Life / Do Polish names generally have a meaning to them or a particular structure?. [88]


Aristocratic even. Not just some nobody describing themselves as 'szlachta' (which does NOT mean nobility, or even gentry). I understand she was a Tarnowska before her marriage.

News / Presidential elections and debates 2015 Poland [472]


You'd think so, but the last one tried his hardest. Even talking about a 'fourth republic'.


We have an old lady instead. Saves a lot of trouble.

News / Presidential elections and debates 2015 Poland [472]


If the President is the from the same party as the Premier, rule tends to be more consensual. As to whether he can be a stronger figure - that would depend on the internal dynamics within the party.

If the President and Premier are from different parties, the President is more likely to be outspoken. But (and it's a big but)., the President's role is very limited. All he can really do is veto new laws that have less than (I think) 60% support from members of parliament. He can also refuse to sign off certain public and academic appointments, simply to make trouble. Lech Kaczynski was notorious for this.

Travel / Zielona Gora - What's there? [19]


Not much. A good microbrewery though and vineyards that produce German white wine.

Law / Online brokerage firm for Buying and selling stock on WSE? [6]


Your bank's online service should allow you to buy shares listed in different countries. I use halifaxsharedealing-online.co.uk

News / Presidential elections and debates 2015 Poland [472]


Very much the Prime Minister. The President has a very limited role, although a recent one tried to exceed that role on a number of occasions.

History / Which countries are Polands friends, which are Polands enemies? [75]


I'd go further than that and say that the decision was a joint one between the USA and the USSR - Britain had little or no say in the matter.


Polish living standards were pretty dreadful even before the war and improved considerably under the PRL.


Pretty well a normal Poland story.

Food / Anyone try Polish spirytus straight? [6]


Yes, I've drunk it neat quite often. My Ukrainan lodger was partial and I sometimes joined him, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Nasty stuff.

Life / Lodz vs Wroclaw - difference in mentality of people? [53]


If you're looking for quaint and colourful, Lodz isn't the place to be. Nevertheless, it has a unique atmosphere and there is something special about the centre.

Travel / Any Anglican churches in Poland? [35]


You can say the same about 'many' Poles, or your nationality, Americans.


Only if that deity actually exists.

Language / How similar are Polish and Romanian languages? [75]

It was considered (along with Polish and Romanian) to be an official language, however many of the pre-war settlers had already learnt (or were already learning) Hebrew and the local Jewish population as well as the North African and Asian Jews didn't speak Yiddish at all.

Travel / Any Anglican churches in Poland? [35]

You won't find that in the Anglican Church in Warsaw, although Father Felix is a nice guy. They use an RC chapel on Krakowskie Przedmiescie and also have something in Gdansk.

Before the war there were thousands of Anglicans in Poland, especially in Warsaw and Bialystok.

News / Presidential elections and debates 2015 Poland [472]


Does anyone, anywhere, believe one word this guy says?


Thereby guaranteeing a win for PO.

"Wstarczy cztery Ziobra, a Polska bedzie dobra..."

Life / Moving to Poland Part-Time (probably Katowice) [56]


+1

That district behind and above the station, going up to the tennis club is an architectural gem and should be heavily protected.

Nice people round Katowice too.

Food / Polish cuisine for Euro 2012 - poll results [9]

Given that Euro 2012 will be in the height of summer, Chlodnik Litewski should be on the list. Mizeria too.

Life / How do you celebrate Easter in Poland? [29]

And your point is?

Food / Easter meal on a typical Polish table? [16]


No it doesn't - perhaps the stuff sold in the country you live in is different.


Stone cold sober - and I was offered pork po tatarsku (raw pork!!) in Poland not long ago. Needless to say I didn't touch it, though the Poles I was with had no such scruples.

Food / Easter meal on a typical Polish table? [16]


After being boiled for a few minutes it wouldn't be rare!

BTW, the only place I have ever seen pork being eaten rare is in Poland, including once raw: po tatarsku - they couldn't understand why I wouldn't go near it!

Life / Why is Prostitution still legal in Poland? [106]


That and the ravings of the tabloid press and radio talkhosts.


Because they're nonsense - only a few countries in the world (including yours) have anything to do with them. They aren't trusted in Europe.


No, it isn't.

Food / Easter meal on a typical Polish table? [16]

Most Polish sausages aren't for cooking. Kielbasa Biala (white sausage) is the only one that needs it, and it is usually boiled for just a few mins.

Travel / From Warsaw to Bialystok on a bike [12]


Don't even think about it. That road is bad enough if you're in a car.


This is very sound advice.

Life / Catholic "Telewizja Trwam" from Poland - your thoughts? [98]


It's a little bit more complicated than that. Trwam will still be available afterwards, for those who want to watch it - though I expect their spamming the airwaves in Warsaw a few years ago by illegally manipulating the frequency they went out at wouldn't count in their favour.


Interesting how many regular viewers they actually have.

News / History lessons no more in Poland (Tusk's change) [61]


And that is how it should be. In history lessons, kids should know how to question and analyse.

Life / Which is the best Polish mobile phone provider for family use (4 phones)? [4]

Play is very good. Era have a package for multiple users.

Love / SINGLE SUCCESSFUL POLISH DOCTOR IN NY SEEKING ADVICE [28]

I think you'll find that most of the people you're describing as Polish are in fact people who've never been here and don't speak the language.

Food / what is zrazy? [16]

I think the name comes from the shape - that and the fact they're stuffed. I've had both beef and pork zrazy - more often beef now I think about it Carina in Warsaw used to them with turkey, which was unusual.

Food / what is zrazy? [16]

Exactly what I say.

Food / what is zrazy? [16]


Very close to beef olives, except they usually make them with pork.

Life / Do trailer park people exist in Poland? [18]

They've started importing old trailers to live in. There's a few places round Warsaw which are small-scale trailer parks.

Life / Do trailer park people exist in Poland? [18]

The closest thing to trailer trash in Poland is the rural super-poor, often on the former collective farms, people who would rather buy a bottle of bimber than bread for their kids.