Language / Spelling "aunt" in Polish [142]


which means your grandmother is not Polish. Babushka is a Russian word.


So they were from Eastern territories and probably were speaking some version of Polish that was mixed up with Russian or Bialorussian. The languages change, but the "old" word for grandma was "babka", not "busia". "Busia" is not a Polish word, and never was.

Life / Polish-American Polka Music in Poland [60]


:D My ears, for a start :P

Life / Polish-American Polka Music in Poland [60]


Neither is particularly Polish, and both are rather crap.

I don't like rap, and I find "polkas" incredibly kitsch - something like an American version of disco-polo. I hope it will not become popular in Poland, I don't want to hear it on the radio!

P.S. My city is quite famous for its rapers - for example Peja (not that I see rap as any worthwile kind of music).

Life / Polish-American Polka Music in Poland [60]

"Polka" music doesn't have much to do with Polish music just as well, as I said, it's a Czech dance ;) (not that I listen to rap).

I used to dance "polka" dances - on the concerts of bands such as Beltain or Sailor, so playing their variations on Irish/Sea shanties music. Not very Polish, is it?

Life / The Polish people have a strange attitude to cats and dogs? [84]


First of all , what's one to do with the other anyway? They are not starving because I'm feeding my dog! (well, I was feeding my dog, unfortunately it died of old age last winter, still miss it :( )

Secondly, I am responsible for my dog. I am not responsible for the whole humanity.

Thirdly, I respect anything and anyone that is alive. I love those close to me: friends, family and pets. Can you honestly say you love all those children in Africa?

Fourthly, what exactly are you doing for the famine victims? I used to spend my money on meat for my dog. Are you maybe buying nice cosmetics? Or expensive clothes? How dare you not spend it on starving children? Is buying nice things wrong, cause the money could be used for charity? Why buying dog food is worse then buying sweets for one's children? Surely they don't need it, they could go without, the money would be better spent for the kids in Africa?

In all honesty, unless you are not buying any commodities for yourself or your family, how dare you tell me what I should be spending my money on?


That is not what I mean at all. As I said before, all the living beings deserve respect. The fact that humans have free will and can shape their fate has nothing to do with my respect of lack of it. The ones that screw up deserve compassion and also help if they are willing to make an effort as well. However, many people want money handed over with no effort from their side. It's the same as with unemployed who can't be bothered to work in a low paid job cause it's not good enough for them - and they expect the country to give them money. Or the families living in 1 room flat with 10 kids - moaning that social help is not enough, but refusing to work and yet producing even more children. I'm all for giving a helping hand - opportunity to work and better oneself. I'm completely against handing in ready solutions.


They had a choice when they reached for the first bottle of vodka. They have a choice of going to a shelter in the middle of winter - if they stop drinking. Some of them are just liars - like a famous beggar in my city who can be seen with one leg injured... just it can be either right or left depending on a day!

People should be offered help, and they very often are...but many of them don't want to use it. And they do have a choice.

Life / The Polish people have a strange attitude to cats and dogs? [84]

I'm not cruel. I don't hurt anyone, I help my friends if they need help and I give money to WOŚP and Caritas. I always buy food for people if they ask for it (though I don't give money to beggars on the streets). I also feed homeless animals.

What's so cruel in what I'm saying or doing? Please point out what I said that would be cruel or untrue. The fact that 90% of homeless are homeless because of their own mistakes? And 100% of homeless cats and dogs are homeless because of the cruelty and/or stupidity of their owners? If you're homeless there are places where you can go to get food and shelter - but you can't drink alcohol there. Many prefer alcohol to shelter - but this is their own choice! There are places where they will try and help you to get back to normal life - but again, you must be willing to change your ways. I'm merely saying that humans do have a choice! What are the homeless animals supposed to do?

But to be honest, I couldn't care less if you respect me or not. I certainly don't respect people who are cruel towards animals.

Life / The Polish people have a strange attitude to cats and dogs? [84]

Of course for some of us it's harder, but no one HAS TO live in Haiti. The animals living there have no choice whatsoever, they can't move, not even the slightest chance. Having said that, I'm certainly sorry for people there, I know it's terrible what's going on there and their fate is awful. Still, I'm always more moved by the tragedy of the dogs in a shelter or the "bush meat" being killed cruelly in Africa. Or the species of plants and animals going extinct all over the world just as we speak. That's who I am. And it's my business only what I'm spending my money on.

Language / déjà vu in Polish [23]

Poles might not be too good in pronouncing French, but English are terrible as well. Ask any French person what they think about it :D

Speaking of pronunciation, have you ever heard any English native speaker trying to use Latin?? Oh, the horror!

Even relatively simple Pinus is commonly pronounced as "pajnus". :D

Life / The Polish people have a strange attitude to cats and dogs? [84]


Depends on a human.
Would you say that Stalin or Hitler were "valuable"?

All the living creatures are equally important. It's just humans usually have a choice - they can move, finde another place to live in, change job etc. Animals can't make such decisions, and we are responsible for making their lives painless or their environment livable and sustainable.

Life / The Polish people have a strange attitude to cats and dogs? [84]


No, it's not.
I am responsible for my animal, which is innocent and helpless without me. I am also responsible for my family and, to certain extent, friends. The animals in general usually can't do anything to improve their fate. Humans, however, have brains and means to deal with their own troubles. You're mentioning the homeless - how many of them did it to themselves? A dog thrown out by irresponsible owners did nothing to deserve it!

You look after humans if you want, but don't you dare tell me what I should be doing with my money.

After all, your attitude towards the most helpless creatures shows what kind of person you are.

Life / Polish-American Polka Music in Poland [60]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but those so called "Polish polkas" have nothing to do with Polish dances or Polish music whatsoever. From what I have seen they sound and look like some terrible version of Irish dances. "Polka" itself is a Czech folk dance.

Polka is not a name of any traditional Polish dance, the best known traditional dances for Poland are:
- mazur
- oberek
- kujawiak
- polonez
- krakowiak

Also, no one listens to such music in Poland.

Work / If you were to compere Polish Unis and Unis/Colleges in your country... [75]

We definitely don't need hundreds of private "higher schools of journalism, psychology and peeling potatoes". The degrees from such schools should not be equal with public universities ones.

Love / Polish girls and contraceptives [68]


No one. Last time I went I got a prescription for 6 months.
But I disagree with the concept of free contraception. You want to have sex - you should pay for the pill or condoms. You, and not the tax payers.

Life / What do you like about Poland? [100]

There are doubts whether soya is that healthy at all - healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/soy.htm]

So you are never safe :P

But you can get fresh filtered milk in Poland - like this: zimnemleko.com/index.php?act=static&var=mikrofiltracja

I don't know where you live, but in some areas you can get milk "straight from a cow" if you find a farmer willing to sell it.

Life / What do you like about Poland? [100]


Possibly :)
I'm not breatsfeeding => I don't drink tea with milk ("bawarka") - bleeee =>I wouldn't know :P

But you do realise that this milk is pasteurised, so not exactly "fresh" either?

Life / What do you like about Poland? [100]


You really like Saga??? I mean, I know it's cheap, but... :(
I often buy Tetley and it's exactly the same as Tetley I used to buy in the UK. Tesco's own brand (but not the cheapest one in the blue-white box) is ok as well. Plus, you can get Dilamh, Twinnings and other more expensive brands in the shops. Then there are special tea shops which sell rather good quality (though pricey) tea.

As for the milk, why do Brits insist on having "fresh" milk? I convinced my fiance to use UHT and he doesn't complain ;)

Lewis, which city are you planning to live in?

News / Will Komorowski be Poland's worst ever president? [72]


It's far faaaaaaaar too good. I have to pay full ZUS and farmers pay peanuts regardless of their profits. I'm all againsta KRUS!

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]


My goodness, you are obsessed!


Can you people read? We are talking about Polonia, not about Poles in Poland.

Although I'm quite happy with the Polonia at the moment, after they refused to interfere in the Smolensk crash inquiry when PiS asked them to.

I still think they should not be allowed to vote in our elections though.

Travel / Experiences in Restaurants in Poland [10]

I'd feel quite ripped off if someone gave me meat made of aluminum too.


Exactly. You wouldn't expect a free "side" in a greasy spoon, so why expect it in Poland?

Personally, if the menu says "kotlet schabowy" and I get it, it's hardly a ripoff.

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]


Where is my response bitter or condescending?? Isn't writing "we carry Poland in our hearts, unlike the Poles in the country" not condescending? I wonder...


No, saying that one has to be a lawyer to make a change and defining lawyers as "helping the poor and unhappy" is naive.


I'm a garden designer :) But that's completely irrelevant, even a cleaner can make a difference, as long and she's working to the best of her abilities.


I hope not. But I'd be well over 30 by the time I'd finish, and closer to 40 by the time I was allowed to work on my own. I've already received my education - don't need or want to study any more. I also find law studies incredibly boring.


Funny. Give me examples of me being rude or vicious. And that's not me who's close-minded here :D

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]

I'm not bitter at all. It just annoys me that people that don't live in my country, that don't even speak Polish dare to claim they know better what's bets for Poland. Let me say this: It's none of your business!

The Polonia (and many Poles) still have the romantic view of the emmigration, of people living abroad, writing romantic poetry and missing their country that is struggling under the foreign rule. Let me tell you this: it's detrimental for our country! Poland is a free country now, you can come and work here if you want and if you care. There's no need to stay abroad, there's no danger in coming to Poland, noone will arrest you, noone will punish you. If you're so patriotic, come and pay taxes here, let's get the example from hard working Western countries, not from our spoppy romantic history and books (as beautiful as they are). The times have changed, we have our chance now.

Why do you think I should be a lawyer to change anything in my country? The lawyers don't make law - you don't have to be a lawyer to be a politician. You don't have to be a politician to make a difference. I make my country more beautiful with my everyday work plus I pay taxes - so yes, I do make a difference. More then you do, for sure.

What are your standards, prey tell me?


Hahhaaaaaaaaaahhaaaa! You're so naive :D

Anyway, go to some high school with your advice, it's waaaaaaaaay too late for me to study law now (even if I ever wanted to, which I haven't).

News / Smoking ban in Polish bars and restaurants (AT LAST!) [400]


I don't know of any non-smoking pubs in Poznań. I would go to one in a second. What is the problem anyway, so hard to go outside for a smoke instead of breathing it out at everyone inside?

Travel / Very dangerous defrauding trend started in some hotels in Krakow [49]


Where do they get a brand new fake passport from?

Have you just fallen into the media hype in the UK about "identity fraud"? It's funny - ID fraud is pretty much unknown in many parts of the world, yet it's all over the UK. Funnily enough, it was the Labour government which used this myth to attempt to introduce ID cards.


That's what they've told you. I know someone who works for a bank in security, and many of these people have actually run up huge bills quite intentionally - often without the knowledge of the partner, who would understandably murder them.

Bear in mind that UK legislation requires employers to take photocopies of passports or other documents - and these must be kept on file.

Classifieds / English cuisine week in Lidl shops in Poland [203]


Polish sausages are far better then English, sorry :P

I love foreign food, especially Asian, also Spanish and Mexican. Just British food doesn't really appeal.
I was never as thin as when I lived in the UK, just because I barely ate anything.

News / Smoking ban in Polish bars and restaurants (AT LAST!) [400]


There are virtually none in Poland.

I'm so looking forward to the ban, finally I'll be able to come back home after a visit in a pub and not smell of cigarette smoke! I will definitely go out more often now :)

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]


Why are you convinced that Poles living (and paying taxes) in Poland are not capable of higher feelings? That is none of your business who we choose in our elections, you are not Polish, you don'rt have to live with the consequences. Carry Poland in your heart as much as you want (what a romantic crap, by the way), this doesn't mean anything, dance "Polka dances" and eat kiełbasa or pierogi made by "busha", but leave any important decisions to real Poles living in the country! We have to get on with our lives here. Some people have a cheek...

Law / Ease of doing business in Poland [32]


And I think the thread is about foreign people struggling with the system in different countries.

Anyway, my foreign fiancé didn't have any problems opening a bank account and starting a business in Poland. He also has a PESEL by now. Not a problem.


REGON is sent to you, NIP is given or upgraded automatically after you register your business. The starting up of a business requires 2 visits in the office: to register and then, a week later, to pick up the papers. Yes, so tedious and difficult.

Law / Ease of doing business in Poland [32]


Well, try to get a bank account without having a NI number or any bills (eg. being an exchange student living in halls). Nearly impossible!

It took me 3 visits to the bank in the UK and two letters from the college to convince them that yes, I live here and no, I don't have any bills, BECAUSE I LIVE IN HALLS!! The proof of payment for my room in the halls for the whole semester was not enough, my Polish ID was treated with greatest suspicion (where is your DL? - I don't have one! - :O).

Speaking of Polish ID - one shop refused to sell cigarettes to my friend on the basis of her ID. It's good enough to cross borders with, but not good enough to by booze or fags in the UK!

UK, Ireland / How long would it take for an English style restaurant in Poland to go bust? [80]


Yep, it sounds exactly like what he's thinking about. T

Selling all the excess food for a 50% discount at the end of the night is a killer idea as well.

USA, Canada / Polack/American Polonia/Plastic Pole "culture" [568]


Reagan was hardly Polonia! You can't use him as an example of "Polonia fighting for Poland", USA was fighting their own war, they couldn't care less about Poland then.


Maybe they shouldn't have left in the first place?

I know they helped, but please don't try and convince me that Polonia freed Poland, cause that's just a blatant lie.

Anyway, I don't mind 3rd generation Poles feeling "Polish" and eating pierogi, as long as they are not trying to tell us what to do with our own country. For example they shouldn't vote in our elections, as they do not bear the consequences.