Food / Panga Fish (available in Polish stores); I'll never eat it again. Alternative? [37]

There was a documentary not that long ago about fish farming in different parts of the world: panga, cod, salmon. And believe it or not, panga was not the worst of them. They had some Norwegian farmed salmon analysed in an independent lab in Switzerland I think, along with ordinary supermarket foods. It turned out that the Norwegian salmon contained levels of toxins that were tens if not hundred times higher than even the not so healthy stuff like pre-cooked hamburgers that they concluded that it was 'the most toxic food you could buy'. This had to due with the way the fish feed was made - apparently it is not controlled in the same way as that for other animals used for meat. Frozen packaged fish such as panga (but probably other as well) are soaked in solutions which contain anti-freeze. Now contrast that with the adverts you see for say Norwegian farmed salmon as the healthiest food there is...

USA, Canada / Is there any chance that I can go right now to the US and start a life over there? [19]

No surprise the US never tops any of the life-happiness rating charts despite all the hype, Hollywood, Wall Street, Silicon Valley, Microsoft, Apple, etc.... as a general rule to is good to the wealthy, not so great for the average Joes Shmoes... but there are exceptions. One way to get in legally would be through an employer sponsored visa - hospitals do that for medical staff, for instance... do a bit of google research...

Food / Panga Fish (available in Polish stores); I'll never eat it again. Alternative? [37]

The simple trick is to stick to local food as opposed to exotics - the closer to the source, the better simply because it requires less processing which is the real culprit in out diets... not to mention the environmental impact involved in transport alone...

USA, Canada / Is there any chance that I can go right now to the US and start a life over there? [19]


I daresay the world has changed a bit since 1872...


Yes - just like any other developed country. The same could be said about Germany, Sweden, UK, etc. I cannot image how anyone could dream of relocating to a foreign land and becoming successful without being willing to work hard + right attitude. The difference then, other than the geographical location, lies in what it has to offer in addition to - or outside of - work. And it is here that America is simply not what it once used to be, despite the hype still being sold worldwide...

UK, Ireland / Polish striking due to anti-Polish UK feeling [58]


+1
How do we term those needing to emphasise how much they make/own/can afford?
And what is a sign of in terms of personality and self-worth?

Work / Job opportunities for junior actuary in Poland??? [9]

Pretty slim, unless you happen to be extremely lucky. But even then, it would probably not be worth your effort... I would definitely choose any other developed EU economy to kick-start a career...

Genealogy / Do I look Polish? (my picture) [375]


That would be due to Gypsy, Tatar, or other 'eastern' ancestory...

Travel / What to do in last 4 days (I'm in Bialystok) - I visited Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Vilnius and Tykocin already [3]

Roger is right. All depends what you fancy. If nature is your cup of tea, I would also head north to Suwalszczyzna for the lakes and the scenery in the Wigry National Park or Suwałki Landscape Park which is excellent for cycling, also Augustów is nice in the summer, as is the Lithuanian minority area near the Lithianian border (Puńsk/Sejny) are all worth a visit, but you would really need a car and take time to get to the right places...

USA, Canada / Is there any chance that I can go right now to the US and start a life over there? [19]

If you really believe what you wrote above, then you are in for a real shocker once you get there... and never mind an encounter with 'friendly' immigration officers at the airport or the police... but good luck chasing your dream - hope it comes true regardless!

Law / Buying a USED CAR in Poland, my personal experiences and TRAPS to avoid !! [133]


Bollocks... All depends what you are looking for and what your needs are. I was looking for a small, fuel efficient, cheap car mainly for city driving and I've found a Renault in great shape for age for 12k, with dealer installed LPG system, directly from from its... third owner. So you could still find a real deal, but I admit it is tougher than say, in the UK.

Life / Advice needed on Dental implant in Poland [119]

Most towns over 100,000 inhabitants, sometimes less, will have decent dental implant clinics these days...

Life / Advice needed on Dental implant in Poland [119]


That means you have not chosen the right dentist....


Any medical/dental procedure can go wrong, regardless of the country/reputation - that's a given. It's up to the individual to weigh the gains/risks...

Law / Buying a car in Poland or Germany? [36]

Agree with Roger on Renault Thalia. Sadly for those west of the Oder River Thalia was not available on their posh markets, but Thalia is essentially a Clio in the saloon (sedan) version... I own a 2006 petrol with LPG and the smaller 1.2L engine (actually it is 1149cc)... I must say this car is a steal for city driving and if you look at the listings you could find many sell offers still from first owners... Also, it seems popular with the older emeryci crowd who tend to not abuse and take reasonable care of their cars... it is not a bad city car, I would much rather drive it than say a Fiat Panda or similar puny, the suspension is comfortable enough as one would expect from the French... The bad part is being a budget car put together in Turkey the fitting of the door is just awful - just look at the gap between the door where it meets the roof. The biggest design faults are the lack of a secure drink holder and the noise from the windows at speeds >90km/h... this also applies to Clio of same generation, the problem being the door window glass not being flush enough with the surrounding frame... The only issues I have had so far were a random battery drain (fixed) and not very durable wheel bearings - I had already replaced the rear one after only 80k (but paid 100pln including labour) and now start to hear a familiar noise from the front... I am not too worried tough as the parts are dirt cheap (Renault in general), the insurance is dirt cheap, and it is also dirt cheap to run with the LPG conversion... and it starts on contact, has air con, huge boot space for size, steering wheel radio controls, 4 doors, ABS, superb breaks, is light and easy to drive in city, also quite narrow... and here's the best part: being apparently one of the ugliest cars ever sold, you need not worry too much about it being stolen or other as I imagine it is top of the obciach list for the karki and other szpanery... ;-)

Forgot to add one other advantage is the raised ground clearance - for that reason it is great for the dirt roads outside of the city...

Life / Advice needed on Dental implant in Poland [119]


I have heard something similar from an Algerian in France...;-)

Love / I'm a Polish girl (my boyfriend is British) and I'm proud [58]

I cannot understands why anyone would not want to go for British women - they are gorgeous... and such a variety, too!

Love / I'm a Polish girl (my boyfriend is British) and I'm proud [58]

...with the highest number of kosmetyczka/salon fryzjerski/solarium per capita? ;-)

News / Poland's PiS party members and crime [346]

The problem is they attempt to ride on the 'morally righteous and superior to others' wave at the same time... The reality they draw their support from the ciemnogród...

Love / I'm a Polish girl (my boyfriend is British) and I'm proud [58]


Is that a fact or just an observation? Never noticed that, I must admit... There was a study done once and apparently British women came up as the bustiest....

News / Poland's PiS party members and crime [346]


The fact is they are the worst of the worst. They thrive on the lowest social instincts. And by their populist ideology they work very hard to undermine democracy in PL - just recall whenever they happen to loose in the elections it is always due to a anti-PiS vote rigging or other conspiracy. The disrespect many of the democratically elected officials, democratic institutions, the constitution. They really are the lowest of the low and should really be banned from politics.

Life / Canadian Moving to Poznan, Poland - what to bring over, areas to avoid, school for a child. [54]


Should certainly not come as a shock - apparently Poland has the lowest food prices in the EU. But it depends what you are buying. Buy local v. imports/exotics and in season shop at your local markets, + go veggie - and you cannot go wrong...

Life / Advice needed on Dental implant in Poland [119]


Find a decent dentist in the first place - word of mouth from the locals...

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

Zamość
Przemyśl

History / The memory about the Invasion of Poland 1939 - today's events [20]

Unfortunately, the choice of location for the ceremony was rather poor - it should have been held in Wieluń. This would have placed more emphasis on the barbarism of a regime like Nazi Germany (carefully planned and executed air raid on defenceless civilian population which destroyed the city in 75%) and what's more important cruelty of any war in general. As it happened, we got more of the same ideology stemming from PRL...

History / WWII - who really was the first to help Poland? [901]



The truth is your ignorance is rife and is not welcome - please do not post rubbish here.

Off-Topic / PF members MEETUPS.....everyone welcome! [52]

Merged: Forum members' meet-up

How about it - could that work?

History / WWII - who really was the first to help Poland? [901]


Nonsense. That's reality - ultimately one always looks after one's own interests first... And there is something about Britannia that makes her elegant and desirable even today... just look at the poor immigrants trying to get in by any means... despite the weather ;-) ...12C here today...

Work / Should I take a job as: publisher's editor in Athens / English teacher in Krakow / Italy? [5]

Pretty depressing times in Greece these days... Kraków is nice to visit, but otherwise too polluted, especially in the heating season just around the corner... La dolce vita in Italia sounds most tempting to my ears...

Work / Help and Guidance needed on Poland Work and Move. Gdansk, Senior Management role salary. [11]


Definitely the used car prices are reasonable these days, especially if you look at it as a means of transport and not a status symbol... I would look for a French make - probably best comfort/technology/value combination on the market... best option would be from a private seller, original or long term owner...


Where did you hear this one?

Off-Topic / PF members MEETUPS.....everyone welcome! [52]

Yes, I think it would make sense to make these more localised given the fact that PF members live all over the world... For my part of the world I could suggest a central part of England... the (West) Midlands perhaps? But all depends where those willing to attend are based... just a thought...

Life / Why do Poles talk so badly about Poland? [25]


Good question. I suppose when you consider that complaining forms sort of a national hobby, that does explain this attitude to a degree. On the other hand, perhaps being blunt is not all that bad for a healthy psyche? But there is also a lot of bitterness and negativity, most stemming from the fact that things 'could have been done better' when it comes to recent history, politics, and economics... I agree that this is something unique to this part of the world, there is not enough of the positivity for life regardless how hard it may be that one experiences in the southern countries... maybe it's the weather - but probably much more than that...


Back to your mantra, d? One can argue the ranking of the universities and the teaching methodology and the attitude of the professors at for some of the unis is not top class, but on the other hand there are many graduates who go on to become successful - regardless of how hard some individual with an inferiority complex would have you believe.


Agreed.


And why is that? When done the way they should be, there are not many things better on a cold autumn/winter day...


+1 Too many grumpy/dissatisfied people on this forum - probably more with their personal lives than 'Poland' - and posting >80% of the time...


Agreed.