Life / Why Do You Love Poland? [907]


Of course. Because you are American - not Polish. It is very difficult for Americans to get right of stay here simply because of the visa requirements for Poles visiting America. Tit for tat.

Nothing to do with Poland being protective of who lives in the country. It's a simple matter for other EU citizens to settle here. A group of Syrians live down the road (market traders) They have EU passports, and happen to be muslim, Poland can't keep them out even if they wanted to, much as the racists would love to.

Travel / Requirements for bringing a Dog into Poland [30]


Yes - but microchipping is now in law, and the poster will already have her dog chipped. You can't get a rabies cert without it - the two are mutually compatible.

Life / Why Do You Love Poland? [907]


So are you saying that the Asian guy born in Poland that PolAm references isn't Polish? So, by the same token, Asians born in Britain who have lived there all their lives aren't British?

That would also mean that PolAm isn't American.

Travel / Requirements for bringing a Dog into Poland [30]

Actually it's taken me 6 years, but I've decided that Tri-city people aren't so bad, so I co-operate generally. They are dog lovers here. Dog is hardly ever on the lead, and the police pass by me without a word because he is at my right heel.

The Straz miasta on the other hand can sit on it. Idiots who didn't make the grade as cops.

Travel / Requirements for bringing a Dog into Poland [30]


Adult fare Gdynia-Gdansk 5.50. Dog fare - 5.50. Some entitlement there. So when he was a pup, I put dog on a blanket on the seat and refused demands to remove him. That kicked up a hell of a storm:):)

Travel / Requirements for bringing a Dog into Poland [30]


Yep. Full adult fare on Przewowe Regionale short distance. And the staff in Santander love my dog. Granted he does smell a bit after swimming in the Zatoka - but that's because the locals managed to ruin the environment in communist times so the water is dirty.

Not the dogs' fault. He still doesn't smell as much as a lot of Polish men do. And that's a fact.

Travel / Requirements for bringing a Dog into Poland [30]

Cute dog. Yes, well, rabies shot, and de-worming stamp on your dog passport, and that's it.
Businesses are 50 percent dog friendly here - as in - it's left completely to the business owners' discretion whether they allow dogs on their premises or not.

For example, PKO, the state owned bank, has notices on the doors banning dogs, and pistol carrying security enforce that to the letter. Santander, on the other hand (my bank) are delighted when my lab puts his front paws up on the desk (which of course gets an instant correction from me).

Some restaurants refuse you service, and others offer you all sorts of doggie snacks.
So it's all just like the US I guess.........
PS apartment rental is a little more difficult - just got to find a rentier who is a dog lover! Oh. and Poles go all precious about your dog being on seats on public transport. You could be taken off the train and shot! You - not the dog:)

Travel / Poland's LOT Air Problems [43]


Actually in communist days LOT was the best carrier to Heathrow. 10 percent discount for a Polish connection from the Polish Travel Agent in London, and better food than British Airways.

AND as many Wyborowa miniatures as I could drink ( 7 was my best effort I recall)

Travel / Poland's LOT Air Problems [43]


Don't go back to Krakow (aka PIS City) in November. Also known as Smog city. Far from "piekny."

Travel / Best place to exchange money in Poland? [98]

We've had this discussion. Revolut gets my custom.

Travel / How much will taxi/bus or train from Gdansk airport to Slupsk cost? [16]


Traffic jams....especially in property rich Tri-City - where infrastructure is sadly lacking - as you well know, having lived here Trains are miles better here than buses for the journey the OP has to make.

Travel / How much will taxi/bus or train from Gdansk airport to Slupsk cost? [16]


Dominic means to say that if you are doddering like myself you might prefer the bus. I don't think there is a bus from the airport to Slupsk. You would have to go into a district of Gdansk called Wreszcz on the train to do that probably, and you really don't want to be standing around at the miserable open air 'bus station' there waiting for a (late and slow) bus.

Have a look at the train timetables; the bus takes forever.

Travel / How much will taxi/bus or train from Gdansk airport to Slupsk cost? [16]

Yes. Train from airport to Gdynia (every 30 mins weekdays) Sprinter train from Gdynia to Slupsk (you MUST change train platform/station) at Gdynia Glowna - 100 metres.....)

Total price around 20 zl.
Time around 1hr 30 mins if connections are quick.....

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


Dougpol in agrees completely with Rich Mazur shocker!!
PIS are busy rewriting all history to show that all Poles acted with the highest valour - at ALL times.
Complete nonsense of course. There is nothing especially historic about the Polish nation as a whole that sets it at the top of some imaginary "Bravery" table, as the evidence shows. Meanwhile PIS carry on with their censorship, and it is up to the old to educate their families about the truth.

Travel / Gdynia for a day while on a cruise ship [10]



Glad you followed my suggestion.

News / How could PiS better spend billions instead of 500+ ? [275]

Free healthcare for children, instead of the service that passes for free healthcare at present. Free prescriptions for the over 65s.
A lowering of the tax threshold for working parents with children.

Work / Teaching English in Krakow -- how to find students? [52]


Thanks. Apart from the fact that for her it is a probably a stop-gap, she seems to be doing very well, and is always lesson plan prepared..

News / Should 16-year-olds in Poland vote? [58]


Old enough for other things - old enough to vote. It's their future, so yes, absolutely!

Exactly as the old 70 is the new 60, so the old 18 is the new 16. That is the power of genetics, the new media age, and freedom of expression and living standards.

Work / Teaching English in Krakow -- how to find students? [52]


Question Delph...my daughter doesn't have teaching qualifications but teaches English at a private school in Barcelona (she has FCE/CAE/PROF) What is your take on that?

Life / Owning a house in true countryside of Poland - stories [579]


Not really. Why should we have to subsidise people that choose to live in a rural idyll?

Law / Penalty for driving on expired license in Poland? [30]


Yes, I see. Wouldn't a theory test be enough? You've proved your ability to drive, through obtaining a driving licence in your country of birth. The Poles boringly just want to take some money from you in the guise of traffic laws and sign understanding, so check to see if the theory test is enough.

Then you need to pay for a sworn translator, and book a theory test (warning - the theory test is long winded and designed so that people fail a couple of times (so maximising job creation - the "work" for examiners - who otherwise would be unemployable old boys)

Driving without a valid licence means that if you do hit someone, it's prison time. By all means go to prison for a while for white collar crime and successfully hiding a million zloty, but the driving offence would be a daft reason for such humiliation.

Law / Penalty for driving on expired license in Poland? [30]


So why not renew your licence? I think you have answered your own question; are you prepared to risk driving on an expired licence? EU licences suck, as they only last for 10 years - this is simply a money making exercise, but if you do not have a valid licence then your insurance is void.

In some EU countries that will end in your vehicle being impounded, and probably crushed. Why risk it?
And I am no fan of traffic police, who are generally out to harass the public - at least in large swathes of Poland. Just trying to help

Law / Penalty for driving on expired license in Poland? [30]


Well "Einstein......"
The police are now fitted with cameras in cars and some police evn have body cameras - so you can forget about any bribing....
As to tolerance - that depends on the region:
1. In Tri-City the police are usually fairly "tolerant" but not when dealing with a banned driver I would have thought.
2. In Warsaw/Krakow/Katowice the police will happily nail you to the floor for far less.
Don't do it. If banned, take an Uber. Don't come crying here if you fail to take my advice. The days of anyone being "intrigued" by Johnny foreigner are long gone.

Language / So why did you give up learning Polish? [105]


Interesting. My pronunciation is awful (no auditory abilities) but I can talk a lot of nonsense at parties:)

USA, Canada / Poles Living in the Chicago Area [300]

Anybody can see that is not a gun. You are paranoid joker. And very possibly racist.

Food / British food products in Poland? [334]


Really? Superb. Thanks for the report!

Life / Air shows in Poland are annoying [23]


..airshows?
Abso-bloody-lutely.
You live in the UK I understand. They are banned there over centres of population for a very good reason. 10 dead people.

Life / Air shows in Poland are annoying [23]


That Poland never learns from history or life experience.

Life / Air shows in Poland are annoying [23]


High season here johnny. It lasts for only 10 weeks. Sold out.

Life / Air shows in Poland are annoying [23]

Todays' plane miracle aborted take off and landing outside Moscow tells us that planes and cities don't mix. Aircraft shows are now banned from UK towns and cities. I would hate to have to say "Told you so..".