Genealogy / Writing to the council (tracing for father's step sister) [14]

In the beginning instead of Dear Sir/Madam you shoul write the name of institution i.e. Urząd Miasta Krakowa and adress.

Zwracam się z prośbą o przekazanie moich danych osobowych przyrodniej siostrze mojego ojca, (here you should write her name and date of birth). Do wniosku załączam dowód uiszczenia opłaty. Z góry dziękuję.

Po polsku / Jak wymawiać literę ,,r''? [14]

This guy should be helpful:
youtube.com/watch?v=cPIpTERosZY

Study / Is doing study courses by correspondence popular among Polish people? [5]

Not popular at all. Almost every employer here recognise only qualifications acquired through university (but only normal courses, not correspondence).

News / Is there anything Poland won't do for money? "Wolf's Lair" - up for rent" [59]

Smurf, you might not believe that, but Hollywood is not a source of historical information for everybody.
Stauffenberg being a Nazi doesn't change a fact that Wilczy Szaniec is important historical site, that should be preserved.

News / Is there anything Poland won't do for money? "Wolf's Lair" - up for rent" [59]

Well, I do see a reason to preserve a place where Claus von Stauffenberg tried to assassinate Hitler.

Law / Question About: PKO Mieszkaniowa Ksiazeczka Oszczednosciowa [4]

I don't know if that woul be possible. This is PKO infoline number: (+48)81 535 65 65
Hope that would help.

Law / Question About: PKO Mieszkaniowa Ksiazeczka Oszczednosciowa [4]

There are two options:
First - you can withdraw money from your PKO MKO. It is less profitable, because bank would give you less money comparing to the second option.

Second:) You have to buy an apartment, then you go with deed executed by a notary to bank and bank would transfer money from PKO MKO to account of the apartments owner. Bank have 90 days (I think) to do that.

You have to remember that you also have 90 days to inform bank that you purchased an apartment (house...).
The best idea would be to contact with bank and make sure about procedure.

Language / móc or umieć [17]

You use nie umiem only in situations where something can't be done solely because of your lack of skills.
Nie mogę can be use when:
-something cant be done because of you
-can't be done because of some objective reasons, independent, unrelated to you.

Genealogy / Russian Poland-what general area would this be? [30]

I don't know what K stands for. Maybe you could find some information about your grandfather here: ellisisland.org

Genealogy / Russian Poland-what general area would this be? [30]

As for the territory: it's huge. Russia took about 60% of I Rzeczpospolita Polska (Republic of Poland). These land consist of present: Ucraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia and eastern district (powiat) of podlaskie province (województwo). So you would have to look for Krasnosiek? not only in present Poland.

Genealogy / Russian Poland-what general area would this be? [30]

It is possible that your great grandfather couldn't go to America because Germans didn't allow him to do that. Although he was from territories occupied by Russians, in order to go to America he had to go to German seaports. They were in polish territories occupied by Germany or in Germany (e.g. Hamburg).

Study / Information Needed: Skarbek University, Warsaw. [57]

When it comes to MBA, the best university in Poland is Szkoła Główna Handlowa in Warsaw. It is the biggest and oldest public university of economics and managment in Poland. Every employer here thinks very highly of this school. Leszek Balcerowicz is SGH graduate. If I was in your place I would definetly choose SGH.

News / Iwona Wieczorek - one year since her disappearance [8]

Although it might be wishfull thinking, I hope that Iwona will be found safe and sound.
Her disaperance shocked me and my family. We all remember about her and pray for her.

As for


I would say that Rutkowski was only honest about his work. Even if he wouldn't admitt that he work on that case because of the publicity, everyone would know that anyway. Keep your fals modesty for yourself.

Love / What to do for my PL girlfriend on her name day? [6]

Name day is similar to birthday, so you can buy her a present and take her for a dinner.
In Poland name day party is mostly organised by host in his/her home. Family and frieds come on that day with presents and name day wishes. Women (especially older) also are given flowers.

Language / Is Polish amongst the best-sounding languages in the world? [123]


I don't think that Czech language sounds like that because of Celtic influence. The biggest influence on Czech had German language.
In middle ages czech and polish languages were very similar, almost the same. Czech had a greate impact on polish language, especially on grammar and vocabulary (most of the words related to christianity in polish comes from czech).

Later, when Habsburgs became kings of Bohemia, German became language for nobles and czech started to be considered as peasanst language. Both languages started to mingle.

Love / Talking to a Polish man on "ty" terms [13]

There is a gradation: First and the most official would be only Pani, then Pani Doroto and the last one would be Doroto. You would say Pani Doroto when for example you know her for some time, you are on friendly relations, but she didn't ask you to say only her name. That relation is especially used between neighbours, shop assistants (if you purchase in small, "corner" shops) etc. Pan/Pani is used when you speak to complete stranger or to someone who you know only formally or officialy e.g. civil servant, doctor.

News / Sex is patriotic: Poland's birth rate rises [34]

It seems that we are even more patriotic in Great Britain:
dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366063/Polish-population-growing-faster- UK-Poland.html

Love / Talking to a Polish man on "ty" terms [13]

You can switch from Pani Doroto to Doroto only when she will allow you to do that. She will say then that "it's ok, you can say to me Dorota".

When you start conversation with a stranger, you always have to say to him/her Pan or Pani.
When you are introduced to someone, normally you can skip Pan or Pani and say only name. But again, if you are introduced to someone older than you, you need to have permission from that person to call him/her using only name. Otherwise you woul be consiedered as rude person.

Poles are not very strict with those rules when it comes to foreigners. Even if you would make a faux paux when speaking to them, they wouldn't mind and will always remember that you probably don't know this rules.

News / 'Bored' Poles build 31ft tall Frosty [16]

They wan't to give that snowman on auction during Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy. Would be fuuny to buy it and give it a name. Something like "Bałwan imienia Jana Kowalskiego", meaning "Jan Kowalski's snowman" :D