Travel / Poland-My 9-day experience [239]

Australia still is a prison though. ;)

History / Endecja - State Sponsored Anti Semitism 1935 - 1939. [138]

This topic has been mentioned on the forums several times. Instead of endecja type Roman Dmowski in the search toolbar.

History / Endecja - State Sponsored Anti Semitism 1935 - 1939. [138]


That's because you have to search for the name in messages. 44 hits.

Language / Do Poles prefer US American or UK English language? [147]

For me American English sounds plain, unimaginative and common. Of course this is a clear generalisation as there are some american actors that I take pleasure to listen to, but on the whole there is much more going on for me in the British Eng . There is much more flavour and melody about it. Unfortunately it is harder to understand and mimic.

Life / My own thoughts about life in Poland (have lived here for two years) [133]


It all depends how you voice your criticism, and having been here on PF since 2006 I must admit that your post with no derogatory words was a very refreshing one. Usually those criticisms that you mentioned were just venting by frustrates and lets be frank here, that never helps bringing a consensus. Quite the contrary, it sparks more arguments, witch is also very visible in topics about america and GB. Either way, you did make many valid points. We, as a society, are at the same time family oriented and antisocial. The english have a wonderfu word that lacks in polish language that would come in handy here, namely inconsiderate. We are also generally leery of others outside our circle of friends, outside our family, outside our neighbourhood, our village, city, our profession and of course outside our cultural circle.

Yes, the wages are low. This was the main idea to bring foreign investment to the country after the fall of communism. It's been 20 years now though...

Actually there is no point in me repeating your words. I could actually add few points here and there...

Poland is a country in a making. The transformation it took was enormous, but I do understand that some people would wish the pace of changes to be faster but talking here won't fix the problems.

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


No, he said that they probably aren't 100% ethnically polish, which is a huge difference. People from kresy ethnically are a very mixed bunch. Part of my wifes family comes from what is now Belarus. They were pretty much polonized belorussians or lithuanians. No polish blood running thorugh their veins.

As for the consensus, it definately serves a purpose, and that is to find out how many hispanics there are in the US of A, so no wonder the government doesn't give a fak wether you are a PolAm or IrishAm. The days of Ellis Island are long time gone.

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


Whether Kulturkampf was solely directed against Poles or not, or whether living in Prussia was a pure terror for them doesn't really matter. The point is that it did affect them to a degree that when the right time came they stood up and fought for their independence. Surely you don't risk your life if everything is fine and dandy.

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

I don't think it's purely a polish phenomenon. Even the term plastic paddy proves it.

In order to be seen as one of us you need to speak the lingo. At least this is the case when it comes to me. Language is the portal to understanding and existing in the culture.

I may be wrong but sometimes it seems as if this "I'm Irish American", and "I'm Italian Am" was a form of snobbery amongst yourselves. You know, everyone wants to be something special and not just yer plain american mutt.

Not you specifically, and not all of you of course. But some americans behave that way.

PS: Don't get me wrong, personally I do feel a kinship with people who pride themselves to be part polish and I do definitely feel happy and proud that there are people who openly admit to their ancestry. Especially that it wasn't always easy for you to disclose this info in public.

Life / You are Polish if... [433]

You are Polish if you have the guts to fart while taking a pee!

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


I don't remember kissing French ass in 1918. I do however remember that Poles did kick german ass that year, though. :)

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


Look whose talking. When was the last time Germany actually won a war? XIX century was a long time ago. :)

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


Than why am I not speaking German, BB? Because you lost! :)


Of course, and if an oma had a mustache she woud be an opa! :)

It's always the same excusees, excuses...

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


XIX century BB, XIX century! :)

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. :)

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]


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

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.

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


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

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.

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.

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 :)

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.

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:

...

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 / 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 / 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. :)

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?

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... :)

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! ;)