By the time they are retired, their parents are dead and their friends moved on and don't remember people from 50 years ago.
But that's not the worse of it. At 70, one is supposed to have children and grandchildren.
There is absolutely nothing in Poland that would be worth for me to be this far from them.
And then the language...I would shoot myself if I had to drop American and switch to szcz, Pan and Pani, and other such crap, with "niech" in the lead.
Well, although I haven't returned for a visit for many years, I'm still in touch with acquaintances in Poland and in fact, save for the local bank or business for example, "Pan"/"Pani", along with the hand kiss, is rapidly going out of style, unfortunately.
Despite not having gone back, I do manage to stay up to date as much as I can:-)
Despite not having gone back, I do manage to stay up to date as much
You said yourself you were there once and spent two weeks just sitting around some village. But, sure, lets all take travel advice from the guy who barely left the porch...lol
No, not sole. However, thanks to both the Web and my contacts, I remain in touch with Poland, if not only for my language as well for my acquaintanceships.
Even visiting is hard...Here, I pack my stuff and hit the road.
Everybody speaks English, the nearest restroom is always within 10 minutes or less, no 12 hours on the plane or getting on one...I don't have to carry anything...
Next day and till you die you will be the loneliest old guy in the country...
You have to make plans and face it before, getting somewhere single story earlier rather than have others make decisions for you later
People like staying where they are. Sometimes it's a longer and better quality life in an easier home nearby rather than hanging on in a big one until it wears yo7 out or you fall down the stairs.
The hand kiss is charming, Rich, and you know it. Have been told by Poles that the difference between the traditional Austrian "Kuess die Hand, gnae' Frau!" and the Polish (unspoken) "Caluje Pani raczki!", is that the Poles mean it and it's not just going through the motions.
@Alien In relative numbers yes, but not in absolute. Most Poles went to Germany to work and then many of them stayed after Poland joined the EU. Now they may return to Poland to retire.
Returning to Poland can be justified if it's for business. See PAK.
Leaving your family abroad equals psychological suicide, loneliness, and depression.
No eye contact and no small talk would make it even more unpleasant for anyone who lived in the US - the friendliest and the most generous country on the planet.
Exceptions don't necessarily confirm the rule, Ryszard. In Fla. some years ago, two youngish German tourists had to get emergency medical treatment in Tallahassee, but were turned down because they had no valid insurance and were summarily turned away even the woman's injuries were potentially life threatening! The reason?? The injuries were allegedly incurred abroad, not on US territory‼️ Kinda knocks your theory into a cocked hat now, doesn't it.
It should never happen in America...we have laws to make sure it doesn't.
You are correct.
In 2019, while visiting Poland, I was refused medical treatment because I could not pay up front in Polish zloty. It was late Saturday. I did have travel insurance, but the a-hole wouldn't even look at it.
I left the next day, ahead of my scheduled departure.
Back in "America", the hospital where I live assured me that they would never refuse treatment to ANYONE who walked into the ER. NEVER! Collecting later would be a separate issue. If unable, they would treat the loss as a charitable donation.
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