UK, Ireland / 50 babies a day born to Polish mothers in UK [81]


: )

Subtly impressive there Barney!

Life / Question about hot water in Poland and the use of water heaters? [52]


WTF? Really??

That's a serious amount for oil. In Polish economy terms it's insanity!

UK, Ireland / 50 babies a day born to Polish mothers in UK [81]


I'm sure there has been at some stage. I've only ever heard it said in jest though and I live in a rural area kind of renowned for quaint expressions/old world charm etc

Like the English "top hole old sport" or something maybe still today, somebody, somewhere talks like this.

Jesus pronounced jaysus (especially in Dublin) is common though, without the "be" prefix that is

: )

UK, Ireland / 50 babies a day born to Polish mothers in UK [81]


I am Irish, live there, and I've never even heard it!

It's a hollywood thing I think.

Think of how completely the "pirate" accent has been absorbed into popular culture - apparently, only because one of the very early successful pirate hollywood movies featured an actor who happened to be from Bristol!

UK, Ireland / 50 babies a day born to Polish mothers in UK [81]


Very true. White in colour and "non exotic" culturally makes them fair game.

Similar with Irish a lot of the time too. Certain sections of British media seem to think it's OK to make references to potatoes, drunkenness and talk in silly leprechaun voices etc etc.

I remember on Jonathan Ross a couple of years ago he had Dara Ó Briain on & welcomed him to the seat with all this "ah to be sure, bejasus" type stuff. Dara was laughing a bit, but more out of disbelief than anything and shaking his head in disapproval etc. Ross sort of light heartedly implied he should lighten up and the response was "well put it this way, if I was Indian would you have done a cod Indian accent, wobbled your head and said things like 'goodness gracious me how bloody nice to see you' etc etc.

This response by the way, was edited out...

Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]

Quite a bit of misinterpretation too which can lead to percieved rudeness.

E.g. I've noticed that Poles tend to say "Tak, tak" in fairly quick succession when agreeing about something.

"Yes, yes" said the same way, and at the same speed, with Polish intonation doesn't translate well sometimes - it can sound abrupt or impatient to English speakers.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


No not rolled at all - you mean in the Scottish way maybe? If so, no.

Sounded of course, definitely, but maybe maybe more like a snarling dog if you know what I mean? : )

News / Are Polish newspapers causing problems for Rom? [35]


They shouldn't, I said that a few posts back!

News / Are Polish newspapers causing problems for Rom? [35]


Nor did I - just going by articles, features etc.


Well, I believe you. It's not to say there aren't a high percentage of low life among them too though.

I know, have met, grew up with, went to school with and worked with both travellers and gypsies, the majority of whom were decent but there were always dodgy elements to both - and proportionately a lot more of this element than within the settled community.

I have been both assaulted & ripped off by English gypsies. I have been intimidated by and have had property damaged by travellers.

On the other hand, I was at a charity related function once when I was the only settled person among a room full of about 100 mixed travellers & gypsies - it was a great night.

My only point is that I'm annoyed by this simplistic gypsy = good, traveller = bad idea as it really is a load of baboon vomit.

Anyway, sorry Trevek, that's the thread well and truly hijacked...

News / Are Polish newspapers causing problems for Rom? [35]


I realise that but he identified with and referred to himself as an Irish traveller did he not?

I haven't seen him described as anything else.

News / Are Polish newspapers causing problems for Rom? [35]

Relax!

Criminals, of course - boot them out.


Well it might p1ss you off but they don't have to.

No special protection for anyone, just the weight of the law for those that break it - same as anyone.

In fairness though, there may be a more subtle reason for the percieved criminality in England.

Those travellers who chose to go there, to avail of the ethnic status (that they don't get here) and soft touch approach, are obviously more opportunistic and scammy than those who didn't. Most, thousands, stayed in Ireland and are just for the most part "getting on with it".

What I'm suggesting is that the UK has maybe ended up with the dregs in many cases.

News / Are Polish newspapers causing problems for Rom? [35]

Ok so it's English gypsies = all decent and law abiding noble people with ancient customs & tradtions, travellers= scumbag criminals send them all back, Enoch was right?

Jesus.

Waitaminute - the Gormans?

Er...Bartley Gorman was an Irish traveller if that's who you mean!

Johnny Frankham is in jail as I type. His brother, Bobby (punched a ref. in Wembley by the way) was the one who coached Brad Pitt for Snatch on how to be a convincing Irish traveller - so much for the two incredibly different cultures eh? : )

News / Are Polish newspapers causing problems for Rom? [35]


Nah. Plenty of gypsy scammers too,I've encountered them.


Yes, many are but many aren't - like gypsies.


...but I definitely agree with that.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


Yep, Scots too usually.


I was afraid that might happen : ) Must brush up on my IPA, it would help!

Gumishu, if you (or any Pole) can distinguish between the vowel sounds in NOT, NUT and NOTE then you are half way there in many ways.

But I wouldn't get too hung up - for many native speakers a "foreign" accent, as long as it is understood, is often endearing, sexy even.

News / Are Polish newspapers causing problems for Rom? [35]


I often hear this, the real gypsy thing. I'm not being obstreperous but what is "real" about them?

Let's call a spade a spade - they are all gyppos !

As I said, IME, "English gypsies" are virtually indistinguishable from "travellers" in most ways in my experience.

There seems to be an implication that they are more legitimate or something...not sure.

Politically incorrect, but there is an uncouthness, a primitive aspect, a lawlessness, and an outright criminality which is rife in both - many decent people too, but on average, yes, much more prevalent than in "the settled".

I have found almost no difference between gypsy/traveller in this respect.

Or is this just a semantic thing?

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


As do I.


Of course, thanks verrrrry much ; )


Talking of that and "the queen's English", I've always thought her version of the word "here" sounds more like a gay karate guy than anything else...


Think morning as in forornor

Mourning as in moresore/soarfour

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


Ha Ha! *

The a sound for me is the same in all of these!

* or should that be haw haw? ; )

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


That's west enough to get west country rhoticity though isn't it?

News / Are Polish newspapers causing problems for Rom? [35]


Sure, but the distinction isn't usually made by most of the settled population.

The categories in Ireland tend to be:

Traveller (Irish, but of uncertain true origin, make up most of the "non-settled" community here)

Gypsy (derogatory unless applied to a real gypsy, often known as an "English gypsy", who may or may not have traveller links - they sometimes

intermarry - and who may have historical continental roma links)

Roma (distinctive, swarthy, dark clothing, hats etc)

I'm not saying it's right but that is largely the way it is viewed.

I know a few travellers and English gypsies - culturally and lifestyle wise they appear to be very similar to me.

Travel / Edith Piaf and her sculpture in Kielce, Poland? [6]

Well thank you Boletus!

Travel / Edith Piaf and her sculpture in Kielce, Poland? [6]

Oh no, let me guess - she was actually Polish? LOL

Sorry, no idea but she was very very popular in many countries, particularly in Poland - I think.

It still seems a bit odd but similar things do happen in other countries.

I very doubt "it's in celebrity alley" will be regarded as the answer the OP is looking for.

Try again (if you can grasp the intention of the question)

Travel / Is panhandling a common sight in Poland? [24]


Dunno, but they seem to require to be kicked around by the cops a bit. I've seen it twice, in broad daylight.

News / Are Polish newspapers causing problems for Rom? [35]


Yeah, yeah - I know. But it's just a wishy washy PC term, largely a settled community creation, because they don't like to be called gypsies.

Many "travellers" refer to themselves as pavee anyway.

The common derogatory term in Ireland is knacker. I'd never even heard the term pikey for example until Lock, Stock

News / Are Polish newspapers causing problems for Rom? [35]

Mad though it sounds, I heard that it is relatively common in both Irish traveller and English gypsy circles to keep so called "dossers"

Hard to know though as there is so much myth and BS about these people.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


Mmm. What about morning/mourning? Many don't differentiate - I do though. Then again, Scots & Irish differentiate between witch/which etc and that probably sounds odd to many English speakers.


Well put, yes.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


Also from the SE of England in many cases.

Another classic is paw/poor/pour: all pronounced differently but again, many SE speakers will pronounce them pretty much identically.

Food / Help me like Polish food (recommendations) [48]

Not me anyway.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


Yes, & Richard E Grant & Joanna Lumley...

Music to the ear and pronouncing English properly are NOT the same thing. Many so called upper class/cut glass accented speakers may sound sophisticated, mellifluous or whatever but many are simply not pronouncing sometimes even the simplest words properly.

On average, an educated middle class Scot for example speaks better English than their counterpart in England. True.


And the irony is, the biggest culprits by far are the English themselves LOL

Food / Help me like Polish food (recommendations) [48]


Talk about damning it with faint praise!

Food / Polish Pizza !! The best in the world? [329]

What's to understand anyway? It's so like ... bohemian and nouveau LOL

Anyway wait a minute - uptight countries? Coming from an American ? Albeit one that seems to think all Brits wear bowler hats and play cricket?

Oh, you're good DE.