Food / Your all time favourite Polish Dishes! [108]

Fasolka bo bretonsku...... I miss it so much. I go to Port Richmond in Philly to buy some from time to time. This is where all Poles live.

Travel / Whats your favourite Polish city and why? [132]

Malbork is my favorite. The huge teutonic castle is amazing. Also the entire town is full of medieval architecture. It is just great. Beautiful surroundings. The second place is for Wisla in the Beskid Slaski (mountains). This is where Adam Malysz comes from. It is always beautiful in the summer and winter. There is always stuff to do there.

History / What nation do Poles feel closer to? [74]

I think it depends where in Poland. In the South it will be Czechs, east - Ukrainians. Poles in general share majority of their traditions with the rest of Europe. Culture in Europe is linked to Christianity and all traditions that come with it. Even pre-Christian traditions were shared by many nations. I personally noticed german, russian, czech, jewish influences in polish cuisine, but again we can not be certain if they originally realy are german or czech because people in this part of Europe eat similar foods. This area is too small to differ that much. Many Poles seem to like Hungarians for historical reasons.

History / Kashubians are nation in Poland? [123]

Des Essientes: it obvious that people always interbread all over the world. Especially today. The definition of a nation has nothing to do with race anymore and this is my point. Today's Germany is vastly populated by races genetically far from those who lived in northern Europe 3000 tousands years ago. And in case of Poland, people who lived in the same area spoke different languages and were part of different countries. When you concider genetics, you will see that people who live around the Baltic Sea have the same characteristics although they speak and spoke different languages. Kashubians are not a nation, and genetically are equal to all tribes which occupied the Baltic coast. They have developed a culture which is a mixture of influences. Just like any other culture. This process continues especially in countries with high immigration. For example British culture influenced by Indian, German by Turkish.

History / Kashubians are nation in Poland? [123]

Des Esseintes: The people I am talking about existed long before Germany or Poland were formed. 1500 BC. I hold three citizenships and I am far from worrying if I am German or not. You are missing the point.

Ironside: I would appreciate a little bit of respect and not calling me an idiot. You may not approve my comments but it is not a reason to call me an idiot. I am only sharing the information I have found. Nobody can tell the details of such far history but I thought it would be interesting to bring up these facts to get the discussion going. Gothic presence on these territories is proven. If you believe that by calling me an idiot you prove yourself superior, you only demonstrate redneck level of culture and primitive mind. I do not call an idiot even though your english is sometimes hard to decode.

History / Kashubians are nation in Poland? [123]

This is interesting:

"The Goths in Poland —Where Did They Come from an When did They Leave?

Przemyslaw Urbańczyk
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology, PAN, Warsaw

Abstract

Recent archaeological discoveries and reinterpretations of written sources supported by the concepts of historical anthropology allow the creation of a new picture about the Goths. Most of the archaeologists studying the cultural situation in northern Poland during the Roman period admit today that the roots of the Wielbark culture commonly identified with the early Goths are to be sought in local traditions. The results of that proces, which can be explained in terms of change in symbolic consciousness rather, than by a demographic expansion, became archaeologically visible in the mid-first century AD. The decision to leave the Baltic zone could have been taken by a Gothic social elite endangered by tensions resulting from unstable trade relations with the Roman Empire and climatic deterioration. However, a substantial part of the agricultural Wielbark population stayed behind, preferring well-known circumstances than risks of an unpredictable fate in distant lands. Among those people, after some time, the hierarchization process was repeated, leading to the emergence of a new elite, which decided to follow their predecessors by migrating to the south east. They are identified by the sources as the Gepids. There are strong archaeological indications that some part of the Wielbark population must have again stayed behind in Poland maintaiing close contacts With their southern 'cousins'. Archaeologists today suggest that some 'Gothic' groups from the Pontic steppes retuned to the Baltic. The merging of Germanic and traditions resulted in a new cultural formation. In the ninth century AD, its material culture became more and more Prussian but there is evidence for lively contacts with western Europe, Scandinavia and the Abbassid Khalifate. A specific tradition recorded in the oldest Polish chronicles and in the twelfth century epitaph of the first Polish king Boleslav the Brave raises the serious possibility that some memory of the presence of Goths east of the Vistula somehow survived over centuries and it was used for construction of the Piasts' dynastic tradition. "

Best Regards to you

History / Kashubians are nation in Poland? [123]

Des Essientes:

In South Africa the language is English but the majority of population is still native African. It doesn't mean much. Not that long time ago people in northern Poland spoke German and they owned their own country called Prussia which was in union with Germany for a while. They were my ancestors and my great great grandparents. Some of them moved to Germany after the war but there are still some living there. Those who live there concider themselves Polish and speak Polish. My grandmother spoke only German. People remain, languages change, counties arise and disappear. Look up Wielbark Culture.

"Wielbark culture (German: Wielbark-Willenberg-Kultur, Polish: Kultura wielbarska, was a culture that appeared during the first half of the 1st century CE. It replaced the Oksywie culture, in the area of modern-day Eastern Pomerania around the lower Vistula river, which was related to the Przeworsk culture.

The Wielbark culture has been associated with Jordanes' account of the Goths leaving Scandza (Scandinavia) and their settlement in Gothiscandza
Vistula delta with localization of the archeological sites of Wielbark and Oksywie cultures; actual and 19th-century-names
Wielbark culture was named after a village where a burial place with over 3000 tombs, attributed to the Goths, and Gepids was discovered back in 1873. Unfortunately, many of the cemetery stones were moved, and many graves were damaged by the early German discoverers. The report of the original excavation, lost during World War II was rediscovered only in 2004 and is about to be analysed in a cooperation of Polish scientists from Gdańsk, Warszawa, Kraków and Lublin."

Best Regards my friend.

History / Kashubians are nation in Poland? [123]

They are the descendants of the Goths who migrated from Scandza (Scandinavia) to Gotiscandza (Northern Poland). See the attached map. Look up goths in wikipedia. This knowledge was opressed in Poland by the Soviets for a very long time.

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USA, Canada / Moving from United Kingdom to USA. Is it worth it? [136]

British salaries are higher then the US salaries. British pound is much stronger too. When I first moved to the US with my pounds I was rich. Now I find it difficult to even fly to Europe. Petrol is more expensive in the UK but here in the US everything is far and we have to travel more. I spend the same money on gas what I used to spend in the UK. Of course, there will be cases where people enjoy living in the USA more then in the UK. There are certain very personal tastes involved that would decide. From my experience, life in the UK was easier then in the USA. It was easier to find a job, to go to the doctor, to comute, to travel, workers have more rights. USA is a very interesting country and I really like it but there are many things that must be modernized. The worst enemy of American progress is a belief that we are always unconditionaly the best. This aproach paralyzes progress. We have to be able to see our faults and try to fix them. I am american now, and I will always try to do my best to improve this country and make it better for my kids. I love the ideas on which this country was founded. The USA have a great potential that should not be wasted.

UK, Ireland / Polish opinion of England as a country and the English nation [64]

I lived in Scotland for 5 years. People there do not like the English :-) I personaly never base my judgement of people on their nationality. Actions is what I concider. I have seen great english people and hopeless ones too.

USA, Canada / Moving from United Kingdom to USA. Is it worth it? [136]

I moved from the UK because I married an american girl. Do not move is my advice.

Life / $3,000-$4,000 a month - would we have enough money to live in Poland? [273]

You will be fine. Go for it. Life is too short to sit on your ass. Try something new. With $3000 you will be fine, majority of polish nationals earn $600. Europe is a different world, so much to see, history, culture, food. I am a pole married to american girl living in Philly. Every time we go to Poland we have a blast. Do not miss the Malbork Castle!!!! The largest castle I have ever seen. Built by the Teutonic Knights. All best to you and your wife!

News / 2011 Netherlands discuss Polish deportation plan [118]

Hello everybody. I observe the whole situation from the US and must admit that it makes me wonder why does Geert Wilders expect to be supported here. His bigoted ideology expresses everything that America is against. Except few rednecks and KKK members nobody will embrace his sick radical ideas. I think, the problem that Europe faces is its inability to effectively assimilate and integrate various cultures. It is very important to extend the dialog with the representatives of various ethnic and cultural groups. This dialog would lead to creation and implementation of common values that could become the foundation for further integration. The great danger occurs when we start to alienate or condemn specific religions or minority groups. Such actions lead to further alienation and radicalisation of these groups. In perfect situation, the citizens themselves would develop more interest in different cultures, learn about them, and extract what is best. This intercultural exchange of knowledge would most certainly make people feel appreciated and incorporated into the nation. Unfortunately, people are not interested in others. We often do not care about other people's history or culture and ignore eachother. Ignorance causes all sorts of problems. It is not only the problem of native Europeans but also all minorities. They too should demonstrate interest in us and in eachother. Practical cultural education is the way to tolerance and mutual understanding. Lack of such education creates stereotypes and leads to further alienation and hostility. In case of Poles who can't find jobs, they will most likely go home sooner or later. Minimal social benefits should be only accessible to people who already worked in their host country for at least a year. The number of years one worked in the host country should determine one's access to social benefits. Governments should be allowed to deport criminals. I do not mean people who get parking or speeding tickets but those who rob or kill people. It is just common sense. I myself was born in Poland. I lived in Scotland for five years. Now I live in the US. I have never encountered hostility in any of these countries; in fact, everybody was very helpful. One has to be proud of his humanity and respect for others to be respected. Especially if one lives in a foreign country. Respect for the people, law, culture, customs of your host country will help you. If you are open and kind to people, 99% of them will be kind to you as well. If you never say Good Morning to your neighbour, they start to think of you as of an alien. Be kind, open minded, tolerant and people will respect you. If some poeple are still hostile, the others will support you. Whenever I see immigrants I try to be open to them. I say good morning, how are you. Treat them as I would want to be treated by them. It helps me, and them too. It works both ways.

Love / How do Polish guys feel about having an older girlfriend/wife? [30]

It all depends on the people and their upbringing. You find rednecks everywhere. In this matter, Poland is just like Canada. If you are lucky you will be well accepted and welcomed in his family. If you have a bad luck, they wont like you. He can be worried about your family too. They might hate him for being a foreigner. As far as I am concerned, if he says he doesn't mind your age, this is his true opinion. I had similar situation with a girl from Ireland. In my case, age did matter and I told her that. She was 10 years older. I am 32 now and married to 2 years younger american girl. Our families get along with eachother very well, and I love my in-laws. My parents love my wife.

Best Regars,

Vic