Posts by ctvn

ctvn

2 Nov 2013

Life / Popular Polish blog and chat sites [65]

There is a good place - gochat.in, the site is very simple but people are fine:)

The people ARE indeed nice, and it's probably the best way to test your language skills as a foreigner, but the vast majority of users is aged 14-18.

I used this site to test my language and speak about daily stuff, as well as to test my understanding. It works nice, but after 2-3 visits it's unlikely that you wish to go on.

Besides, truth to be told, Polish teenagers make more spelling mistakes than a foreigner who's studied the language for 6mo+.
I don't dissuade anyone to go online there, tho'. :-)

ctvn

2 Nov 2013

Life / A fair notion of salaries in major Polish cities [4]

The salaries for about half the jobs you mention are very low and none are generally well-paid.

Thank you! That's indeed what I was looking for, some guidelines! :-)

ctvn

2 Nov 2013

Life / A fair notion of salaries in major Polish cities [4]

I need to get a fair notion of salaries in major cities, and maybe someone can help. Since I came to Poland to interact with practically everyone I meet, I think I need to get a fair notion of salaries people have, because I don't want to propose to them activities that are beyond their means and therefore put them in a delicate situation, thinking the way salaries were in my home country, or my financial means are at the moment. I don't interact with people just from my trade or class (the latter term I learned how to use in Poland, as a matter of fact). So while I have a good grasp of prices, I don't have a good grasp of salaries, and I think it will help me better interact with people.

So thinking about a city like Kraków, what would the monthly net average salaries for, let's say:
- shop clerk
- cleaning lady
- courier
- highschool teacher
- flower merchant
- bar mleczny staff
- accountant
- HR recruiter
- call center representative
- swimming instructor

These are just a couple of jobs of people I've met, and with whom I interact on a regular basis. I told you, I interact with all walks of life, and before I need to know whether it's OK to donate clothes for their kids, invite them on trips, or cook fancy food when they come over. I don't want to impose my lifestyle on anyone. And I know that asking how much one makes a month is a regular question in Poland, but I am not willing to go into that kind of talk.

Thanks!

ctvn

1 Nov 2013

Life / Thoughts on "Ida" (Polish movie) [30]

I have just seen last nite "Ida" (Polish movie, release date 25-Oct); the movie is available throughout the international network of cinema theaters with English subtitles.

IMDB link: imdb.com/title/tt2718492/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Has anyone else seen it? What are your thoughts about it. I must confess I had to do some readings after seeing the movie because I was not familiar with the Communist regime of the early 1960's in Poland, and neither did I know much about the role of the Polish peasants in the killing of Jews (rather, I knew quite a lot about Polish peasants named among the Righteous who saved Jews).

ctvn

31 Oct 2013

Law / Bank commissions in Poland - are there some standard fees, and where can I find them [10]

Hi! But you're talking indeed by a direct payment. I was talking about withdrawal fees (i.e. taking real money out of a real ATM) and jon357's feedback was more than helpful - I had a clue where to look for such fees. And Nordea may indeed charge nothing for such payments made for a local (i.e. Polish) account, but they still charge according to the issuing bank's guidelines when you withdraw money. I have just withdrawn some PLN yesterday from a Nordea ATM; and it resulted into the same commission fee, which proves that jon357 was indeed right.

ctvn

28 Oct 2013

Law / Bank commissions in Poland - are there some standard fees, and where can I find them [10]

It's the fault of your card issuer rather than the Polish bank. Some Polish ATM's are to be avoided for certain transactions - Euronet is one of them , but most are much of a muchness. The card issuer sets their own rates.

Thank you, it makes sense! It was actually relieving to find that out, because while I wouldn't apply for a credit card in Poland, I can, indeed change my credit card issuer back in my home country. I found one who offers better plans for international withdrawals, so it makes total sense to change.

I however do not recommend to anyone to use Euronet ATM's or Idea Bank ATM's, should anyone query this thread.

ctvn

28 Oct 2013

Law / Bank commissions in Poland - are there some standard fees, and where can I find them [10]

I have among other cards a VISA card I use for purchases and withdrawing money in Poland. The card was issued by a non-Polish bank.

I noticed that usually the commission for withdrawal is up to 20% (or 20zł when I withdraw 100zł), 15% for larger withdrawals (for instance 50zł when I withdrew 400zł).

I also had a bad incident with Euronet ATM's (they spread like mushrooms in Kraków), where the fee for withdrawing 100zł was... almost 100zł.

So my question is, are there some standard commission fees for Polish banks when using a foreign credit card?

Many thanks!