Life / Poles are not racist [873]

I've just read all 10 pages on this topic in one go! My head hurts an I feel like crying! Now only Tyskie can save the day. Why does this constantly come up as a topic and ends up as one big slanging match with the Polish contributors usually coming off worst? The worrying thing is how perceptions of Poles is changing in the UK. It's pretty obvious what kind of people are the root cause of this change in attitude. The most vocal, badly behaved, dumb@sses are always noticed the most and cause the most disharmony in society, that's the same everywhere, like one or two of the contributors to this discussion. It really is upsetting that a minority can stir up so much resentment.

A little love wouldn't go amiss (yep, naive I know!). I'll just go back to that Tyskie now.

Life / Poles are not racist [873]

Aw come on! It's obvious isn't it? Just look at the language being used! I have no intention of scrolling through all that again!

Life / Poles are not racist [873]

Jeeezzz! I'll get u a whisky chaser with that! Cheers!
Internet drinking, Perhaps we should be drinking Cyber? Ha-ha


I do care about the image of "my kind"
Interesting turn of phrase, "YOUR KIND", not sure if it's supposed to offend or not and to think I was still reeling from Murzynka being referred to as a creature!

And by the way 'Murzynka' is a pretty derogatory word in itself, who told you to use that as your name on here?

Life / Poles are not racist [873]


Really, you mean your not Polish?

Life / Poles are not racist [873]

Direct translation of Murzyn (Negro) and Murzynka (Negress) have been the subject of discussion in Poland. There is an argument for finding new words due to the associations with slavery and an be viewed as derogatory.

I believe there is even an academic book been published in Poland on the historical usage of the words Murzyn/Murzynek and the need for finding alternative words.

Just found what I was talking about! Sorry, it isn't a book but a published academic paper called 'The History and Future of the word 'Murzyn in the Polish language'' by M. Lazinski. The Linguistics Guide, issue 4/2007 Warsaw Uni Press.

Life / Poles are not racist [873]

The 'Elementarz' going on about 'Bambo', is that word not now altered to 'Bambus' and used in a derogatory way in Poland?

History / POLAND: EASTERN or CENTRAL European country? [1080]

Definately Eastern Europeans. One just has to live in West and East to figure that one out! Anyway, central is a kind of Austro-Hungarian outdated syndrome.

Food / Mother of all hangovers....Polish Beer! [71]

Well I'm a big fan of Tyskie. Think that in Poland the beer varies greatly. Sledz made a good point about export quality maybe being different. Okocim seems to have got better. Zywiec still really sucks (in my opinion) and thank God that EB has disappeared. As far as I know most of it is South African owned now anyway! Cheers folks

Food / Mother of all hangovers....Polish Beer! [71]


Actually standard Warka is a pretty fine drop as well. Another one that was excellent and I have not seen for a while was Hevelius, I think it was from Poznan.

Life / Which nations do Poles like the most / the least? [148]

Back to the original question, 'Which nations do Poles like best?', the answer is pretty straightforward, Poles like Poland best! Although I find it just a little odd that about 90% of them don't want to live there.

Life / EXPATS in POLAND: 10 things you miss / don't miss about home . . . [138]

I thought about starting a chip shop in Warsaw a couple of years back but couldn't go ahead due to, ahem, cashflow probs! Also thought a quality Gastropub or a Sausage & Mash place would be great. Must stop, am drooling like Homer Simpson!

Work / Have been offered a job in Warsaw - should I move to Poland?? [48]

Zig
Warsaw is a strange city as it really has no main pub/club area. Lots of folk find it a bit of a let down if they come for a weekend as they just don't know where to go. If you decide to come you'll have a fine time once you get to know places and people. Just don't get stuck in the ex-pat scene, it's fine for what it is but in addition Warsaw really has some great places to go to. Of course it helps if you pick up a little Polish but loads of young folk speak English anyway. Michal's right, if you get homesick you're only 2.5hrs away from London. Snowboarding and skiing resorts have been around for years and are only recently becoming internationally marketed (saw the ads in UK papers 'Pol-ski'). I know that ski folk like to be first to take on new places so now's your chance.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do mate!

Work / Have been offered a job in Warsaw - should I move to Poland?? [48]

Cyg, All that stuff you mention is pretty much a 'veneer'. I think it is still very much of a challenge living here, especially once you get embroiled in running around offices, trying to sort anything out etc!

By the way why does every shopping mall have exactly the same shops?

Life / Indian Stores In Warsaw [139]

Great Indian shop near the corner of Rozana and Kazimierowska in Warsaw. The Indian restaurant by the Barbican also has/had a store but I ain't been to the old town for ages so don't even know if it still there. plus lots of Asian food stores dotted around and a couple of superb Arab food stores. Also a Polish chain called 'Kuchnia Swiata' which imports from all over the world. I love cooking and source these places out

Life / Indian Stores In Warsaw [139]


Yep Man! Sounds good, how about starting a dining evening? Something like once a month, food from different countries? Just a thought.

Work / What Jobs are there in Poland for an Englishman besides teaching english? [70]

Hate to say it Glim but there is NOTHING! I been in this position here in Poland for five years, I speak fluent Polish, educated to degree level and because I know nothing about business, banking or IT am basically f*cked in Polska. Still here because of my wife but jeez it's awful having nothing to occupy ones time. I've even tried asking in pubs and restaurants as I'm willing to work for crap money just to have something to do but nobody wants a foreigner working in their establishment, in fact many people get annoyed that you're trying to take jobs away from Poles. Only real option is if you have any money you can start your own business here. Sorry about the 'moaning' mate!

Work / What Jobs are there in Poland for an Englishman besides teaching english? [70]


Thanks Marcus, unfortunately I'm in Warsaw. I'm also a great cook/chef and would love such an opportunity. Real pity your in Opole

History / POLAND: EASTERN or CENTRAL European country? [1080]

At a meeting yesterday Poland was referred to as "Russia Lite". I thought that was quite a funny and apt description but then again that was my mood yesterday!

Work / Why Poland employers are afraid of hiring any foreign nationals? [171]

Jabwaw
I agree with everything you have written. I can sympathise with all the points you make. Unfortunately I have come to the conclusion that most Polish employers just don't like foreigners. I applied for a job which required perfect English as it involved travel to meetings in London, I didn't even get an interview and found out later that it was given to a Polish guy who could barely string two words together in English! I am British but also speak fluent Polish, it would appear that I could not even be considered for such a position. I think it can only be called 'institutional racism' on the part of the Poles. Hopefully this will be seriously addressed by the EU at some point as it truly is outrageous and discriminatory. Out of about 50 jobs I have applied for in Warsaw I have had one interview, not one of the others even bothered to write back. Simple enquiries about employment have also never amounted to anything. I wonder what would happen if they stopped employing Poles in the UK?

Genealogy / Polish looks? [1462]


Yep, you look American or Canadian to me, not really very Polish at all

History / Polish hatred towards Jews... [1290]


Pastor Martin Niemoller. I used to have a postcard with that quote on it.

Life / Fashion and Style in Poland [174]

Most people dress the same in Warsaw. I think this is to do with the fact that the market is saturated by the same few stores like Esprit, Zara, H&M and as for the bizarre import Italian pimp and wh@re shoe stores they are just not worth mentioning! Every mall has exactly the same stores. Very few people trying to be stylish or 'different'. This is something I really, really miss from the UK, unique creative folk who brighten up your day as they jaunt past you in the street! Of course students just dress like students and trolls just dress like trolls.

Life / Fashion and Style in Poland [174]


Have you seen the queues of people of all ages holding huge bundles of articles at the checkout in any Zara shop in Warsaw! Everyone moaning about having no money here is a myth! Unless of course everyone is living on credit? All the banks here seem delighted to throw cash at any fool here these days.

Life / Polish culture do's and dont's? [106]

While in company, never ever laugh at anything on TV (even if it's a comedy show) or mutter the word "Jeeezzzuuusssss!" under your breath while watching the Polish news! Never, ever comment on ANYTHING after having more than four large beers (IN TYSKIE VERITAS!)

Best to keep all thoughts, comments to yourself and then mull them over in your own head in the middle of the night when you are wriggling about, sweating and can't sleep!

Real Estate / Could you recommend a good property management company in Warsaw [41]

Owen
I'm thinking of setting up just such a company in Warsaw specifically for expats to help with all the usual probs. If you're interested please PM me.

Life / I'm British in Poland and I think that it's time to go back to the UK! [240]

DNZ's original post in this thread is very valid. I left Poland in April (after six years) as one has to give up trying at some point! Many of the reasons why I left are similar to reasons mentioned by DNZ. Foreigners are treated very badly in Poland, are given no help whatsoever and appear to be actively discouraged from everything they attempt to do, unless of course some f@cker can get a few zlotys out of them. Since being back in the UK I am amazed at seeing the social help that is thrown at Poles. I have met Poles here who in the space of a few weeks have gained employment, been offered council accomodation and only last week I read that the Scottish office is thanking East European immigrants and particularily Poles for increasing the birth rate in Scotland by 30% and helping stabilise a future workforce! A far cry from basically being treated as a dumb ass foreigner in Poland by all sectors of officialdom. Now, I'm sure there are Poles in the UK who feel hard done by and have not had a good experience of being here but in general there does seem to be an enormous difference of state policy towards people wishing to relocate within certain EU countries, without doubt Poland must be one of the most user-unfriendly ones. Before I get a barrage of abuse, I do want to emphasise that this is purely my thoughts on what appears to be the official way of making things difficult for people who want to give moving to Poland a go. If one argues that Poland is a poor country that cannot develop a proper social strategy within the EU then for God's sake stop shouting about what a fantastic powerhouse economy and success story Poland is, because that obviously ain't true!

Life / What is the reason for POLISH jokes ? [486]

A couple of years ago at a Jagellonian University meeting I spent a few hours being bombarded by Scottish jokes, I put up with all the grinning and laughing from the Poles until I decided to make one joke and everyone got offended so I was left on my own for the rest of the evening!

Q: What do Polish women put behind their ears to attract men?
A: Their ankles!

Life / What is the reason for POLISH jokes ? [486]

Yes sir, this did happen and no sir I did not say anything racist. I was simply telling what happened to point out that it seems fine for some people to bombard you with jokes about your people ( which in general is fine but there is a limit man!) Being able to laugh at oneself is an admirable trait. Just look at how Jewish jokes are usually told by Jewish people.

Believe it or not sonny, these educated Poles were speaking English! and if it's of any interest to you (now that you have implanted the seed in your head that I am a racist liar) I speak fluent Polish.

I wish folk would stop making those F------ assumptions about people on these forums. Even threads about pierogi etc. end up with accusations of racism, anti-Polishness etc. Surely this tells us something! When I was a kid our home was constantly full of war generation Poles who would sit smoking cigarettes and arguing, usually this would end up with a massive battle of wits and all kinds of crazy accusations flying around ( you commie, you nazi etc etc) Doors would bang, gestures would be made and great comments like "I will never set foot in this house again you @@@@@$#@!7!" Next day everyone would be best friends again and hence the cycle would begin again! It was a bit like a forerunner to PF!

Life / What is the reason for POLISH jokes ? [486]


Interesting that the jokes that make you 'LOL' are ones about physical violence towards people.