Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]

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I love "those people" type stories. I mean the world is full of "those people stories" from ignorant story tellers.

I think either you enjoy too much Polish Pride or you should get some new friends who do not lie to their friends. Then again perhaps it's just that your friend is made up.

That said, the truth about the consul office is actually quite different from this truth you spout about those "chimps". The officers themselves spend a year in DC learning Polish from 8-5, Monday through Friday.Even their spouses, if applicable, are sent to language training for eight weeks from 8-5. On top of that the entire office is dual employed by both Americans AND Polish employees. So I find it hard to believe that your friend sat there, obtained a Visa, while not a single person to speak to her/him in Polish.

Nice Try.

Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]

mafketis

Ah ha! Love your response. Thank you!! It really gives me some direction and makes sense. I don't want to offend and be courteous but I never thought that the approach I have is what I would do back in the States, and well definitely not in Kansas anymore :0)

One good aspect about all of this is that I am slowly learning what they are saying even if I can't say a thing back. Definitely want to learn about this culture, part of the fun of living here! Just still rusty for now.

Thank you!

Classifieds / Where to find English - speaking community in Warsaw? [15]

Marine House Parties :)

I as well would love to get together with more people who speak English! I definitely need to make some more friends here and those outside the embassy. Those people are scary. :P

Life / Lack of Spacial Acuity in Poland [69]


Yeah seems like it. I was hoping being the bigger city they'd be more open to foreigners.

I do love Mokotów. I go running every night in the freezing cold and everyone generously clears the sidewalks, people don't bug me, and no one is in my way. My son's school is right here and then next year the British school is a hope away. Love the corner mom&pop stores. This I love about Poland, still adjusting to everything else. :)

And for whoever says Polish people don't eat American fast food.. holy hell someone is. I've never seen those places more packed. Those are some serious lines!

Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]

Speaking of speaking Polish... as an expat.

What the heck can I say not to offend people? I use to ask if people spoke English and that seemed to be quite offensive and I got No's. Then I just started talking/asking in English and they'd talk back or they'd ask someone standing next to them. However, I think this is rude even if they don't.

So I've gone back to asking "Can I get some assistance, or I need some help please" and I'm getting even more rude responses than either of the above mentioned.

I have thank you and hello down but that is the extent of my Polish and my classes don't start until late Feb.

Life / Having a baby in Poland as a US citizen [9]


I'm curious how much experience you have personally with parents who come on this board or perhaps Poland in general just to birth their foreign children in Poland for citizenship? Seems like quite a move to come push out a child on Polish land to gain citizenship!? Quite the odd first order of business to handle... unless I'm missing something.

USMomma - I'll send you a PM with some information as soon as I get my son back to bed. We're currently TTC our second child and just recently was seeking a midwife for a home birth who also spoke English. I've found a great midwife who does speak English. However we're in Warsaw and that may be the reason I've been so lucky. Will you have family here in Poland already that you are joining? Are you already pregnant or hoping to conceive? We're also an American family living here in Poland although because of my husbands job.

Life / Lack of Spacial Acuity in Poland [69]

Whoa!! I was just saying this to my husband today! I walk into so many people and that's with me maneuvering around them as best as I can! The buses/trams are the worst, and try doing that with a slow 4 year old on your hand. People have absolutely no regard for the little tyke and many times I have to push to make sure someone doesn't try to just walk between us, while my hand is firmly in his. I can understand if they just don't see him but when there are arms blocking your way don't think I am going to let go of my son in a crowd for you to get on the damn bus. It's NOT going to leave you when there are 6 other people trying to get through the door at the same time!

Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]

Other expats I have met in my short time here have said they don't need it. That they can get around just fine without it.

I disagree. I do not feel like I can get around at all without it. Hell, I didn't even know I was suppose to "HAIL" a bus from certain bus stops until it passed me up one to many times. I think it will improve my comfort here tremendously.

Real Estate / Neighbourhoods in Warsaw - how safe? [23]


Yes, traffic can be a pain. Not the worst I've seen/experienced but definitely a good share of it.

Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]


I concur! It's really not fun at all sitting in "silence". Every day I trek on the bus and tram to do my errands and take the boy to school and I feel left out. I'd like to eves drop on a funny story or understand what the old ladies always say when they're dotting on my little boy.

I don't expect to become fluent but I'd like to be able to move about with ease a lot better.

I learned the simple "thank you" and already I feel better. I'm starting slow but hoping to get into some polish classes in January and working on building my circle of friends that will help as well.

erican.

Life / Pictures of Poles [Everyday Life in Poland] [100]

Beautiful!

What is in toy and glass did you take the majority of these with?

Real Estate / Neighbourhoods in Warsaw - how safe? [23]

I live in Mokotow right in the general area you are talking about.

I feel safe. I walk to deli/store on Belska almost daily and after taking the bus with my son in the morning I walk the 2 miles home. I am never bothered, nor do I feel unsafe. I feel safer here (and perhaps I should be more cautious as a general sense) than I did back in the States.

I have no qualms about this area. While still very new to the area I'm very happy with the choice. I'm so close to so much. I get fresh produce daily just down the street and if I am in the mood I can go shopping at Galleria Mokotow.

Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]

I don't... not yet at least. I'm signing up for courses as soon as possible. I feel bad not even knowing how to say hello or thank you... and the rest would be so helpful!

Work / Are there any Americans teachers left in Poland? [38]

So as an American will I have any luck landing a job in the accounting field? Or am I limited to teaching english?

I am finishing up my MBA with specialization in accountancy but my undergrad is in Accounting.

Life / Orphanages in Poland [82]

We'd love to adopt while there but our time is short and as I experienced here. I feel I can do more and help more when I'm not focused on one child. I'm not sure how great the need may be in Poland compared to what I've experienced here, but I am looking forward to the opportunity to help out where ever I can.

A couple has just arrived here that came from Krakow and they adopted a sister sibling group. Such beautiful girls!