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Posts by polishmama  

Joined: 2 Dec 2010 / Female ♀
Last Post: 22 Aug 2012
Threads: 3
Posts: 279
From: Midwest, USA i Wroclaw, Polska
Speaks Polish?: Tak, muwiem po polsku
Interests: Blogging, Polish food, culture, and history, family

Displayed posts: 282 / page 1 of 10
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polishmama   
22 Aug 2012
UK, Ireland / First proper "Polish" School in the UK - The Next Stage of Ghettoisation [283]

With all due respect, murder, crime,drug abuse and homelessness is off the scale in America. Europe is relatively crime free, in comparison.

And? Also, have you seen the size of the USA and maps depicting distribution of crimes? The point is, some people need to stop complaining about free benefits and immigrants stealing yer jawbs. Anyway, I have a life and am not a miserable person filled with hatred toward others, I'm off to bask in Midwest American sunshine. :P
polishmama   
22 Aug 2012
USA, Canada / Where could I go in Pittsburgh that has a high population of Polish-Americans? [39]

If you know Chicago, what suburbs

Skokie and the area around it.

's not near as hot here in the summer as it is in Chicago.

Chicago does not get hot or humid until August, typically. For the past month, we've had a lovely steady decline from the 80's into the 70's with little humidity compared to say, Maryland. It's cold as a bleep in the winter, but no place is perfect. Plus, you just learn to dress for it and pick up certain tips to get through the monthlong cold. And it's breathtakingly beautiful seeing the prairies covered in snow here.
polishmama   
22 Aug 2012
UK, Ireland / First proper "Polish" School in the UK - The Next Stage of Ghettoisation [283]

Funny, you never heard of the program a moment ago and now you have a false idea of the heroin consumption rate in your country. Btw, the program doesn't give dope just to shooters, but also to snorters and smokers. Apparently, there were enough people in the population using the drug to warrant tax payer money being spent on their drug, needles, foil, and even a place to do their drug. That's not one or two people, mate.

Also, you are quoting stats which only account for the number coming in, not leaving. Blame your employers for wanting to hire on short term contract, etc. foreigners instead of natives.

art learning spanish,amigo.

Yo hablo Español already, amigo. And I'm a woman, so it's amiga. I also speak English, Polish and a bit of French and German. You?

And way to answer my question, by tossing in a backhanded comment about the US. I thought

Who gives a fook about North America. Its totally irrelevant to the topic at hand.

, remember? Or is this (insert British term to express your continued disappointment regarding the Revolutionary War) supposed to butt out of European affairs? Oh, that's right, it's a public forum about Poland, not bloody England.

Its called methadone.

DOPE.

theargus.co.uk/news/1041826.nhs_to_give_addicts_free_drugs/

They get pharmaceutical heroin on-site and methadone to take home.
polishmama   
22 Aug 2012
UK, Ireland / First proper "Polish" School in the UK - The Next Stage of Ghettoisation [283]

be proud.

Please don't tell me who I supposedly am or how I should feel. I'm not your child.

And the free dope program in the UK has been around for over a decade, I recall learning about it as a teenager and being shocked watching a video about it on tv. You're on the computer, google it, free heroin Britain. It's run by your NHS and has been around in some form or another in the UK since the 1920's. You guys hand out weekly prescriptions, foil for "safer" heroin smoking, new needles, even a novel idea the "Shooting galleries" where heroin addicts can go to "safely" shoot heroin.

Britain's free benefits. Lovely.
polishmama   
22 Aug 2012
UK, Ireland / First proper "Polish" School in the UK - The Next Stage of Ghettoisation [283]

RevokeNice, is yank another term some Britons use to express disappointment in losing the Revolutionary War?

Speaking of free benefits, how's the free heroin program working out in the UK? I still don't get how the UK joined the EU in the beginning days and now is grumbling because... I still don't know why. Too much time on some people's hands? Lack of education? Unsatisfying home life? I know! Hudsonhicks got rejected by enough Polish women that he is resentful of them now.
polishmama   
22 Aug 2012
Law / Rights of a consumer when dealing with faulty goods in Poland? [65]

Yes, I think that brings up a good point. Megachains all over have issues compared to small businesses. I use the purse example and made a generalization, my apologies. I hate generalizations based on one or two situations. I'm quite sure other places don't have the issues I had with the purse. I also ended up buying a Gabor purse that week, which I love to this day with no issues whatsoever.
polishmama   
22 Aug 2012
UK, Ireland / First proper "Polish" School in the UK - The Next Stage of Ghettoisation [283]

prejudiced against Poles

Glad you finally admit it, old chap! You hold prejudiced views!! Bravo.

Blahblahblah more prejudiced dribble that doesn't address points people make that debunk your pseudofacts. Go on, troll. Keep hating the world, somehow that will change things. Or, would you prefer England did to the Poles what Germany did... you know when. Oh, wait, more history. That's right, I don't recall you being able to handle that. Hateful hateful hateful person... smh
polishmama   
22 Aug 2012
Law / Rights of a consumer when dealing with faulty goods in Poland? [65]

Prime example of what Romney was touting about Poland, an unregulated business sector which held prime examples of Capitalism under Republican rule. "It broke on you? Tough. Run around in a circle then buy a new one, you should have done your research ahead of time." I love Poland, I really truly love it, but it is a peeve of mine as well about this particular issue there.

I remember buying a purse a couple of years ago in Wroclaw's mall, taking it home and the zipper breaking. I went to the store the next day with my receipt and getting such a hard time from the staff at the store that I was frankly beyond shocked. I was told that without a receipt, which I held in my hand, I could do nothing. Then, they looked at the receipt and said "You must have bought this at least a month ago so we can't do anything" and when I said to look at the receipt again and that I specifically recalled her face ringing me up at the register the day prior, she said that she didn't remember me and the receipt was a fake. I stood there for a full minute ignored until I got loud and embarrassing (for both myself and her) until they let me get another purse, but stressed that it had to be the same exact one in the same style, color, everything, and if I couldn't find another there, there was nothing they could do.

But, oh yes, let's vote in Romney and deregulate here in the USA, it'll be good for... the megawealthy. All I can tell you, OP, is good luck. You will probably need to buy a new one. And prepare for the same sort of thing happening in the USA, which has already started (try calling a cable, telephone, internet, and cell phone service provider when their service is not working and let me know how long you talked on the phone and how stupid they made you feel for calling because their service was acting up after paying over $500/mo with them for a full bundle service.).
polishmama   
22 Aug 2012
UK, Ireland / First proper "Polish" School in the UK - The Next Stage of Ghettoisation [283]

You think you're having a normal rational argument with these people then they bring in history to cheat

Prejudiced dribble based on pseudofacts is not "having a normal rational argument", it's prejudice. And bringing up history when it 100% applies to whether or not Brits supposedly integrate 100% into former British colony countries where they speak English anyway is not cheating. It's presenting facts that debunk a flawed attempt at justifying prejudiced dribble.

In no way shape or form can I tolerate prejudice from anyone toward any group. I would argue against your prejudiced, hurtful and baseless views if you were saying this about Jews, Blacks, Middle Easterners, or any other group, just as strongly.

Disgusting attitude to have in life, really, and I presume that you are at a point in your life where you are unhappy with some things. Well, vomiting prejudiced views on a forum somewhere does not improve your life in any way shape or form, it just keeps fueling darkness in your heart. I hope you find peace in your heart and satisfaction in your personal life soon.

My point is that the example you chose does not make any sense at all!

Word.
polishmama   
21 Aug 2012
UK, Ireland / First proper "Polish" School in the UK - The Next Stage of Ghettoisation [283]

i'd never judge a person on their nationality but the generalisation is very clear

Do you read what you actually write? You just said that you don't judge people but yet make unflattering generalizations which is judging people.

Do you speak any other languages besides your native English? I can never understand how people who only speak one language can have such a... loose understanding of that one and only language.

these people and their "ways".

Wooooooooooooooooow. I am speachless.

United States 678,000

Most of these countries are English-Speaking Ango-Saxon nations

Have you ever been to the USA? Yes, we habla Inglés but we did bastardize it enough and blend it with the languages of the next immigrant waves to become our own "make a brit cringe at hearing American English" language, and rightly so. Oh, and in case you didn't know, we also speak Spanish, in fact, every school now requires Spanish as much as they do Science or Math, etc.

Also, please don't call creating a colony such as the USA or Australia an example of the British "integrating". Land snatching from the natives is not "integration", it's colonization. Which the Revolutionary War squared away a bit, didn't it? *ouch* And then, if I recall the great British Empire fell, did it not?

Anyway, walk around Chicago, New York or any other large USA city and actually listen, you will hear at least 1/4 of the people speaking a foreign language and they are most likely not tourists from a foreign country. Welcome to America, where we habla a boatload of languages and where we acknowledge that people who are prejudiced and make generalizations of a people tend to be uneducated, intolerant and are no bueno. Or, have you never visited here before?
polishmama   
20 Aug 2012
UK, Ireland / Fertile Polish Women in the UK [87]

What's with the repeated posts started by the same people over and over again expressing and "proving" that their prejudiced views are "correct" here on PF? You know, when you focus your life to revolve around hating a person or group of persons, you just have a hate filled and unsatisfactory life since those people don't go away whether you focus on hating them or not.
polishmama   
20 Aug 2012
Off-Topic / I am a Pariah: My Horror Story [44]

I guess they're more sensitized to it up there or something

No, it's more like, I look Polish for sure and grew up with a Polish accent for a while and when people meet me, they ask "Kasia? What kind of name is that?" and there's no way to not introduce myself as being Polish with that name so it's right off the bat very obvious that I am Polish. Were my name Maria or something else equally not obvious, maybe it would have been different for me growing up in MD. But in a way, it's nice to have an obviously Polish first name because I can pick out who is a racist idiot right during introductions that way and don't have to waste my time on such people.
polishmama   
18 Aug 2012
Off-Topic / I am a Pariah: My Horror Story [44]

I was thinking of moving somewhere in Maryland

And here I moved FROM Maryland after growing up there being ostracized for being "that Polack chick". -.-
polishmama   
9 Aug 2012
Life / Observation of Polish drivers, by and English anthropologist. [94]

I have a personal theory that Westerners drivers were like this maybe 30 years ago. From what I remember as a young child, US drivers were much more... lax in their driving behaviours. ;) It might also have at least a bit to do with the Polish rebel spirit.

The speeding thing I see everywhere though. Paris was terrifying as a passenger in a car, for example.
And I can say that I am the only one in my group of friends who only goes maybe 5 miles over the speedlimit, if that. And there's this lovely mentality of smiling with a dolt in the car to nobody in particular while switching lanes without signaling or waving thanks, or when a dog in the road, a small residential road near a school with nobody behind and speeding and hitting the car without pause. Lovely, really. While smiling to nobody.
polishmama   
8 Aug 2012
USA, Canada / How to get Drivers license in IL without social security? [96]

I live in IL:

cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x173.pdf

Here's what you need to get a driver's license in IL... You can get a "Temporary Visitor Driver's License" ifyou "submit a letter on SSA letterhead with each application, issued within 90 days prior to the date of application, verifying ineligibility for a Social Security number.

Supposedly, the law also states that in IL, you have to be able to take the test in English. The study manual is available in Polish and Spanish version for IL, though.

RE:

ok I don't have all the papers for to get a drivers ilncense but why I sitill have to pay the tickets ??

I'm an immigrant, too. You get a ticket because you broke the laws set to protect people like myself driving around my innocent children in my car. Pay the bloody ticket. Better yet, don't break the law.

I have a friend who is an illegal immigrant, long story don't feel like going into what happened that got her in that situation but it really wasn't her fault. She doesn't drive. Why? Because she can't and she's not a lawbreaker.

Like I said, I'm an immigrant, too. I have more tolerance and sympathy toward illegal and legal immigrants than natives. But that doesn't mean I think it's ok for people to break the law, native born or immigrant (legal or illegal). You don't bloody drive without a driver's license. Simples.

abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/iteam&id=8287961

Here's a fun article about the language requirements for a drivers license in IL and how people slip through the cracks.
polishmama   
8 Aug 2012
Travel / Poland in photo riddles [3134]

No adult tooth sockets. Which is weird, btw. Only ever heard of one person having that issue and he wasn't Polish.
polishmama   
8 Aug 2012
Food / What do non-Poles think about eating the following Polish foods? [1281]

No, fuzzy, throwing salt over your shoulder drives the ghosts away who are looking over it to count each grain of salt and might possibly bring you death. Lol I read that once on origins of folk superstitions. Also, why you are supposed to cover your mouth while yawning so ghosts counting your teeth don't fall in, and some others.

I have to say, I will have to try the kidney recipe. I tried it once. Oh my good lord was the experience... Memorable ;) If you want, I can share link tomorrow since I blogged about it. I might have scarred my kids with the kidneys debacle. Good times. Lol

polishmamaontheprairie.com/2011/12/beef-kidneys-culinary-disaster.html

There you go, my kidney experience ;) Hope you enjoy.
polishmama   
6 Aug 2012
Travel / Winter clothes for trip to Warsaw? [13]

mid calf boot

I would think mid calf. That area of Poland is, imo, flat, so sludgy water can be an issue in winter. Much like the US Midwest.
polishmama   
6 Aug 2012
Genealogy / Leon Novak - Searching for my Polish granddad! [5]

I think that's a good bet to do that. Also, try to find out any family member names, siblings, anyone. Do you know anything else at all? Even the tiniest detail can make a big difference. A place, a town, name, family tradition. I'm sorry to ask again, but do you know whether he passed away or not?
polishmama   
6 Aug 2012
Language / Using the correct grammar is stopping me from progressing with Polish language [35]

I am so glad you haven't list the love for the Polish language as I did the French language. Perhaps, maybe pull a close Polish friend to the side and tell them, in English or Polish, how you are feeling and ask for their help. I know it's easier said than done to just tell someone to just try. That moment of panic, a pressure to (in your mind) perform, it leads you not just unable to speak sometimes, it can literally be disorienting. Perhaps, that friend would be willing to do one-on-one conversations with you to help. Just a few minutes here and there in private, they will he understanding and encouraging to you, I have never met a Pole who sneered at someone they know who was learning Polish. You will most likely get a lot smiles, correcting (tip: repeat the correction, it really does help), and they will try to speak slower for you and occasionally ask if you understand a word they said to you. Poles know their language is difficult, they love when people want to learn it English native speakers, on the other hand, well that's different. I suspect it's partly because it's presumed the whole bloody world speaks English. Some English native speakers encourage, others sneer (yet if you pay attention or read their Facebook, that superiority complex some hold for speaking English is just... Well, you get the idea). I really hope that helps you to keep feeling encouraged. :) :)
polishmama   
6 Aug 2012
Language / Using the correct grammar is stopping me from progressing with Polish language [35]

It happens. I say, keep talking and trying and trying again. I didn't learn English with people telling me about nouns and conjugations and prepositions. I would repeat in my mind what someone said if it seemed like something I needed to work on, and would keep trying and trying some more. Then again, I got hung up on the same thing as you in French and don't recall much because it was miserable to learn and I lost the feeling of "oh, french sounds so beautiful" (now it sounds so similar to German in it's growling and combined words). Just keep trying, who cares if you make mistakes. How many native English, French, and Polish speakers have I met in my life who regularly made mistakes and butchered their one and only language? COUNTLESS. Pozdrawiam...
polishmama   
6 Aug 2012
Real Estate / Cousin stole my dads home in Poland... [49]

I wish you luck. But imo, I don't see how your case would win. Also, I am confused how you didn't know about the property issues. I mean, in all countries, when someone passes away, the inheritance is (at least started for) transfer. You would have found out asap what the will said. In fact, while in town for her funeral. May your Babcia rest in peace. I assume you light a candle for her for All Souls Day.

And unless you are speaking Polish, at least some words here and there, it's presumed (and most often correctly) that an English speaker using the word Polak is using it as a derogatory word and perhaps without knowledge that they are being very offensive.

Last note, it was confusing why you mentioned the location of the flat. I mean, none us care where it is, nor does it affect any legal advise one would provide. Perhaps, a type-o, yes?

Anyway, good luck. And don't say Polak, please. Let us know how your case goes. Will be interesting to see how it goes.
polishmama   
5 Aug 2012
Genealogy / Szamovo or Szumowo? I Can't Tell Where He Was - maybe in Poland? [10]

The record reads Suwalki. The kids were all born in the USA, except for Antoni. Names Julian Czarniecki (b 12-24-1876) and Alexandria (b 6-24-1918). Came through Antwerp, Belgium to USA.

jewishgen.org/jri-pl/psa/suwalkisurn.htm

Perhaps this might help you. "List of all surnames contained in Jewish civil records of the town of Suwalki."

I forget which family member you believe was the "crypto-jew" as you called it.

tiptopglobe.com/city?n=Somovo&p=13729#lat=51.73920&lon=39.3 5720&zoom=7

There is also a Somovo in Russia, a few kilometers from Lipetsk.

As well as a tiny village named Sumowo near Suwałki, Poland

There is also a lake called Sumowo about 12 miles from Suwałki.
polishmama   
5 Aug 2012
Genealogy / Leon Novak - Searching for my Polish granddad! [5]

Hello, may I ask a couple of questions? That way, ppl might be able help better. One, do you where near Krakow, or no? Two, any known religion? Is he still not alive, if not I'm sorry. Also, would know where/when he died? Which military did he serve? Do you know if he married, had kids, or any sibling or other relative names?

Also, to clarify for all, are you writing the date as normal European order, meaning April 8th (I presume yes but others trying to help might not be sure, and in genealogy one must never presume).