Travel /
My Experience in Poland (compared to Germany) [100]
First of all I'd like to thank everyone on this forum who helped answer my questions and gave me advice beforehand. That was very helpful.
After spending a over a week in Mragowo and Warsaw and briefly seeing some other towns like Olsztyn, I thought I would share my impression of Poland concerning the things that are better or worse than in Germany. I had an overwhelmingly positive experience and my family had a very nice time.
Things in Poland that are better than in Germany
Poles seem to be less serious, more relaxed, and more willing to joke around.
Stores are open on Sundays and usually don't charge for a plastic bag (or only 10 groszy). No 25ct bottle deposits.
Beer, water, and other drinks served in restaurants are served sufficiently cold and coffee is served sufficiently hot. Often not the case in Germany.
Children's playgrounds are very clean and it is clearly indicated that smoking, alcohol, and dogs are prohibited. In Germany often all three are allowed and the government does nothing to help to clean up the filth left behind by degenerates.
Very reasonable prices for bottled water, taxis, food, beer.
No smoking allowed at outdoor bus stops.
Little to no third-world immigrants. We barely saw any even in Warsaw. School playgounds filled with blond-haird children.
Friendly, helpful, and sincere waitresses in restaurants.
Poles seem to be very patriotic and value their culture and independence, but not in a way that attempts to diminish or insult other cultures. Unforunately many Germans have a self-righteous attitude and consider themselves experts on all world affairs. Germans aren't shy about expressing their (often uninformed) opinions about another person's country (and politics) upon meeting them. Poles don't seem to do that.
Poles take religion seriously and don't pick and choose the parts of it they like to fit a modern/decadent lifestyle.
Air conditioning isn't great, but better and more widely available than in Germany.
Men act manlier and women act more feminine. I was impressed at the punching bags installed in the kid's playgrounds. Polish women dress in a way that makes men notice them.
Things in Poland that are worse than in Germany
The taxis (although very inexpensive) are usually old junkers and don't offer any child carseats or booster seats.
The intercity buses are old and rattly. The bus stops are not called out and are poorly (or not) labeled. We had a hard time knowing when to get out.
People like to feed the pigeons. Germany has this problem too, but I found it to be worse in Poland. The inside floor of the Olsztyn bus station is covered in pigeon droppings.
Many people speak zero English. You can't really fault the Poles for only speaking Polish, but I would expect the woman behind the ticket counter at the Warsaw Centralna train station to understand at least basic English.
