Travel / How much money do I need to support myself in Poland? (tourist visa question) [5]


It doesn't work like that in Poland. If you want a tourist visa, buy a holiday. If you want a way to gain entry to an EU country and then disappear west, ask you girlfriend to help.

Real Estate / Cousin stole my dads home in Poland... [49]


This alone should disqualify you.

UK, Ireland / First proper "Polish" School in the UK - The Next Stage of Ghettoisation [283]


Not only in God's country. In the part of London I grew up in (LB Greenwich) street market traders called everyone darlin' , and I mean males talking to males. Perhaps things have changed.

News / Poland at International Mathematical Olympiad [13]


False cognate! Genial means kind and pleasant, warm-hearted, etc.

News / Poland at International Mathematical Olympiad [13]


When I was a student I had a job cleaning the bogs and offices at the Cambridge University astrophysics department. These guys were absolutely the top in their fields, but many of them couldn't make eye contact and practically hid behind their coats rather than answer my Good morning.

News / Does Polish hotel have right to turn down Americans and Israelis? [54]

Russia is possibly the worst offender. When I worked there between '96 and '99 (I know, it's a while ago, but I was recently told things haven't changed) foreigners were expected to pay six times the normal entry fee for the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. I stood my ground and after about 15 minutes of demanding to see someone in authority was waved through. At the Mariinsky theatre I tried to buy two 5-dollar tickets for the ballet, and the hag behind the glass wanted $100, (in dollars). On this occasion I had to walk away and ask a Russian colleague to buy my tickets.

This dual pricing is against the law in Russia but it seems that every institution does it.
btw In Turkey museums are cheaper for Turks (and even cheaper for teachers).

Real Estate / Car Living in Krakow (instead of renting a flat?) [12]


Were they provided by the city?

Real Estate / Car Living in Krakow (instead of renting a flat?) [12]


It got down to minus 32 in Podlasie last winter. Only for a couple of days, but a few years ago we had the worst winter for forty years. Then it was well below thirty for two weeks.

Language / Where is that "something" that makes others think you are really good in language [141]


I think you are mixing two idioms.
No skin off my nose means 'It doesn't affect me/I am disinterested/I will not suffer'
By the skin of my teeth e.g. 'I managed to catch the plane by the skin of my teeth' means by a small margin. Or something like that.

Anyway p3, this thread went way off topic ages ago. The only reason it hasn't been binned is because you're a mod. Not that I'm complaining; digression is what makes conversation conversation.

To answer the OP, I'd say people think you are a proficient linguist if they understand what you are saying (although I suspect they meant something else).

Work / Average earnings and cost of living in Warsaw? [42]

Mike. What's so awful about living in the mid-west that makes you think so much about moving to Poland? Sure, you could live in Warsaw, in a small apartment, on the figure you mention, but wouldn't you miss life back home? I see from your profile that you don't speak Polish and that you are retired. Forgive me if I'm wrong but does that mean you are, say, over sixty? If so, Warsaw life without very helpful close relatives around to take care of day-to-day stuff would be tough, to say the least.

The Poland you may have seen on visits might not be the same Poland you'd encounter actually living here. It's a fine country and I am happy here, but it's also a real place, warts and all, with its fair share of crime, juvenile delinquents and bureaucratic madness. Is Indiana that bad?

Language / Where is that "something" that makes others think you are really good in language [141]


I didn't know the French were campaigning for that. Perhaps it's just the lingua-fascists at the Academy Francaise.
"I can't get any...satisfaction. No, no, no."
Doesn't really work, does it?

Language / Where is that "something" that makes others think you are really good in language [141]

I know. Great, wasn't she?
On topic. I love the French saying Only the first bottle is expensive. You might have to think about that for a minute. I did.

Language / Where is that "something" that makes others think you are really good in language [141]


I'm afraid she was the cause of my sinning against my own flesh (in the days before RCC said it was OK).

Language / Where is that "something" that makes others think you are really good in language [141]


Why didn't you show a clip with Jenny Agutter? Her English (body) was superb.

Travel / Poland in photo riddles [3134]


Guy on the left: both port and starboard gyros critical.
Guy on the right: seen it before.

News / New domestic violence 24/7 hotline in Poland [4]

Good. More is also needed in the way of education. Girls whose fathers are abusive often find abusive partners. The cycle must be broken.

Language / Polish language would look better written in Cyrillic Script? [212]


Exactly. It is like asking why English doesn't use German letters or French diacritics. This is a pointless thread.

Travel / Poland in photo riddles [3134]


I thought that at first, but the colour?

Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]

Wrong. Per liter. About 5 to the gallon.

Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]


Absolutely true. The star system in Poland is completely inconsistent. In my little town there's a no-star hotel which is better than many three-star dumps I've used. Four-star places are usually not worth the extra. When travelling in PL I check out the websites of three-star places. You can often get a vibe from how much care they take in putting their site together.

Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]


Per gallon or liter?

Language / Where is that "something" that makes others think you are really good in language [141]

Not forgetting Gropecountelane. There were plenty of those in Merrie Englande, including one in the City and one in Oxford, now known as Magpie Lane. Boring.

Tickle C0ck bridge sounds like a fun place, but my favourite town in the English Lake district is Cockermouth.

Language / Where is that "something" that makes others think you are really good in language [141]

So if I want to refer to my back passage in Brighton, should I talk about my twitten?

Language / Where is that "something" that makes others think you are really good in language [141]

The French say two on the roof.

Language / Where is that "something" that makes others think you are really good in language [141]

One of the many common errors that drive me nuts is the misuse of the word however. I'd say most English native speakers lack a command of this word. A brief overview.

1. To express contrast. I like tea. However, I don't like coffee./I don't, however, like coffee./I don't like coffee, however.
All of the above are correct.
XI like tea, however I don't like coffee.X Wrong
2. To express the idea Regardless of method.
We're going to be late however we travel. I hate eggs however they're cooked.
Correct.
3. To express the idea Regardless of degree.
However hard I try, I'll never understand./ I can't make ends meet, however hard I work./ My hair won't lie flat, however much I brush it.

Correct.

Most errors are of the type exemplified in the incorrect sentence in 1 above. This explanation is not exhaustive; just an overview.
When I see however used correctly my faith in humanity is restored.

Language / Polish language would look better written in Cyrillic Script? [212]


Agreed. So why did you bump it when it had been dormant since January?

Real Estate / Car Living in Krakow (instead of renting a flat?) [12]


If you have a Winnebago like De Niro's in Meet the Fockers you'll be pretty uncomfortable when it gets to minus 30 Celsius, as it did last winter. If you're thinking about living in an old VW camper, forget it; you'll die.

Travel / Need a Guide to the Polish history and culture, I'm from Finland [27]


Here are a couple of websites from the wild east of Poland, a place which is full of history, ethnic diversity, and great natural beauty. If you come in Septembr, PM me and I'll be your guide for a day.

bpn.com.pl
bialowieza.com.pl

Work / Working in Poland without speaking Polish [75]


No. Apart from the odd favour for friends and neighbours I can't be bothered with individual students. If you go to their place, you have to get there; if they come to you, you have to tidy up!

I have two steady jobs which put sausage on the table and beer in the fridge. I'm content.

Work / Working in Poland without speaking Polish [75]


Deja moo.
I suppose it could be true that this guy has 10 hours in one day. I do 5 x 60mins, at the end of which I can't see straight, and I'm a pretty tough old bird.

quote:I literally teach the whole street
You literally teach the whole street? Now that can't be true.