Your observations seem to be local and sometimes the effect of bad luck.
This "Russian" style of live which includes showing off the money and wild drivers attitude is more popular in some regions and much less popular in the others
Peter Krk, I am going to have to disagree with you here, with new wealth and easy money comes champagne lifestyle, this is not a Russian phenomenon, its been happening for decades if not centuries the world over. In the UK & US you had yuppies & dinks in the 80's acting in the same way after the "pivot of change' of the 70's. Poland is nearing its end cycle of massive growth, with it will come change as has happened in other countries, one of the fastest growing businesses in Poland circa 2013 is Biedronka.
A fridge in the shop (not designed only for dairy) is a new discover in Poland. It is no more than 25 yo. No everyone get used to it. And of course - costs. But I remember only one event with unplugged fridge in a small shop
Most of the fridges in shops in Poland are given as free by the drinks companies its a form of advertising, it is only in Poland I have seen dairy produce in a Coca Cola display.This tells you more about the attitude of the shopkeeper they are willing to take anything for free and treat it as their private property. Its states in lease agreement of most drinks companies if you use the fridge for other products you will be charged a rental.
Lack of random politeness is common in Poland. That's true. But saying "dzień dobry" to a stranger (and may be with a foreign accent) could be considered as an uncommon behaviour, not as a politeness.Smokers don't consider the other non-smoking peoiple. That's the main problem
As a non smoker the subject of smoking on terraces in Poland is bizarre to me, the law states you can't smoke at a bus stop,although a restaurant owner will advice you there is no law against someone smoking next to you while you eat on a terrace. The law actually states you must display smoking areas which most Polish restaurant owners disobey as there is no-one to enforce the rule.
Condition of Polish society and its history, class divisions and their style of life is a vast matter. From the other side: drinking, smoking, littering, rudeness is like driving. It is enough 1% of drivers misbehaving to spoil whole picture.
The style of life in Poland is a simple matter, you do not follow rules. Rules in Poland are to be broken NOT to be followed, then they will tell you its because of their communist past, most of the kids where not even born during socialist times and know nothing other than a democratic Poland.
Love and compassion have been the last catholic features during last 2000 years, I am afraid
Love & compassion has been replaced by greed and jealousy, politics, church & the increase of bad parenting have all played a role in this, since 2005 and the death of JP2 the Polish youth have not had a spiritual father to look up too and be proud of.