rybnik
7 Jan 2013
History / Life in communist Poland - personal relations [397]
..............also in bags
Milk was sold in giant glass bottles
..............also in bags
rybnik
6 Jan 2013
History / Life in communist Poland - personal relations [397]
AND great free pre-natal and post-natal care!
I still remember as if it were yesterday, how surprised I was when a nurse arrived at my wife's door 2 days after deleivering our baby.
She came to see if both baby and mommy were fine; to scope out the surroundings and to instruct everyone on newborn baby care.
This American was very impressed.
More kindergardens and nurseries
AND great free pre-natal and post-natal care!
I still remember as if it were yesterday, how surprised I was when a nurse arrived at my wife's door 2 days after deleivering our baby.
She came to see if both baby and mommy were fine; to scope out the surroundings and to instruct everyone on newborn baby care.
This American was very impressed.
rybnik
21 Dec 2012
Life / Where have all the carollers in Poland gone? [9]
that's nice
did they do that during PRL-days?
In my part of Wrocław and Zielona Góra they never did :(
Kid carollers still roam around my block of flats each Christmas. :):):)
that's nice
did they do that during PRL-days?
In my part of Wrocław and Zielona Góra they never did :(
rybnik
18 Dec 2012
Feedback / I love this forum - It's so Polish: tolerant, inconsistent, amusing [184]
I know exactly what you mean!!
This is like the only place I can come and tell my stories and I feel good when I leave
I know exactly what you mean!!
rybnik
13 Dec 2012
Food / 'Wigilia', the traditional Christmas Eve supper in Poland [77]
barszcz z uszkami done well is far from bland
now that's another story :(
the traditional Wigilia dishes are at best bland,
barszcz z uszkami done well is far from bland
ryba w galarecie
now that's another story :(
rybnik
13 Dec 2012
Life / What are the best cars to buy in Poland? [40]
why not?
too much tax?
Don't buy a car in Poland Import one if you can
even Polish mechanics here will say not to buy a car in Poland
why not?
too much tax?
rybnik
12 Dec 2012
Genealogy / THE MEANING AND RESEARCH OF MY POLISH LAST NAME, SURNAME? [4501]
the first half of his name, dziób, means beak (as in bird's beak).
Dziobczenski.
the first half of his name, dziób, means beak (as in bird's beak).
rybnik
12 Dec 2012
News / Kaczyński stirs up hatred between Germans and Poles. [20]
It does - racja
That particular wording makes it sound more Polonophillic than Germanophobic.
Doesn't that sound better?
It does - racja
That particular wording makes it sound more Polonophillic than Germanophobic.
rybnik
12 Dec 2012
News / Kaczyński stirs up hatred between Germans and Poles. [20]
tolerance, Ironside, tolerance, for one thing, of the minority.
What values?
tolerance, Ironside, tolerance, for one thing, of the minority.
rybnik
11 Dec 2012
News / PiS wants symmetry for minorites living in Poland [71]
Yes.
Very well said
Remembering history is one thing, being stuck in the past and needlessly living in fear of your neighbors is another.
Yes.
Very well said
rybnik
11 Dec 2012
News / PiS wants symmetry for minorites living in Poland [71]
Polonius
I respect your views but your boy's words and stance vis' a vis Poland's German minority is, to put it plainly, vulgar and inconsistent in a democracy.
Shame on him and on all who agree with him.
The Germans have lived on that soil for a long time (unlike the newly-transplanted Poles on German soil)
and their status in Poland is inherently different than the Polish immigrants'.................
Has Kaczynski brought up a similar issue with the Lithuanians?
Here the comparison is more apt.
Polonius
I respect your views but your boy's words and stance vis' a vis Poland's German minority is, to put it plainly, vulgar and inconsistent in a democracy.
Shame on him and on all who agree with him.
The Germans have lived on that soil for a long time (unlike the newly-transplanted Poles on German soil)
and their status in Poland is inherently different than the Polish immigrants'.................
Has Kaczynski brought up a similar issue with the Lithuanians?
Here the comparison is more apt.
rybnik
10 Dec 2012
News / Kaczyński stirs up hatred between Germans and Poles. [20]
I don't think this kind of thinking is consistent with the values of most Poles
Kaczyński is hoping to stage a March in Opole in May under the slogan Tu jest Polska, ‘Poland is here’
I don't think this kind of thinking is consistent with the values of most Poles
rybnik
10 Dec 2012
Food / How natural is food in Poland? [25]
-bigos (you can google it)
-kotlet schabowy (pork chops, more or less)
-placki ziemniaczne po Węgersku (potato pancakes covered in a paprikasz-like sauce)
can someone reccomend me a good polish dish that I can get everywhere so I can try it in my trip to krakow
-bigos (you can google it)
-kotlet schabowy (pork chops, more or less)
-placki ziemniaczne po Węgersku (potato pancakes covered in a paprikasz-like sauce)
rybnik
9 Dec 2012
rybnik
8 Dec 2012
Life / Unique Culture Aspects of Krakow [18]
lets not forget Kraków's gastronomic side you'll see these being sold on many street corners the obwarzanek
lets not forget Kraków's gastronomic side you'll see these being sold on many street corners the obwarzanek
rybnik
6 Dec 2012
History / History and old pictures from Nowa Huta [11]
Where's that huge statue of Lenin? lol
there are many more at this link under the last picture:
Where's that huge statue of Lenin? lol
rybnik
6 Dec 2012
rybnik
2 Dec 2012
Love / How do I tell her how I feel? Working with a Polish woman. [24]
That's good news.
Hopefully, you'll be able to visit her...................keep us posted!
That's good news.
Hopefully, you'll be able to visit her...................keep us posted!
rybnik
2 Dec 2012
News / Krakow, Poland considers co-hosting the Winter Olympic in 2022 with Slovakia (UPDATE) [30]
Using the same logic, Poland/Slovakia stand a very high chance of being awarded the Winter Olympics, but it would mean creating easy transport crossing across the mountains. At the moment, it's more than 2 hours to travel the 50km between Zakopane and Chopok, and that's in normal traffic not Olympic traffic, and therefore these two countries have no chance.
How valid is Richfilth's point regarding mountain traffic?
Using the same logic, Poland/Slovakia stand a very high chance of being awarded the Winter Olympics, but it would mean creating easy transport crossing across the mountains. At the moment, it's more than 2 hours to travel the 50km between Zakopane and Chopok, and that's in normal traffic not Olympic traffic, and therefore these two countries have no chance.
How valid is Richfilth's point regarding mountain traffic?
rybnik
1 Dec 2012
News / Krakow, Poland considers co-hosting the Winter Olympic in 2022 with Slovakia (UPDATE) [30]
forgive me, then why even try? Why go through all of this if it's only a pipe dream?
I don't think anybody actually believes we could win
forgive me, then why even try? Why go through all of this if it's only a pipe dream?
rybnik
1 Dec 2012
News / Krakow, Poland considers co-hosting the Winter Olympic in 2022 with Slovakia (UPDATE) [30]
I completely forgot about all those existing resources like the student dorms.
Maybe it makes sense
I completely forgot about all those existing resources like the student dorms.
Maybe it makes sense
rybnik
1 Dec 2012
History / An American studying medicine in the PRL 1978-1985: my story [142]
The melina
How many of you are familiar with the pain and frustration associated with running out of alcohol just when the party's gaining momentum? You know,
people are getting relaxed. The awkwardness of unfamiliarity begins to melt as the Wyborowa is being poured. Each successive "na zdrowie" loosening stiff anglophonic tongues. Just as shy Americans begin opening up to their equally reticent Polish hosts, those awful, nails-on-blackboard sounding words "nie ma wódki" are spoken. Those who have been there know how immediate the deflation can be. What made things worse back then was the fact that all the stores were closed by 6pm! (I think the Pewex closed an hour later) making a quick vodka run impossible.
The Polish solution? The melina, which translates into den, joint, was an after-hours vodka shop run by fellow-students, located in your dorm. How convenient!!
Everyone knew where their melina was. His room number was common knowledge. Should you forget and had no one to ask, you could always go to the portier, the lobby guy. He always knew who was selling.
The melina guy was the dealer of spirits when "just one more" was needed and you just had to have it.
You paid double but you didn't care...............I was so impressed by the business these guys were doing, that my roommate PT and I started our own.
BIG MISTAKE!
Most of the people who knocked at your door came after 2am, were stinking drunk, obnoxious and tried to stiff you!
Needless to say, our days as melina operators was shortlived................Chalk another one for experience.
The melina
How many of you are familiar with the pain and frustration associated with running out of alcohol just when the party's gaining momentum? You know,
people are getting relaxed. The awkwardness of unfamiliarity begins to melt as the Wyborowa is being poured. Each successive "na zdrowie" loosening stiff anglophonic tongues. Just as shy Americans begin opening up to their equally reticent Polish hosts, those awful, nails-on-blackboard sounding words "nie ma wódki" are spoken. Those who have been there know how immediate the deflation can be. What made things worse back then was the fact that all the stores were closed by 6pm! (I think the Pewex closed an hour later) making a quick vodka run impossible.
The Polish solution? The melina, which translates into den, joint, was an after-hours vodka shop run by fellow-students, located in your dorm. How convenient!!
Everyone knew where their melina was. His room number was common knowledge. Should you forget and had no one to ask, you could always go to the portier, the lobby guy. He always knew who was selling.
The melina guy was the dealer of spirits when "just one more" was needed and you just had to have it.
You paid double but you didn't care...............I was so impressed by the business these guys were doing, that my roommate PT and I started our own.
BIG MISTAKE!
Most of the people who knocked at your door came after 2am, were stinking drunk, obnoxious and tried to stiff you!
Needless to say, our days as melina operators was shortlived................Chalk another one for experience.
rybnik
1 Dec 2012
News / Krakow, Poland considers co-hosting the Winter Olympic in 2022 with Slovakia (UPDATE) [30]
When I first got wind of it I must admit to an immediate sense of incredulity. "Really?"
The recently-concluded European football championships is one thing BUT THE OLYMPICS? In Kraków?
I dunno.
Can Poland pull this one off?
Where do you get the funding for something like this?
Hotels and sports venues will need to be built.
With so much that needs yet to be done in Poland, will the people go along?
It's an exciting idea. You've gotta give it to the Poles for thinking big.
Would they even stand a chance of being chosen?
When I first got wind of it I must admit to an immediate sense of incredulity. "Really?"
The recently-concluded European football championships is one thing BUT THE OLYMPICS? In Kraków?
I dunno.
Can Poland pull this one off?
Where do you get the funding for something like this?
Hotels and sports venues will need to be built.
With so much that needs yet to be done in Poland, will the people go along?
It's an exciting idea. You've gotta give it to the Poles for thinking big.
Would they even stand a chance of being chosen?
rybnik
30 Nov 2012
News / PO-PiS again neck and neck [248]
you may be right but I don't think it has anything to do with Tusk himself. Maybe the perception of too much change too quickly has made people uneasy; what they're asking for is a breather, a break.
People seem to have had their fill of Tusk and would consider a serious, responsible and low-key conservative alternative
you may be right but I don't think it has anything to do with Tusk himself. Maybe the perception of too much change too quickly has made people uneasy; what they're asking for is a breather, a break.
rybnik
26 Nov 2012
Feedback / No blanket statements on PF - clarification [134]
you teach little kids?
a primary school teacher ;))
you teach little kids?
rybnik
25 Nov 2012
rybnik
24 Nov 2012
USA, Canada / Homeless Poles in NYC [25]
possibly but not for me.
It runs pretty deep on my father's side.
Of course for many of you it means they deserve nothing but contempt...
possibly but not for me.
It runs pretty deep on my father's side.
rybnik
24 Nov 2012
USA, Canada / Homeless Poles in NYC [25]
And I'll never go home now because of the shame
Of misfit's reflection in a shop window pane......................great line.
The song is relevant to all, who leave their homes in search of work.
Pretty much.................My wife's an ER nurse in a busy metropolitan hospital just outside New York City. I can count on her calling me at home at least twice a week to interpret for the medical staff whenever a Pole ends up being brought there. Mostly it's for being drunk. Sometimes it's for jobsite accidents. The most pathetic being this one guy from Lublin area. He was a day-worker for some Latino construction company (those of you living in the States will easily see the irony in this). He had the misfortune of falling off the roof and breaking a few ribs. He spoke no English, hence the call to me. Turns out he's been in country for 8 years alone; has no address, no insurance, nothing. No one from the jobsite accompanied him................I speak to these guys about 6-8 times a month. I ask them all why they don't go back to Poland and they all say they have nothing to go back to. It's a very sad situation.
And I'll never go home now because of the shame
Of misfit's reflection in a shop window pane......................great line.
The song is relevant to all, who leave their homes in search of work.
Basicly it's such pattern: they work illegally without medical cover for 12 hours or more a day, scrimping all precious cents. After some time they are on verge of nervous breakdown (wife in Poland has a lover etc.), fall victim of some scammers or meet with the accident, so they eventually break down and turn into alcohol drinking up all the money they have scrimped so scrupulously. The next step is being homeless.
Pretty much.................My wife's an ER nurse in a busy metropolitan hospital just outside New York City. I can count on her calling me at home at least twice a week to interpret for the medical staff whenever a Pole ends up being brought there. Mostly it's for being drunk. Sometimes it's for jobsite accidents. The most pathetic being this one guy from Lublin area. He was a day-worker for some Latino construction company (those of you living in the States will easily see the irony in this). He had the misfortune of falling off the roof and breaking a few ribs. He spoke no English, hence the call to me. Turns out he's been in country for 8 years alone; has no address, no insurance, nothing. No one from the jobsite accompanied him................I speak to these guys about 6-8 times a month. I ask them all why they don't go back to Poland and they all say they have nothing to go back to. It's a very sad situation.
rybnik
22 Nov 2012
Love / How do I tell her how I feel? Working with a Polish woman. [24]
Good for you Brumdave, good for you!
. I still can't believe I did it in front of the other girls and didn't even feel embarassed lol.
Good for you Brumdave, good for you!
rybnik
21 Nov 2012
Love / How do I tell her how I feel? Working with a Polish woman. [24]
I got so frustrated with you Dave after reading your post!
I've been in that exact situation back in the day and I have my regrets.
You see, I didn't act.
Don't be a pajac (dummy)!
If anything, get her contact information!!!!
By the sound of it she wasn't turned off by you SO you have a shot.
TAKE THE SHOT DAVE...........good luck
keep us posted please
I got so frustrated with you Dave after reading your post!
I've been in that exact situation back in the day and I have my regrets.
You see, I didn't act.
Don't be a pajac (dummy)!
If anything, get her contact information!!!!
By the sound of it she wasn't turned off by you SO you have a shot.
TAKE THE SHOT DAVE...........good luck
keep us posted please