Why are Poles always so miserable? Why do they never smile?

TOM_POLAND........Whatever it is you`re smoking my friend ,it`s not good for you.

opts,
I agree with AntiMonoPole and I'm a Pole myself - only living 25 years in the West.
If I smile at people in Poland as I'm used to do, they don't smile back. They just look back unfriendly at me


I don't think so, Marzena. The gay has lots of empathy precisely because he so clearly sees the misery in this world - in this case in Poland.


The gay said the truth and I for sure can feel what he is writing about.

with AntiMonoPole and I'm a Pole myself - only living 25 years in the West.
If I smile at people in Poland as I'm used to do, they don't smile back. They just look back unfriendly at me

Lara, not unfriendly just aware....
I think that polish are quite reserved that is the problem. We , smile,laugh are friendly with people that we know. It is not polish custom to smile to strangers on the street( it is maybe English, American) But is it ....French or German ? No really.

I seeme that everone here compare Polish to Anglo-Saxon culture we are slavs so we are different.

I went today to polish mass in our church and when priest says "give each other sign of peace"- some people chake hands some not just move head and say peace with you.

I think that lots poeple are so reserved I noticed as I first give hand out everyone is happy to shake it.

On English mass everyone shake hands, smile, some snuggle even. For me it is little theatrical- Especially English who not much time ago invaded big part of the world spreading ? "peace". Maybe I sound sarcastic now but that is what I think.

We are not miserable we are just different.

In America in church everyone also shakes hands, everyone goes up for communion, the churches have carpets, if there aren't enough seats, they bring a chair for you.

In Poland people tend to get dressed for church, in America, they often wear jeans.
Just diff. culture

This is an interesting thread.I work with many Poles and am surprised how much they seem to like living and working here (England)-they almost seem too enthusiastic! This is mostly the younger ones and I too have noticed that those aged over 40 seem very different-very serious.As other people have mentioned this is probably due to their upbringing and experiences under the old communist system and the relative poverty.From what I have seen with the younger Poles in the UK things are getting better and they seem to smile,laugh just like everyone else.

And I suppose when you get older you are supposed to be more serious and mature.

I think also older people in England smile but not gigge and jump.

Aware of what?
That people are bad, bad, bad, that you have to be on your gaurd all the time?

Perhaps AWARE of the same "staff" as muslim "pakis" - as opose to katholic "polaks"?


No, I live in Flanders, Belgium - hardly a Anglo-Saxon country


So you went to the church that care more for pedophiles and women rapist.... than for hurt children and women...


Do you think that you are better because of....what?
Being Polish and Catholic?

I'm fed up with all this "better" and "deeper" catholic, muslim, protestant, depressive people, who demand special treatment

As Marzena wrote:


Most Poles are completely oblivious to their own problems and when someone points it out to them, they become defensive and aggressive. We need some intelligent, mature Poles to step up and take the lead

My personal opinion is when poles do not smile or are miserable it would be cause they are either so over worked or are missing there family's so much

I must admit there are a few pole's i think are rather rude and abnoxious (how ever you spell that) but overall you can not stereotype all poles

lara,

Why Am I better? Did I say it in my e-mail?

You seem to be oversensitive and no completely not right in your head.

catholic church care for pedophiles and women rapists? never heard about it.I would say that you live in country full of phedophiles.I said about it to point our culture and behaviour as example.

You sound like another kind of Freddy I am afraid.

I still think that smiling to strangers on the street is just stupid and shallow. Maybe for someone happy clappy on drugs.No people are not bad,bad.... just there is not reason for stupid smile all the time.

.And if you don't like Poland don't go there noone will cry over it.

My personal opinion is when poles do not smile or are miserable it would be cause they are either so over worked or are missing there family's so much

Sara do you know who is the worst?

people like Lara ( I met few like them) who moved abroad some time ago and now look down and Poland and everything is wrong there for them.

Everything is worse there , miserable, dirty..... Do you know why they say it? They didn't achieve much abroad so spitting at Poland make them feel better.

Oh righty i never actually knew there was anyone like that who would choose to look back like that but hey what ever they fill makes them fill better let them get on with it hey x

they stick up up your ass

What is that suppose to mean? x

I don't get it either, sarah.

But once the people in Poland get to know you and you are lucky to get invited, they turn the other cheek. They become very hospitable, open and friendly. Some don't have much, but they will give their best to welcome you. Out come the cold-cuts, the szynka, the pierogi, bigos, pig and chicken.

"Czym chata bogata"

I can not wait to meet some respectable polish men the ones i have come across are quite rude and not a what i call the friendly kind sometimes although some of which i have meet are very polite x

There are different people everywhere.
I've noticed, that when Polish People come to America, some of them change. Suddenly they have a job, and make a lot of money, they start buying things they always wanted but could never get in Poland, and they buy more and more and more. Some like to show off what they have in front of their family in Poland, but some save all their money to help their poorer family in Poland.

Their behaviour changes too. Some smile more often, some are proud they're in America, and some like to put America down.
keep looking. There are some very nice Polish guys. But maybe, if you meet one in Poland, he won't be influenced by the new opportunities in another country, but by you.

Thank you Krysia that makes me see things a little more clearer x

There must be something into it - Poles don't smile as often as Americans do. Smile - it's good to your health damn it! :)

what about wrinkles????:)

Poles are gloomy because we don't have much sun and our sophisticated sense of humor allowes us laugh when something is really funny....hahahhhahha

Hi Iwona, Have a nice day:-)

The smiles themselves are 80% fake in english language speaking world and should be called grinning BUT the cultural ridding on a horse of "positive attitude" gives the english language culture smiling. It's not that the English keep smiling it is that they keep thinking about places they are not in yet. It's like being in a car and not THERE yet but happy about going forward. haha

some true in it.

also have a nice day Madziula

I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD BE SMILLING NOW GET TO IT HA HA HA

truebrit hit the jackpot here. Some Poles make serious faces, but serious doesn’t mean miserable. Do we all feel the significant difference between these two words? I know I do.

As for Obnoxious T. Dumbass and Lara, they seem to see what they want to see. It’s pretty easy, if you put the idea in your head that Poles are a sad nation you will only see sad people on the streets of Poland, totally ignoring the rest. It’s called self-fulfilling prophecy.

In the place where I live people that don’t smile back are considered rude. I don’t think it’s any different in the rest of the country.

PS: My friend recently told me about a situation that happened to her few months ago, on the streets of London. She smiled back at some black guy, and instantly regretted that move, because she spent next 15 minutes trying to convince him that it was just a pure sign of politeness, and not an invitation to flirt.

So as you see kidos, it doesn't always pay to smile back at people. :)

exactly it is nothing wrong with being a little reserved.

OK, I'll just rephrase my initial question slightly.
It's not just the lack of smiling in Poland, it's the whole Polish psyche that's F+cked up.

Very few people in Poland seem to be happy with their lives. One symptom is that they're all escaping to GB and Ireland - 1 million and still counting. (Last person out please switch off the lights!) And don't tell me it's just for the money.... A lot of emigrants see no perspectives for themselves in Polska. They see the country as a dead end.

To my mind you can still be poor but happy. Poles are both poor and unhappy.
Where is all the 'joie de vivre' in this country?
Surely it's not just a question of cold climate. The Swedes have a far worse climate, as do the Finns, but in general they're really sociable and open and happy.

Poles all seem to have a chip on their shoulder. And, here I agree with Lara - the best thing that's been said on this thread - Poles can't accept criticism. (In places like Sweden & Britain - "mature countries" - people accept criticism and think what they can improve about themselves or the state. In Poland you all treat it as a personal attack, which it isn't!). Can't you all just grow up and discuss things maturely without taking it as a personal insult?

So, I ask again. What happened to all the joie de vivre in Poland? When did it die - in 1939, or more recently?

Every country is different.
In America strangers will pass you by and say hello. But it too depends where in America. In Wyoming I find people to be very friendly, say hi and wave to you. In Eastern States they are more snobbish. You can walk down the streets of New York and everybody is busy with their lives.

Polish people look unhappy on the outside, they have to wait for the bus or tramwaj and if you smile at someone, as I did when I was there, they think you're some kind of whacko. But once they get to know you, they have a good sense of humor, are very hospitable, make you feel very welcome and they laugh a lot too.

I smiled all the time when I was there with a visit, so I stuck out like a sore thumb.

Swedish are most P.C. nation on earth so don't take them as a standard. But deep in their hearts they think they are morally superior nation to others and complain that every country should be like their beloved Svea-mamma.

Sorry for the rant but I can't just stand them :(

Yeah, and I have red that they don't take any criticism about their system (that takes most of your salaries away from you :/, taxes there are amongst the higher ones in the world)

(In places like Sweden & Britain - "mature countries" - people accept criticism and think what they can improve about themselves or the state. In Poland you all treat it as a personal attack, which it isn't!). Can't you all just grow up and discuss things maturely without taking it as a personal insult?

I completely don't agree. British feel in general quite superior so they don't bother about citicism they ignore it. But average british person can be quite sensitive and offended by criticism. Not different than any average Polish person.

I wuld say that we Polish are a little sensitive about our country.

And. I think that you are a little obsessed about subjecit. Polish are little reserved but not unhappy.

Did anyone checked how many suicide people commit in different countries ?. Are we on the top? I don't think so.

I would say that in countries like UK, USA very commercial , money orientated, selfish and inhumane people are much more more lonely and unhappy than in Poland .

And artifical smile means nothing to me. It doesn't mean that soemone is happy or likes you it is just little game, that is all.

I go to another forum, thought I would check out this one. seems like you have the
trouble makers on this one too, but not as bad.

AntiMonoPole#1- you sound depressed, but it isnt the people around you ,it s you!
I dont think you would be happy no matter who your surrounded by.

and to say you are polish and boast it on a forum that you are against your own
nationality. disgusting. :)

I salute the ones who stand by their country, and spit on those who dont! cowards.