Life / What is it with the Polish love of antibiotics? And Why do Poles get ill more? [40]


I think many Poles are afraid of being perceived as hypochondriacs (especially men). The reasoning is I suppose the following- why lie in bed if I actually can walk / it must mean I'm not seriously ill if I can still get up etc. ;-)

Some people think staying at home with minor infection is just a waste of time. Indeed, they are rarely aware they might pass on their bugs to others (which others will pass on them again and so on;D)


This might be because of peoples's obsession with overheating their houses plus clothing too warmly.

Language / Harmless old-fashioned Polish swear words/phrases [159]

I like this one: kurdzibąk (although I'm not sure if this should be spelled kurdzi bąk or kurdzibąk), means the same as kurcze pieczone, psia krew, and so on.

do stu diabłów
niech to piorun trzaśnie


my grandma still uses this one

Life / Tips on tipping in Poland [45]


sometimes he helps but isn't often tipped


yes, (10%?)


not really, I haven't heard of that


yes

And: In Poland it's customary to tip the postman when he brings pension (!!!) ;D

Work / Studies In Poland, is it easy to survive on part-time jobs? [259]

I don't really know because I don't live in Białystok. I think it's a much poorer city than the western ones so maybe you won't need as much money to survive as for instance you would need in Warsaw. My guess is that 2000 zł will be enough. If you are going to do extramural studies (classes only at the weekends) you'll have more job opportunities. Students usually work in pubs/restaurants, as shop assistants, deliver pizza (usually with their own cars, but you have to know the city)...

Check here for job offers:

bk.uwb.edu.pl/index.php?action=praca&kat=2
praca.fm/bialystok.aspx

Good luck!

Work / Studies In Poland, is it easy to survive on part-time jobs? [259]


depends on what you are planning to study (if you don't have to study a lot, you'll have much time for work), where you would live (hall of residence is cheaper than a flat) etc.


students in Białystok probably speak English but people in Białystok... don't?

Food / Do Polish people really love cabbage ?? [78]


Never heard of that...

But in other slangs "kapusta" means money. So who's got more cabbage? ;)

Language / Idiomatic Polish [65]


pójść do piachu (go into the sand?) = to die
wąchać kwiatki od spodu (to sniff at the flowers from below) = be dead
dębowa jesionka (oak overcoat) = coffin

Work / Brazilian moving to Poland - job ideas, Polish language, other tips? [30]


well, you can teach spanish and portugese then... that's even better:)

Work / Brazilian moving to Poland - job ideas, Polish language, other tips? [30]

you can teach spanish

Language / Use of A/An/The ...... Articles [186]


believe me, Poles wonder how a/the can be used:)

Language / Use of A/An/The ...... Articles [186]


To nie JAKIś Elvis, ale TEN Elvis.

Language / -ski/-ska, -scy/ski, -wicz - Polish surnames help [185]


yeah, I wouldn't use these forms

Life / What's wrong with you, Polish people - is it an inferiority complex? [123]


Don't tell me WWII was the only factor that had an impact on the mentality of Poles. Communism (over for almost 20years) also exerted influence on the way in which Poles perceive themselves as a nation.

Whom do you blame for such a situation? You won't change the mentality of people, they need time to get over their traumas.


?