Work / Doing my course in Krakow, working in EFL in Poland (newbie questions) [43]

Which medical school do these evil Americans attend that they have time to be ruining the ESL industry? ESL teacher is not exactly an activity that looks good on a CV as something you did during your free time in medical school.

UK, Ireland / Corned beef & Cabbage are typically Irish? [98]


Right - its not common now, but it gained its popularity with the Irish immigrants to the States prior to 1900, most of which I'd venture to say were probably not well-off in either country. Either way, its associated with Irish communities in the States. I'm sure the majority of Americans are capable of understanding things wouldn't be the same in Ireland, even if they hadn't been there.

It's actually even kind of tasty!

UK, Ireland / Corned beef & Cabbage are typically Irish? [98]

Before everyone jumps on the anti-American bandwagon, consider some of this. Corned beef became popular with the Irish immigrants as it was an actual affordable cut of meat at a time when the Irish were limited to mostly low paying jobs. Its a bit similar to bacon and cabbage, which last time I was in Ireland was still being served there.

Hopefully its all a bit clearer now.

Also corned beef in America isn't the kind from the tin, its the boiled seasoned brisket.

Food / Is Polish food still more natural than in the West? [142]


"Mostly processed meat"? Where did you shop? Also, if I recall correctly, you went to some place called Danzig. Perhaps if you had gone to Gdansk you would have discovered some of the plentiful fresh seafood.

Genealogy / Polish nationality? Which of the following (if any) determine being Polish. [231]

To say immigrants to the United States weren't educated because they moved there and worked as laborers is misleading. Many were educated, but due to they ways society was at the time they came, job opportunities were limited. Many people of varying Slavic nationalities ended up becoming miners at the turn of the last century. Similarly, Irish people were mostly able to find work as postmen or cops.

Most Polish-Americans I have ever met speak at least some, if not fluent Polish. This goes also for the families of most immigrants I've met - other Slavs, Mexicans/South Americans, Asians. Many parents want their children to know both languages and cultures.

Love / Maintenance for child born between Irish/Polish parents. [60]

Even if you don't want or "need" the money, the child IS entitled to it. Go after it legally,and you really oppose spending it, put it into a savings for the child. Don't let this loser off the hook.

Travel / Poland-My 9-day experience [239]

The choice of Katowice over Kraków seems like one of someone who truly didn't want to see anything they liked in Poland. Also, I can't understand choosing Warsaw over Kraków - didn't you read a guidebook? Also, unless I am either mistaken or there was another partition of Poland I somehow missed, you went to Gdańsk, not Danzig (the only Danzig I can think of from after World War 2 was that terrible metal band). Personally I find Gdańsk to have lovely architecture. What is it you felt Warsaw and Gdańsk were missing for you to see? Again, didn't you read a guidebook or do ANY research whatsoever before you planned a trip to Poland?

As for Poland being a beautiful country, there are many different types of scenery here and some are quite beautiful. But yes, it also has flat fields and farmlands that are rather boring to look at. I know this may surprise you, but often the nicest parts of towns and villages are not right next to the train tracks. Oddly, some people find the noise disturbing and don't wish to be very close to it. Regarding fares, I'm not certain because I have only ever used a Polish student ID card, but I was under the impression that with a valid passport and ISIC card you could also use the student ticket if you are not too old for it.

Also, I am curious. If you determined the adults here are overweight due to junk food and poverty, can you please explain why people in Western Europe and North America are overweight?

Food / No Vernor's ginger ale in Poland? [29]

You can buy Canada Dry ginger ale at Świat Kuchnia.

Genealogy / Need help finding a place in Suwalki region (from Russian times) [14]

Its more than likely its changed a few times. I'd say ask the local parish.

Travel / Hostel in Kraków (clean, inexpensive, central location, fast commute, quiet) [18]

Elephant on the Moon is nice. You have to take the tram a few stops to the metro, as its in a residential area. Its very clean, quiet, and nice, not a party hostel.

Food / WHY IN POLAND PEOPLE DON'T USE ICE? [142]


Even Pizza Huts in Poland have free refills! It would seem doubtful that you could have free refills here and not in the States.

The refill question is tricky. I think many people in the States take extreme advantage of it (does anyone truly need to drink 8 pints of Coke in one meal sitting?) but in Europe the 250 mls you get are barely enough to make it through a meal. However, I see nothing wrong with having to pay for another drink, especially as most places here do not have the fountain beverages.

Travel / Trains in Poland - Poznan to Gdansk [9]

Its about 6 hours from Poznań to Gdańsk, but not via Warszawa. To go via Warszawa would be 3 hours to Warszawa and then another 5 or so. Just go direct from Poznań. I would not buy the ticket online though unless you speak fluent unaccented Polish.

Travel / Train Routes - from Poland to Slovakia [12]

I would recommend taking the overnight train directly from Warszawa Centralna to Bratislava.

Real Estate / Options for dealing with dishonest landlord in Poland [36]


A few points - I have a Polish background, and can function in the language. The landlord speaks English as well. I asked about heat, and what the bills had run previous tenants. The windows were new and I don't ever put my heater to the highest setting. I know people in larger flats of similar age with OLD windows and their bills don't come close to mine.

If the landlord was truly being honest, why will he not show me the bills from prior years? (This bill is not in accordance with what I was told, either) Why will he not answer when I ask to look into how the bill jumped 15 times from the November and December bill?

**Aside**I believe he may have some financial difficulties as I was unable to get internet in the flat from INEA. Apparently something was flagged on his account to not have services installed in a flat owned by him. When I asked him to remedy this situation, he told me he had given me the necessary form to have it installed (he had) but I told him they wished to speak to HIM. He never called, and I was stuck using Play Mobile, which is ludicrously expensive.

Real Estate / Options for dealing with dishonest landlord in Poland [36]

When you say "several multiples" higher, my problem is that the bill in question is for mid December to mid February. It is nearly 15 times the amount of the previous bill, which was from the end of October thru mid December, a time period in which I was also using heat. Yes, 15 times higher. Granted, I knew the bills would go up when I started heating, and they did, the October and November bill was higher than previous bills. I just find an increase of this magnitude hard to believe, especially considering I was out of the country for one week for Christmas holidays and had everything off.

I also find it odd that he wont look into bill amounts from previous years, or any of my other suggestions and instead chooses to respond in a rather condescending fashion (eg telling me that the winter was cold). In addition, I have friends who live in a building of a similar age who also have electric heat, but have the old leaky windows and a flat twice the size with lower bills!

He says he is giving back my whole deposit, and he is crediting that toward the amount of the electric (yes, the deposit is LESS than this electric bill!)