UK, Ireland / Curious about differences Polish people see with the British? [95]


Regardless of our place of birth we are all still subject of propaganda of the state's we were brougt up in. Sometimes it's subtle and sometimes it's more obvious, but it doesn't matter if you are from England, USA, Lithuania, Poland or North Korea, we all went through it and are unconsciously burdened by it.

I'm sorry CasualObserver, but I'm pretty sure that somewhere in the past I was this typicall Pole who, when finally got the chance, set the record straight and explained "the ignorant" Briton our side of the WWII story... I can't even pin point the exact situation when I heard about the western betrayal... I guess it's something that just flouts here in the air.

But I wasn't trying to be malice. It was just an innocent pub banter. No harm was intended as I actually really like your country.

Talking about differences between Poles and Britons, thought, I actually think you guys are more sensitive about the words, the way, the manner and the circumstances things are being said, that often our straightforwardness is being evaluated as inappropriate and even hostile, despite our true intentions.

Plus, you expect and actually use the word please like mad! ;)

Food / Hopless beer in Poland? [31]

Foreigner4

I recommend "Magnus" made by Browar Jagiełło, especially the chocolate and honey varieties, or Noteckie na miodzie lipowym. I used to be a great fan of Fortuna, but the breweries bottled "Czarne" seems to lack consistency these days, and at times disappoints terribly, which is a pity, but it still is worth to try.

Food / Does Poland have any similar beers to guinness? [22]


It's nice to hear it. Have you tried other dark beers from wlkp? Like for example Noteckie Eire?

Food / The most typical ingredient used in Polish cuisine [28]


Or a heart-attack inducing amount of vegeta. :)

During the commie times people cooked from the ingredients that were available on the market, and we all know how the shelves in the shops looked like in those times. These days people cook from the ingredients they can afford... I always love it when someone writes here on PF that Poles only love chicken and pork. It's not really a case of love but of the size of your wallet. Few months back I read somewhere that a statistical Pole ate 7kg beef per year in 1989, while these days it's only around 1kg. How many people eat duck these days? Rabbit? Crawfish? Nutria? :)

The contemporary polish cuisine is a pre-WW 2 peasant cuisine, that got bastardized by the lack of resources during the commie period, that got further bastardized during the 90's by the unhealthy novelties like maggi, aforementioned vegeta and the likes of kostka rosołowa. The major influences of the 2000's are Vietnamese pho soup in Warsaw and kebab/gyros in the province. :)

Still, there is lots to be discovered and to fall back on. The things that I always miss when abroad are dark beer from my region (Fortuna Czarne being my favourite), home-made nalewki, cold meats with fruits in jelly and proper sausage (that is one from your local butcher and not that stuff from the super-market), wątrobianka (liver pate?) with a cucumber "mało solny" on it, bread with proper smalec, my mother-in-laws mother-in-laws szarlotka ;), pyzy with duck and mizeria ( not the ready-made stuff available in every corner shop), "miodownik", "pijak" and of course the humble "placek drożdżowy". For over twenty years I have been immune to it's charm, and then suddenly it stroke me! I guess you could call me a "placek drożdżowy" addict!

USA, Canada / Why are Polish Americans mocked in the American media? [226]

A propos american cop shows, here is a piece from my favourite British stand-up comedian.

youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HIrarF3mcIc

UK, Ireland / Do Poles and EU Citizens exploit the British welfare state [129]


It's not the polish immigrants that should be the adresee of your list of greviences, but the government body that actually sets the rules in GB. I mean, just like Grzegorz already pointed out, you don't abuse a systrem if you are entitled for the benefits. I guess that because of the american problem with illegal mexicans you have a chip on your shoulder when it comes to immigrants.

History / What nation do Poles feel closer to? [74]

But what does an average Pole know about Hungary and Hungarians? Not much I'm afraid. We don't even know our neighbours...

Actually, the country we know the most about is Germany... and now probably also GB. ;)

Language / Differences in Polish and English idioms [69]


I like the other version more: I tu krowa dała nura! :)

What about some newer idioms like : Rozmowa buta z ch***m. The more polite translation would be "A conversation between a boot and a croach". ;)

Love / Good looking Polish women with ugly men [416]


Every now and then I hear something similar coming from my Polish friends (male friends of course) "How can that woman be with such a fugly guy?", and just like in the case of this thread it's always with this undertone of "she would be better of with me!". It's hilarious. What makes you guys think you know better than that woman what is attractive for her? Yeah, it must be the numbers game… but maybe, just maybe the guy has what that girl is looking for? Good humour, intelligence or maybe he is remarkable in bed?

PS: And polish women do look like their fathers. At least mine daughter looks like me. :)

News / Poles don't have a heart for math... says The New York Times [84]

I don't know what you people are on about. This article is repeating what many here in Poland have bee saying for years, really, that Poles don't have a heart for maths. The precentege of people choosing technical higher education is significantly lower here than in the rest of EU. There are too many people with diplomas in history, pedagogy, administration or marketing and management and too little in high-tech and the reason is poor education in math, physics and chemistry on the primary and secondary school level. Even the Programme for International Student Assessment, despite what has been said here on the forums, showed that clearly.

If you would read the article more carefully you would notice that it is not the Germans being blamed but Poles themselves. Look:

News / Polish Foreign Ministry 'prepared' for new Wikileaks material [100]

It's like with a private sex tape, many people are doing it, but once it gets out into the open, shame on you.

Julian Assagne, a man that made a world super power a laughing stock. lol :)

Law / Poland low on national brand chart [66]


That's true. I think that German customers are very true to their brands. The same situation as with Spiele Max happened to Bauknecht, which is being owned by Whirlpool these days.

History / Are Poles happy with the current Polish borders? [134]

Taking under consideration Polish situation in 45' we really cant complain about our borders.

I am definately happy about their current shape.

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]

So don't walk to work man, run instead and the problem is solved! Voila! ;)

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]

I never thought that it could be such a problem. Warm clothes, shoes with thick sole and grok always did it for me.

I must admit that I'm not too fond of January and Ferbruary... it has to do with the post-christmass/new years eve depression, but in march everythng slowly turns back to life, etc so it's all good in the end... :)

History / Life in Partitioned Poland (Specifically in the Prussian Partition) [118]


It doesn't really matter whether it was meant as anti-polish or not. What matters though is that polish people were banned on their own soil in a predominantly polish environment from using their own language. Is that ok for you?


That Prussia gets a bad press here and that we are a little bit exaggerating the whole thing is true. But if everything was so fine and dandy as you portray here why would there be a Greater Poland's Uprising? You must admit that people don't risk their lives if everything is fine, no?

Life / Gypies/Indian-looking women with kids beg for money in Poland [143]

Anyone remembers the uproar in western Europe when it came out that in Hungary and Slovakia they want to separate gypsy neighborhoods from other neighborhoods by building walls around them? So basically build them ghettos? Now it looks as if every one and his dog is trying to deport Gypsies to Romania, with the French being right there at the top of the list. Laughable.

PS: Gypsy beggars from Romania is soooo 90’s. :)

Life / 2 months to go - I will be a Polish citizen and try to find a better place to raise my kid. [67]


Are you sure it's yours? ;)


I actually have a baby here, delivered in a public hospital. I can't comment on the state of hopsitals in Warsaw, though, so will have to leave you at that. Mine was born in a hospital in a small town, and although there were two things that I didn't like I don't see a reason to choose a private hospital next time.


I'm pretty sure that it does for some... For me not really. I was just messing with zion.

Life / 2 months to go - I will be a Polish citizen and try to find a better place to raise my kid. [67]


So your wife picked the place because you would have to bring botteled water with you...

she paid for the bill....

and she is a JEW!

Ohh good Jehovah, read betwen the lines, you have been scamed amigo! ;)

Life / Polish pride. PL stickers, flags and the white eagle! Where does our obsession come from? [79]


Probably because it dates the birth of Solidarity movement but i know what you mean.

Anyway, the young don't really care and the "old" are bickering amongst themselves about it. I'm somewheare in betwean and feel pity as it really is an interesting topic that is worth remembering. But Solidarność past 89' is a disgrace. Big Cyc said it the best in 1993:

...

USA, Canada / PolAms -- do you regard yourselves only as 'white Americans'? [187]


I think it's called picking the right moment to act. War and politics is not a mano-a-mano thing. It's never fair, just like Germn invasion on Pl in 1939 was not fair.

Of course had it not been for a major conflct between Austria, Germany vs Russia, the chances of an independent Poland were slim, but WWI did happen and Poles did took advantage of it. They picked the right moment to act and done a great job. Basically all of Pl borders were settled through an armed conflict. This would not happen if the spirit wasn't there.


You make it sound as if it was all our fault, but remember that it was not Poles who started this madness.


Interesting. According to poznan.pl poles costituted about 57% of all inhabitamts of Poznan in 1918. There was also this economical rivalry betwen Poles and Germans prior to WWI that we are being taught in school, that apparently Poles won... Could you expand more on this subject. All educational systems use propaganda and i want to know whether I am in a wrong or not.

USA, Canada / PolAms -- do you regard yourselves only as 'white Americans'? [187]


It did actually. Had it not been for Greaterpolands Uprising Poznan would definatelly stay in German hands as neither Piłsudski nor the Legause of Nations was keen on giving this predominantly polish land to Poland. The people had to spoke.

PS: @ shewolf: thanx :)

Life / Polish pride. PL stickers, flags and the white eagle! Where does our obsession come from? [79]


There is just too much of it these days. I don't remember so many celebrations being held 10 years ago. Everytime I turn on the TV it's some new commemoration taking place, like the start of WWII, the start of Solidarity, the battle of Warsaw, the battle of Grunwald, the fall of cuminism, etc... I real am tired of all this...


Exactly. People are rediscovering themselves and this is how this process manifests itself. My parents sometmes act as if they feel they are worse than westerners because they spent most of their lifes in a communist state. My generation, on the other hand, feel that we are no worse than the rest of Euros. Nothing wrong about it.

History / When will you Poles give back German land and the cities which you robbed? [557]


What about Polish-Bolshevik war?

Nonsense. The reason why Breslau was handed over to Poles was not because it was once a polish city. Germans consituted a majority in that city at least since the 17/18 th century. Wrocław was handed over to us because Stalin wanted to ensure that Poland would not stray away from the SU in the forseable future. It was certain that Germans would not let us have their land and SU was supposed to be the only guarantee for a "free" and "independent" Poland. The same thing with Stettin.

As for Gdańsk, you cannot talk about history of Poland without mentioning Gdańsk. It is a vital part of our history. However, in 1939 it was as polish as Modern Talking. The only reason why Poles wanted it to be part of their reemerged country was for pure practical reasons: Poland while resetablishing it's new boundaries managed to found itself in a war with virtually every neighbour ( apart from Romania) , and it needed a seaport to trade. Eventually Poles had to built their own sea port, Gdynia, from scratch as the inhabitants of Free city Danzig didn't want to have anything to do with Poland.

So to summarize, in politics all you need is an excuse and power and you can do whatever you want. Germans started a war, lost it and had to face consequences. Wrocław is Polish at least since 3 generations and it doesn't seem to change anytime soon.

USA, Canada / PolAms -- do you regard yourselves only as 'white Americans'? [187]


Thank you very much. Ahh Ich maine, danke schon Herr BB. :)

USA, Canada / PolAms -- do you regard yourselves only as 'white Americans'? [187]


Yes, I'm married and have a wonderful little daughter. :) And it's great to see you and Patty around here again. I thought you already gave up on this place.

History / When will you Poles give back German land and the cities which you robbed? [557]


Yes, Europe lost big time, but I never said the opposite.

History / When will you Poles give back German land and the cities which you robbed? [557]


A loser will always find an excuse. It's not how you start things that matters but how you end them. And every conflict that you participated in the 20 th century you ended up loosing. So, in regards to your statement that started our little discussion I have only one thing to say:


People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones! :)

History / When will you Poles give back German land and the cities which you robbed? [557]


Do you know why you have to revert to excuses? Because try as you may you were not the winners of WWII! You haven't won a single war since XIX century. :)