Life / 3 reasons why you hate Poland. [1049]

Not sure I hate anything, but I dislike the following.

Imported goods are high priced, but this is balanced out by locally produced goods which are very reasonable.

The Winters are extremely cold

The one thing that really gripes me more than anything else, is a road type problem (surprise)..My problem is that when driving into an establishment (garage, supermarket, fast food place, etc) there are directional signs everywhere to lead you in, but then trying to get out is another story, usually taking 10 minutes to find the way out. I suppose they don't want customers to leave once in. Is this just me??

Life / 3 reasons why you hate Poland. [1049]

Most of the older houses (particularly away from cities) are of rather poor construction, which forces people to build the visually impressive, but lacking in quality "plastic" type houses. There's nothing wrong with them, but I don't think they quite have the charm of traditionally built quality houses.

Lack of consumer protection and the general ill treatment of customers by businesses, with only IKEA showing any kind of customer good will. No it isn’t a non Polish company thing, as Tesco’s are a bunch of c**** too. Excuse that, but really hate their ‘we make the law’ policies.

The "I'm not in business to make money" line, followed by the shock, horror, 'i've just been shot/poisoned/attacked' look, after hearing "you won't mind paying me more money then?".

Life / Why so many Poles use a second hands clothes? [110]

It would be an absolute waste to not use some of these clothes which can be found second hand, as 80% of the time when speaking about high tier makes, the garments have been worn no more than a few times and professionally cleaned (most are dry clean only). Taking into account the resources and labour expended to create these clothes, it's only right that they're used to their full extent. Speaking of famous people dressing oddly, how about Colin Farrell's informal look. I don't think I'll be bidding for his used clothes anytime soon, lol.

Love / What do foreign women think of Polish men? [120]


Which nationality will your 3rd child's father be? I wonder if he will be Polish, taking into account how great you think they're, despite the fact you must have had at least one failed relationship which involved a child.

UK, Ireland / Brits to protest against foreigners in the workforce, including Poles. [289]

The majority of the new generation British workers are not hungry enough and all have delusions of being the Boss. The saying of 'too many chiefs and not enough Indians' is still very true. In general there is a lot of weakness/softness in the current generation, which wasn't there when Britain carved out its reputation as a world leader.

Saying that, it can't be easy having to compete with foreign workers who travel to the UK with no intention of spending their money there, i.e 10 people living in a small house, saving every single Penny possible, etc. Compare this to a man with a mortgage and family, having to actually live comfortably in a place and provide for his family. Unfortunately the family Man is fighting a losing battle, as he will always be undercut and probably outworked by the foreigner. Some might say this is good for businesses and causes competition, but the only loser is the native and his family.

Long term the only solution is to fight fire with fire, defiantly raise the Union Jack, get strong and be prepared to work for a similar amount as foreigners whilst showing the same willingness and hunger too. Exactly what I intend to do should I return.

P.s Second thoughts, sounds too much like hard work, think I'll just stay here. lol.

Work / Morgue Job in Warsaw and what is the average pay?. [7]

It's your gf, so obviously tell her before she finds out. I'd recommend having a stiff drink ready for her....Knowing Polish women she may find the working conditions a little rigid, but at the end of the day a job's a job!!

Real Estate / Where to sell a land in Poland,100Ha, with all the permissions to build? [9]

I could probably stretch to 4 Euro/Ha, subject to viewing of course.....Message me if interested....

Real Estate / Shared property ownership in Poland, what are your rights? [11]

Thanks for taking the time to reply inkrakow and Terri..


Unfortunately, just 1 small (high value) flat, which is divided amongst 4 people.


At what stage would it be classed as visiting and just plain taking the biscuit. I suppose a 'visit' could last for years.


If the person living there is a non rent paying visitor (there on the premise of being a shareholders' friend), then can anything be done, if another shareholder disagrees..

Real Estate / Where to sell a land in Poland,100Ha, with all the permissions to build? [9]

My offer is still 'aktualna'...The finance is all in place. Just waiting for the green light from Ewa, so to speak.

Real Estate / Shared property ownership in Poland, what are your rights? [11]

I was thinking something along the same lines!!...I'm actually only a 3rd party here, as the actual shareholder is my friend. Certainly if it comes to it, would 4 or 5 people be up for a 3 day bender in Krakow all expenses paid, the only requirements being that you act offensive to any human you come into contact with whilst in the flat :) Btw my friend does have a key, although I think the external door has had the locks changed recently.

Probably will seek some legal advice, as the visitor definitely doesn't have any legal agreement with the person living there, just on a friendly basis. I actually tried to pick a Notariusza brain over the phone, but they didn't seem too keen to divulge any information without an appointment, which is understandable.

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

4.96zl at the moment, just giving me one huge headache....February last year springs to mind... 5.50zl anyone.

Surely this must recover over the next few months?? Where it ends before it recovers is another matter.

How the Zloty can be losing against EVERY currency is ridiculous!!

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


Certainly a start, let's just hope we can end the day somewhere close to that figure, as that will be a major confidence boost for the PLN.

Crazy markets, when currencies are fluctuating 10% - 15% in a week. As Wroclaw boy astutely pointed out a couple of months back, we were close to the all time peak against the GBP, so it could really only go one way, it's just the sharp decline which is alarming.

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

I've given up even caring about the exchange rates...By and large I am in Poland, so my PLN still buys the same quantity of goods if it's worth 4.15 or 5.50.

Of course I'm just trying to keep positive and sane, whilst seeing my money devalue 15 - 20% against other currencies :(

I'm Sure 12 months down the line we will be looking at a completely different picture!! No way will it be 5.05, but probably more like 6.50 at the rate it's going :))

Law / Any good business ideas - what Poland needs? [114]

How about invent a currency which doesn't devalue 20% in 1 month? That or maybe offer secure flights for high ranking officials, oh I forgot, the government already has the monopoly on that one...

I asked an Economics student the same question and his reply (bearing in mind he lives in a medium sized town) was to open a sex shop...He could have a point there.

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

Just wanted to give this thread its yearly update:)) All in all a volatile, yet expected, last 8 months for the Zloty against the Pound. Going from around 4.40 to 5.45 and then down to its current state of around 5.00. Surely it can only go back to around 4.50?? Difficult to predict with all the present market turmoil, as every month seems to throw up another crisis. Any ideas from any interested members (Wroclaw)?

Life / 200zl mandat and 3 points for not wearing seatbelts? [75]


Fair point. We were shopping for heavy items and hence jumping from one shop to the next in quick succession


Not when they do their job in a respectful manner. However, acting in a rude, arrogant and obnoxious way, then yes I completely lose respect.


Very reasonable indeed. You put other motorists' lives in danger. Anybody who speeds because they can't be 'arsed' with limits, should not be driving in the first place.

Life / 200zl mandat and 3 points for not wearing seatbelts? [75]


Actually he glanced over, whilst waiting to enter a roundabout (we were on the roundabout). He must be the first policeman I have seen in poland acting in an assuming manner. Think Germany or UK and the way they just assume you have done something wrong/illegal. Reminds me of the time I was pulled in the UK for going TOO SLOW. On what basis? Because only drunk men or criminals drive slowly when they see the police!! This whilst a murder, rape, robbery and mugging were all taking place around the corner (actually that's not true, but I'm sure we all get the point). I just hope we don't see the "send the shooting squad, a teenager's just stolen a Mars bar" mentality here.

Life / 200zl mandat and 3 points for not wearing seatbelts? [75]


But why were they looking in the first place?? Assumption??


No, because they were assuming I had done something wrong.


No apparently it's only criminals or drunks (according to the policeman's assumption)


Now you're assuming that I broke the law, when in actual fact I didn't break the law. Ermm are you a policeman??


I suppose a quote like 'solid cop' indicates you're American. So, you probably think he was reasonable for not pulling out his gun and shooting me.

Life / 200zl mandat and 3 points for not wearing seatbelts? [75]

Technically the driver is at fault for allowing his/her passengers to travel without a seatbelt. I wasn't the actual driver in this case, hence the points didn't go on my licence, nor the fine in my name. I don't know is if this applies to both the front and rear of a car?? Either way, it's another example of daft laws in effect.

Life / 200zl mandat and 3 points for not wearing seatbelts? [75]


Intersting Sasha. I note you say 'was'. Is this a reference to all the old Skodas, where you had to continually get out to push the cars, hence it was a waste of time to fasten your seatbelt :)

Life / 200zl mandat and 3 points for not wearing seatbelts? [75]

Have to agree there. Apart from the odd police trap (where they set-up shop just after a badly signed 50kmh section). On the whole fair! I think it's also 21kmh above the limit before a ticket can be issued. Delph mentioned he was caught going 71kmh, so must have been spot bang on the borderline??

Life / 200zl mandat and 3 points for not wearing seatbelts? [75]


Have to wholeheartdely agree. That and the nasty habit of standing on the breaks 0.01mm before a turning (hence going from 100kmh to 15kmh in a nanosecond). The mandatory flick of the indicator usually follows when the driver is 99% around the corner.

Life / 200zl mandat and 3 points for not wearing seatbelts? [75]


Could also be the quality of driving instructors. I have observed a few drivers and they don't seem to have a clue about correct gear changes, approach to junctions, and of course overtaking. Mybe new drivers are also influenced by the established manner of driving in Poland. We only really learn to drive after passing our tests'. I wonder if most people just learn in a bad environment.


I suppose it also prevents the policeman/woman writing out 4 x zl100 fines when he/she can just write out 1 x zl400. Not to mention the 3 points, which was shocking for me. Probably yes in future I would think of the points more than the (smallish) fine.

Funnily enough I remember working around the UK with my Dad around 20 years ago (in HGV's). For some odd reason we didn't have to wear seatbelts!! My Dad was a real stickler, so it must have been law.

Life / 200zl mandat and 3 points for not wearing seatbelts? [75]


Just had a quick look and it appears there were/are certain exceptions (applicable whilst driving HGV - heavy goods vehicles). This was obviously the case I remember. It seemed to apply to multiple deliveries within a small radius.

Not sure which I would choose: no seatbelt or a dodgily fitted DIY installation!! Probably the former.

In no way would I condone not wearing seatbelts 99.95% of the time, but believe common sense should have prevailed in my case. Let's just imagine you want to move your car 10 meters. You run outside, jump in, turn the key and move your car forward. Who in this instance would wear a belt? By law, I'm sure that would be points and a fine if caught, but most people would expect common sense to be used in this situation.

Real Estate / Poland's apartment prices continue to fall [1844]


Very true!! Everytime my wife and I visit the UK, she's horrified at the living standards for the prices. I feel sorry for most of my friends/colleagues as, due to the ridiculous prices asked for old, damp, low standard properties, the only option is renting. Surely the UK housing market madness must end at sometime?? Some people spread propaganda about the Polish market being due a correction, yet I find it more than reasonable to break into (even taking into account the dramatic rise in 2007). The UK, on the other hand, is impenetrable by most normal people. I can only laugh when I see 'sheds' in small towns priced at GBP100,000. The same properties I remember being sold for GBP15,000 in the 80's. I know someone who has just purchased a 50 - 60M2 new flat in Krakow for the same price. No brainer for me, I would take the city flat all day long (given the 2 options).

Real Estate / Poland's apartment prices continue to fall [1844]

Plenty of (well educated) people in Britain are on £6 - £7 per hour too. The balance between wages and housing, for the average person, is sheer lunacy in Britain. My example of GBP100,000 for a flat in Krakow, was for a new flat in a nice area. Plenty of older type 'kamienicy plu??' are available for lower prices. I'm not sure what relevance Britain in 1990 has to Poland 2012. I was comparing Britain 2012 to Poland 2012 and simply pointing out I think it's easier to climb onto the property ladder in Poland when compared to Britain. This must be true for British and Polish people.


I suppose they justified it by saying "We were on 10 bob/50p a week back then and you could have bought 10,000 Mars bars for that money". :) The old banknotes must have been huge!! Apparently, it was possible to buy a whole street, and still have enough money left to decorate for a fiver!!

Real Estate / Poland's apartment prices continue to fall [1844]

I believe the Polish average wage has risen since then (2008) alongside the property market taking a slight fall too. I wonder how updated figures would read.