Travel / Credit / Debit Cards to use in Poland [37]

Since this is a credit and debit card thread - I'm actually not very versed in pros and cons of using them in Poland or Europe for that matter as I usually travel from the US to/from Asia.

However, I make the occasional Europe trip not to mention visiting my folks in Scandinavia every now and then. I've noticed that I seem to be getting the best currency rates when using credit cards - Master Card gives better rates than Visa (but they're very close) and it's usually the best rate of the entire 24 hour period.

From my experience the vast majority of pilots use credit cards and not debit cards while overseas. I avoid using debit cards as much as I can when overseas and stick to CC (local cash is best of course). Too many stories of friends who've had their debit cards hijacked in China in particular. Usually your bank will reimburse you promptly but it's a pain in the butt and true hassle if you're traveling for an extended time and all of a sudden your debit card is blocked.

The credit cards are better in my view as they aren't linked to your checking account, etc. and most often you can call them collect from anywhere in the world and they'll send you money via Western Union, etc. if your card gets stolen, lost, hijacked, etc. Debit cards might be a pain as the support system just isn't as great (I use Bank of America btw).

I simply pay my credit card (or cards if I use more than one) as soon as I come back from a trip not to incur any fees. Also, if I go on a longer trip (week+) I always take a Master card and a Visa card with me in case one system breaks down in a particular country...

That's my 0.03% interest on the subject... ;)


Maybe it's different in Poland but in Sweden marking "resident of Sweden" implies you're a legal alien or a citizen of Sweden and residing in Sweden.

I maintain my old checking and savings account and a while back wanted to switch from Nordea to Sveabank but was told by the "new" bank that if I close my old account I wouldn't be able to open a new one until I become a resident again... In fact, Sveabank looked me up and I was registered as "Swedish citizen living abroad".

Later my current bank confirmed the info. This was 2+ years ago so maybe it's changed some and again, maybe it's very different in Poland.

Travel / Credit / Debit Cards to use in Poland [37]

I see, tx.

Life / Feeling ashamed of my Polish heritage. [237]


Well, I'm probably wrong but I thought a nationwide sales tax only applies to the final product/customer whereas VAT is charged each time the product is being sold to the next customer?

Not sure about this of course but I do like the idea of flat tax on income where zero deductions would be allowed (to get rid of 95% of the IRS agents!!!) and a nationwide tax to get those who get paid "under the table" (illegal aliens).


How come? I wasn't aware of that fact.

Off-Topic / Is 'Russkie' offensive in English? [23]

I don't think so. Maybe it was meant to be but after all it's pretty much a Russian word that's been 'Americanized'. We all like to create names for people we consider(ed) different. I've been called Haole a few times but never take it personally... ;)

(Wikipedia)
Russki, Russkie
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs_by_ethnicity

Disparaging when used by foreigners for "Russian"[52] (actually, these are transliterations of the Russian "Русский" (in Russian pronounced: Rooskiy) for "Russian" and the spelling Russkiy is almost always in a literary context. "Russki" in Russian simply means someone who is an ethnic Russian as opposed to a minority nationality within the Russian Federation.)

Study / Is there a lot of racism in Warsaw (Brazilian student's question) [83]


Spanish? I thought you said you were Brazilian? If so shouldn't you be asking about Portuguese? Either way, in Europe Spanish is pretty much contained to Spain (and Portuguese to Portugal). Most people who study foreign languages take English, German and French...

The racism part - I think you'll find racism everywhere one way or the other. Just be careful, stay around people you know (and if you go to school there you'll know some people before you know it) and don't let rumors and "what ifs" make the decision for you.

Food / Do you call it kiszka or kaszanka? [55]


So does "kosher" mean "no blood" or does it have to do with how the food is made? Friend of mine (non-Jewish) always tries to buy kosher food (not easy to find where we live) because she says it's healthier - is it?

Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]


Well, you left out some parts of the minimum wage law (I used to wait tables at O'Charlies and deliver pizza at Dominoes to pay the college tuition)

[i]Question: Is it legal for waiters and waitresses to be paid below the minimum wage?
Answer: According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, tipped employees are individuals engaged in occupations in which they customarily and regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips. The employer may consider tips as part of wages, but the employer must pay at least $2.13 an hour in direct wages.

An employer may credit a portion of a tipped employee's tips against the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. An employer must pay at least $2.13 per hour.

However, if an employee's tips combined with the employer's wage of $2.13 per hour do not equal the hourly minimum wage, the employer is required to make up the difference.

Source: Dept of Labor

In plain English your wage plus your tips should equal at least the minimum wage ($7.25 in Hawai'i right now). That's not much for sure but the vast majority of waiters/waitresses earn much more.

Either way, I do agree with you and think their service should be rewarded with tips. I tip 15% regardless of how the service was (aka it was bad) and 25% and up for good service. Hotel pick-up drivers usually get $1 per bag if the driven distance was less than 30 minutes, otherwise we (airline crews) usually tip more.

Same in Asia except Japan where I found out many feel you look down on their profession if you tip them. YMMV


I disagree with you Olaf. When I travel overseas I often hear that the Americans tip the most (don't have anything to back it up with, just what I hear everynow and then).

As someone pointed out, the difference in tipping is based on the pay structure in the States. I think if we compare tipping we should compare "the full picture", or compare apples to apples - don't you think?

I'd imagine I'd tip in Poland the way I tip in the States not knowing the local pay structures.

Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]

F-stop - we averaged it monthly at Dominoes - there were good months and bad months.

Back to "Poland only" tipping before folks get antsy... ;)

Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]

F-stop Yeah, we used to have 2 maybe 3 months of the year when Domino's had to raise our pay. The disadvantage was that they kept an eye on our tips - IRS :( and every now and then would call a customer to see how much they tipped the driver to make sure we were keeping it honest.


I think we kept it monthly to simplify things. I believe most Domino's stores did although they are all franchises so each owner can change the rules I guess.


Don't follow you here? We get time and a half for JA (junior assignment) trips for example. ...or what am I missing?

News / Changing Face in Poland: Skinnhead Puts on a Skullcap [90]


news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6985808.stm

To me Nazis in Israel is as logical as Nazis or skinheads in Poland. Amazing what lack of education will do to peoples minds. :(


You really think so? I believe it takes balls of brass to turn away from all his friends, his past identity, his biases and the hatred toward Jews to pursue his family's past. It probably made it easier on him that he took that new journey along with his wife but still...

Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]


Ok? This was a tipping (and minimum wage) thread, right? The vast majority of airlines are unionized and use their contracts for pay and benefits guidance. Most airlines pay time and a half for open time, many pay 200% for out of domicile (x-ross domicile) open time.

You're correct that many airline employees are underpaid (especially FAs) if that was the point you were trying to make. However, it'd have to be a really tiny, nearly bancrupt airline for the employees to live on minimum wage... ...and yes, regional airline employees are truly underpaid. Either way, I'm extra slow today so I struggle with the point you're trying to make...

Back to Polish customs of paying gratuity?

News / Changing Face in Poland: Skinnhead Puts on a Skullcap [90]


BB - it wasn't that long ago a Polish Microsoft ad did something similar, remember? Rasism, sexism and often just ignorance has many shapes and forms.

Microsoft in web photo racism row
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8221896.stm

I know very few Jews personally and even fewer ortodox. However the few I know are top notch individuals who are very intelligent and bend over backwards to be friendly and good neighbors.


What makes you say that?

Love / How is the ideal girlfriend for a Polish guy? [15]

Well, is there an ideal type of guy-attitude that Wambrita girls prefer? ;)

Polish men are like all men - we are all different. Moreover, what works with one lady might not work with another; it's like tango or salsa, you try to lead because that's expected of you but do what feels right and sometimes she makes you believe you're leading even though it's really the other way around. Not sure if I'm making any sense, probably not. I'm used to that... :)

It's about feeling special and making that someone else feel very special too. Then you sort of let the heart steer you hoping for the best... Well, sometimes other parts steer us (but women aren't that much different I think).

PS. I also agree with softsong's reply above.

Study / Studying Swedish in Krakow [11]


Frequent traveler to Norge as my sister lives there. I was joking of course, you know, typical Swe-Nor rivalry.


Really? All three?


Used to travel to Lapua and Kuopio, Finland to see my then girlfriend's family. Both cities are in the Finnish only region but I never had any problem getting around there, they all seemed to speak some Swedish or at least to understand it.

As far as Swedish and Danish - I have a few friends working for SAS. One of them (a Swede) told me that Danes seem to understand Swedes just fine but it's more difficult the other way around. He said often you'll hear a Dane clarifying something in English and the Swede will reply in Swedish... LOL

Life / I'm from Polish descent. CAN YOU GUYS EXPLAIN THE EU TO ME? [115]


Rychlik - I live in the States so take my words with a grain of salt but the Lisbon Treaty as Tymoteusz pointed out brought the U.S.E. - United States of Europe one step closer to reality. Not there yet but getting closer.

In a nutshell, several years ago there was an attempt to create an EU constitution which would apply to all member states (sort like the US constitution). Currently there are 27 EU nations.

treehugger.com/european-union-countries-image

That attempt failed when several countries held referendums and some of them failed to win the majority of the votes. Since this is such an immense reform affecting all EU member states, ALL member states had to agree. That didn't happen.

After the initial setback the politicians came up with a new version and basically the Lisbon Treaty (which finally passed and became a law) is a watered-down version of the initial reforms.

Small countries complained because the "large" member states (Germany, France, UK, etc.) got more power now as more emphasis is placed on a member state's population. However, there are safeguards for the smaller member states.

EU is like any other large institution, gets big and bureaucratic but it has many advantages too...

It's probably too early to tell if the EU will be a success story however if you consider the original beginnings and the overall purpose of the European integration - then it's been a great success.

EU started out in 1952 as the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). This Coal and Steel Union was founded by six countries - France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Federal Republic of Germany and Italy . It involved cooperation on the coal and steel production of these countries, which was important to the arms industry and was a major commodity in trade between them. However, another purpose of the cooperation was to pave the way for greater European cohesion by making the countries mutually dependent on each other's coal and steel production, thereby preventing hostilities between them and ensuring durable peace in Europe.

In other words the idea was to make European countries so dependant on each other that they'd never be able to go to war with each other. So in that sense it's been a great success.

"I also hear EU skeptics predicting the collapse of the EU in the future because countries lose sovereignty."

Personally I doubt it but who knows? Maybe what you heard was a prediction of the €uro collapse due to recent turmoil with Greek finances? If so, I doubt this too.

The Euro-zone consists of 16 out of the 27 EU nations, in other words only 16 of them use the Euro. All but 2 (possibly 3) will eventually have to adopt the Euro. UK and Denmark negotiated an opt-out clause meaning the don't have to join it - ever (many economists think one day they will but who knows?).

Sweden does not have the opt-out clause but in 2003 there was a referendum where the majority of the Swedish population voted against adopting the Euro. (Full disclosure, I voted NEJ in that referendum myself ;)

Today, by keeping the Swedish Crown "floating" or not fixed against the Euro (like Denmark for example) Sweden "artificially" does not meet one of the specific Euro adoption rules and therefore does not have to (or rather may not) adopt it. In other words the Swedish politicians are circumventing the EU obligations (to join Euro) in order to follow the will of the people of Sweden who at the moment do not want the Euro.

Either way, some economists claim that it's a dangerous situation to have a "super currency" such as Euro without an actual "super state". In plain English, although the EU more and more acts like one large nation each country still follows it's own path. Since the adoption of the Euro no member state can devalue its own currency since it no longer exists - a tactic often deployed in the past by the Greek, Italian, Spanish, and many other governments. They cannot revalue or devalue their currencies since as I mentioned they do not exist (Drachma, Lira, Peseta, etc).

However, those countries keep spending money as if the ability to devalue still exist. Yet all that's left now is to cut spending and/or raise taxes - which are already high. Therefore, many economists believe that unless there's some kind of harmonization of the European economical laws one day some of those countries will face huge unemployment levels; I read in the Economist once that Greece might face a 20%+ unemployment rate unless they fix their finances.

So maybe that's the "collapse" you've heard about? Either way, in my view the stakes are too high and the EU governments will come up with a solution.

Here's one website you can check out. It has a pro-EU bias but explains some of the new rules.

europa.eu/lisbon_treaty/faq/index_en.htm

Also, Wikipedia has a good summary of the treaty: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Lisbon


Yes and no. People are rightfully concerned and often I agree with them. However, at this point it's probably better to improve what's already there. Poland IS an EU member state and thus is able to reform it from inside. Not by itself of course but strong coalitions of small states have brought changes in the past and will so again.

Polish farmers are upset because now they have to compete with other European farmers and some countries subsidize farming more than others. Overall most reports I've read seem to indicate that the farming subsidies will keep decreasing and I venture to predict that many smaller farms will end up shutting down or will merge with larger, stronger farms. One core value of EU is free competition which of course will never happen as long as member states subsidize their "favorite" industry - farming.

In mid 80s when Spain and Portugal joined the EU they were considered dirt-poor yet only 10 years later their combined GDP more than tripped. It might seem strange to "invest" in another country but remember that those investments usually create jobs in the donor countries too. EU is NOT perfect and never will be but I think they seem to be doing all right...

europa.eu/abc/history/index_en.htm

Love / How is the ideal girlfriend for a Polish guy? [15]


Why is that?

Life / I'm from Polish descent. CAN YOU GUYS EXPLAIN THE EU TO ME? [115]


Mare, as a dual citizen with some savings in Sweden and a small summer house property there I felt it affected me too. I also listened to my family's concerns. It's not that I am against the Euro, I just think it's too early to tell.

I figured Swedish Crown served Sweden well and for quite some time. The earlier version of it - Riksdaler (from German Thaler which later became Dollar in some countries;) came about in the XVs century then in late 1873 it was replaced by the Krona at the rate 1 for 1. So why change it now? In 20 years or so the Euro will have proven itself.

As a frequent traveler :) I totally agree with you on it being very convenient. However, I guess I chose the "wait and see" approach when it comes to Sweden.


I thought you wanted to expand your knowledge on a specific subject? Not sure how you belittling other nations achieves that goal? You can find "mess" in ANY country if you look hard enough...

Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]



I used to work as a line/dispatch person at a small general aviation airport. Did it only one semester because I found out we got no discount on airplane rentals so I bailed for Domino's - more money which I desperately needed for my flight training.

We were never tipped but this was a small airport with few "high rollers". Although I did open up the door for Reba McEntire getting out of a Slo..., I mean Citation once - of course at the time I had no idea who she was. LOL I like country music (but I like almost all music) however she's not my cup of tea. Her pilot left $20 bucks for the two of us who worked that day - much appreciated and that bird got a "free" wash out of us later. ;)

Either way, as lineguys we made $9 an hour and this was some 15 years ago.

PS. Watch that smokin' on airport property - fines are getting steep in the US... :)

Overall, I agree with your ideas on tipping. I'm biased of course but my perception is that the waiters are much more attentive in the US than many other countries. Either way, if in doubt on whether tipping is the norm in the specific profession/country - I tip. YMMV

Love / Long-distance attraction. I am attracted to a Polish guy. [42]

If you use skype make sure you both use a camera; I use skype 5-7 times a week as I travel for a living and I noticed that eye contact - not staring but being able to see facial expressions, etc really makes a difference in getting close to someone.

PS. Also, tell him you're a nympho (your screen name ;) and that alone might be enough to catch his attention. LOL

Seriously though, don't think of his as being a Polish man, think of him as being a man and unfortunatel for you - we are all different. Do what feels right and what your gut tells you. Personally I like forward women (my ex-wife proposed to me :). Her being an ex-wife was my screw up, I still cherish the memory of her proposing to me. Of course by then we had known eachother for some time.

So first get to know eachother, if one subject feels slow, move on to something else, etc. Make him want to hear from you or him wanting to skype/email you again. Ultimately, be yourself because if he falls for someone who pretends to be someone else - that relationship probably won't last.

So put on a nice black dress (just my favorite, you do what you like of course) and talk and smile a lot and hope for the best.

Don't worry about whether he's open to Asian women - you either fall for someone or you don't. Remember, no matter where a woman was born and raised - she is still from Venus. :)

Wish y'all the best!

Love / Long-distance attraction. I am attracted to a Polish guy. [42]

I must say it's slightly amusing for me to see that women too go through the very same anxieties as we do when it comes to falling for someone...


Yeah, I actually remembered that, I love ancient mythologies, be it Greek, Roman or Nordic... However, please let me stick to my, more modern interpretation of the meaning of the word... It's more appealing to me. :)


You're welcome and please do...

---------


Well, I feel the same way you do although I'm a man. Screw traditions and create your own.


Unfortunate, you won't know until you both have talked to each other... IF you have to you can always email him a link to this forum conversation and let him know, hey this is about you - I was too shy to say it upfront, let me know what you think.


Additional reply - would you be pissed if a guy was pissed at you for doing the very same? I bet not, why would you? Because someone shows interest in you? STOP thinking what a guy would think and think of what you would think. Men and women are more similar than you think, if you think you'd like something chances are he would do. If not, oh well, at least you tried.


You don't sound too eager, you sound like a lady falling for a man. Remember that you can send SMS via skype, often but not always it's cheaper that way.

Love / Long-distance attraction. I am attracted to a Polish guy. [42]

No, not really but I guess I always felt women were better at hiding their emotions in that aspect...

I missed this comment in my earlier reply.

I was born in Poland, raised in Sweden and Norway and have lived in the US for 18 years or so... I travel for a living and usually spend 2 weeks out of each month in Asia usually traveling through a plethora of countries during that time.

I must say your comment surprised me somewhat. In my view, Americans (and here I mean North Americans, US and Canada) smile the most although the Southerners in the US even more so than others - I love it!

Europeans in general smile less, they seem to value "looking professional" maybe? Asians however smile the least of any culture I've been exposed to.

I'd say Philipinos might be the exception to the rule but whether in Red China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, etc... They just don't smile a whole lot. Well, Thailand is probably the other exception to the rule.

I always venture outside the touristy areas and go to places locals use to get the feel of the "real" country so my perception is not based on fake "let's be nice to the tourists" smiles. One of my favorite things is to just sit in a cafe somewhere, or a tiny dine-in and observe the locals (without staring) and see with my own eyes how they all interact with each other. Often it's better than going to a movie theater. LOL

Note this is not an argument for what's better? Neither am I saying people are this or people are that - it's just my very unscientific observation I've collected over the years and I bring it up because I was surprised to hear an Asian lady make a comment that a European man didn't smile as much as she'd have expected him to do, that's all. ;)

Love / Long-distance attraction. I am attracted to a Polish guy. [42]


You're right; I'm still hoping for this "Man to Woman" and Woman to Man" dictionary. ;)


It does sound sort of awful but I always appreciate honesty.

I think Polish men (and women) are not as used to other cultures yet. This is not a criticism, just an observation. Americans often get based overseas when in the military so their exposure to Asian (and other) cultures is just much wider.

I have numerous friends who've met their loved ones overseas. Even some lady friends. Personally I can find beauty in each and every race. I'm probably more attracted to personalities than types of beauties per se but yes I've definitely seen some beautiful Indian women. I have never been to Pakistan but have met a nurse practitioner here in the States who's of Pakistani origin and in my view she's gorgeous.

My best friend married a Japanese lady (who was raised in Brasil LOL) and their two daughters must be the prettiest children I've ever seen - to me they look like mini-versions of Angelina Jolie (yes, I'm an aficionado of her looks ;)

I don't very often endorse the French but I wholeheartedly support their "Vive la différence" outlook on life.

Love / Long-distance attraction. I am attracted to a Polish guy. [42]

Well, there've been times I wanted to call but didn't dare to... Big Chicken that I can be sometimes... :(


Monsters Boo, like her?



...but that's good, isn't it? She looks great to me. Maybe I misunderstood your post...

Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]


Stupid? Really? How about different?

Most Americans like the system (some old surveys I've seen) and when asked about their European vacations they always say they loved it, had a great time but everything was sooo expensive and the service in hotels and restaurants mediocre at best.

It's a normal, human behavior to become complacent (sp? - no spell checker 2day), to take things for granted after a while. This "included in salary" tip mentality gives you poor service and an attitude of "hey, you don't like it then go somewhere else". Again, keep it your way but in my view the service DOES improve when servers are tipped. You can't change the human mentality just because you like it "simple", or "NOT plain stupid".

As far as not adding taxes to the prices - at first I didn't like it but I think because of the way system works I'm very aware of the level of sales taxes in different states and of tax rates in general. In a way it's great advertisement for low tax states. Anchorage, Alaska = 0% sales tax, L.A. California = 8.75%, etc. Not sure why the system is the way it is but it doesn't bother me anymore.

PS. Beelzebub's explanation above sounds good to me too.

Love / Long-distance attraction. I am attracted to a Polish guy. [42]


Actually you confirmed what I said earlier... Did you notice which two Asian nationalities I exempted from my pseudo-scientific findings? ;)


Agree, traveling ROCKS!


Totally understand. By the way to answer another of your questions - how would I feel if I found out someone created an online thread about me? I'd be flattered without a doubt.

Good luck!

-----------


Thankfully some women do too! ;)


Agree! Also, I don't mind great details... LOL


Love the Philippines, beautiful and very friendly people. We usually fly into Manila and use Clark as our alternate.

Singapore, ah, Temasek, the Garden City is my favorite spot in Asia. I visualize it as the best of Asia, Europe and America all put in one spot. We usually stay at the Pan Pacific and I love just hanging out there. Many Europeans live there too. Last time we were there I hung out with a couple of Finnish nurses (or maybe even doctors, I couldn't figure out their titles) who'd been working there for some 3 years and they loved it.

Love / How do Polish boys feel about foreign girls? [163]

Wambrita - you welcomed all comments but you probably won't like mine... :(

Did you really "RESPECT the fact" you were there with your Polish friend?

When another guy asked you to dance with him you could've turned toward your friend and said "is that OK with you?" That's what I'd have done if a lady wanted to dance with me while I was there with another woman. Of course, I'd probably say, "sorry, I'm here with my friend but thank you so much for asking." That wouldn't imply she owns me or that I'm obligated to ask for her permission. Instead it'd imply I'm polite and respect her being there with me.

You know, I have tons of South American friends, men and women. Argentinian, Brazilian, Peruvian, etc. Non of them would do what you call "like Latins...they rescue their girl" - that's not rescuing a girl, that's being possessive. Machismo gone amok.

Respecting a friend whether male or female means you trust his or her judgment. Don't expect a guy to get into a fight with other guys "to rescue you" just to make you feel wanted - that's just silly and sounds like something a caveman would do.

If you went out with your friend the nice thing to do would be to spend the time with him. If you you wanted to dance with someone else - sure go for it but don't expect him to become a testosterone moron, hopefully we men have progressed past the stone age.

I don't mean to sound demeaning, I really don't but it's almost like you have an attention addiction? Let your man be a MAN - and not a CAVE MAN...

Just my take on it since you said...


Either way, I wish you both the best...

Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]


I wouldn't go that far. France, Germany and Holland (as an example) are expensive however southern Italy and Greece are not as bad (granted, it's been 4 years since I was there last). Dollar goes up and it goes down, normal phenomenon and things will turn around again... However the taxes and the prices in general are much higher in Europe and part of the reason is that your "tips" as you've mentioned are already included in the prices.


Well again, that's your take on it. As a European living in America who travels an awful lot I've seen both types of service and now I prefer the American service but understand if some people disagree with me.

Vive la différence

Love / Long-distance attraction. I am attracted to a Polish guy. [42]


...or better yet take him to Penang for some snorkling and/or scuba diving? ;)

Love / Long-distance attraction. I am attracted to a Polish guy. [42]

Copy & paste - Very warm greetings from Malaysia - "Bardzo ciepłe pozdrowienia z Malezji"

(hope I didn't screw up my Polish translation)

Good luck