Travel / Just visited Poland - here is my random rant [154]

No idea what PIIGS is but if you think salaries should be lower in Poland compared to western Europe do you also think prices of utilities and food and fuel should remain comparably lower?

And yeah it does not help that many graduates leave and work elsewhere but is making it illegal really the answer? I myself think incentives would do more than penalties. But that takes us back to the inadequate approach to leadership and management that exists throughout the Polish government.


Okay, so we seem to agree on the basics, I'm trying to understand how you envision a recession to do anything but drive even more capable people out of the country...not to mention the increase in crime that will accompany it.

Life / Fr. John Bashobora National stadium Warszawa (Warsaw) [81]


By that same token, no one can dispute the speed of tortoise.

Travel / Sosnowiec and Krakow - what to see? [6]

You have a couple weeks? Do you mean you have a couple weeks business-free or you've got obligations from 7a.m. - 3 p.m?

If you have your days free then I think you should get out of the area for at least 7 days.

Travel / Just visited Poland - here is my random rant [154]


Nor could any society. And for the record, I'm confident everyone on this thread was well aware of that before you chose to spread your wisdom.


She? I've never understood the reasoning to personifying nations/societies, with all their complexity, down to one person. But alas, what can I do except encourage people away from it?

Okay digression aside, another thing most, if not all of us already know is that, with a monetary system we're constrained or supported by it, depending on your perspective.

As I've understood it, what a society needs to function well economically is a healthy flow of financial transactions along with competent governance and a fair legal system.

I believe that as long as the money supply, like a blood supply, circulates then the monetary system is operating at top efficiency.
If you choose to disagree with that then we can agree to disagree.


Good question imo, maybe there is a recession here. But if there isn't, would you really like to see unemployment get to levels that would indicate a recession? How would that be beneficial?

The pampered, pragmatic and persnickety lot need grounding? Why? How? To what ends?
I see you have links but as Paulina pointed out, comparing the U.S. and Polish societies in this regard seems like faulty reasoning.


So, why not take that up with JKSA or JKB or whoever wrote it (if you have then my apologies)?


What are you asking?


Now that is the truth! Nowhere is the deficiency in leadership here more evident than with the Polish government.

Travel / Just visited Poland - here is my random rant [154]


Good post.
As others have commented, the breadth of your observations shows you knew what to look for from the start. I think this is lost on some people who haven't taken your experiences in Poland into account.

#1 eh, maybe it was the time and places you were at. I've noticed no such shortage of drivers on major and minor roads up past Częstochowa and it gets just plain stupid in Krakow and Bielsko Biała.

#3 I see your point but I think restoration would be the best way to get rid of the eyesores...if they're still of use that is.

#5 Those are a good thing for the time being my friend. Until the infrastructure improves or Polish drivers respect the lives of, well everyone else around them, those radars and speed traps are what's keeping the roads safer imo.

#13 Don't get me started on that whole thing. Wrong on just about every level.

Other than those things, I think I see your point on just about everything else. Very objective and concise considering the spectrum you gave yourself.

On a side note, Paulina is correct. Polish society does NOT need a recession. The idea is laughable.

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]


Fair enough.


Fair point as well but you must acknowledge that criticism is just as easily levied against "the other side of the gallery" too.


The kind that attack males in various ways. I'm not going to spend my time keeping up with some silly labels these Liberal Arts types assign themselves.


That is good news. I'll support anyone who's going to honestly work for a healthy balance.
One of the main problems as I've seen it, is that many "human rights" movements tend to accompany fact with emotion. That isn't necessarily a bad thing but an unfortunate spin off of of this is there are people who can't get beyond an emotional response of violation of human rights number x.

I've noticed this is particularly true with the multi-culti troopers and feminists. It's like any idea or program that is flown under those banners gets immediate acceptance. Some people know and see this. They are the Al Sharptons of feminism. There's no filter with these "feminists" so some of us are going to be the f*ckers that p*ss off the mainstream until the mainstream gets itself sorted.

I'll respond to your link next time I reply. (I wonder how many people actually watch the links we all have provided)
Thank you for the first well-thought out reply I've read on this thread.


From your link:
Equality feminism: Focuses on gaining equality between men and women in all domains (work, home, sexuality, law). Argues that women should receive all privileges given to men and that biological differences between men and women do not justify inequality. Most common form of feminism represented in the media.

Essentialist feminism: Focuses on "true" "biological" differences between men and women, arguing that women are essentially different from men but equal in value (i.e.,"separate but equal").

I would hope not one person would be opposed to either of these ideals.
But 23 types of feminism?

Again, as I've previously stated, I have seen the effects in western courtrooms and there is now an imbalance in society which some feminists have brought about.

E.g. A woman recently stomped on her (now deceased) husband's head until he was dead and received a 2-year prison sentence in the UK. I cannot imagine a man receiving the same leniency and cannot imagine the outcry from women's groups if that were to happen under any circumstances. Speculation? Yes. Is it accurate?

Another example of inequality that I would argue has been a result of irrational feminism is now men can actually, by law, be made to pay alimony to children they have not even sired.

As a man, I have good reason to feel threatened by these symptoms of irrational feminism. While neither of those 2 situations are things I should ever have to worry about, they do tell a story of courts that increasingly hold bias against one gender for no rational reason.

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]

Oh great another woman has come on here to state how offended she is. You're offended? So what?
Would some feminist supporter please get on here and get to specifics. Vague references to belittling, having an archaic mindset or not understanding feminism are all well and good if all you can do is feign indignation every page of this thread but trust us, we get it, you've chosen to be offended can you get over yourselves already?

Zimmy, whom I don't agree with on everything, has made numerous offers for any of you to take up a specific point of debate and then have it out.


Those are astute observations and based on what I've seen male subordination seems to be the goal of more than a few feminists. For many of them, their motivation to change the law seems to stem more from a revenge mentality than one of genuine fairness.

I'll be the first to admit there is not equality in various aspects of life for men or women. And I have no problem shouting down bogus arguments against feminism. But feminists stepped over the line when they decided to start undermining the place of males in society instead of just defending female's. If it wasn't for that, I'd most likely be supportive of the movement but it was hijacked a long time ago and is wildly off-course.

I wonder if there'll be any developments when I get back...

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]

Now then pep talk's over.
We've already settled it, there a good feminists as well as bad ones.
There have been some positives that genuine feminists fought to achieve but now the feminazis are simply taking the p*ss and attacking men the only way they can and that is through institutions.

Increasingly, the victims of these assaults are little boys. How horrible are those c*nts, attacking children to push their agenda. There are some women who seem to be defending and denying the negative aspects of feminism. Don't be one of those people.


What? That's rubbish as far as I can see.
Someone could turn around and argue men have "too much" testosterone and take that same angle with you.
If a person can do the job they can do the job and jobs should be performance based. If you have some data for your menstral cycle angle then please show me any corroborating data. I've worked alongside some fine people and of them the women never brought any more or less drama to the scene than the men. Now if you want to talk about the incompetent people I've seen on the job....eh, I'd rather not.

Be fair, don't be like them.

News / Polish women killed her husband by stamping on his head, can't be deported from UK [8]

So in the wake of a child losing one parent to murder and another to jail time, what comes to your mind is "hilariously inappropriate punch lines?"

Why, I had no idea you were that much of an idiot.

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]


Well, to be fair and objective while she did the best she could, she, like any person (even you toots) isn't perfect.
So, bearing that in mind, let's say that I entertain your poor excuse for wit with a "yes."
The floor is yours.

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]

Why don't you care about the damage feminism has inflicted on society?
Are you afraid to acknowledge this?

News / Polish women killed her husband by stamping on his head, can't be deported from UK [8]

So she knew he was an alcoholic but decided to not only stay with him but leave him in charge of their son and when he did what addicts do, she killed a defenseless person. Yet somehow "Mr Justice Blake, the UK's most senior immigration judge, ruled that she could stay because her crime did not cross a 'seriousness threshold' under European law."

Hey, feminists, how does this sit with you all?
How would that go over with you and the general public if a man stomped his wife to death and got 2 years?
What the hell kind of precedent does that set?

Travel / About international driving license - is it recognizable in Poland? [18]


That's okay johnb121, I think I'll get over it;)
Thanks for the information and the link.

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]


That seems to be true in some regards but what you quoted also expresses there are good feminists and I tend to agree with that too. Incidentally, you've attributed that to me but I don't recall typing that one out.


While you seem more fervent than I am on the matter, I must, out of objectivity, agree with you.

Travel / About international driving license - is it recognizable in Poland? [18]

The international license, to the best of my knowledge, isn't an actual license but an endorsement from an insurance agency which allows you to drive in a country for a period of 1 year as long as you are operating a vehicle in a country in which its validity has been ratified.

You still need a valid license, preferably yours.

Travel / Sosnowiec and Krakow - what to see? [6]

I've some experience with Sosno. What is the o.p. looking to do? How do you want to spend your time? Who are you going with?

jon357 made an excellent suggestion, it is worth a visit.

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]


Objectively speaking, "tough" guys in film and media being replaced with some weak-sister-friend-zoned limp wrist, should not be a measuring stick for anything other than what is going to make money for the producers. I mean, I don't get the correlation. What's the big deal if some ridiculous caricatures of one kind have been replaced with ridiculous ones of another kind?

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]


But none of the nasty consequences, only the good stuff?

IHonestly, is that the logic of feminism or just feminists with self-serving agendas?


When she referred to the idea that men ought to be compensated more based on the argument men are expected to be the first to sacrifice their health and safety ahead of anyone else. I think that's worth something and if someone simply dismisses that by calling it stupid without addressing it to be something a "toots" and a "babycakes" would do.

Now seriously, get over it already. That's the equivalent of one man calling another guy, "buddy" or "guy" or "bigshot." Anyone who gets that offended by a comment not even directed towards them really takes themselves and this board too seriously.

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]

The fact of the matter is: feminism ≠ equality of the sexes.
Feminists know this yet they keep banging on like it's the 1970's and they're oh so repressed.

You ridiculous broads and the dung beetle-like men who cling to your cause fall back on vague terms like "women's struggle' and petty insults when the reality of the feminist agenda is exposed. And you all collectively feign being insulted if someone plays with you a little on an internet forum. No fair individual should be promoting women not have fair opportunities but feminists as well as anyone with an agenda have proven that time and time again, over the long-term, they don't actually want anything to be fair, they want an unfair advantage for themselves or those they claim to represent.

Listen to that lecture I posted and say what you think about what she's stated. IMO she's not wrong on a single thing but maybe some of you have some information she doesn't.

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]

Yes of course you were. I'm sure to someone you are a hero. Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back.
Now then panty waste, seeing as you can't get on track with the thread, let a man help you.

Feminism, was a movement that started out to correct a problem of inequality. I am not suggesting that inequality didn't exist but I am suggesting feminism was not the right way to do it. The reason I think this, and anyone is free to disagree of course, is that it pits women against men.

Sure, you'll have some men who go with the flow and agree with wage parity for responsibility parity but of course there were and still are plenty of women who have seen this as a way to get ahead by pushing guys down where they can. The easiest group of males to attack have actually been boys. There has been a systemic attack against men by first attacking them when they are boys.

These attacks have been benign in some ways but effective nonetheless at disenfranchising them and marginalizing their needs. If anyone has the patience, this lovely individual gives a very informative talk:

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]


Actually no, only one thing you've stated would constitute something akin to a fact.
I have no emotional attachment to those numbers, I neither like nor dislike them (except for the murders as 1 would be too much).
I did not look into them but expressed my doubts as to whether those numbers truly reflect the situation.

Look I know it doesn't take much courage to join a mob and fair play to you for working with what you've got but are you really suggesting that examining how stats are gathered is unwise?


Why not do your own research?

Life / Etiquette in a Store and Market Queues in Poland [146]


beat me at my own game...sigh


With you Magda, the pleasure has been all mine: )

Life / Polish way of life? [34]

Polish way of life?
Based on the experiences I've had or witnessed over the last 10+ years:
Live and let live (for some things).
- Eat drink and be merry.
- Any surface can and will become a dance floor with enough alcohol and music.
- No harm, no foul (not a Polish phrase but I've seen it in practice here a lot and it's by far my favourite aspect of life here)

- In the end, it doesn't matter what you wear.
- If you can buy it for 20 gr. less somewhere else then go somewhere else.
- Go to church.
- Drink with the relatives after church.
- Argue with relatives when drinking with them.
- Being loud = Being right
- Forget about the stupid thing you were arguing about.
- Get married. Have children. Have multiple affairs. (in that order)
- Taking needless risks which jeopardize you and others is generally the best practice.
- Admitting fault or blame is tantamount to proclaiming oneself a heretic, baby-hating faggot.
- Break rules, break them now and break them often.
- Showing off whenever possible but especially when operating a vehicle of any kind.
- Queuing is for suckers.
- Take a short cut because the pavement never goes where it should (but watch out for droppings).</li></ul>
It's never boring:)

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]


Oh, thanks mate, had no idea. Now it's crystal clear.


Why! Whatever do you mean?
I merely addressed the lady in a complimentary fashion in the vernacular I am most accustomed to. There is nothing wrong with a compliment now is there?

Seeing as I did not mention you in even the slightest, it would appear the problem is all yours my dear.


In the event of exceptional circumstances, one must adapt exceptionally well. I agree with you there.
But, I should have written it more clearly because my comment about upholding the family unit above anything else doesn't mean it should be preserved despite anything else.

It means that the healthier the family is, the healthier society is. The nuclear family works better in our society than other models. That should be respected and the roles both men and women play in the family are different and of equal value. Removing either from the equation is not generally desirable.

Life / Etiquette in a Store and Market Queues in Poland [146]

Yeah I hear what you're saying about escalating:/ But the "righteous indignation" that you're banging on about is just that.
Okay, I agree the "Poles from North to South" was a rather dumb thing to write but why not take that up with the author?


Yes, and we've taken note of one aspect of that dysfunction in Poland, that's it.


And before you were trying to be rude?
Why would you thank me for saying something polite about Polish society when you're responsible for neither the bad nor good I've experienced here?

We think very differently on this matter and perhaps we think very differently about watching where we're going when we walk as well: )

Anyhow Magda, you're alright and I thank you for doing your best to make me see your sense of logic. I just need more time to figure out how you think.

I hope London treats you well and if not London, then wherever it is you are.

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]


The first thing you should ask yourself is this: Is feminism in the west really just a movement seeking political, economic and social equality of both sexes?

I think it is not and that is why I do not support "feminism."

Marginalizing the role of the nuclear family. I grew up in a broken family and feminism's effect has been to undermine the integral role of the father.

Undermining the strength of the nuclear family. That is the most intolerable thing that feminists do. The nuclear family is INTEGRAL to the fabric of Western civilization and should be upheld above all other things.

Villainizing normal male traits and behavior. Men make omelets and feminists often characterize breaking eggs as inherently wrong.

Here's the big one: Women have it easy in Western society and feminists don't acknowledge this.
Allow my man to bring it home for ya:
youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XlR6CdJtRWM
youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gsghfxYq7DU
youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AlvvCYUDHrQ

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]


I believe it. You and I may have opposing views on a lot of things but I've never got the impression you're not genuine in your beliefs.


legality and morality are not synonymous terms
The idea that the church officials/leaders would excuse their own sins by saying "hey it's legal" doesn't really instill any faith in me. What about you?

Life / Etiquette in a Store and Market Queues in Poland [146]


Well those people are twats so that's that.


No. It doesn't because the Poles on this thread are the ones protesting to a couple anecdotes some foreigners have shared with each other. Why?


I've explained that statement to you, if you insist on interpreting that as a blanket statement applicable to all Poles then there's no helping you and that's that.


So you think there is zero dysfunction in Polish society?
Or is it you "know" that I think I'm superior to each and every Pole because I've noticed some odd behavior from some Poles?


I never said any kind words to you or about you. Your readiness to take that as a compliment tells me you've interpreted any uncomplimentary comment about anything Polish as a comment about yourself. I wasn't talking about you on page 1 and the complimentary things about Polish society weren't about you either. You're a non-entity in my experiences here, not in a good way or bad way just a fact of the matter. If you want to take these things personally then I am left with no other conclusion that you, Grzegorza and Lenka are being overly emotional.


Yes I understood that a long time ago but I've no idea why you've chosen me to target other than you think you "know" what I mean despite me telling you, quite honestly that you're dead wrong.

Have I ever told you not to criticize or comment about the society where you live?
Have I not chosen to be specific with my words and avoided sweeping generalizations?
If you can prove otherwise then show me; I'll apologize (sincerely and profusely) and correct it.

I'm not saying the double standards you talk about don't exist but I'm not responsible for them, therefore I kindly ask you take up your crusade with those who are.

None of the foreigners in this thread have blamed you for the people we've observed who lack crowd etiquette.
It's all just one big (5 pages) of a misunderstanding.
Now if you've read this page you'll see both ironside and Harry have some experiences and observations of their own. Are you going to let them get away with such attacks on all of Poland and all Poles?

Life / Professional feminists' of Poland meet-up [631]

The scum of society so often rises to the top, doesn't it?

Life / Etiquette in a Store and Market Queues in Poland [146]

You guys are waaaaaaaaaaaay too uptight. So what if we notice some goofs do goofy sh*t (I understand that probably hits close to home for you Mr. dog)?

Some of you can't even navigate a message board without getting offended at a few observations others make. There are little things that are different wherever one goes and all we've done here is notice some idiosyncrasies of Polish culture. If you have that much trouble acknowledging such things exist then you've really got to get over your collective selves.

Now then, other than pip's comment I don't recall anyone writing that all Poles suck at queuing or don't know how to walk properly or anything that sweeping. If I'm wrong, as I've been before, then kindly point out in this thread who wrote such a generalizing comment and we can all get mad at that person. If I wrote such a thing then I will gladly rescind that statement and apologize profusely. I mean it too because there's a lot of good that I enjoy here every day in people and places.


No I don't. I commented on some people not all Poles. If you are one of the retards who walks in everyone's path then I hope something large and heavy falls on you soon. If you're not one of those people then go back to fetching sticks.


If a foreigner living in Poland told you not to whine about living in the UK while they themselves whined about living in Poland then you'd have a point. Have any of us on this thread told you not to whine about dumb sh*t some of the English do?

You wouldn't protest if Poles said these things so why do you care in the least if non Poles make observations about some things in Poland?

In my experience:
Polish food is the best in the region
Polish hospitality is second to none
Polish competitiveness is worthy of song
Feel better?