Work / Working in Lodz - work without speaking Polish? [25]


Went to college in Dundee myself and I would agree, way more scary. I have a very good Scottish mate who did his BA in Paisley, he said it was a scary place at night.

Lodz with be like Neverland compared.

PS Graeme, I have seen some eidgets making fools of themselves playing that American bastardisation of my beloved sport here. I'm sure you'll find them online. Anyway when you arrive I'll allow you buy me a pint if you like ;) (didn't forget everything from my time in Scotland)

Work / Working in Lodz - work without speaking Polish? [25]


Ah another proud Pole! I've never seen a nation like it to put its own down.

Graeme, do you play rugby by chance? Great way to meet people, we have a lot of Erasmus student playing with us. Very low standard v Scotland, we play mainly 7's.

gentlemensrc.pl

Travel / OLT Jetair (flight to Wroclaw) [38]

Budget airlines mean we can travel regularly as opposed to the good old days of 400pound short flights. I hate flying Ryanair, but welcome them because of price.

I would fly OLT, only booking on a credit card though. IMO they will be long gone by Christmas. No business strategy, not a clue what they are doing.

PS Ryanair have the highest safety and servicing standards in the industry. They know 1 plane crash could ruin them (remember Valujet, exactly), and they have more flights per day than anyone. They run their own maintenance facility in Prestwick too.

UK, Ireland / Are the Irish welcome in Poland? [24]

jesus man relax. Stop buying the Sun and when you get here you'll realise that Poland is a lot more open and cosmopolitan than the English press make out. Most uni students speak brilliant English. The language will not be a barrier in most instances.

Food / Where to buy British mature Cheddar Cheese and salted butter in Poland? [289]


Why would you even take the time to "contribute"? What is in Flaki again? Every culture has their own cuisine traditions.

To answer the question:
Alma sell 200g Kerrygold and Irishland cheddar, price 10.50 to 12.50PLN for the Mild (red) and Mature (white). My Alma also stocks it in a large block you can have sliced to the size of your choice. I have previously seen Cheddar by weight in Real too.

Kerrygold salted is readily available in most large supermarkets, Tesco and Real carry a salted and unsalted version (has a silver foil strip).

If not in store ask for it in-store or on their website. They operate their own chilled warehouse so everything is available to every store.

Real Estate / Real Estate Agencies in Poland (they are greedy for money) [18]

The simple fact is the practice is illegal in most countries. When renting/buying a house it should be the landlord/seller that pays. In Poland in order to complete a transaction you must pay someone who is acting in the other party's interest to provide you a service. This is simply wrong.

It will eventually end up in the European Court if the Polish Government don't act, and be found to be illegal.

Life / Lodz vs Wroclaw - difference in mentality of people? [53]

Haven't visited Wroclaw yet so can't compare.

I choose to live in Lodz so that says something. I'm sure its not as pretty as Wro.Lodz is an industrial city that is less than 2 centuries old, Wro is originally a Germanic city nearly a 1000 years old - big difference. Therefore its buildings and skyline will be nothing alike.

Lodz has a great bar scene and I've never witnessed any trouble here on a night out. There are many excellent, cheap and varied restaurants. There are a lot of social activities cinema, theatre, concerts etc. I wouldn't say it has many good museums. It has good shopping in Manufaktura and on Piotrkowska. It has excellent national transport links.

the cities massive varied cultural history is fascinating to me. A century ago it was a mix of Russian Orthodox, German Protestants, Polish Catholics and Jews. I find the graveyards fascinating. They are segregated and have some of the biggest/flashiest graves you will ever see.

Love / Do Irish / British guys like Polish girls? [138]

I think you might be socialising in a very restricted circle judging by the Irish men you meet. I'm not saying you don't have some valid points but some of that is OTT.

only a few of them are educated - I have very few male friends who do not have a Higher Education. I would actually struggle to think who I know that doesn't. Speaking to my wifes friends (Poles) they bemoan the lack of educated Polish men suitable for relationships.

atttiude towards foreign women - Any man that treats a woman like that is clearly one who uses prostitutes. Walk away.
addiction to drugs and alkohol - I don't know any drug users, but see no difference in the way Polish men drink.
lack of ambition - I find that laughable. How many have left Ireland over the past few years because that will not sit on their arses. We also have a huge SME sector driven by people who take risks. We attract massive foreign investment because of our workforce (the actual total tax applied to foreign corporations is lower in France than in Ireland in case you are going to quote that bull, and we attract more investment despite being 15 times smaller a country). Again I suspect your comment this is down to a certain calibre of Irishman you meet.

Irish men/people love their sports yes, the participation levels in organised sports are enormous. the local GAA team fields a team every weekend during the summer from every parish in the country. Can you imagine a team of adults and up to 12 junior teams being drawn from the surrounds of every church in Poland each weekend to play a competition? Not to speak of rugby, soccer etc.

UK, Ireland / Unemployed Poles in Ireland : a crash course in milking the system [323]

There were roughly 250,000 Poles in Ireland at the peak. That roughly equates to €2,500 per person per year sent back on the total you quote. Many Poles came to Ireland to earn money to send back in order to buy a house etc. They lived frugally and saved. The Min wage was €365 per week, with virtually no tax on that (before all the tax changes of the past few years). That meant they earned over €18,000 nett per year. Rent maybe €4,000, shopping in Lidl for the week maybe €5,000 PA. They don't go to pubs, eat out, they spent their holidays in Poland. Most I know didn't have cars. So really why would it be out of the question to save €2,500 per year on that basis?

Is this not the exact same tripe said about Irish emigrants. How many Irish was fed and educated by money sent home by relatives in the UK, US, Oz etc.

How much did they send back to Ireland?

UK, Ireland / Unemployed Poles in Ireland : a crash course in milking the system [323]


+1, long regarded it as a total rag. It's editor thinks he is running OK magazine. A paper for the FF populist gobshites.

Work / Chemistry degree - what are my chances of finding work in Poland? [29]

HI Pam,

Living in Poland is very cheap versus the UK. If you want to try it you could live for under 250 pounds per month in a small city.

You could well get work as an English teacher but beware. They are often the least trustworthy people to deal with. If they pay you on contract you have to pay your taxes separately. Most Polish wages are quoted after tax and so you expenses like medical are covered. Often these companies quote you gross wages and then leave you unemployed for the summer. Get everything in writing.

Good Luck

Life / Amazon Kindle in Poland? (updated Kindle 3 3G) [10]


Kindle is not designed for Browsing, the feature is what they call "experimental". It is very limited. The MP3 player is also not stereo. Buy it as an e-reader and you will be happy. The others features are great if you have no alternative.

Life / Polish equivalent of Maplins or Radio Shack in Łódź [12]

Saturn at Port Lodz might be worth a look.

UK, Ireland / LHD - buy the car in Poland or in Ireland and register it over here? [3]

best bet is to buy an Irish reg'd LHD and drive it over. Yeah there is a bit of paperwork (3 different offices, customs/tax/car reg) but it's the simplest way of moving over.

USA, Canada / Opening a small shop, and selling many Polish items in USA. Do you think this would work? [32]

I've previously dealt with food importation to US. When it comes to food you have the FDA and Dept of Agri, among others. They can be a nightmare. Suggest you find an existing importer of food from Poland and let them deal with the hassle. Worth paying a premium.

UK, Ireland / Does everyone know about countess Markiewicz? Polish connection. [16]

She married a Pole so had little connection really, may never have visited the country.

She was the first woman to be elected as an MP though.

Life / An example of what is wrong with Poland (fatal traffic accident and a tram) [55]

This is the same in Ireland and many countries. So facts can be established, blame apportioned and justice delivered.

It is a crime scene. How can a Policeman arriving on the scene make a judgment that it was definitely an accident and allow the scene to be destroyed. A PERSON (someones mother.grandmother) is dead, I think the greater good is served by us being human and having things done properly. What if she was pushed, the driver drunk, an operational error causing the death. Is the purpose of the investigating not to prevent the preventable as much as punish the offender, if any.

In any respectable country professionals are allowed to get on with their job in these situations, at the slight inconvenience of the public.

UK, Ireland / What use is an irish childs pps number in poland? [7]

Sounds seriously dodgy. Give him nothing, he has no right to that info if he has been deported. He might be looking to get a passport for the child for some strange reason, kidnap, getting access to ireland again as the parent of a citizen. Could it be to do with claiming childrens allowance?

Run a mile.

UK, Ireland / Estimated number of Poles in Ireland thought to exceed 200,000 OR over 5% of population. [200]


Why should they, you clearly know nothing of Polish (or Irish) culture.


Great thanks for clearing that up. Nothing to do with Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen, Sean Fitzpatrick, bankers or the Irish all trying to become property moguls!


So true, the Irish have no responsibility for the property bubble.


Ahhhh, Poles can only claim the dole if they have worked up enough PRSI stamps over a number of years. "benefit" is a British term by the way.


Ahhhh, No. Under the Good Friday agreement (which carried with 90% support in the ROI) we have removed the clause from our constitution stating the aspiration to reunify the island as one nation. So WE have accepted the north as it is.

Not sure if this pillock is in the UK or USA but sounds like a classic lost 2nd generation emigrant. Struggles for identity in the native land he thinks he is a foreigner in, and is terribly educated.

Real Estate / Monthly Rental for a decent flat in Lodz - cost? [13]

If you have central heating it will be in every room. We have an apartment in a modern block and NEVER put on heating. neighbours run it so high I ofter open windows in freezing temps.

Real Estate / Monthly Rental for a decent flat in Lodz - cost? [13]

No all apartments are not centrally heated, but anything in that price bracket will be. The inclusive bills vary depending on what is metred. That price would roughly cover Elec, Gas, service charge (waste and cleaning communal areas) and Water. TV and internet are generally your own business.

Travel / Any interesting things in Lodz? [10]


as will a series of love e-mails now. i'd advise you remove your mail quickly or prepare to be spammed.

Lagawniki in the Spring/summer will be ideal for BMX and all that.

Real Estate / Monthly Rental for a decent flat in Lodz - cost? [13]

anywhere from 3000pln PM up, plus basic bills of about 750pln.

Travel / Best way to get from Lodz to Warsaw? [48]

This bus drops you to Lodz Fabryczna train/bus station. Plenty of taxi's and 2 blocks from city centre. Ibis is about 4 blocks south along Kilinskiego. Ibis pronounced Ebis in Polish.

Travel / Best way to get from Lodz to Warsaw? [48]


There are white buses direct from Warsaw Airport to Lodz train station (about 15 seaters). Cost about 40pln one way. Not the most comfortable but much better than going into city for a train. Information desk at Warsaw airport should be able to help. Easy enough to find and leave every few hours.

Love / Polish girlfriend may be pregnant - what girls from Poland think on having a child without marriage? [54]

Judging from your previous posts, are you sure the child is yours?

If she has a normal Polish family there will be massive pressure to marry. Would advise caution and a dna test, she will suit herself at both (you and other guy) your expense.

Travel / Best way to get from Lodz to Warsaw? [48]

try downloading google translate toolbar and it will roughly translate web-pages in polish for you.

Travel / Best way to get from Lodz to Warsaw? [48]

Hotels in centre and sure to speak English.
Ibis and Campanile 3* at southern end of Piotrkowska.
Andles at Manufaktura 4*. Grand on Piotrkowska 3/4*.
Also local state owned hotels, Centrum, Savoy, Polonia Palac. Would recommend you stick to first 3 quality/value wise, although the last 3 are very near train station.

There are buses direct from warsaw airport to Lodz, not very comfortable but quicker that going into city and getting train.

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]


Little Christmas (on Jan 7th) now a bank holiday in Poland from this year. makes no sense at all except church got a petition together and Govt too frightened to reject it. .

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]

unfortunately read somewhere that there is as much Saxon DNA in modern Irish as Celt.