Off-Topic / Are you living in Poland? [77]

Yes, Warsaw.

Life / Poles' atttiude towards broken Polish [9]

I've found them very patient and helpful, even if sometimes they probably want to **** themselves laughing at my efforts.

Even the guy who owns my local corner shop actively encourages me, patiently waiting and correcting me if (when) I get it wrong.

Love / Dating a Polish man - how to impress his mother? [51]


Nope! she'll just continue. She possibly still will even if he does confront her so be ready for that.
Why should you agree to sit and wait it out, hoping she'll stop.


It's a kind of fearful respect (if such a thing exists) but it doesn't have to come across as rude or aggressive so not to get her wound up and on the defensive, but just be calm and straight with her.

Ask him what would he rather, lose you or be a coward and not stand up to his bullying mum.
My own partner has this with his mum too, he'll avoid disagreements and confrontations with her but there's only so far he's willing to go before he opens his mouth.

Good luck for Saturday.

Travel / Driving to poland from the west midlands [11]

We do it from Newcastle - Amsterdam by ferry then drive the rest. It's not so bad (but then again I'm the passenger not the driver)

The first time we done it non - stop to Warsaw but my other half was absolutely knackered and uncomfortable for the last few hours, even with god knows how much coffee and energy drinks in his system.

so since then we always stay overnight either in Germany or just after entering Poland, then continue the next day.

The Autobahn is quite an experience in itself :@

Make sure you have some Euro's, in Germany it can cost you to visit the loo, depends where you stop. I learnt this the hard way and at the point of my bladder almost bursting, would have happily gave my soul or even a body part to the lady guarding the loo door in lieu of payment.

One piece of advice for a return journey - if you have a ferry to catch leave plenty of time to reach it. My parents-in-law missed theirs back to the UK last month after being stuck in traffic for over 3 hours.

Work / Can an English person work in Poland without speaking the language? [13]

Yes, I'm English and live and work in Poland.
It depends what you've been doing in the UK, previous jobs and experience.
I work as a Nanny here, I have experience from the UK as I was a child minder for a few years but not recently. I registered with an agency in Warsaw, they interviewed me, checked my references and began sending me for interviews with families. Very quick and straightforward as well as quite good wages.

You'd be very surprised how many international families require English speakers to care for their children. I work for a Polish family but only speak English to the child (as instructed by parents) unless I have to translate something for her.

I also had the opportunity to work for an international Bank in Warsaw. They do business in English language however, the majority of the office were Polish, so being able to speak basic Polish would be beneficial to you but not compulsory.

The positions were customer service advisor and another for Administrator, again I had experience of both roles from the UK.

Feel free to PM me if you want any more info.

Love / Dating a Polish man - how to impress his mother? [51]

I'm also dating a Polish guy and actually living in Poland at the moment.
I sympathise about your future MIL. Mine was not as bad as yours but there were a few issues in the beginning. Mostly to do with the fact I'm divorced with children, I'm English and she didn't want to lose her (28yrs old ) "baby" .

At the end of the day, your partner needs to grow a pair of balls and stand up to his rude Mummy. He should tell her, in no uncertain terms, that it's not acceptable she's making you feel intimidated and inadequate. If you don't sort it out now then I agree with whoever said up thread, it WILL get worse, especially if any little ones arrive.

The language is hard, I know that and well done for trying. I can speak basic Polish but understand more. My MIL actively helps me, she'll listen (while I murder her language) and correct me if I say the wrong words, but in general we have a laugh about it. She once laughed so hard at me I thought she would stop breathing - I bellowed across the aisles in Polish Tesco "Honey do you want some of these PIZDI" (pussies) instead of Pisi (sp?)

As for your job, never give it up unless you want to. Just because she's probably spent her life self-chained to the kitchen, doesn't mean you have to. Her choice and family situation are just that= HERS. Yours are your own.

You're not being a doormat, you simply would like her to accept you and your relationship with her son. It sounds like you are making a big effort and if she doesn't appreciate that then she's not worth your time nor energy.

Life / You've been in Poland a while if .... [49]


Lucky you! I live in Warsaw at the moment. Take a trip to Tesco in Kabaty and see for yourself :)


Please tell me which post office you use, I'm going there next time. I have never been close to getting out within 15 mins.

Life / You've been in Poland a while if .... [49]

Personal ones to me....

* when you finally realise that not all the older generation are foul mouthed and you actually catch the end of the word....they're saying Kurda NOT Kurwa

* when the car almost vanishes down a pothole in the road and your first reaction is no longer "for f*cks sake" while taking the crash position.

* You accept that simply going to post a letter takes half the god damn day.

* You are no longer bothered/shocked/infuriated by shop assistants using mobile phones or having an in depth conversation with each other whilst serving you....good customer service- What's that?

*You understand that people aren't staring at you because you are a freak/Alien - being female with visible tattoo's is apparently fair game to be rude and show disdain.

Life / Why is circumcision not practiced in Poland? [701]

Some Pole, back in the day, had the sense to ignore this barbaric act of mutilation, and quite rightly so.
It should have been banned a long time ago but people continue to damage their own sons. If simply being born isn't already traumatic enough to a little guy, his parents whip him off within 7 days to have his foreskin yanked off.

Dodgefan07-


I couldn't find that info but I did find this below from the same site (mayoclinic.com)


Kinda conflicting.

I can't believe that I just read some mother who said she got her sons done as she didn't want them to be different with their friends....Oh my god! it's not a new pair of Nikes she was buying, it's a body part she got rid of. I personally don't give a toss what their friends thought. Maybe that mother would allow her kids to get a 3rd eye implanted in the middle of the forehead, just to "fit in" because the other kids done it.

I watched a documentary years ago about adult men all at different ages, who had been cut when they were babies. All of them had some kind of problems like erectile dysfunction and desensitisation. A couple of them were even trying to grow/stretch the skin back (with little weights and belts, if I remember correctly) It was sad to watch them and I have to say seeing them on the TV was my first time viewing a cut man.....I can't say that I liked the look of it very much, it looks a bit dazzled with nowhere to hide :) I prefer my sausage with skin on.

Language / A few sentences I should learn before my wife gives birth [14]

scolari_ire--


:) I was thinking about how scary it would be to give birth and not understand what was going on around me. I'm sure your wife will inform you when she can but better you have some understanding now.

Maybe these will be of some help to you (possibly from your wife's mouth)

Nigdy nie dotykaj mnie ponownie- along the lines of NEVER TOUCH ME AGAIN
Jesteś diabłem- You are the devil
Będę cię wykastrować- I'll castrate
:) :)

Good luck to you and your wife.

Life / Myslovitz- are there any other Polish bands that sing the same genre and are as good? [9]

Lady Pank- zawsze tam gdzie ty and Zabiorę Cię właśnie tam

Language / A few sentences I should learn before my wife gives birth [14]


Yeah you're right, Oops I stuck to the emergency ones.

Scolari-ire, you might want to get your wife to remember these names...

Petydyna (pethidine) or Diamorfina (diamorphine) depending on what they offer at the hospital.
gazu rozweselającego / podtlenku azotu (laughing gas/nitrous oxide)
YOUR survival in the delivery room will depend on the availability of the above :) Only joking.

Another thing I found while looking for translations was that apparently, not all hospitals in Poland have 24hr access of an anaesthetist to give a spinal epidural. So if your wife really wants to have one for her pain relief then its worth double checking at the hospital.

I need a Polish native to translate these ones for you as I can't find a reliable translation.

Your wife may very well need her waters broken for her after she has gone into labour, the midwife will do so manually with what looks like a knitting needle.

Also she may be asked if she has "had a show" which is English for the mucous membrane plug coming out.

Language / A few sentences I should learn before my wife gives birth [14]

I haven't given birth in Poland but here are some words that could possibly be used if necessary,

Próbka krwi - blood sample

Dziecka tętno - Child's heart rate

Awaryjne - Emergency

Sala operacyjna - Operating theatre

Cesarskie cięcie - Caesarean section

Nacięcie krocza - Episiotomy

If neither of you speak enough Polish to understand/be understood in the delivery room then I agree with what Polishmama said, maybe an interpreter would be too impersonal but I think in the same situation, I would need someone to translate, a friend or family member or even an English speaking Doula. You can find out more here and at the bottom of the page, check if there are any in your area.

shantala.pl/mama/doula

Good luck to you and your wife x

Food / Could you recommend me a fresh Polish juice from fruit? [18]

Buy a juicer and make your own, much better and you know exactly what is in there.

Language / Polish slang phrases - most popular. [606]


Just answered on your other post

=Kiss

Law / Opening a Polish Bank Account by a foreigner in Poland. Recommendations. [299]

I just opened an account with Mbank here in Poland and they sent a guy out to my house, I had to sign the forms he brought with him and show my ID. It was only after that would they issue account number and debit card. I don't know if its because I'm not Polish, they wanted to check that I actually live here or if its normal to do that.

If you do contact any banks then ask if they do this, saves wasting your time.

Life / Warning: dog owners in Poland ('Flea solution') [8]

Pip, I found all info through Google. There was lots of other stuff about non chemical things to use but the cider vinegar was rated the best. Like I said, a few drops to the back of the neck, like you would with the spot on, is all that's needed. To boost protection you can add a few drops to the animals water, if they will drink it.

I don't think i have even seen a tick. I don't have to worry too much about them anyway at the moment. Here in Poland my cat is indoors, we live on the 5th floor and I'm scared to let him out on the balcony because he loves to climb. I try to take him outside on his harness to the little park opposite me, but there's always dogs running around and it terrifies him :(

I'm feeling sorry for him, back in the UK we don't see him. He spends all his time in the garden, only coming inside for food and his bed.

Life / Warning: dog owners in Poland ('Flea solution') [8]

I hope the dog feels better soon Wedle.

Same thing happened to my Cat a little while back after using Spot on. He had fits and was foaming at the mouth. Very scary stuff.

I use cider vinegar on him now, not chemical products. I pop a few drops on the back of his neck every few weeks and have had no problems with Flea's, didn't find even 1 over the last year. I'm not sure if works well for dogs too, maybe in a bigger quantity? Also if you take your dog to forests for walks then it could come into contact with deer and fox ticks, I'm not sure the cider vinegar would protect against them. It's worth checking though.

Love / Polish girls want to be dominated. Fact? [63]

GabiDaHun -


:) :) Very true.

GabiDaHun-


You and me both, I just don't get silly girls who behave that way.

GabiDaHun-


I find this very cruel behaviour from my own kind, I have seen friends do it to men countless times and often sooner or later the guy finds himself a tasty new worm. Some of the guys I thought were very stupid, falling for the bullsh*t and putting up with all the drama, still taking the girls out, buying them things and trying to impress etc...all for a monthly BJ if they were lucky.

GabiDaHun-


Of course, ChrisMac, the decision is yours but this is the best advice so far.

Love / Polish girls want to be dominated. Fact? [63]


I disagree, yeah a man should be a man but for me it is more important that he is open emotionally, shows vulnerability. It makes him human and not the testosterone filled super hero that men feel they should be. I love when my BF tells me that he needs me, couldn't live without me etc.... (of course we know that he could) but it allows me to see how he really feels in a different way other than telling me he loves me. I have never felt any disaffection towards him for this, I respect that he is man enough to share his true feelings with me. Ask me again if he started wearing my make up or clothes or painting his nails :)


I don't think this is the issue, it certainly wasn't a weakness that you chose to spend your first week here with her, its not like living together permanently is it? Personally I would have wanted it that way after not seeing each other for so long. I feel its more to do with someone else, probably the Ex you mentioned, maybe she is confused but you deserve to be told the truth and not have her play games with you.


She is keeping her options open, for example-if her Ex is trying to win her back but she is unsure and she does feel something for you then she will be reluctant to close the door to you completely....YET. Maybe it true that she just doesn't feel the same way for you any more, but its unfair for her to expect you to just sit around and wait for a decision.


Don't!
You have a lot of new friends to make and new places to see and as the old saying goes...there's plenty more fish in the sea :) Good luck

Love / Do some Polish women prefer older men for money? [57]


Probably, the same as women from any other nationality I would imagine.

I have, from my BF (polish), a few tales from his and friends experiences with the opposite sex.

One of his mates got with a woman aged 20, he was just 16 (not too big a gap but IMO a woman of 20 is usually way more mature both sexually and mentally/wants different things, than a young guy of 16) It was his first relationship, I don't want to say she had been around the block a few times so I will use.... she was world wise :)

The area they were from was quite poor at the time, not much chance of furthering yourself if your family didn't have money. She was from a large family being raised by mum only in a tiny flat, he was the second child to a wealthy family . She tried to move things very quickly, speaking( he actually described it as forcing) of marriage etc....after a while when his friends and family started to tell him that he was way too young be married/tied down he started to see sense and eventually ended things with her.

This woman had been accepted into his family and they had treated her well, still did even after the relationship ended...........What she did next was cold, calculating and down right disgusting.......

Yes.... she tried it on with the father! she basically offered it on a plate and wanted him to leave his wife (the ex-boyfs mother, who had been a friend to her for around 1 year, inviting her into the family home) and run away to be with her. Father declined her kind offer so later around a year after she went on a date with the brother :@

My immediate thought was that she was just a money grabbing slut who just wanted to part of the family by any means=money but perhaps she just really liked Babcia's pierogi recipe :)

I can almost get my head around the desperate need to meet/marry someone with money in this womans situation but to do something like that, knowing full well that you will split a family is just ruthless and sick.

I'm not saying all Polish women have this mentality, I personally don't know enough of them to judge nor has my BF and his friends had contact with the entire female population of Poland (at least I hope not lol)

Food / Anybody in Poland actually eats soup-mix soups? [27]

Apart from the odd Gorący kubek I stay away from shop bought ready mixes. I make my own Polish soups from scratch, much healthier.

I'm happy with my soups....its the Sernik that will be the death of me :)

Language / What were the first Polish words and phrases you have learned? [63]

Cześć
Dzięn dobry
Halo
Dziękuje
Proszę
Do Widzenia
Przepraszam
Nie rozumiem

Closely followed by..
Kurwa, kurwa mać, Kurwa jebana mać, Dupek, Chuj, Kutas and lots of filth to say, which I'm too much of a lady to write lol

Love / Valentines Day & Polish men [130]


Not just the bars....most of the shops where i live have decorations in the windows. Going into Kabaty Tesco this evening there was a new renault car parked outside the entrance, decked out with love hearts with an advert to buy it for your valentine!! :@

Love / Living with a Polish man, but he has a drinking problem? [60]

Sorry things have turned out this way for you Worriedanita but good you see this now rather than waste any more time on this selfish, sad excuse for a man.


Everyone has stress and deals with it, usually without becoming an alcoholic in the process, somewhere along the line this guy had his reasons why he turned to Alcohol, you can never truly know what is in someones head, or what they are desperately trying to blot out, unless they tell you truthfully.


Absolute bullsh*t.... of course he can stop, with help and support but like others have said, he has to want to. There's always Esperal implant too if he seriously wanted to quit.


I wouldn't take this personally.....she is merely a roof over his head and drinking partner and I would take pleasure in telling her that she is welcome to your used goods :)


I agree, you need to be careful because sooner or later (hopefully later then you will be gone) he will realise what he has thrown away and things could get nasty.

Good luck x

Life / Second hand English bookshop in Warsaw [7]

For anyone interested in books in English language....
I have found a public library that has lots. Its at Stokłosy, head for ul Herbsta, once you are outside of the Metro look ahead and you see a building with number 4 on it (there is a carrefour shop on the side) Its in that building but blink and you will easily miss it - like I did :) as its not clear that it is in there, just a small sign with Biblioteka.

Love / Living with a Polish man, but he has a drinking problem? [60]


I would damn well want to know for sure, I wouldn't trust him nor speak to him again if this is where he has been staying. He knows exactly what your reaction to staying with this girl will be.

Even if you did decide to take him back and make it a condition that he stays away from these "friends" there's nothing to say that a few months down the line you won't be back in this situation again if he decides to visit them again. It could also be a case of the green eyed monster, or in this case monsters. His "friends" could well be jealous of the life/relationship he has with you and encourage him to mess up, not that it is an excuse as he is a grown man and responsible for his actions, even if the mates are saying he is under the thumb etc.... A guy who does not have the balls to say no to his mates and shows no respect for his woman Jest on cipki!!


Agreed

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Love / I`m Polish bloke lookin`for an English girl. Is it gonna work out? [51]

Seb,
It most certainly can work, I'm English and have been with my Polish boyfriend for the last 2 and a half years. We met at work and at first it was just for fun, something casual/friends. He was sweet, shy and very polite (also tall, handsome, gorgeous, sexy i could continue but i think you get the message lol) I find him so different to english guys in so many ways but similar in others too. The biggest issues are Religion....he is catholic and is quite religious, not devout or anything... where i am not. It's not really a problem between us at the moment but it could be when we get married and have children. Also the language barrier is frustrating, more so for me. I really want to speak properly with his family,( his mum, his gran, most others speak English) I can speak a little at the moment but eventually would like to be fluent.


Bullsh*t ! mine doesn't. English women or Women from any other nationality don't like it. Hence why I removed myself from a long term relationship to a English guy previous to my current relationship. My Mr Polska never makes me feel frightened, never threatens me and never hurts me. Of course we fight and argue but if the truth be told I have more of a bad temper than him lol.


Ha ha I prefer parówką ;)


Yeah because most girls know that the English guy hitting on you in a bar, wanting to buy you a drink or two is actually expecting access all area's and your knickers on his bedroom floor. In my single days no matter how pissed i was i always made it perfectly clear that there was nothing more going to happen and that a drink certainly did not = a quick BJ in the loo's.(how romantic lol) I can't catagorise all men in clubs, be it Polish or English because of course there are some nice decent ones. So Seb, I wouldn't bother trying to meet girls in bars as you will be eyed with suspicion :) Of course some women will more than happily go home with you, it just depends what you want.


Like English guys aged 17-21 they also like big boobed blonde hair barbies too....my boyfriend included at that age until he grew up ;) now he appreciates a "real woman" with curves and particularly loves my Gruba dupa :) :) :)

Travel / Getting back to Poland on an old ID. [15]

in conclusion: keep your passport valid no matter what...

He really wishes he had now.

Thanks all for advice.