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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
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JollyRomek   
3 Jul 2015
News / Does democratic Poland guarantee it's LGBT citizens respect for human and civil rights? [1169]

Marriage is still defined as a man and woman no matter how hard you try to deny it.

No, marriage is defined as the "legally or formally recognized union of a man and a woman, or, in some jurisdictions, two people of the same sex.

If the jurisdiction you live in does not recognize same sex marriages, fair enough, but your jurisdiction's interpretation of marriage does not have to apply to other jurisdictions.

You are not going to change that fact by simply repeating your interpretation of marriage over and over and over again.
JollyRomek   
4 Jul 2015
News / When will Poland take on the EURO? [47]

Thousand Year Reich that lasted all of 12 years! Or Stalin's

With the exception that the Soviet Union was a forced Union and the German Reich a dictatorship that just anschlussed whatever it felt was German.

The European Union is the complete opposite. Countries join voluntarily and there is in fact a line of countries waiting for acceptance. Yes, once you join that club there are certain rules and obligations but nobody forces a country to join that club.

Your comparison Stalin / German Reich vs. EU is as intelligent as asking why Norway did not have to opt in for the Euro or interrupting a conversation about Czech Beer by throwing "Bud Lite" into it.......
JollyRomek   
4 Jul 2015
News / Russian criticism of Poland - Soviet war memorial removal [325]

Russian criticism of Poland - Soviet war memorial removal

This wasn't the original title of the thread and it was only edited after the initial editing period of a few minutes available to normal users.

@ Mods, why was the title of this thread changed?

No word about Poland was enough
JollyRomek   
10 Jul 2015
Classifieds / Flat in Krakow for German students for one semester [24]

Hire an interpreter on site who speaks Polish and German (NOT English!) and, ideally, who is certified!

Hire a certified interpreter to rent an apartment? They might as well just pay the agency fee then.

@ Richard, gumtree.pl or any of the facebook groups: Krakow Expats, Foreigners in Krakow etc. Just post what you are looking for there. Most likely someone knows someone who knows someone who is looking to rent out his apartment.

I am German living in Lodz. If you need any help with your first steps in Poland, drop me a PM.
JollyRomek   
11 Jul 2015
Classifieds / Flat in Krakow for German students for one semester [24]

No, having a local who knows the lingo as well as the renter's mother tongue is invaluable:-)

It would help, yes. But it is not necessary. Specially when that local wants to be paid for the service.

@ Richi, try the facebook pages for foreigners in Krakow or as suggested by InPolska in post 4, check in to a hostel for a couple of days and find an apartment during that time. You would most likely have to do that anyway as you need to physically see the apartment before signing the agreement. You could also use that time to check the notice boards at the University. I would be very surprised if you wouldn't be able to find something suitable for the four of you in Krakow. If there is any help needed drop me a PM.
JollyRomek   
11 Jul 2015
UK, Ireland / Opening a bank account in Poland from UK / poor CCJ credit rating? [11]

No - they need to see your contract of employment etc and they will also need to see your passport, not just a scan.

When I opened my first account in Poland with Nordea, they wanted to see my contract of employment. When I opened accounts with Getin and Millenium later, they just wanted my passport.

My current UK bank won't allow me to withdraw abroad (as I found out in Paris last year!)

You won't have any problems. Depending on the bank you chose, they will either issue you with a Debit MasterCard or Visa. You can use both cards abroad. Of course, there is no guarantee that your bank card won't be swallowed by the ATM, but that does not mean that your bank won't allow withdraws abroad. It just an issue with that particular ATM. Happened to me plenty of times and sometimes resulted in awkward situations.

I have my account with Bank Millenium now. Their internet banking is superb and also available in English. I think they even won awards for best online banking in Poland. With Millenium I have two current accounts so if one card gets swallowed by an ATM I still have the other card and can transfer funds from one account to the other within seconds. And if that second card gets swallowed too, there is still the credit card to help out.

All you need is your passport to open the account. But as jon said, you won't be given an overdraft facility or credit card immediately.
JollyRomek   
11 Jul 2015
News / Poland Sports News [981]

any sports worth watching?

Plenty of sports worth watching in Poland. Handball, Volleyball, Speedway ....... all sports the Poles are pretty good at and the atmosphere is usually quite good.

Football is not that great in my opinion. That said, Slask Wroclaw and Jagiellonia BiaƂystok progressed to the second round of Europa League qualification on Thursday evening. Jagiellonia trashed their opponents Kruoja Pakruojis (Lithuania) 8:0. Unfortunately I picked the wrong game to go to and went to see Slask Wroclaw. But even their 3:1 over NK Celje was quite good.
JollyRomek   
12 Jul 2015
Law / Thinking of opening up a Greek restaurant in Poland, bad idea or good? Jenkei [45]

It's a great idea

10 years ago I would have said yes but now? In my opinion there are far too many kebab places in the bigger cities already. I remember when I lived in Krakow, someone had the great idea to open a kebab shop in a street that already had a number of them. The guy closed after a few weeks.

Unless you are doing something exceptional with the kebabs that nobody else does, I would not bother opening a kebab shop.
JollyRomek   
12 Jul 2015
Classifieds / Flat in Krakow for German students for one semester [24]

I wasn't even hinting that Richi, for that matter anyone whosoever, ought not pay some professional for their services (particularly if certified/accredited)!!!

You have lost me here. The point was not to get a professional and then try not to pay them. The point was that there is no need to hire a professional / certified translator to find an apartment. Specially not when the idea was to avoid high agency fees.

Following your logic, in order to avoid high agency fees you are suggesting to hire a certified translator which in turn would charge a high fee?
JollyRomek   
12 Jul 2015
Work / How to find work in Warsaw "if u don't speak Polish" ! [176]

Same almost as in Berlin! Only there, the Vietnamese during the late '90's, had a hammerlock on the newspaper kiosk concessions:-)
None whom I encoutered spoke as much as a syllable of GermanLOL Normally, someone who did was there in the stand along with them in order to facilitate the transaction. Otherwise, SIGN LANGUAGE - the ONLY truly "universal" language:-)

Once again you are talking "facts" about Germany which I as a German do not recognize. I am from Berlin and there most certainly was no Vietnamese "hammerlock" on news stands / kiosks in Berlin. And most likely there was no such thing as a seller who had a translator standing next to him to assist with the transaction. The only thing they controlled was the black market cigarette trade. Honestly Lyzko, I would really prefer it if you stop talking nonsense about my home country.

This thread needs to get back on track
JollyRomek   
12 Jul 2015
Classifieds / Flat in Krakow for German students for one semester [24]

how familiar with black-market bribery could a young German student be??

I am not sure what kind of picture of Poland you are trying to paint here but there is no black-market bribery involved in finding an apartment.

Things work in Eastern Europe differently from Germany!

And you do not seem to know how it works in either of the two regions. I have never had a problem finding an apartment or getting around in Poland. Nor will the OP have any problems.

To make it short for you, your suggestion to hire a certified translator (when the OP is clearly trying to avoid additional fees and costs) is ridiculous.
JollyRomek   
13 Jul 2015
Classifieds / Flat in Krakow for German students for one semester [24]

Lyzko is right. His advice is good.

Jon, come on now. Black market for apartments? Bribery? .......... Please. The Poland that Lyzko is trying to describe dates back to the 1990's early 2000's.

Far from reality these days.
JollyRomek   
13 Jul 2015
Classifieds / Flat in Krakow for German students for one semester [24]

Yes and extremely high finders fees. But seeing that the OP has mentioned these fees already, it would suggest that he is well aware of what he needs to look out for and what to avoid.
JollyRomek   
15 Jul 2015
Work / What is deducted from a salary in Poland apart from Income tax? [155]

Asian engineer

You keep coming back talking about some engineers or senior financial expert.

The OP hasn't even mentioned his profession yet you are basing your arguments on what you believe the OP's profession might be,

I know of an Indian companiy in Poland which brings in "SME's" from India when they set up new projects. They normally bring them in for 6 months or a year. At home in India, in their normal work environment they are "simple" accountants, credit controllers or accounts payable clerks. But, because they have been with the company for a number of years, they know the environment and are being brought over to Poland on assignment to help with the new project / engagement set up.

There not engineers or senior financial experts but to make it attractive for them, they are being offered a higher compensation for their trouble.

All the posts that you have written in this thread are completely worthless because you base your arguments on assumptions, not on facts.

Quite poor and disappointing for someone who apparently studied hard to "beef up his salable qualifications" in order to retire early. As an educated person with apparently two patents that allowed you to retire early, you should know better than basing your arguments on assumptions.
JollyRomek   
16 Jul 2015
Life / Help! Halifax bank card stopped working in Warsaw! [11]

There's no sister bank to Halifax here?

They wouldn't be able to help you.

Seeing that you are not a registered member of this forum, I assume you googled "bank card Poland" or something similar and found this forum.

Why didn't you google "Halifax Customer Service phone number" instead"?

I am not sure what you expect to get on this forum? We do not have magic glass balls that tell us what is wrong with your card or your account.

Best option is to contact Halifax to ask what is wrong. Only they can tell you exactly what the problem is.
JollyRomek   
16 Jul 2015
Life / Help! Halifax bank card stopped working in Warsaw! [11]

Get your son or someone else to send you some cash via western union. Pick it up tomorrow, top up your phone or buy a Polish sim and call Halifax yourself.

Most likely your son, or anyone else for that matter, won't get any info about your card and account.

Pps. Should have got 2nd card :(

Yes, I have two accounts and two cards with my bank. If one card doesn't work or gets stuck in an ATM whilst being abroad I still have the second card. And funds can be transferred within second from one account to the other, just in case.

And if the second doesn't work either, there is the credit card that will almost always work no matter where.

Been in similar situations way too often. When I go abroad now I have my two bank cards, my credit card and usually some spare cash (Usually dollars because you can't go wrong with it in the east) with me.
JollyRomek   
20 Jul 2015
Work / Finnish graduate (master in industrial management) looking for a career start in Poland [21]

experience in accounting

Some experience in accounting won't get you too far on the Polish job market. Your native language will though. As a Fin with some experience in accounting you would not have a problem finding a "decent" paid job in a SSC or BPO in Poland. With your native language being a fairly rare commodity in Poland, you should be able to achieve at least 7000 PLN gross. As a Fin you might want to try Kemira in Gdansk. I am sure you recognize the company name.

But you will also be able to find work in Warsaw, Krakow or Lodz. If the company is not able to offer you 7000 PLN or more, they should at least offer you a relocation package with a company apartment included. That would make up for the lower salary.

7000 PLN gross would be about 4800 PLN net. Not comparable to the 3000 EUR gross you would get in Finland but taking the considerable lower cost of living into consideration and the fact that you are single it is not a bad salary in Poland.

Your native language is a massive asset if you are looking to work for SSC or BPO in Poland. Unike the Spanish or French native speakers, you will be able to negotiate a higher salary even without or very little relevant experience. It is your language that they are after.
JollyRomek   
21 Jul 2015
News / Dunkin Donuts to come to Poland [46]

Dunkin Donuts announced that it will be opening 44 stores across Poland. The first one will be opened in Warsaw.

I believe that they have tried that before and failed. Will they be able to compete against the Polish Paczki this time?

Dunkin' Donuts, one of the world's leading coffee and baked goods chains, today announced that it has signed a master franchise agreement with Varsovia Food Company to begin developing Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in Poland.

lodzpost.com/polishnews/dunkin-donuts-announces-upcoming-entry-poland/
JollyRomek   
22 Jul 2015
News / Dunkin Donuts to come to Poland [46]

the German "Krapfen",

That would only be in some regions.

Usually they are referred to as 'Berliner" or in Berlin as "Pfannkuchen"
JollyRomek   
22 Jul 2015
Work / Finnish graduate (master in industrial management) looking for a career start in Poland [21]

Do Finnish companies (Kemira, UPM) tend to pay more than the non-Finnish companies (Infosys, HP, Capgemini), which have such positions open every now and then or vice versa?

Usually, SSCs, Kemira for example, pay more than the by you mentioned BPOs such Infosys or Capgemini etc.

However, Infosys for example makes up for lower pay rate by providing company apartments to foreigners who relocate to Lodz from abroad.

So let's assume they would pay you 5000 PLN plus company apartment for which you do not have to pay rent, you are again looking at 7000 (5000 + ca. 2000 you would have to earn if you would have to pay the rent) .

I am not sure if Capgemini or HP offer something similar.
JollyRomek   
22 Jul 2015
News / Dunkin Donuts to come to Poland [46]

so 'ich bin ein Berliner' meant 'I am a doughnut'?

Well, I am sure he meant that he is one of the people of Berlin. However, yes, if you think about it he could have also meant that he is a doughnut :-)

I guess we'll never know
JollyRomek   
22 Jul 2015
UK, Ireland / My bad experiences with Polish neighbours in UK (not meant to offend) [173]

difference betwen Polish, Hungarian and Estonian

I would find it quite disappointing if anyone, even if they are not often exposed to foreign languages, could not hear the difference between Polish and Hungarian. I hear Hungarian every day and it sounds nothing like Polish or any other Slavic language.

I would class the sound of Hungarian as Nordic, possibly Finnish.
JollyRomek   
22 Jul 2015
UK, Ireland / My bad experiences with Polish neighbours in UK (not meant to offend) [173]

ex Soviet countries

Hungary and Romania

Ukrainian and Russian

Now this is something that I find more concerning than the ability to keep languages apart. " Ex soviet countries" and giving Romania and Hungary as an example is simply ignorant.
JollyRomek   
22 Jul 2015
UK, Ireland / My bad experiences with Polish neighbours in UK (not meant to offend) [173]

Also I am disabled so my wording is not the best, I am a little offended you assumed something from me.

Well, in that case I would like to apologize. That's one of the things we can not estimate over the internet.

Romania and Moldavia are basically seen as the same by Romanian people I know(at least the young)

There is such a sentiment in Moldova. And who can blame them seeing that Moldova is still the Somalia of Europe while Romania is now part of the EU and doing better and better. I don't think that the Romanians are carrying as much love for Moldova as the good people of Moldova do for Romania.