Posts by Dominika99

Dominika99

31 Oct 2012

History / Polish relation about Russians, Ukrainians? [281]

I would be grad to know what are exacly those stereotypes? (I`m not going to abuse on your mother.)

One time when my mother was here visiting, I invited them all (my mom and my friend from Donetsk,) out to a nice restaurant. Since I was inviting them, I assumed everyone knew that I would be paying. At the end of the meal, I paid, and neither of them offered to chip in or leave a tip. After we left, my mom asked why my friend hadn't offered to pay, and she told me to "be careful about her" because some Ukrainians can be sly about squeezing money out of people.

My aunt also warned me about her... I asked why, and she said it was because the Ukrainians "did a lot of bad things to Poles" during the war. I didn't ask her to elaborate.

Dominika99

31 Oct 2012

History / Polish relation about Russians, Ukrainians? [281]

As a disclaimer, I was born in Poland but I grew up abroad so I wasn't influenced so much in my life by Polish culture... My father is liberal and tolerant towards both Russians and Ukrainians, but my mother can have some stereotypical views especially when it comes to Ukrainians.

In general I think Polish people are becoming more tolerant, but some others (especially the older generation) can still resent Russians and Ukrainians.

As for me, my best friend is from Donetsk. She understands me like very few people can, and I consider her one of the best friends I've had in my life. It drives me nuts when my mother sometimes comments that I should be "careful" about her, or when I hear her stories about how badly she's treated by other Polish people (who look down on her because they assume she's poor or doesn't deserve respect.)

I don't know many Russians, but I love Russian culture. I wanted to study Russian literature - Dostoyevsky is my favourite writer - but I didn't know Russian fluently so I studied English literature instead.

I think Poles have a lot more in common with Russian culture than they do with other countries that are in the EU, and they should be proud to be Slavs and proud of their heritage. There is still too much resentment left over from World War II, and Polish people don't realise how badly many Russians suffered under Communism, too.

Dominika99

31 Oct 2012

Life / I hate Warsaw. The worst part about living here is the people who move here from small towns, villages.. [124]

I'm Polish, but I came to Warsaw from a bigger city that's outside of Poland.

Dominika99

31 Oct 2012

Life / I hate Warsaw. The worst part about living here is the people who move here from small towns, villages.. [124]

I've lived in this city for nearly six years... I had enough money to go out and enjoy nice places, and friends to have fun with. I've made an honest effort to get to know the different neighborhoods of the city. I took walks in elegant parks, went to the ballet, saw amazing concerts, dined at great restaurants.

I can't say I didn't enjoy myself. But I never really got to love this city, and it's not because I didn't try.

It's grey, ugly and cold most of the year. It calls itself "Europe," but everyday on my street I have to dodge drunks in gateways and dog **** on the sidewalk because people don't clean up after their pets.

The worst part about living here is the people. I can't say anything about native Varsovians, because they are a rare breed and I liked most of the natives I've met.

What I can't stand are the people who move here from small towns, villages and cities, and they start making 3,000 zloty a month and think they're the kings of the universe. The arrogance is sickening, and no it's not like other big cities in the world. I've been to New York and London, and nowhere did I see the sickening stuck-up attitude that I do around here. What exactly is there to be so proud of?

I also don't understand why people stare and size each other up so much. In most cities I've been to, it's considered rude to stare at someone on the street, but people in Warsaw stare at each other and make no efforts to hide it. And if you look even slightly different than the norm, then people turn their heads and make wide eyes. I once walked behind a group of foreigners who were not dressed like Europeans, and people's reactions were either sad or hilarious to watch. I guess they don't have foreign people in the small towns where these people in Warsaw come from, but isn't it a bit rude to stare?

Whenever I travel to other cities like Poznan or Wroclaw, the atmosphere is so different and relaxed that it's a relief to be there. And I don't mean Warsaw is fast-paced, because it's a ghost town compared to Cairo or Los Angeles. Maybe i don't know quite how to phrase it, but there's something so awkward about Warsaw. Like it's trying to be something big, and failing miserably.

It's such a good feeling to know that I'm finally leaving this place.