RoughFlavors
18 Jan 2012
Travel / Katowice airport near by Polish towns villages [5]
ask the cab driver about any fine local establishments...
ask the cab driver about any fine local establishments...
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]
If anyone has any doubts about how the supposedly "uncorrupted" process of allotment of apartments worked in the past, I would refer them to the first episode of "Alternatywy 4." That was the reality of distributing housing based on "needs."
If anyone has any doubts about how the supposedly "uncorrupted" process of allotment of apartments worked in the past, I would refer them to the first episode of "Alternatywy 4." That was the reality of distributing housing based on "needs."
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
Love / Unmarried couples in Poland = pathology [310]
what I call pathological is people with fingers in other people's business... wtf makes anyone feel that they have the right to say whether or not someone else should or shouldn't get married. I know one couple whose 40 years of marriage was punctuated with the wife's occasional black eye, broken jaw or rib, compliments of her a$$hole husband (she wouldn't leave "for the kids" and "what would others say?"), and another couple who have been living together for 40 years without marriage, raised kids and grand kids, and couldn't be happier... in my experience, people who are prone to pass easy judgment are either highly insecure or hiding something of their own, or both. I couldn't be happier my marriage, but I don't think it gives me the god-bestowed right to pontificate about the "sanctimony" of the institution.
what I call pathological is people with fingers in other people's business... wtf makes anyone feel that they have the right to say whether or not someone else should or shouldn't get married. I know one couple whose 40 years of marriage was punctuated with the wife's occasional black eye, broken jaw or rib, compliments of her a$$hole husband (she wouldn't leave "for the kids" and "what would others say?"), and another couple who have been living together for 40 years without marriage, raised kids and grand kids, and couldn't be happier... in my experience, people who are prone to pass easy judgment are either highly insecure or hiding something of their own, or both. I couldn't be happier my marriage, but I don't think it gives me the god-bestowed right to pontificate about the "sanctimony" of the institution.
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]
you can't argue with supply and demand and right now there is way more demand than supply. what the government can do is provide for cheaper loans, tax breaks for new construction both to companies and individuals, and generally make establishing and running a business in Poland less hassle-free. once the obstacles are removed, it's just a matter of time when people realize that demand exists at all price points and try to meet it. it's not rocket science, it's economics 101
you can't argue with supply and demand and right now there is way more demand than supply. what the government can do is provide for cheaper loans, tax breaks for new construction both to companies and individuals, and generally make establishing and running a business in Poland less hassle-free. once the obstacles are removed, it's just a matter of time when people realize that demand exists at all price points and try to meet it. it's not rocket science, it's economics 101
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
Love / Unmarried couples in Poland = pathology [310]
ethical principles evolve over time, thankfully...
times have changed, it's a much different situation now than even 10-20 years ago. People have more choices now, so they adapt and choose what is right for them. The choice belongs to nobody but the individuals in question - not the society, not the church, not the government... why are you so quick to condemn people you have never met and have not the slightest clue about what their life is like?
ethical principles are never outdated
ethical principles evolve over time, thankfully...
times have changed, it's a much different situation now than even 10-20 years ago. People have more choices now, so they adapt and choose what is right for them. The choice belongs to nobody but the individuals in question - not the society, not the church, not the government... why are you so quick to condemn people you have never met and have not the slightest clue about what their life is like?
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
Love / Unmarried couples in Poland = pathology [310]
in an old-fashioned marriage, the wife would stay behind at home, not pursue her career, and take care of the kids and the household, in which case she would have a pretty good claim for alimony, particularly if she is the one left with the kids after the divorce. it's more about who is the bread winner, than the gender.
in an old-fashioned marriage, the wife would stay behind at home, not pursue her career, and take care of the kids and the household, in which case she would have a pretty good claim for alimony, particularly if she is the one left with the kids after the divorce. it's more about who is the bread winner, than the gender.
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
News / Poland fines singer for bashing Bible [159]
pretty much
quite pathetic that someone can actually still be punished by law in the middle of Europe in the 21st century for "insulting" some "holy" book
all that was needed for someone to "feel" insulted:/
pretty much
quite pathetic that someone can actually still be punished by law in the middle of Europe in the 21st century for "insulting" some "holy" book
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
News / Polish People STILL denied US Entry [96]
lol, bring a dead guy in support of a dead bill...
i'm all in favor of a visa waiver for Poland, but the bill hasn't made it anywhere near a subcommittee, and the only person actively speaking in favor of it is a rep from Chicagoland... if i were running in Chicago, i would ooze support for it, too, but it all doesn't change the fact that jesus himself couldn't resurrect this bill now. perhaps, call it tabled, if it makes you feel better...
lol, bring a dead guy in support of a dead bill...
i'm all in favor of a visa waiver for Poland, but the bill hasn't made it anywhere near a subcommittee, and the only person actively speaking in favor of it is a rep from Chicagoland... if i were running in Chicago, i would ooze support for it, too, but it all doesn't change the fact that jesus himself couldn't resurrect this bill now. perhaps, call it tabled, if it makes you feel better...
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
USA, Canada / Can you BE Polish without SPEAKING Polish in the US? [256]
tell it to the Kashubians
other languages (other than Polish) have anything to do with Polish culture
tell it to the Kashubians
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
News / Polish People STILL denied US Entry [96]
for real?! LOL, your "Map of Supporters" consists of 17 (seventeen) individual votes over the past 10 months... you're arguing against your own point. just sayin'.
for real?! LOL, your "Map of Supporters" consists of 17 (seventeen) individual votes over the past 10 months... you're arguing against your own point. just sayin'.
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
News / Is there anything Poland won't do for money? "Wolf's Lair" - up for rent" [59]
I'm sure it's less about profit and more about preservation. Historical sites all over the world, from prisons and former plantations to mansions, are "rented" by governments to various non-profits, under the condition that they take good care of the places, even if they charge admission. I don't see any problem with it. At least there is someone accountable for it.
I'm sure it's less about profit and more about preservation. Historical sites all over the world, from prisons and former plantations to mansions, are "rented" by governments to various non-profits, under the condition that they take good care of the places, even if they charge admission. I don't see any problem with it. At least there is someone accountable for it.
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]
you really have two choices then - nationalize all land and existing housing and allocate it to deserving citizens (sound familiar?) or put pressure on the government to promote competition in the construction industry, which will create more supply. no developer ever made money on idle land unless there is no competition.
you really have two choices then - nationalize all land and existing housing and allocate it to deserving citizens (sound familiar?) or put pressure on the government to promote competition in the construction industry, which will create more supply. no developer ever made money on idle land unless there is no competition.
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
News / Is there anything Poland won't do for money? "Wolf's Lair" - up for rent" [59]
i went to see it in 6th or 7th grade, and I thought it was an interesting place to see. there was a group from Israel there, too, I remember. just like i saw a bunch of black people visiting the sugar plantations around New Orleans last year - they didn't seem to want to set the places on fire, either.
i went to see it in 6th or 7th grade, and I thought it was an interesting place to see. there was a group from Israel there, too, I remember. just like i saw a bunch of black people visiting the sugar plantations around New Orleans last year - they didn't seem to want to set the places on fire, either.
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
News / Is there anything Poland won't do for money? "Wolf's Lair" - up for rent" [59]
i'd rather it was preserved as a reminder of where totalitarianism leads to
i'd rather it was preserved as a reminder of where totalitarianism leads to
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
UK, Ireland / Why are Polish people, especially women, so disrespectful toward the English? [437]
good stuff, Wedle.
although there is something to be learned from the bus-queuing custom. can't say i miss the daily dose of bus riding... and the store clerk in our "Spozywczy" who would rather break your leg than have to give you change for a 100. oh, not to mention Pani Wiesia, the not-so-friendly post office rep. good old times.
good stuff, Wedle.
although there is something to be learned from the bus-queuing custom. can't say i miss the daily dose of bus riding... and the store clerk in our "Spozywczy" who would rather break your leg than have to give you change for a 100. oh, not to mention Pani Wiesia, the not-so-friendly post office rep. good old times.
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
USA, Canada / Can you BE Polish without SPEAKING Polish in the US? [256]
they don't, that's the point
I wasn't aware that they consider their language to be either Polish or a dialect of Polish
they don't, that's the point
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
News / Is there anything Poland won't do for money? "Wolf's Lair" - up for rent" [59]
??
of all the places they could see in Poland, 121 something thousand square miles, one in every ten goes to see the same tiny place? that's a pretty big chunk by any standard
only 10%
??
of all the places they could see in Poland, 121 something thousand square miles, one in every ten goes to see the same tiny place? that's a pretty big chunk by any standard
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
News / Is there anything Poland won't do for money? "Wolf's Lair" - up for rent" [59]
don't you think it would cost less if the government got out of the museum business?
Museum at Auschwitz is financed by the Polish state.
don't you think it would cost less if the government got out of the museum business?
RoughFlavors
19 Jan 2012
News / Is there anything Poland won't do for money? "Wolf's Lair" - up for rent" [59]
i've only been there once, some 25 years ago. on a school trip. once is enough for me, though.
what's the difference? a visitor is a visitor, whether it's Moshe from Haifa or Jasiu from SP#4 in Krapkowice. it's still one of the most popular sites.
i've only been there once, some 25 years ago. on a school trip. once is enough for me, though.
what's the difference? a visitor is a visitor, whether it's Moshe from Haifa or Jasiu from SP#4 in Krapkowice. it's still one of the most popular sites.
RoughFlavors
20 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]
it's not quite that simple, but in general it's true, not everyone can - or should - own real estate. on the other hand, availability of affordable housing is both a sign of and a stimulant of economic growth. there have been multiple examples of that around the globe for decades. that's why it would be quite advisable for the Polish government to look into it, and PDQ... same goes for roads, and schools, and healthcare.
people who can't be bothered to work hard
it's not quite that simple, but in general it's true, not everyone can - or should - own real estate. on the other hand, availability of affordable housing is both a sign of and a stimulant of economic growth. there have been multiple examples of that around the globe for decades. that's why it would be quite advisable for the Polish government to look into it, and PDQ... same goes for roads, and schools, and healthcare.
RoughFlavors
20 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]
wtf, D? somehow you're the only person who thinks apartments in Poland are cheap and plentiful.
wtf, D? somehow you're the only person who thinks apartments in Poland are cheap and plentiful.
RoughFlavors
20 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]
in other words, if all people can afford is old apartments far from tram connections, there is an issue of price. If the average price per square meter is 6,000-7,000PLN, and the average monthly wage is 4,000, don't you think there is a little disconnect there?
in other words, if all people can afford is old apartments far from tram connections, there is an issue of price. If the average price per square meter is 6,000-7,000PLN, and the average monthly wage is 4,000, don't you think there is a little disconnect there?
RoughFlavors
20 Jan 2012
News / Polish People STILL denied US Entry [96]
tell me more about that mistaken ethnicity? thought to be German by whom? the Americans?
tell me more about that mistaken ethnicity? thought to be German by whom? the Americans?
RoughFlavors
20 Jan 2012
News / Polish People STILL denied US Entry [96]
that's pretty interesting. technically, they were German nationals. Or Russian. Certainly the immigration clerks weren't interested in the nuances of border shifts in Europe. And I'm sure the immigrants themselves didn't care much what the form said.
that's pretty interesting. technically, they were German nationals. Or Russian. Certainly the immigration clerks weren't interested in the nuances of border shifts in Europe. And I'm sure the immigrants themselves didn't care much what the form said.
RoughFlavors
20 Jan 2012
News / Polish People STILL denied US Entry [96]
lol, they'd probably be happy with "Chinese" just to get it over with. and then they they took their suitcases and trunks and proceeded to set up their Czestochowas and Panna Marias...
lol, they'd probably be happy with "Chinese" just to get it over with. and then they they took their suitcases and trunks and proceeded to set up their Czestochowas and Panna Marias...
RoughFlavors
20 Jan 2012
USA, Canada / Can you BE Polish without SPEAKING Polish in the US? [256]
that would technically apply to half of my family in Upper Silesia, who for generations considered themselves German...
the point is, nothing can "make" you Polish, unless you feel Polish at heart. and if you do, nobody can tell you you're not Polish, based on some arbitrary criteria
Born of at least 1 Polish parent and, provided they can communicate, can do so in Polish.
that would technically apply to half of my family in Upper Silesia, who for generations considered themselves German...
the point is, nothing can "make" you Polish, unless you feel Polish at heart. and if you do, nobody can tell you you're not Polish, based on some arbitrary criteria
RoughFlavors
20 Jan 2012
News / Poland fines singer for bashing Bible [159]
that's not a very good reason to end up in court. the exercise of free speech is bound to be offensive, controversial, contentious, iconoclastic to someone out there. if we judged what can or cannot be said based on whether it offends someone, we couldn't say anything at all.
apparently not
that's not a very good reason to end up in court. the exercise of free speech is bound to be offensive, controversial, contentious, iconoclastic to someone out there. if we judged what can or cannot be said based on whether it offends someone, we couldn't say anything at all.
Freedom of speech does not exist in Poland and that sucks.
apparently not
RoughFlavors
20 Jan 2012
News / Polish People STILL denied US Entry [96]
way cool, thanks, TO!
check out the Ellis Island web site
way cool, thanks, TO!
RoughFlavors
20 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]
Speaking about my own experience - I spent the first 10 years of my life in an "M3" - basically, a one-bedroom apartment, with a kitchen that when you wanted to walk in, someone else had to walk out... it was built in the 70s. my parents were happy with it because it had a balcony, and they only had to wait 2 years (!) for their allotment (przydzial). Then we got "allotted" an "M4." I remember that quite well - it was a big effing deal, almost a miracle, the family celebrated for like a week... The M4 had two bedrooms, some 50 square meters, and a kitchen that could actually accommodate a kitchen table. Ultimate luxury... There was also the case of our neighbor, who was a single man living in an M5 (unthinkable!), and half of the tenants circulated a letter to petition the "co-op" (spoldzielnia) to evict the guy, because he "didn't deserve" an M5, living by himself.
Then I came to this country, in my early 20s, and without much hassle I got an apartment of about 750 sf (some 70 square meters) with a club house, gym swimming pool, tennis courts, a shopping strip across the street, some 2 miles from a mall and 3-4 miles from an interstate. Without a "petition," waiting periods, connections, bribes, affordable on my f/t office work salary that was far from spectacular. Meanwhile, my peers "back home" were shacking up with their parents or grand parents with their spouses and young kids. Some of them still live with their parents, where the parents would occupy the first floor of a house and they would have the 2nd floor. My own cousin, who is about 27, is now in the process of majorly sucking up to my grandma, who is in her 90s, just so she can leave her the apartment. My high school friend lives with her husband and their twin boys in one bedroom, while their elderly aunt occupies the other room of an apartment in Warsaw, hoping she'll kick the bucket soon...
Do you have any idea how ridiculous this picture is, looking from here?
Speaking about my own experience - I spent the first 10 years of my life in an "M3" - basically, a one-bedroom apartment, with a kitchen that when you wanted to walk in, someone else had to walk out... it was built in the 70s. my parents were happy with it because it had a balcony, and they only had to wait 2 years (!) for their allotment (przydzial). Then we got "allotted" an "M4." I remember that quite well - it was a big effing deal, almost a miracle, the family celebrated for like a week... The M4 had two bedrooms, some 50 square meters, and a kitchen that could actually accommodate a kitchen table. Ultimate luxury... There was also the case of our neighbor, who was a single man living in an M5 (unthinkable!), and half of the tenants circulated a letter to petition the "co-op" (spoldzielnia) to evict the guy, because he "didn't deserve" an M5, living by himself.
Then I came to this country, in my early 20s, and without much hassle I got an apartment of about 750 sf (some 70 square meters) with a club house, gym swimming pool, tennis courts, a shopping strip across the street, some 2 miles from a mall and 3-4 miles from an interstate. Without a "petition," waiting periods, connections, bribes, affordable on my f/t office work salary that was far from spectacular. Meanwhile, my peers "back home" were shacking up with their parents or grand parents with their spouses and young kids. Some of them still live with their parents, where the parents would occupy the first floor of a house and they would have the 2nd floor. My own cousin, who is about 27, is now in the process of majorly sucking up to my grandma, who is in her 90s, just so she can leave her the apartment. My high school friend lives with her husband and their twin boys in one bedroom, while their elderly aunt occupies the other room of an apartment in Warsaw, hoping she'll kick the bucket soon...
Do you have any idea how ridiculous this picture is, looking from here?