The BEST Guide to POLAND
Unanswered  |  Archives 
 
 
User: Guest

Posts by JollyRomek  

Joined: 6 Nov 2014 / Male ♂
Warnings: 2 - OO
Last Post: 30 Aug 2015
Threads: 7
Posts: 475
From: Lodz
Speaks Polish?: troche

Displayed posts: 482 / page 15 of 17
sort: Latest first   Oldest first   |
JollyRomek   
22 Dec 2014
Law / Termination of permament or contract work contract in Poland [35]

Yes - the boss can cancel the contract at any time and does not have to give a reason.

Well, actually it is not that easy. According to the Polish Labour Code, the employer has to justify the dismissal of an employee.

@ Anna83, here is a very good summary of terminations of employment contracts in Poland

ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=4633&langId=en
JollyRomek   
21 Dec 2014
Law / Unable to repay bank loan in Poland. What are the consequences according to the law? [18]

How will it effect my visa for other EU countries?

As far as I am aware, your credit history does not have anything to do with your visa application. But I am not a visa expert so maybe someone else can answer this.

Can they track me down in other EU countries?

Yes they can. If they really want to go after their debt, they can trace you. I know of a guy who had debt in Ireland and was traced to Malta.
JollyRomek   
21 Dec 2014
Law / Unable to repay bank loan in Poland. What are the consequences according to the law? [18]

Just like the German "Schufa", the Polish "BIK" has made credit history in Poland available internationally. This means that if you apply for a loan or credit card in another EU country and have not repaid your loan in Poland, it may mean that your applications will be rejected if they bother to check your BIK entries. That said, it is highly unlikely. So far I only know that Germany, Austria and Switzerland do some cross border checking amongst themselves.

But, it may be a nightmare for you when you return to Poland and have a negative credit history here. Even a mobile phone contract will not be an option for you anymore, so think carefully if you want to risk it.
JollyRomek   
19 Dec 2014
History / Do Polish people in general dislike Russia or Germany more? [369]

But you are half Polish, so you feel zero connection to the country you mother comes from? That's sad.

How did you get to that assumption? Given the fact that I live in Poland would somewhat give away that there must be some kind of connection, no?
JollyRomek   
18 Dec 2014
History / Do Polish people in general dislike Russia or Germany more? [369]

You know, as a child of a French man and a Polish woman, born and bread in East Berlin, I am very patriotic about being German although in fact I am even more patriotic about my country which doesn't exist anymore ( who doesn't love the country they were born in?). I can only say that I love the Russians as much as I love the Polish. I love their way of living, their way of keeping traditions (something we "westerners" have lost a long time ago). I have no issue with Poles or Russians neither do they seem to have an issue with me as a German. So what is this topic about?

Who hates who most? Look west! In 2007 I went to a football game in Frankfurt between Germany and Wales. The main chant between the supporters was "We hate England more than you". Same in Ireland, again, "we hate England more than you". Does it reflect in real life? I hardly think so. It's banter.

Anyone who wastes their time thinking about who they hate more has more serious issues than just hating someone. Grow up guys!
JollyRomek   
18 Dec 2014
Life / Which is the best credit card to get in Poland? [10]

(can be avoided with some accounts if a certain amount of money is paid in to the account each month, but some other banks don't make this charge, so Millennium should take note as people vote with their feet)

My current account with Millennium is completely free of charge, even withdrawls abroad are free of charge, as long as at least 1000 PLN are paid into it every month.

My actual bank (the one i get my salary paid in to every month) charged me an outragous 30 zloty when i withdrew 200 francs in Switzerland in spring this year. Plus 7.50 zloty for "something" i can not quite understand for using the card at some outlets.

All in all, I will change the bank account with the company i work for to my Millennium account as i am quite happy with it.
JollyRomek   
18 Dec 2014
Life / Which is the best credit card to get in Poland? [10]

Bank Millennium's credit card offers two different types of bonuses. One is a 5% refund if you shop at selected partners, the second one is their "Buy &Smile@ program.

The one thing I love about Bank Millennium is their easy to use online banking. It is fully available in English and has won several awards for best online banking in Poland.
JollyRomek   
18 Dec 2014
Language / Polish Language Exchange Thread [133]

Hi,

if you are interested, a friend of mine is looking for a translator from Polish to English for her company website. The translated text would be proofread by an English native speaker together with her, to point out any mistakes you may have made in order to help you to improve.

She is struggling to find the time to do it herself, so if you are interested, you could earn a few zlotych on the side, she would get her translation and you would get your practice. Win - Win situation :)

Let me know if you are interested.
JollyRomek   
18 Dec 2014
Life / Cost of living in Katowice, Poland [53]

It will be Private Health Care... This insurance is paid by me or by IBM?

If part of your benefits package states "Medical care" then it is covered by IBM and most likely to be either Medicover, Luxmed etc.
JollyRomek   
17 Dec 2014
Life / Cost of living in Katowice, Poland [53]

For both of us... Is this OK?

That means 250 each per month or 62.50 per week. I would say that it is possible, but you may want to take up some good medical cover to visit the doctor more frequently. With 250 zloty per month, you won't be getting much of the essentials your body needs. Of course it will be enough for Tesco Spaghetti with Ketchup every day.

I would at least calculate 500 zloty each per month for food and even that would still be very little.

In your 1200 for rent, is electricity and other bills included already? Or are those bills the 400 "Housing costs"?
JollyRomek   
17 Dec 2014
Travel / Do trains in Poland arrive on time? [38]

Warsaw to £ódż

Just done this route recently. From Lodz to Warsaw by Interregio. Train was delayed by half an hour due to works on the tracks. However, the comfort in these trains is not very good. On the way back (just 2 hours later) I opted for the TLK which was much more comfortable with its compartments but just over an hour delay. They promise Lodz - Warsaw in 70 minutes once the construction on the tracks has been completed. Fingers crossed
JollyRomek   
17 Dec 2014
Work / 100,000 PLN (per year) in Krakow - Is it enough for a couple to survive on? [18]

50zl a head per week would only be a realistic budget at McKings'.

Come on now.......Are you trying to tell me that you can not get a decent meal for 50 zloty? Ok, for Krakow here are two examples of good restaurants with decent prices.

Pod Wawelem
podwawelem.eu

CK Browar
ckbrowar.krakow.pl

I have been to both places. Food was good and price decent. I never spent any more than 50 zloty. Most times even below 40 for main course and a piwo.

Just to remind you. I am not talking about five star restaurants with three course dinners and fancy wines. That's not doable on the above mentioned 5500 PLN budget.

But saying that for 50 zloty you can get maximum Burger King is simply not true.
JollyRomek   
17 Dec 2014
Work / 100,000 PLN (per year) in Krakow - Is it enough for a couple to survive on? [18]

If you know where to go, you get a good dinner for 50 zloty each, including one or two drinks (of course not the most expensive wine) on the Rynek or its small side streets. Surely, on a budget of 5500 PLN for two people a month, you wouldn't even think about going for a 400 zloty meal each week :)
JollyRomek   
17 Dec 2014
Work / 100,000 PLN (per year) in Krakow - Is it enough for a couple to survive on? [18]

Let's put it this way. A somewhat decent apartment in or close to the old town would roughly set you back 2000 PLN + bills which would possibly be another 600 PLN. Giving that you want to go out for a meal once per week, that's an additional 400 PLN (100 per week for both of you).

You now have 2500 PLN left for which you will have to do your grocery shopping. Let's assume 150 PLN per week person (which is still lower end) = 1200 PLN for the two of you, leaving you with 1300 PLN left. Transport costs, if you don't want to have a car = 100 PLN for a monthly ticket. Now you have 1200 PLN left.

At the point at which you have 1200 PLN left, you still have not bought any clothes, have not covered any unexpected expenses etc. Basically, with 1200 PLN left you have covered your very basic needs plus one restaurant visit per week. And even in Poland, those 1200 PLN can go very quickly leaving you with no savings at the end of each month.
JollyRomek   
17 Dec 2014
Work / 100,000 PLN (per year) in Krakow - Is it enough for a couple to survive on? [18]

It is only an assumption but given that "Kilg0re" is from the US, the mentioned salary of 100k is most likely per annum. Therefore the 5.5k per month after tax is pretty much spot on.

If his wife will not work then it will most certainly not allow for the lifestyle "Kilg0re" has described.
JollyRomek   
16 Dec 2014
Travel / Do trains in Poland arrive on time? [38]

I'd be very surprised if they weren't part of German reparations to Poland

You seem to be spot on with this as "EW90" (also from Berlin) was shipped to Poland as part of reparations. See link pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/EW90

This is quite an interesting topic for me because i have always wondered about the resemblance of the old Polish ETZs to the older S-Bahn Berlin trains
JollyRomek   
16 Dec 2014
Travel / Do trains in Poland arrive on time? [38]

They're called EZT. Here is list of such trains:

This one here from Gdansk is quite interesting. I wonder how they ended up from being part of the "S-Bahn" in Berlin to running in TryCity in Poland. I remember using them in Berlin when i was younger.

ET 166 (marked on the PKP EW92) - electric traction units produced in 1936 and operated on the of the S-Bahn lines in Berlin. 34 units were produced. 6 of them were rebuilt in 1961-1963 in Poland - ZNTK plants in Gdańsk and have been operated on the SKM lines in Tri-City until the traction network voltage was change for the 3 kV

pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/EW92
JollyRomek   
16 Dec 2014
Travel / Do trains in Poland arrive on time? [38]

Clearly, the difference between "Intercity Express" and "Express Intercity" (or ICE vs. EIC) isn't something that a typical passanger would be much upset about.

Well, to be honest i would be very upset if i pay for an ICE ticket but have to undertake my journey in an EIC. The difference in quality and speed of both trains is massive.
JollyRomek   
16 Dec 2014
Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]

Sometimes knowledge of grammar and usage of such knowledge comes in handy. Particularly when reading and understanding forum posts :) :)
JollyRomek   
16 Dec 2014
Travel / Do trains in Poland arrive on time? [38]

If you know of any particular Polish ICE train that is not pulled by a locomotive, let me know and I will happy to check it.

I was actually talking about the ICE train in Germany. ICE - Intercity Express. There is no such thing as an ICE train in Poland :)

ICE Train
JollyRomek   
16 Dec 2014
Life / Do you think that Polish people are rude? [951]

Me neither, i was in a Polish shop the other day (where not many English people go) and was a little surprised at the abruptness of the assistant.

I am not sure whether or not this can be considered as being "rude". From my time here in Poland but also in Ukraine, i have always found assistants in normal shops / supermarkets to be fairly abrupt and straight to the point with a "buy it or leave it" attitude. There simply is no need for smalltalk and to a certain extend, i actually prefer it this way. If i want a simple loaf of bread or a liter of milk, I do not feel the need to talk about my weekend plans with the shop assistant, nor do i need any special consultation about which kind of milk i should buy.

It is different in shops for clothing, electronics etc. where i would like to have someone at least a tiny bit competent and talkative. Here in Lodz, in the main shopping centers, i found the assistants in those shops rather helpful with surprisingly good level of English.
JollyRomek   
16 Dec 2014
Travel / Do trains in Poland arrive on time? [38]

As far as I know, the ICE trains are pulled by a locomotive, but Pendolino has indeed a built-in drivers cabin.

A bit off topic of course but......... ICE trains have build in drivers cabins. In fact, in the most recent versions of the ICE trains, the drivers cabin is segregated to the passenger compartment only by a glass wall, allowing passengers who sit right behind it to have quite a nice view.
JollyRomek   
16 Dec 2014
Life / Move to Poland or UK? (Advice needed) [51]

I think the problem is that SSC or BPO's are regarded as call centers with low level income employees.

@ DominicB, you will find that "cold call sales" or "low level collections" is something that you will not find too often in Poland. Reason being is that doing cold call sales requires a certain level of the language you are doing the sales in. I.e., you need to overcome objections from the person you trying to sell to. For that, you almost certainly need native speakers and getting them to work in Poland requires a decent salary offer. It is almost more lucrative for cold call sales to stay in their respective countries as there they have the workforce with the required skillset which is the native language.

All in all, SSC / BPO's can be quite attractive for foreigners. Most specialize in Accountancy or IT whereas Accountancy would be the higher paying sector to be in. As a trained accountant speaking Swedish as native language you should be able to get at least 7 - 8k PLN gross. If the salary is lower, then there most certainly would be other benefits such as company apartment which would make up for the lesser income.

It also depends on the company whether or not they are just setting up in Poland or have been here for a number of years. New SSC's tend to pay more for native speakers, mainly because they require them for the transition process.

All in all, 5k as a Swedish native speaker without any other benefits (i.e. company apartment) is too little to even consider.

One example, an Italian native speaker i know is going to move to Krakow in January to work in Accounts Receivable. His experience in this area would amount to 1 year. He has been offered 6400 PLN gross. Given that Italian is considered to be one of the lower paid language skills, i would assume that in the same area with the same amount of experience, a Swedish native speaker sould achieve at least 7k PLN gross.