Polish patriotism, what does it mean to you?

OP Wroclaw Boy

3 Apr 2011 #31

If I were to judge from talking to people from Poland over the years, it's means not taking criticism well.

I can imagine how Poles would hate other Poles that live abroad criticising them.

3 Apr 2011 #32

If I were to judge from talking to people from Poland over the years, it's means not taking criticism of any type well.

There's a fine line between valid criticism and a sour grapes mentality like the one exhibited here all the time, especially by the visitors from North America.

Misia - | 31

3 Apr 2011 #33

Maybe it instead means to clarify on false criticism? To be able to reply on allegations? To tell you the truth ... the real picture. To bring forward another perspective ... in a warm and friendly manner ofcourse.

I'm sure that in some cases that may be true, but that wasn't the case here, and the reciprocation was rarely warm or friendly.

picnanic

3 Apr 2011 #34

I'm English, patriotism for me means to trying to preserve the best of British culture.

sorry to say that but it sounds like empty slogan.

I'm not a big fan of patriotism anyway.

I cant really think of any good reasons to be patriotic which are exclusive to GB.

Why?

I'm sure that in some cases that may be true, but that wasn't the case here, and the reciprocation was rarely warm or friendly.

Maybe you just don't know how to express critisism in a way which won't be received as if you were looking down on Poland?

Misia - | 31

3 Apr 2011 #35

Maybe you just don't know how to express critisism in a way which won't be received as if you were looking down on Poland?

That's a valid point, and there's no way of disproving it.

There's a fine line between valid criticism and a sour grapes mentality like the one exhibited here all the time, especially by the visitors from North America.

I agree, seeing how certain individuals communicate their thoughts here, stronger responses from the Polish community are understandable.

delphiandomine 88 | 18,163

3 Apr 2011 #36

I agree, seeing how certain individuals communicate their thoughts here, stronger responses from the Polish community are understandable.

I'm not surprised that Poles despise Polish-Americans of the 3rd/4th/5th generation - the examples here (racism, blinkered view of Polish life, attempting to stir up tension with our neighbours, etc) show us just how utterly out of sync they are with Poland.

It's certainly true that their version of patriotism seems to be rather confused - despite claiming to be Polish, the ones on this forum seem rather unwilling to actually do a damned thing to help out, apart from stirring up racial tension.

Echidna

3 Apr 2011 #37

Patriotism, nationalism ... it is all divisive and a way of saying US and THEM. Not a good argument. Our similarities are greater than our differences. Well they should be but maybe PF disproves this!

Why not talk about what we have in common?

Maybe make a list of differences and a list of similarities between Poles and Americans and see which is longer?

picnanic

3 Apr 2011 #38

list of similarities between Poles and Americans and see which is longer?

it won't be a very long list...

Misia - | 31

4 Apr 2011 #39

I'm not surprised that Poles despise Polish-Americans of the 3rd/4th/5th generation

I'm not surprised. Other than certain groups of people no one likes that kind of attitude, especially if they're a pseudo-patriotic, in this case Polish, descendant.

Pinching Pete - | 554

4 Apr 2011 #40

I'm not surprised that Poles despise Polish-Americans of the 3rd/4th/5th generation

Here's the same dude saying we should set up scholarships for Polish kids?? :- \

f stop 25 | 2,507

4 Apr 2011 #41

give it a rest already, pleaseee...

PlasticPole 7 | 2,648

4 Apr 2011 #42

Here's the same dude saying we should set up scholarships for Polish kids?? :- \

Makes no sense, does he ;)

Pinching Pete - | 554

4 Apr 2011 #43

No, he really doesn't.. I would like to get more Polish students here though. Better than Asian or African kids which seem to get the lionshare of aid.

PlasticPole 7 | 2,648

4 Apr 2011 #44

I would like to get more Polish students here though.

Yeah, that's a great idea. An exchange program between Polish and American students would be awesome!

hague1cmaeron 14 | 1,368

4 Apr 2011 #45

Wroclaw Boy

Seems people have different ways of being patriotic.

It means being patriotic in deed and not only in word, it also means that I do not cloak my personal inadequacies and shortcomings with "patriotism" For instance: life is hard for me because I am Polish....... This wouldn't have happed had I not been a Pole. The world is out to get me because I am Polish. My life has been a complete failure so I will try all the more harder to let everyone know that I am from Poland.

It also means not disgracing my country through my actions.

znaniak - | 1

6 Oct 2012 #46

"Being a true Pole is about loving Poland, standing up for it, to remember the various sacrifices for Poland by people before us ... to try and make the country a better place to live. To help those in need, to guide the youth, to welcome friends, to try and not make enemies."

This is one of the best, most concise definitions of patriotism I came across over the years! Thanks!
Is it a quote?