ladystardust
8 May 2007
ladystardust
9 May 2007
Language / Polish slang phrases - most popular. [606]
Exactly :) I would literally bite a man who would dare to call me "Dziecinko". :D
I don't think she was much impressed with me coming onto this website. She said slangs on this site are not meant for a 'real woman'
Exactly :) I would literally bite a man who would dare to call me "Dziecinko". :D
ladystardust
9 May 2007
Life / Are you too selfish to leave Poland? [22]
Well, I actually think it may be very, very selfish to leave. Frankly, I know that there is high unemployment rate in Poland, but not as high and the whole situation is not as terrible as it is presented on TV or newspapers. I never had any problems with working here, nor my family or friends. There is a whole bunch of Poles, though, who say: "I am not going to work here at some company for 1500 PLN a month, I prefer to get the hell out of here" - and I think that is selfish, not thinking of the fact that if everyone leaves, it will never be better here. Young people is what the country needs most at the moment, and we need them here, not in the UK, where they don't give a damn about anything, just earn pounds. OF COURSE, I am not talking about all Poles abroad - only of a fraction of them.
Well, I actually think it may be very, very selfish to leave. Frankly, I know that there is high unemployment rate in Poland, but not as high and the whole situation is not as terrible as it is presented on TV or newspapers. I never had any problems with working here, nor my family or friends. There is a whole bunch of Poles, though, who say: "I am not going to work here at some company for 1500 PLN a month, I prefer to get the hell out of here" - and I think that is selfish, not thinking of the fact that if everyone leaves, it will never be better here. Young people is what the country needs most at the moment, and we need them here, not in the UK, where they don't give a damn about anything, just earn pounds. OF COURSE, I am not talking about all Poles abroad - only of a fraction of them.
ladystardust
10 May 2007
Life / Are you too selfish to leave Poland? [22]
Sparrow, I have a specific job, for which I would get at least 4 times more money, if I went to Ireland or the US. Really, I've seen job ads. The thing is, I WAS living abroad and running away from there as quickly as possible - not because it was so bad, but because money is not all. What is the point of earning more if you see your family once a year? Maybe it is just me - really, not trying to impose my views on anyone - but I was always having hard times trying to fit in, because no materr how nice and polite and well-eductaed you are, you'll always be a foreigner abroad, always have to prove, that you are actually not that bad. I think it's the same with foreigners here, it's just in the human nature to be suspicious of "the others". And as for selfishness - I am sorry if I am too harsh - I cannot really stomach meeting Poles e.g. in London, where they cry how much they miss Poland, yearn for news, talk how bad it is to live and work in London - but still, they make totally no use of their education and work in the least-paid jobs. Because that's the reality - only a small fraction of them p3erform the job they've studied to perform, so financial factor seems a bit stretched anyways...
Ufff, sorry for this lenghty piece ;)
Sparrow, I have a specific job, for which I would get at least 4 times more money, if I went to Ireland or the US. Really, I've seen job ads. The thing is, I WAS living abroad and running away from there as quickly as possible - not because it was so bad, but because money is not all. What is the point of earning more if you see your family once a year? Maybe it is just me - really, not trying to impose my views on anyone - but I was always having hard times trying to fit in, because no materr how nice and polite and well-eductaed you are, you'll always be a foreigner abroad, always have to prove, that you are actually not that bad. I think it's the same with foreigners here, it's just in the human nature to be suspicious of "the others". And as for selfishness - I am sorry if I am too harsh - I cannot really stomach meeting Poles e.g. in London, where they cry how much they miss Poland, yearn for news, talk how bad it is to live and work in London - but still, they make totally no use of their education and work in the least-paid jobs. Because that's the reality - only a small fraction of them p3erform the job they've studied to perform, so financial factor seems a bit stretched anyways...
Ufff, sorry for this lenghty piece ;)
ladystardust
10 May 2007
Language / Is it too late for me to learn Polish..? [65]
Sorry, but are you out of your mind? There's 40 milion native speakers of Polish in Poland itself, plus many Poles abroad. The language is very, very far from dying out ;)
And Freedom - of course it is never too late - I've started Czech from scratch half a year ago and doing fine at the age of 26 :D Good luck!
It is really a wast of your time though as the language is dying as so many of the young are moving out of Poland.
Sorry, but are you out of your mind? There's 40 milion native speakers of Polish in Poland itself, plus many Poles abroad. The language is very, very far from dying out ;)
And Freedom - of course it is never too late - I've started Czech from scratch half a year ago and doing fine at the age of 26 :D Good luck!
ladystardust
11 May 2007
Life / Are you too selfish to leave Poland? [22]
Sparrow, right you are, of course. If we talk about people who leave seeking bettre job opportunities, personal development etc - that's okay. If the unemployed leave, because they need to support themselves financially - that's okay. I was basically - -probably should have said that in the start - talking about young people my age, who study on public universities for free and constantly say "As soon as I have my MA's, I'm getting the hell out of this piece of s*** country".
And yes - you're right that as long as you're happy, things are okay. I would just add one small amendment - if your happiness is not your only selfish goal in life ;)
Sparrow, right you are, of course. If we talk about people who leave seeking bettre job opportunities, personal development etc - that's okay. If the unemployed leave, because they need to support themselves financially - that's okay. I was basically - -probably should have said that in the start - talking about young people my age, who study on public universities for free and constantly say "As soon as I have my MA's, I'm getting the hell out of this piece of s*** country".
And yes - you're right that as long as you're happy, things are okay. I would just add one small amendment - if your happiness is not your only selfish goal in life ;)
ladystardust
11 May 2007
Language / Polish slang phrases - most popular. [606]
Most of the "babe" translations into Polish would be patronising ("mała", for example) - but it very much depends on the relation between speakers. In a tender relationship, anything goes, I think. In a loose relationship or when you don't know the girl, you probably just should not use the word "babe" in the first place :D :D
Most of the "babe" translations into Polish would be patronising ("mała", for example) - but it very much depends on the relation between speakers. In a tender relationship, anything goes, I think. In a loose relationship or when you don't know the girl, you probably just should not use the word "babe" in the first place :D :D
ladystardust
11 May 2007
Language / Is it too late for me to learn Polish..? [65]
you base your opinion on a visit to Radom on a Saturday? Well, I think then that the Brits are dying out, because in Chickerell, Dorset I could wander around for hours on a Sunday and not meet a soul! This is ridiculous, sorry.
Sorry, mate, but apparently you have not much idea about Czech language, or you fall under a widespread Polish impression that Czech is just "funny Polish". Well, it is not, and I find it actually a challenge to learn.
There are not 40 million people in Poland and I was in Radom recently and the streets on a Saturday, which used to be full are now almost empty as people have gone abroad to work and very few now return.
you base your opinion on a visit to Radom on a Saturday? Well, I think then that the Brits are dying out, because in Chickerell, Dorset I could wander around for hours on a Sunday and not meet a soul! This is ridiculous, sorry.
Czech is an even smaller country though their economy is in a better shape-the language is just an old fashioned version of Polish.
Sorry, mate, but apparently you have not much idea about Czech language, or you fall under a widespread Polish impression that Czech is just "funny Polish". Well, it is not, and I find it actually a challenge to learn.
ladystardust
11 May 2007
Language / Is it too late for me to learn Polish..? [65]
The other way round, rather :D
sklep - in PL shop
sklep - in CZ cellar
piwnica in polish mean cellar
piwnica in czech mean shop
piwnica in czech mean shop
The other way round, rather :D
sklep - in PL shop
sklep - in CZ cellar
ladystardust
11 May 2007
Life / Are you too selfish to leave Poland? [22]
Well, as I said: I don't think that pursuit of happiness is any excuse for lack of moral standards :) Very general, I know, what I just want to say is that happiness should not be achieved at all cost. So if one is not hurting anyone and does not lose the moral standpoint, I am very much in favour of selfishness ;)
... And I thought I was very much past the idalistic phase of my life ;)
Well, as I said: I don't think that pursuit of happiness is any excuse for lack of moral standards :) Very general, I know, what I just want to say is that happiness should not be achieved at all cost. So if one is not hurting anyone and does not lose the moral standpoint, I am very much in favour of selfishness ;)
... And I thought I was very much past the idalistic phase of my life ;)
ladystardust
11 May 2007
Language / Is it too late for me to learn Polish..? [65]
You know, you must do that on purpose, that "naive/I-know-everything" attitude. Then ha-ha-ha, very funny guy you are.
If not, I am really sorry, I cannot help you, if you cannot read with understanding more than just a sequence of letters, mate.
You know, you must do that on purpose, that "naive/I-know-everything" attitude. Then ha-ha-ha, very funny guy you are.
If not, I am really sorry, I cannot help you, if you cannot read with understanding more than just a sequence of letters, mate.
ladystardust
13 May 2007
Language / Is it too late for me to learn Polish..? [65]
michal, i envy you. you're apparently a genius ;)
michal, i envy you. you're apparently a genius ;)
ladystardust
15 May 2007
USA, Canada / The proper behavior an American should show when visiting Poland [115]
Why not? :) I do, and I am Polish, and nobody frowns :D
I agree with Sparrow - the rules of politness are basically the same as in any Western European country...
Plus one more thing: never say, that's teh only place you're interested in while visiting Poland is Auschwitz. I know this tourist route: Cracow - Wieliczka - Auschwitz, and it's pissing lots of people off.
Express interest in Polish customs and try to respect them, even if they seem eerie. Try strange-looking food. Learn a couple of Polish words and mispronounce them - people love it when you try! Whenever you accidentally push somebody in the street, say I'm sorry. Give up your bus seat to the elderly. Don't go sightseeing churches while there is a mass. Don't compare in a loud, criticising way (while around old, dirty houses, don't say "How can people live like this, in the States we have..."). Find positive sides (My US friends were visiting and stayed in my teeny tiny studio: first they had this shocked looks, then they say "It's amazing, how practical it is! Your kitchen has only 3 square metres and still, three people can have lunch in here :D). Oh, and don't try to buy anything in lb's or inches :D
Don't ask for ketchup in a restaurant if there isn't any on the table..
Why not? :) I do, and I am Polish, and nobody frowns :D
I agree with Sparrow - the rules of politness are basically the same as in any Western European country...
Plus one more thing: never say, that's teh only place you're interested in while visiting Poland is Auschwitz. I know this tourist route: Cracow - Wieliczka - Auschwitz, and it's pissing lots of people off.
Express interest in Polish customs and try to respect them, even if they seem eerie. Try strange-looking food. Learn a couple of Polish words and mispronounce them - people love it when you try! Whenever you accidentally push somebody in the street, say I'm sorry. Give up your bus seat to the elderly. Don't go sightseeing churches while there is a mass. Don't compare in a loud, criticising way (while around old, dirty houses, don't say "How can people live like this, in the States we have..."). Find positive sides (My US friends were visiting and stayed in my teeny tiny studio: first they had this shocked looks, then they say "It's amazing, how practical it is! Your kitchen has only 3 square metres and still, three people can have lunch in here :D). Oh, and don't try to buy anything in lb's or inches :D
ladystardust
15 May 2007
Language / Is it too late for me to learn Polish..? [65]
No no no :( It's not. Polish and Slovak are similar, Czech is similar on the grammatical level, tricky on the lexical (lotsa words which are written almost the same but mean a different thing, just to name jagoda = PL blueberry, jahoda = CZ strawberry), really challenging on the phonetical level. Pronunciation is a ***** (try this: Vlk škvrzl mrkl mrdl smrt frkl cvrkl krkl plkl prdl vrkl zblbl. Or this: Řežu a žeru, řežeš a žereš, žerou a řežou, žeru a řežu, žereš a řežeš, řežou a žerou. The "Ř" itself is often mispronounced even by the Czech themselves). If you still don't believe me, start learning - you'll be literally crying over an open textbook for the first 6 months :D
No no no :( It's not. Polish and Slovak are similar, Czech is similar on the grammatical level, tricky on the lexical (lotsa words which are written almost the same but mean a different thing, just to name jagoda = PL blueberry, jahoda = CZ strawberry), really challenging on the phonetical level. Pronunciation is a ***** (try this: Vlk škvrzl mrkl mrdl smrt frkl cvrkl krkl plkl prdl vrkl zblbl. Or this: Řežu a žeru, řežeš a žereš, žerou a řežou, žeru a řežu, žereš a řežeš, řežou a žerou. The "Ř" itself is often mispronounced even by the Czech themselves). If you still don't believe me, start learning - you'll be literally crying over an open textbook for the first 6 months :D
ladystardust
15 May 2007
USA, Canada / The proper behavior an American should show when visiting Poland [115]
Well, I think it depends more on what you eat. Ketchup probably wouldn't be much appreciated, if you just ordered a huge, delicious schabowy with cabbage :D But frankly, I don't think that the waiter would deny the ketchup anyways, and who cares for what he thinks? :)
Well it depends I guess. From my personal experience it's a typical American thing to do and it's not always valued in Polish or other European resto's bistro's etc... But like I said, it all depends I guess. :)
Well, I think it depends more on what you eat. Ketchup probably wouldn't be much appreciated, if you just ordered a huge, delicious schabowy with cabbage :D But frankly, I don't think that the waiter would deny the ketchup anyways, and who cares for what he thinks? :)
ladystardust
15 May 2007
Language / Is it too late for me to learn Polish..? [65]
Thanks, glowa.
I find (very personal opinion) languages like English, French and German easier to learn (as I treated them all as a whole new territiory and thus learnt everything without any assumptions). With similar languages, you're tempted to draw conclusions that may be very often misleading. You base your learning on the false assumptions that something must work the same way, only if it is similar. Thus, learning Czech is for me just lots of dead ends and false assumptions ;)
Thanks, glowa.
I find (very personal opinion) languages like English, French and German easier to learn (as I treated them all as a whole new territiory and thus learnt everything without any assumptions). With similar languages, you're tempted to draw conclusions that may be very often misleading. You base your learning on the false assumptions that something must work the same way, only if it is similar. Thus, learning Czech is for me just lots of dead ends and false assumptions ;)
ladystardust
15 May 2007
USA, Canada / The proper behavior an American should show when visiting Poland [115]
Well, of course, it's just I have this feeling it's ONLY this, that we have nothing else to offer. Some tourist don't even bother to see Warsaw, they go straight to the camp and then you have the "Polish concentration camps", as they are referred to in the Western papers...
My first time in PL I didn't know where to go and my gf family took me to these places. What do you mean by pisses people off. PL gets a lot of money from this.
Well, of course, it's just I have this feeling it's ONLY this, that we have nothing else to offer. Some tourist don't even bother to see Warsaw, they go straight to the camp and then you have the "Polish concentration camps", as they are referred to in the Western papers...
ladystardust
15 May 2007
USA, Canada / The proper behavior an American should show when visiting Poland [115]
Hello chattynettie ;)
yes, we recognize the middle finger, plus it is kinda rude to knock your head with your finger while someone is speaking (it means: what a load of ********!). There is also an old one, the famous "gest Kozakiewicza" (check out the pic at pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gest_Kozakiewicza) - it means more or less the same as the middle finger. You shouldn't point at people, but that's rude everywhere, I reckon. Thumbs up are widely recognized too, as well as the key-word "Okay" (it's used so widely you might think it's a Polish word :D). Hard for me to say anything else, but I promise I'll think of it tonite.
Generally, Poland is a patriarchal country, but the feminist movement is kinda big here already. In some very traditional, mostly Catholic families it happens that women are not supposed to work, but the economical factor took care of this itself, as not many families may live on one person income only ;) So basically all career paths are open for women now. I feel that women are treated like partners, both in life and at work. What is problematic is pay: it's still unfortunately a rule, that women tend to get paid less than men.
This is a long, long subject... I don't want to bore people around here ;)
If you have any questions, go ahead!
Auschwitz - Paris - Rome - what a mixture ;) :D
Damn, I am a bad patriot ;) I always get the "McDonald's" ketchup made here in PL by some foreign company :p
Hello chattynettie ;)
Do you think that there are any gestures other than the obvouis rude ones;
yes, we recognize the middle finger, plus it is kinda rude to knock your head with your finger while someone is speaking (it means: what a load of ********!). There is also an old one, the famous "gest Kozakiewicza" (check out the pic at pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gest_Kozakiewicza) - it means more or less the same as the middle finger. You shouldn't point at people, but that's rude everywhere, I reckon. Thumbs up are widely recognized too, as well as the key-word "Okay" (it's used so widely you might think it's a Polish word :D). Hard for me to say anything else, but I promise I'll think of it tonite.
, What are your views on a womans place in society? Equal? How do men treat women in the home? Do most women work know?
Generally, Poland is a patriarchal country, but the feminist movement is kinda big here already. In some very traditional, mostly Catholic families it happens that women are not supposed to work, but the economical factor took care of this itself, as not many families may live on one person income only ;) So basically all career paths are open for women now. I feel that women are treated like partners, both in life and at work. What is problematic is pay: it's still unfortunately a rule, that women tend to get paid less than men.
This is a long, long subject... I don't want to bore people around here ;)
If you have any questions, go ahead!
Hey it isn't easy doing 16 European countries in 2 weeks!
Auschwitz - Paris - Rome - what a mixture ;) :D
Damn, I am a bad patriot ;) I always get the "McDonald's" ketchup made here in PL by some foreign company :p
ladystardust
15 May 2007
USA, Canada / The proper behavior an American should show when visiting Poland [115]
Full support in this matter here ;)
I reckon, Sparrow, you already have one of those? spieprzajdziadu.com/sklep/product_info.php?info=p71_Opaska%20Spieprzaj %20Dziadu%20-%20męska%20wypełniana.html&XTCsid=a303cbe66823d365397dfbd 071aa5831
Full support in this matter here ;)
Another common way for Poles to greet one another is the well-known "Spiepraj Dziadu"
I reckon, Sparrow, you already have one of those? spieprzajdziadu.com/sklep/product_info.php?info=p71_Opaska%20Spieprzaj %20Dziadu%20-%20męska%20wypełniana.html&XTCsid=a303cbe66823d365397dfbd 071aa5831
ladystardust
15 May 2007
USA, Canada / The proper behavior an American should show when visiting Poland [115]
The band thing is...
The original sentence was meant for some elderly person who tried to say something to His MAjesty...
The band thing is...
The original sentence was meant for some elderly person who tried to say something to His MAjesty...
ladystardust
16 May 2007
USA, Canada / The proper behavior an American should show when visiting Poland [115]
Well, I would expect it to be the same as with every other country, plus it depends on what you're talking about.
Really, chattynettie, we are pretty normal folk,eating in McDonalds and stuff ;) nothing unusual about us :D
Well, I would expect it to be the same as with every other country, plus it depends on what you're talking about.
Really, chattynettie, we are pretty normal folk,eating in McDonalds and stuff ;) nothing unusual about us :D
ladystardust
21 May 2007
ladystardust
21 May 2007
Travel / Which city is better to visit: Warsaw or Krakow? [169]
That's an interesting remark ;) Never noticed :)
That's an interesting remark ;) Never noticed :)
ladystardust
14 Jun 2007
Life / Poles are not racist [873]
Somehow, the quotes that follow in combination with your nickname bother me ;)
Plus I come from Kielce (yes, I am a scyzoryk ;) and know many foreigners there - they never complained ;) Up to an extent that there is a black gyneacologyst in Kielce and some time ago he was voted the Friendliest Doctor in the city :)
In the blocks are often graffitis
Somehow, the quotes that follow in combination with your nickname bother me ;)
Plus I come from Kielce (yes, I am a scyzoryk ;) and know many foreigners there - they never complained ;) Up to an extent that there is a black gyneacologyst in Kielce and some time ago he was voted the Friendliest Doctor in the city :)
ladystardust
14 Jun 2007
Life / Poles are not racist [873]
These are hooligans! And hooligans are the same everywhere :( Plus putting this vid here, while people talk about racism is really inadequate.
I am talking about people in the street.
Does my age have anything to do with the racism discussion? ;)
Hear the song from , and look at the grafitis and KKK Flags !
These are hooligans! And hooligans are the same everywhere :( Plus putting this vid here, while people talk about racism is really inadequate.
I am talking about people in the street.
Does my age have anything to do with the racism discussion? ;)
ladystardust
18 Jun 2007
Language / A good place to start learning Polish? [29]
that's the correct version ;) only dont make the e long: it is "co-ham che"
co-ham shee is more like "i love myself" or "i'm making love" :D
"co-ham chee"?
that's the correct version ;) only dont make the e long: it is "co-ham che"
co-ham shee is more like "i love myself" or "i'm making love" :D