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Posts by Appleby  

Joined: 11 May 2012 / Male ♂
Last Post: 25 Oct 2012
Threads: 1
Posts: 25
From: Wroclaw
Speaks Polish?: No

Displayed posts: 26
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Appleby   
25 Oct 2012
UK, Ireland / Poles living in the United Kingdom - give us a shout [11]

Link??

telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/9630959/GDP-figures-show-Britains-double-dip-recession-is-over.html

telegraph.co.uk/finance/debt-crisis-live/9632296/UKs-double-dip-recession-is-over-debt-crisis-live.html

- "Britain's double-dip recession ended today with GDP growth in the third quarter higher than expected at 1pc, according to official data from the Office for National Statistics.:
Appleby   
7 Oct 2012
Life / Bishops defend Polish family [105]

belief

scientific data

I hope you see the difference, Polonius. The church wants to make you believe that the declining birth rate is because of civic partnerships, yet scientific data proves otherwise.
Appleby   
7 Oct 2012
Life / Bishops defend Polish family [105]

But the reason WHY PL is on the 209th position has nothing to do with civic partnerships. So the letter is factually wrong.
Appleby   
7 Oct 2012
Life / Bishops defend Polish family [105]

Polonius - it wasn't me who started to bring in science; it was actually you:

That is among the reasons for Poland’s low birth rate ranking the country 209th amongst 222 countries

.
I just showed you it wasn't. Please make up your mind.
Appleby   
7 Oct 2012
Life / Bishops defend Polish family [105]

There has been research done about the relationship between marriage and low fertility levels. And although the bishops are right when they talk about a connection between these two before the 1990's, it has been shown that there is no longer any relationship after the 1990's.

Have a look here -
ssc.upenn.edu/~hpkohler/papers/Low-fertility-in-Europe-final.pdf
- then page 12:
" In summary, the above analyses reinforce the argument that the emergence of lowest-low fertility during the 1990s has been associated with fundamental shifts in the relationships between fertility and marriage. In particular, there has been an increasing disconnection between marriage patterns and fertility levels after the emergence of lowest-low fertility in the 1990s in cross-sectional analyses of European countries, and marriage formation and dissolution are no longer important predictors of national fertility levels in cross-sectional analyses of European countries during the late 1990s (see also Heuveline et al. 2003). Moreover, the above analyses show that the aggregate cross-country relationship between partnership formation/dissolution and levels of fertility has become quite indeterminate in the late 1990s, which is strikingly different from the strong relations between fertility and union formation and dissolution that prevailed 20 years earlier."

There are also some graphs on page 13 of the report.

So what are the reasons:

- page 23 - the lowest-low fertility countries (...) provide highly insufficient child-care support
- page 24 - The labor market is also relatively inflexible in terms of possibilities for part-time work or re-entering the labor force after an absence due to child-birth

- page 24 - high integration of young adults in their parents' home and extended family may even discourage union formation and fertility (Dalla Zuanna 2001)
- page 24 - The moderate and very low quantum in Eastern Europe is in part determined by similar institutional factors hindering high parity progression probabilities. In addition, many of the pronatalist-or at least family friendly-policies in CEE countries have discontinued after 1990 (Macura 2000), and the economic crisis has deteriorated particularly the high integration of women in the labor market. Furthermore, Eastern Europe is characterized by a persistence of economic insecurity throughout the life-course. (Yes, yes, yes, I know, it says "Eastern Europe")

- page 24 - In Eastern Europe, the uncertain long-term outlook regarding unemployment, the housing situation and economic recovery implies that uncertainty affects not only the timing of the first birth but also the transition to the second child and higher-parity children.

- etc
- etc
- etc

In other words, nothing much about civic partnerships - nothing at all in fact.
Appleby   
6 Oct 2012
UK, Ireland / Polish in Uk are some of the hardest working and nice people [37]

Wulkan

Now not wishing in anyway to add more fuel to the fire, but how do you explain this -
millenniumindicators.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm
This is actually the UN, not some obscure source. So it is not difficult to see why the OP claimed PL was in Eastern Europe.
Appleby   
5 Oct 2012
Law / Fast divorce in Poland? [9]

even if both parties saying that its a mutual decision and no sueing or neither of us wants to claim damages?

Exactly my case ... mutual decision, no hassle. It took 6 months ... .
Appleby   
1 Oct 2012
Law / POLISH BEER IMPORT TO UK [37]

The fact that they're ready to pay much more for Polish beer than Belgian is proof of the Polish beer superiority.

Proved wrong ... have a look here ... worldbeerawards.com/2012/... two Belgian beers came out on top.

And here (worldbeerawards.com/2012/europe/) even more.
Appleby   
28 Sep 2012
Off-Topic / Rotten West vs. Innocent Poland [25]

Old news (Feb 2010) !! Come on ... is that all you can come up, pawian ;) ? I can't see why you are trying to stir things up here. I am sure that we are able to find articles in Polish newspapers that would make the majority of us cringe. Do articles like that mean that the West or Poland are rotten to the core? That's quite a generalisation, isn't it?

So if we come across an article where a Polish man has murdered his entire family, then all Poles are murderers, right? Or when we read about some American cook cooking his wife for three days, then all American women should steer away from cooks in America? Or when we read about one radical priest then all priests are radicals?

Well, pawian, I have to say, it makes life much easier seeing everything in black and white and grossly generalising everything, but with posts like this one would be inclined to question your honesty, maybe even be inclined to think you are some kind of troll who likes to stir things up.
Appleby   
28 Sep 2012
Off-Topic / Rotten West vs. Innocent Poland [25]

The case of Megan has nothing to do with the rotten west. It has everything to do with questionable behaviour of one person, the teacher in question. And that questionable behaviour is not running away with someone half his age, but deserting and humiliating his wife this way. I can't even start to imagine how the poor woman must feel. The guy is an adult and should have known better and as a teacher even more so.

Megan is almost 16 (age of consent) and she knew exactly what she was doing. The girl is not missing, she is just a run-away.There is not ONE little piece of evidence of her being groomed, or kicking and screaming when they left the country. The fact that her mother confiscated her mobile, was the proverbial drop. Unfortunately, the British police had to exacerbate everything by issuing an international arrest warrant.

It would have been better for the two to wait a couple of months until Megan turned 16. Then all this circus wouldn't have been all over the press. In France, the legal age of consent is 15, so for the French law they did nothing wrong. If they had only waited a little longer, then all this wouldn't even be a news item. Now both of them have pretty much ruined their lives - they'll probably be picked up and forced to return with their tails between their legs. He will probably be sent to jail for a long time, will never teach again or hold any other job for that matter, cause the guy is sadly a "celebrity" now. And she will be in the spotlight of the media for several months (or even years) to come.

The fact that the girl grew up without a father and probably therefore was in search of some father figure, didn't really help either. All in all a sad story, with ruined lives all around.
Appleby   
26 Sep 2012
Life / General questions for those who have chosen to make Poland their home [32]

Why did you choose Poland as opposed to another country?

Got married here.

Were any of you fluent before you moved, and if not, how are your language skills now? Are any of you coping well without having picked up the language?

I was a complete newbie, knew absolutely nothing. Now I can get by, but lack seriously in the grammar department. The lady in my local shop still gives me what I want and seems to find it kind of charming.

are you employed in the same field you were in your native country

A world of difference.

How difficult was it for you to adapt to your new country? Did you have any particular problems when you arrived?

The "normal" things ... trying to get registered, tax number, PESEL, post offices, railway stations, zameldowanie.

How do you find the locals? Are they accepting of you, and do you feel welcome in their country?

Some do, some don't. Just small little annoyances, like driver behaviour, behaviour of people in queues (always someone who stands next to you to ask something to the lady trying to help you, no privacy, people standing so close to you you feel like a penguin in a penguin crèche)

Do you think you will stay in Poland, or do you regret your decision to move there?

No, am trying to find a job somewhere else. No, I don't, but now that the marriage is over I can't see why I should stay.

What is a typical day like for you there? Are you all working crazy hours? Have you had the opportunity to explore Poland when you're not busy working?

I get up at 0650 in the morning, go to work (start around 0800), work until 1800 or so, go shopping, go back home, cook, tidy up, etc. Then in the weekend I sometimes have to work, or I go into town or I go somewhere in Poland or abroad.
Appleby   
15 Sep 2012
News / There's still hope for Poland! [19]

unnamed associates were reported as saying

is normally a euphemism for a journalist saying "I have nothing to say, but I am going to do it anyway - the hell with journalistic ethics".
Appleby   
15 Sep 2012
Travel / Driving to poland from the west midlands [11]

I have European sat nav

So check this out - whether you use a TomTom or not, your satnav cannot warn you about the position of fixed or mobile speed cameras while you are driving in France. If your satnav has a Speed Camera service and you continue to use the service, you risk a fine of up to €1500.

uk.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5560/locale/en_gb
Appleby   
15 Sep 2012
News / Exorcist monthly goes on sale in Poland [17]

At the risk of being lynched by Polonius, but is there any difference with this -

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism_in_the_Catholic_Church#When_an_exorcism_is_needed

Some go to the church, other "seek help" in a "private practice" ... :S. Both are questionable, I think.
Appleby   
5 Sep 2012
Law / The Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012 [2]

Today the World Economic Forum released its latest Global Competitiveness Report (reports.weforum.org/global-competitiveness-report-2012-2013/).

I copied some of the results in this thread - I've put some of them in bold

1.09 Burden of government regulation ...........................2.6 ..........131 out of 144 countries
1.10 Efficiency of legal framework in settling disputes ....3.1 ..........111
1.11 Efficiency of legal framework in challenging regs. ...3.2 ..........103
1.12 Transparency of government policymaking .............3.8 ..........104
1.13 Gov't services for improved business performance 3.1 ..........105
2.01 Quality of overall infrastructure ...............................4.0 ............79
2.02 Quality of roads ......................................................2.6 ..........124
2.03 Quality of railroad infrastructure ..............................2.4 ............77
2.04 Quality of port infrastructure ...................................3.5 ..........108
2.05 Quality of air transport infrastructure....................... 3.8 ..........105

3.01 Government budget balance, % GDP* ..................-5.2 ..........111
3.04 General government debt, % GDP* .....................55.4 ..........103
5.02 Tertiary education enrollment, gross %*................ 70.5 ............21
6.07 No. days to start a business* ..................................32 ..........105
6.08 Agricultural policy costs.......................................... 3.6 ............98
6.09 Prevalence of trade barriers ...................................4.2 ............80
6.10 Trade tariffs, % duty* ..............................................0.9 ..............6
7.04 Redundancy costs, weeks of salary* .......................10 ............38
7.05 Pay and productivity ...............................................4.3 ............39
7.06 Reliance on professional management ...................4.2 ............74
7.07 Brain drain .............................................................2.9 ..........108
7.08 Women in labor force, ratio to men* .....................0.81 ............65
9.02 Firm-level technology absorption ............................4.2 ..........112

What is your opinion on what it says about Poland's global competitiveness. Does it make good reading? Where is room for improvement? What can Poland be proud of? Is there any data you find remarkable..
Appleby   
3 Sep 2012
Life / Cost of living in Wroclaw (rent price too) [119]

my company will not provide any in the initial stage

They won't provide you with one in the initial stage or in a later stage for that matter ... simply never.

Few things I would sincerely appreciate feedback/guidance on

Two room apartment about PLN 1.500 a month. Add about 200 in services and utilities.

PLN 50 a day for two people for groceries gets you a long way.

PLN 100 a month for internet and cable (if you want to have all the foreign stations you can have over here (you might want to consider skyping your daughter in the US).

PLN 90 for a monthly ticket for the buses and trams.

PLN 104,11 a month for Partner Medical Package Plus (unlimited visits to a specialist - limited is PLN 81,96 - IBM deal with MediCover).

Buses that are going from the bus stop near IBM (Szkocka) are the 126, 134 and 136. Have a look on wroclaw.jakdojade.pl/?locale=en (then tab "Schedules") to see where the buses take you and therefore where you'd have to look for an apartment.

Good luck.
Appleby   
19 Jul 2012
Law / POLISH BEER IMPORT TO UK [37]

Polish beer is way better than Belgian

I am afraid your comment shows you haven't had the pleasure of drinking many Belgian beers. Allow me to bring the various abbey beers, wheat beers, trappist beers, blonde and brown beers to your attention. A lot of them available in Poland, by the way, from smakpiwa from Wwa. They deliver as well. Try a couple of them, and then come back to me. I am sure you won't be telling me ever again that Polish beer is the best.
Appleby   
9 Jul 2012
UK, Ireland / Crying Polish truck driver on British roads is Internet hit [269]

like the U.S.

... where, if he had come across the wrong type of cop, he would have been tasered or even shot because he was wielding a "dangerous weapon" at a police officer. In my opinion the guy can count his blessings for being given a 30 pound fine and told to move on. The hard shoulder is no place to peel potatoes, no matter how many lorry drivers were in front of him or behind him.

He says he's been a truck driver for twenty years or so and has been travelling all over Europe. His vast experience as a truck driver should have made him wiser. The hard shoulder is a very dangerous place to be, anywhere in the world.

- survivegroup.org/download_files/Leaflet%2022-06-07.pdf
- safermotoring.co.uk/safetyonhardshoulder.html
- youtube.com/watch?v=TjxYUnrbDt0
Appleby   
4 Jun 2012
News / Don't go to Poland ... because you could end up coming back in a coffin [313]

propaganda against Euro in fear that it will atract too many viewers and as a result Olimpics would suffer

I have never ever heard such drivel before in my entire life. For your information, sweetheart ... the Olympics start on July 27th. EURO 2012 will end on July 1st. Even if people are fed up watching television, need to be operated on their hemorrhoids because they've been sitting too much on the sofa, they still have 26 days to recuperate and get ready for the Olympics.

You must be a very sad person indeed ... .
Appleby   
1 Jun 2012
News / Anty-Polish v column is located in White House [88]

Why focus on Poland ?

rater than acusing us in such a polonophobic way.

See ... all up in arms ... I rest my case. Now, do you see there is absolutely no difference whatsoever: either you saying all Jews are crap or me saying all Poles are crap (and I even said in my first post "mind you, I don't - it's just an example") :D
Appleby   
1 Jun 2012
News / Anty-Polish v column is located in White House [88]

it is not crime to dislike somebody is it?

No, it is not. But it is rather simplistic to dislike a whole nation/religion/race.

If I would say (mind you, I don't - it's just an example) I don't like Poles cause they are lazy, thieves, murderers, rapists, are living on hand-outs, you would be all up in arms, wouldn't you? So how come that this doesn't go both ways? Or can't you see that it is exactly the same?