Oct 2011
Life / Expats/Immigrants in Poland: Needy, Greedy or contributor. Which one are you? [118]
If you look around the world, I think you'll find that the whole concept of charities/charity shop is more of an "anglo" feature ..Certainly, it is not as developed in continental Europe where the view generally held is that as taxes are higher, it is for the state to provide the kind of services that charities usually provide. But things are slowly changing..
Poland really lacks charity shops with second-hand books and clothes etc etc. Aberdeen, my home city, is full of them and you can pick up many goodies for dirt cheap. P
If you look around the world, I think you'll find that the whole concept of charities/charity shop is more of an "anglo" feature ..Certainly, it is not as developed in continental Europe where the view generally held is that as taxes are higher, it is for the state to provide the kind of services that charities usually provide. But things are slowly changing..
bullfrog
3 Oct 2011
Travel / Visiting Poland for 3 days. Need some info on getting around [12]
No, it's not. As Hythorn explained, just head for the taxi rank which is right outside the terminal and it will be perfectly fine. If you have one or two guys who try to entice you before you reach it by asking " taxi?", just answer "nie" (they usually spot foreigners quite easily from their clothes or from their demeanour...)
The taxi situation sounds kind of nasty.
No, it's not. As Hythorn explained, just head for the taxi rank which is right outside the terminal and it will be perfectly fine. If you have one or two guys who try to entice you before you reach it by asking " taxi?", just answer "nie" (they usually spot foreigners quite easily from their clothes or from their demeanour...)
bullfrog
3 Oct 2011
USA, Canada / Polish man's visit a nightmare - Welcome To Canada [65]
Can you please explain? Not being North American, the only thing Jersey Shore evokes for me is the US North East coastline.. You must be referring to something else..
the likes of Jersey shore.
Can you please explain? Not being North American, the only thing Jersey Shore evokes for me is the US North East coastline.. You must be referring to something else..
bullfrog
3 Oct 2011
Life / How much money did you spend today in Poland and what did you spend it on? [33]
Makes me wanna cry when I see this, in Zürich, just the beers would cost more than the whole meal you had in PL..
55pln (+20pln tip) for a meal for two, three beers and carafe of red wine.
Makes me wanna cry when I see this, in Zürich, just the beers would cost more than the whole meal you had in PL..
bullfrog
4 Oct 2011
Life / Rate Poland (Life Quality / Culture and People / Food): 1-10! [232]
Quality of life: 7/10: OK. I lived in Warsaw, an easy city for moving around, but the lack of "beauty" is a drawback
Polish Culture and People: 8/10 Country's best asset
Food : 3/10. Very plain, little variety
I would like to hear how you all rate Poland and here are my 3 categories:
-Quality of life
-Polish culture and people
-Food
-Quality of life
-Polish culture and people
-Food
Quality of life: 7/10: OK. I lived in Warsaw, an easy city for moving around, but the lack of "beauty" is a drawback
Polish Culture and People: 8/10 Country's best asset
Food : 3/10. Very plain, little variety
bullfrog
4 Oct 2011
USA, Canada / Polish man's visit a nightmare - Welcome To Canada [65]
Ok thanks Pip, I understand what you mean..
I watched about 5 minutes of it to see what all the hype is about. I will never get these 5 minutes back- what a disgusting display of human behaviour.
Ok thanks Pip, I understand what you mean..
bullfrog
4 Oct 2011
News / Polish president traveling LOT? What about POLISH AIRFORCE 1? [23]
Swiss Air and KLM do not exist per se any more: Swiss Air has been replaced by Swiss and KLM was merged with Air France. Both Swiss Air and Air France-KLM experienced major transatlantic crashes (flight 111 between NYC and Geneva for Swiss Air in 1998 killing all 229 aboard, flight 447 for AF KLM between Rio and Paris in 2009 killing all 228 aboard). On the other hand, LOT's last major crash on a transatlantic route was in 1987, with a russian Illiushin plane. Admittedly, Lot flies less frequently than Swiss or AF KLM over the Atlantic..
British Airways, Swiss Air, Luftansa and KLM.
Swiss Air and KLM do not exist per se any more: Swiss Air has been replaced by Swiss and KLM was merged with Air France. Both Swiss Air and Air France-KLM experienced major transatlantic crashes (flight 111 between NYC and Geneva for Swiss Air in 1998 killing all 229 aboard, flight 447 for AF KLM between Rio and Paris in 2009 killing all 228 aboard). On the other hand, LOT's last major crash on a transatlantic route was in 1987, with a russian Illiushin plane. Admittedly, Lot flies less frequently than Swiss or AF KLM over the Atlantic..
bullfrog
4 Oct 2011
Life / Rate Poland (Life Quality / Culture and People / Food): 1-10! [232]
Agreed, Seanus; as posted subsequently by others, it is clear that many Poles give their food a strong rating because it is the only one they ever tasted or simply because it's "mama's food".. One thing that never ceases to amaze me when in Poland is those ads for restaurants saying "kuchnia domowa".. Why on earth would you want to go to a restaurant if it's to eat the same thing than at home (except of course if you're a roving salesman longing for home)? However good what you have at home, part of the purpose of eating out for me is to try something a bit more sophisticated, something that you don't usually eat everyday
Bullfrog, I can tell you that many Poles rate their food 9/10 or even 10/10. It's all in the palate but I agree that it is on the bland and unimaginative side. Tasty nonetheless!
Agreed, Seanus; as posted subsequently by others, it is clear that many Poles give their food a strong rating because it is the only one they ever tasted or simply because it's "mama's food".. One thing that never ceases to amaze me when in Poland is those ads for restaurants saying "kuchnia domowa".. Why on earth would you want to go to a restaurant if it's to eat the same thing than at home (except of course if you're a roving salesman longing for home)? However good what you have at home, part of the purpose of eating out for me is to try something a bit more sophisticated, something that you don't usually eat everyday
bullfrog
4 Oct 2011
USA, Canada / Does anyone know about Americans or Canadians deported from Poland on Visa irregularities? [14]
God, you must either be an immigration lawyer, a priest or you have very peculiar acquaintances
Yes: I know several Americans who have been deported for overstaying and I know more who have either had trouble on exit or were denied re-entry into Poland.
God, you must either be an immigration lawyer, a priest or you have very peculiar acquaintances
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Work / Why is Polish workmanship so bad? [52]
you obviously have never been subjected to that epitomy of quality and a well done job, the british builder..
Why can't polish Workers make things that last or do a good job of things and why do they have such a half arsed attitude towards quality?
you obviously have never been subjected to that epitomy of quality and a well done job, the british builder..
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Life / Rate Poland (Life Quality / Culture and People / Food): 1-10! [232]
I don 't think so..From a topography point of view, France is much more diverse than Poland, with lakes, high mountains ranges like the Alps and Pyrenees; middle ones like the Jura, Massif central and Vosges and plenty of regional lower ones (Cevennes, Forez..). Poland is much more monotonous, it is essentially a big plain bordered by low mountains (compared to France's) to the South and lakes to the North East
Poland is equally diverse as France
I don 't think so..From a topography point of view, France is much more diverse than Poland, with lakes, high mountains ranges like the Alps and Pyrenees; middle ones like the Jura, Massif central and Vosges and plenty of regional lower ones (Cevennes, Forez..). Poland is much more monotonous, it is essentially a big plain bordered by low mountains (compared to France's) to the South and lakes to the North East
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Life / Rate Poland (Life Quality / Culture and People / Food): 1-10! [232]
Teffle is right
The 2 quotes above from bberlin62 and Allie show IMHO the chief reason why people (foreigners) stay in Poland: not the countryside, not the beauty, not the food, not the climate but its strong traditions and culture. Don't want to seem to appear practising cheap psychology, but it is sign that both bberlin60 and allie have mixed origins and love a country which is strongly monoethnic and has deep roots. One is always looking for what one hasn't got..
what on earth are you talking about !?!?
poland is loaded with sheer esthetics !!!!!!
Krakow ? Old warszawa ? Gdansk ? Torun ? Poznan ? Zakopane etc.
now those are sheer esthetics !!!!
poland is loaded with sheer esthetics !!!!!!
Krakow ? Old warszawa ? Gdansk ? Torun ? Poznan ? Zakopane etc.
now those are sheer esthetics !!!!
Yes, but they don't compare with France.
Teffle is right
hahaha, and I'm a little bit of everything too and born in Timbuktu and that's why I live in Poland.
hahah i am actually half swedish and scottish and i have some polish in me too down the line. I was born in scotland.
The 2 quotes above from bberlin62 and Allie show IMHO the chief reason why people (foreigners) stay in Poland: not the countryside, not the beauty, not the food, not the climate but its strong traditions and culture. Don't want to seem to appear practising cheap psychology, but it is sign that both bberlin60 and allie have mixed origins and love a country which is strongly monoethnic and has deep roots. One is always looking for what one hasn't got..
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Life / Rate Poland (Life Quality / Culture and People / Food): 1-10! [232]
You should ask your friends to buy a new camera, or even better, go visit Paris yourself.
I've never been to Paris but judging by pictures of it took by my friends, Paris seems to be dull
You should ask your friends to buy a new camera, or even better, go visit Paris yourself.
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Life / Are Polish people so chaotic and disorganized like Germans say? [89]
Poles are a slavic nation , and in my view, slavs tend to be more intuitive than rational (of course not true for all). While Poles are usually quite reactive, I think the main issue is sometimes a difficulty to plan ahead. So yes, I would say that Poles are less organised than the Germans, but still probably more than the Brits. When I had foreign visitors coming to see our family in Warsaw, I used to say that if you want to understand Poles and their contradictions, you just had to look in the street. Usually well disciplined when pedestrians (waiting for the green man, like in Germany or in Zürich, but unlike in the UK or France or Italy), the same people become ill disciplined and aggressive when at the wheel, a bit like our friends in Napoli.
Poles are a slavic nation , and in my view, slavs tend to be more intuitive than rational (of course not true for all). While Poles are usually quite reactive, I think the main issue is sometimes a difficulty to plan ahead. So yes, I would say that Poles are less organised than the Germans, but still probably more than the Brits. When I had foreign visitors coming to see our family in Warsaw, I used to say that if you want to understand Poles and their contradictions, you just had to look in the street. Usually well disciplined when pedestrians (waiting for the green man, like in Germany or in Zürich, but unlike in the UK or France or Italy), the same people become ill disciplined and aggressive when at the wheel, a bit like our friends in Napoli.
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Life / Rate Poland (Life Quality / Culture and People / Food): 1-10! [232]
Agreed, but they are still much stronger than in the rest of Europe. Just two examples:
- the importance of family: how many of us with polish wives/girlfriends are confronted to the situation where they want to leave close to their family or at least see them as often as possible? I don't think that this is the attitude most prevalent in the UK or even in the rest of Western Europe
- other example is the way Easter/ Xmas is spent here, whereas the epitome of good Xmas in the Uk seems to be booze + telly (plus a bit of turkey to be fair..); only a slight exaggeration..
What do you mean? I think that Polish traditions are dissapearing
Agreed, but they are still much stronger than in the rest of Europe. Just two examples:
- the importance of family: how many of us with polish wives/girlfriends are confronted to the situation where they want to leave close to their family or at least see them as often as possible? I don't think that this is the attitude most prevalent in the UK or even in the rest of Western Europe
- other example is the way Easter/ Xmas is spent here, whereas the epitome of good Xmas in the Uk seems to be booze + telly (plus a bit of turkey to be fair..); only a slight exaggeration..
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Life / Rate Poland (Life Quality / Culture and People / Food): 1-10! [232]
Nope. When I spend Xmas in my Polish family (who are as religious as any other Polish family), we have wine on the 24th
The only reason why there is no booze on Xmas Eve table is that it's a day of the fast. That means no meat and alcohol.
Nope. When I spend Xmas in my Polish family (who are as religious as any other Polish family), we have wine on the 24th
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Food / Coffee in Poland: cheap and undrinkable / expensive and good [89]
The liquid that is called coffee (free refills, anyone??) in the USA is whatever you want but not coffee. Likewise for beer (Budweiser and the like)
Just go to the Nespresso shop on Nowy Swiat and you will find plenty of Poles that enjoy expresso
I don't think its the coffee thats the problem in the US.
The liquid that is called coffee (free refills, anyone??) in the USA is whatever you want but not coffee. Likewise for beer (Budweiser and the like)
And still no Pole I know wants to try Italian moka or espresso, as it is too strong for their taste.
Just go to the Nespresso shop on Nowy Swiat and you will find plenty of Poles that enjoy expresso