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Posts by JonnyM  

Joined: 9 Mar 2011 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 15 Mar 2012
Threads: 11
Posts: 2,611 		From: Warszawa!
Speaks Polish?: tak

Displayed posts: 2622 / page 1 of 88
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JonnyM   
9 Mar 2011
Life / Want to watch BBC iplayer in Poland? [59]

Whereabouts in Poland are you? The further east you get, the bigger the dish you need. And beyond a certain point, you're outside the satellite's reach.
JonnyM   
9 Mar 2011
Life / Strange laws in Poland [39]

I was reading a list of unusual laws and one of them was:

In Krakow, Poland it's not only a crime to have sex with animals, but three-time offenders are shot in the head.

Does anyone know if this is true?

The list, by the way, is here:

livingreefs.com/strange-laws-t28919.html
JonnyM   
9 Mar 2011
Life / Strange laws in Poland [39]

Well, it's on the internet so it must be true! And no doubt Zbigniew Ziobro, down in Krakow, would be well up for it.

I wonder if they just dreamed it up, or is it an exaggeration of the truth?
JonnyM   
9 Mar 2011
Life / Strange laws in Poland [39]

Nah. Poland is not the US. We haven't got any local or town laws. Also - there is no death penalty in Polish law.

I knew that - I was just wondering about the origin.

In this case the guy would be charged for indecent behaviour in public an/or for breeching tha Animal Cruelty Act. And of course would be laugh upon for the rest of his life. :)

A farmer I knew used (according to him) do something with calves. Not in public or cruel, just very distatsteful. I wonder if it was illegal too.
JonnyM   
9 Mar 2011
Off-Topic / How would Poles react to a visit from Queen Elizabeth? [72]

How would Poles react to visit from E the II ?Well, most would be bothered! Some will be gawking!

There were huge crowds last time - it seems a lot of people are interested in her.

And how this thread changed into a thread about Ireland ?

She's going there soon. It's an issue because some people in Ireland have strong views about historical injustices, and The Queen has had family members, including children, murdered by the iRA.
JonnyM   
9 Mar 2011
Life / Strange laws in Poland [39]

are these "strange" laws actually any stranger than our 'blue' laws here in the States:

Why not check out the link? It's about blue laws.
JonnyM   
9 Mar 2011
Off-Topic / How would Poles react to a visit from Queen Elizabeth? [72]

Isn't it amazing how donations to Noraid went down after 9/11?

Donations to terrorist organisations were banned straight after 9/11. A scandal they were allowed in the first place.
JonnyM   
9 Mar 2011
Off-Topic / How would Poles react to a visit from Queen Elizabeth? [72]

I suspect it had quite a bit to do with party politics in NY and Boston.

But no matter how much people (on either side) fan the flames from the outside, common sense and decency usually prevails in the end. It just takes a bit of effort.

That and Mo Mowlem taking her wig off and throwing it at the hotheaded politicians.
JonnyM   
9 Mar 2011
Life / How to instigate a row with your Polish missus. [15]

Just kidding, he is an example of the fact that people sometimes declare themselves their nationality.

Exactly. Some Poles even still believe JP2 was Polish!!
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
UK, Ireland / Does everyone know about countess Markiewicz? Polish connection. [16]

A remarkable person. Her sister too.

Were these two quite anomalous at the time?

Not at all. Quite common in fact.

Are there many Protestants in Irish nationalist parties today?

In the south, there are protestants in all walks of life and at the moment quite a high rate of conversions to Anglicanism. The North is somewhat polarised.

Her life was an amazing story. On a side note (a Russia rather than a Poland thing), am I right in thinking that the most important part of the Russian crown jewels, the Cap of Monomakh, spent a few years in a cardboard box in someone's attic in Dublin?
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
Language / Pronounciation of the name "Rafael" [16]

It isn't a Polish surname. There is a Polish first name Rafał pronounced Rafau (raf + ow as in town, slightly longer a than cat, accent on the first syllable ). But it is a first name only.

If a Polish person had Rafael or Raphael as a (foreign) surname, they would pronounce it pretty well as you suggested.
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
Language / Pronounciation of the name "Rafael" [16]

A pleasure! You've got me wondering now if there's anybody in PL called Rafał Rafael... I used to know a Michał Michalski ;-)
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
Off-Topic / An English Version of Gadu-Gadu? [105]

it says... "usluga nieoplacona. czy chcesz przedluzyc uslugi"....!??

They want you to pay.
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
Life / Polish dentistry cost - 230 zl for one tooth cavity filling [99]

I think people are prone to preying on foreigners - with the amount of visitors that come through Krakow with big money to spend (again, stronger currencies) there is potential for a lot of profit...why wouldn't they try and cash in on it?

Think how much 8 fillings would have cost you at a private dentist back home. A hell of a lot more than 1150zl. I remember here on this forum you asking for (and people helping you find) an emergency dentist who speaks English.

We thought had toothache. People were helping you. But 8 fillings? Eight!! Now it seems you only wanted to get something cheap.

We should have charged you for the advice, cheapskate.
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
Language / Pronounciation of the name "Rafael" [16]

the U in "cut" and not the A in "cat"?

That would depend which part of the English-speaking world you came from, wouldn't it...
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
Work / Best TEFL course to take in Poland? [3]

None..... do CELTA

That's right. Only CELTA/CELTYL or its Trinity alternative. There are others but they aren't known by employers (or for that matter recognised by some overseas governments for work permit reasons).
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
News / Does Poland live up to its freedom rights? [23]

It is illegal to publically criticise or insult a politician, so it's not very free.

They can't be prosecuted while in office, either. Some nasty stories surface from time to time about politicians getting off various crimes like causing accidents whilst driving under the influence.

If you are a foreigner you will regularly experience discrimination and there is not much you can do about it - I include government departments in that.

A cow at Poczta Polska once told me I pronounce my own name incorrectly. In the UK she'd be fired for saying that to a Pole.

God help you if you are not white or gay - you will receive physical and verbal abuse on a weekly basis.

I'm gay and haven't really had any problems like that from Poles, either physical or verbal. Oddly enough, the only nasty comments about my sexuality have come from British expats in Warsaw. I have lived in PL for 11 years.

The police are not capable or interested in helping anyone who suffers this type of abuse.

This bit is also untrue - the Polish police aren't great, but they're improving and will pursue anything that is likely to lead to a successful prosecution. I am speaking about Warsaw - the story out in the boondocks may well be different.
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
Life / Differences in Polish, American and British mentality [237]

one person was responsible for 40 million lacking basic items?

Corruption is a vicious circle - each link in the chain is as guilty as the rest.

One person taking things for 1 year (1988) made all peoples lives harder throughout 45 years of communism.

In a sense yes, if that person played their part.
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
Travel / Traveling From Warsaw to Berlin - train? [25]

- It is possible to buy the ticket from the train station.

Yes. If you want to speak English, you don't need to queue at the ticket window - go to 'Anna Travel' in the gallery above (you'll see it easily). They have English speaing staff and sell the same tickets at the same price.

- The train station isn't far from the airport not more than 5 KM.

Yes. The taxi prices mentioned are accurate. Also there is a direct bus, number 175. Buy your ticket at the machine at the bus stop and cancel it as soon as you get on.

Isn't it Warszawa Centralna?

Yes. Warszawa Centralna - it is Warsaw's main station. The train also stops at Warszawa Zachodnia, but if you don't know Poland that's only for the adventurous.

# My friend told me that In Germany there is something called "mitfahrgelegenheit" which means RIDE SHARE
- Is there something like that in poland? and how I can reach the people who are traveling from warsaw to berlin by their cars? and how much is the cost?

Don't bother. By road it is a long and unpleasant journey, and the train fare is cheap.
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
Language / Polish - Absolute Beginner Questions. Study plan. [75]

I think grammar is not very important for beginners. I think when you speak, you have to do it automaticly rather then looking for grammar.

Very much so.

Trying memorizing grammar rules (don't forget about exceptions!) don't work in learning any language. You don't learn speaking by studying grammar.

In my experience, doing that can create a block in people's minds.

I don't think that Polish is so hard language to learn, it is superstition. I'm native Polish speaker, and I supose that we really want the foreigners to think so.

Very, very true. Just start speaking, don't worry about mistakes and the language will come!

RealPolish, your post is one of the most sensible I have ever seen here on this subject.
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
Life / Differences in Polish, American and British mentality [237]

there may well be some deep-seated psychological issues, perhaps something to do with repressed memories from the years in which he and his mother had been abandoned by his daddy.

He shouldn't worry - it is no source of shame. Since time began, some unfortunate women have had to make a living in the only way they can, by selling that commodity for which there is always a demand, no matter how tattered and scabby it may have become through years of overuse.
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
Travel / Traveling From Warsaw to Berlin - train? [25]

Could you tell me when the bus number 175 is available and ready to go?

Every few minutes, from early in the morning until quite late. The bus goes from right outside the arrivals hall and stops right outside the station. There is also a night bus following the same route.

Is there is a website which shows the timetable of the buses and trains in poland and specially from airport to train station of warsaw to berlin.

You don't need a timetable for the bus from the airport to the station. For trains to Berlin, Polish railways (PKP) has an English language website - google it.

I 'am still in doubt about the distance between the airport and the train station! How much is it?

Why? Three posters have mentioned this. Each of us is right. If you still have doubts, try google maps.
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
Travel / Traveling From Warsaw to Berlin - train? [25]

So to get tickets you go to the International section, which is behind the the main stairs, They have English speaking staff.

I've used that a few times. The kiosks downstairs are also good, but not usually English speaking.

Is the renovation still going on?
JonnyM   
10 Mar 2011
Life / Polish dentistry cost - 230 zl for one tooth cavity filling [99]

In that case, you shouldn't worry. The price seems OK. My dentist doesn't charge me, but I'm always surprised about the amount of work she does - it's a Polish thing, and touch wood, you won't need to go for a while!