Do you think that Polish people are rude?

Gee whizz, some people are nice and some are rude. The same person who was nice could be rude and vice versa.

People who view life too much in terms of a career ladder tend to be ruder. The old battleaxes too, many feel that we should bow down to them and this is a global phenomenon.

According to wiki 37.4% of Polish People are Rude. This compares favourably with the UK where it was proven that 38.96% of people were rude. The highest concentrations of rude people were found in line to pay for their goods at the local chippy.

If you are accustomed with the US standards - the Polish clerks,attendants, waiters are seems to be rather rude.
Of course - a waiter with the American attitude would be fired on his first day at work in Poland.
Answering the title question - Yes. I think that Polish people are rude. (according to westerners) Maybe it's time to get over it and realise that you are in the different country?

No, I don't think it is for some people. People react, behave and justify in all manner of ways. I can ignore any boorish stuff and laugh it off. I'm never so busy or perturbed that I will lash out or orchestrate some kind of corrective behaviour. People are different and I'm A OK with that, provided they don't harm me (or others too much). There's so much that lies within the boundaries of tolerance.

Enkidu, I'm well aware of my guest status here but this is Europe now, one step closer towards a global village whether we like it or not. I stopped a Japanese guy for fumbling around and groping a schoolgirl. It is fundamentally against Japanese culture to break the harmony by doing sth but morality is morality and I will not stand for blatant wrongs. If a Polish guy trespasses unduly, I'll make him aware of it.

Seanus - I am sorry. I am still thinking in Polish. And in Polish this *you* is referring to any one who is in the foreign country and can't cope with that. I understand that you take personally as addressed to you.

Silly as it seems - it wasn't my intention.

Thats only because there are so many Poles over here ;0)

I know what you meant, enkidu :) I didn't take it personally, no. I just mean that people are people and will react in their own way, regardless of should or should not, accepting or not. They have recourse to the law, not to other peoples' shoulds and should nots.

All of the Polish are rude some of the time, and some of the Polish are rude all of the time, but All of the Polish aren't rude all of the time. We have so many good qualities who cares about a lapse now and then?

Reading some posts by non-Poles on this forum it looks like Polish rudeness has a long way to go before it catches up with the fine examples coming from outside of Poland.

hahaha good one

And in steps Dariusz with one of the most common tactics employed by a Pole, namely deflection! Come on Dariusz, address the thread please. Some are rude and some aren't, right? I said it all in 566.

I don't generally like stereotypes, but there's something in that. Part of obfuscating issues by concentrating on details while avoiding or ignoring the bigger picture. Don't know why.

About Poles being rude some certainly are. Only today I walked into a small shop and the old bat behind the counter turned and walked into the back room without acknowledging that I was there.

Also, the hostile expression on some people's faced can easily be interpreted as rudeness, whether it actually is or not.

But perhaps things are getting better...

Me neither, jonni. I believe in judging individual cases but deflection is so widespread to be merely coincidental.

Yeah, they've pulled the disappearing trick on me before too.

The inconsiderate part is bad too. I saw a guy drive through a crossroads with reckless abandon today, so arrogant to assume that nothing was coming the other way. He was blinded by a wall so couldn't possibly have known if anything was there. Then a pizza delivery guy on a bicycle thought he would speed round the corner and just about crash into me when I was crossing on the zebra. He swerved and was lucky to hold it together. I felt like knocking him off for his insolence.

Some of the princesses are rude too.

Deflection a most common Polish tactics?
Like the last line in this fine example - polishforums.com/off-topic-lounge-47/openly-anti-semitic-brits-expel-j ew-42885/2/#msg874288 ?


That's about right and that's why so many Poles, even those previously staying away from debate, are growing increasingly tired and pi55ed off with idiotic threads like this one.

Are Poles this, do Poles that? WTF is that?

So don't be surprised to be told off for the idiocy that is neither typically British, American nor Polish. The mods of this forum don't give a 5hit because in the admin's mind all that counts is traffic. (which btw. could lead to another topic: are so many Americans obese because they care about quantity instead of quality?). That approach in itself is rude. Shove lots and lots of threads down our throats, regardless of how stupid (like this one) they are.

You seem like a person went here and there around the world. So did I and I have to say that it took me more than just the ability to speak the language to break some barriers which made me look rude here in North America. Looking in the eye was one. Not a result of rudeness but of cultural background. In the US and Canada avoiding eye contact will be a sign of rudeness or falsehood. In Poland, under some circumstances, it is (at least it was when I lived there) rude or even a sign of challenge/aggression.

When paying in a store do you hand the money into the cashier's hand or do you put it on the counter? The latter is considered rude in N.A. but not in Poland.

Why is it that Americans speak to you from a distance of minimum of 3 feet (the so called personal space) and have to be loud and bother others, not interested in the conversation? Or is coming up closer, as they do in Poland or Italy, rude?

And why, when I enter the store minding my own business, is this department store clerk bothering me with his stupid "can I help you"? Do I look like a handicap needing help? If I do I'll ask.

Can you imagine that in N.A. when they invite you to a wedding you're supposed to pay for your own drinks? How rude is that!

When in Japan, I'm sure you came across certain customs that made either you or the Japanese look rude. But hey, the Japanese look different so it must be customs. Poles look similar so it must be rudeness.

We could go on with examples. I can't say Poles are the most polite people, neither can I say that about many others,except, perhaps, Arabs. At least those I know personally were always extremely polite and trying to accommodate their guests to the point of absurd. But I experienced enough rudeness wherever I went, France being a fine example, Bell Canada being another.

I hope this answers your question.

Deflection when feeling defensive, I'd say.

I agree with you and that's why I don't discuss so much these days. When my students ask me what I think about Poland and Poles, I just say 'ok, fine'. Some are/can/do etc neatly sums up almost everything.

It answers it very well Dariusz, thanks. They are just different and that's that. The same as when Poles say better they often mean prefer, e.g the bread in Baltic countries is different from Polish bread but not better or worse. You simply can prefer one or the other.

Myth #1: Polish people are rude

It's rude to contradict people :)

Does anyone remember that one from "Miś"?

" Panie, tu jest kiosk "Ruchu", ja tu mięso mam"

As an American of Polish ancestory I find new Polish immigrants rude and with a chip on their shoulder. The men think the Nazi storm trooper look is becoming. They live in the Polish ghetto of the city and don't want to become Americans. All of my ancestors were very proud to learn English and become part of this country. All became successful merchants and part of our society. They still want Socialism to take care of them here. At one time I wanted to connect with these people until I learned what they consider their "culture". Don't like Americans trying to be friendly to you? There is always a plane going back to the old country. Kiedy w moim kraju mówią mój język (językowy).

I am a third generation Polish-American and I would like Socialism too. Why have a damn government at all unless it is based on helping the society.

what does it mean?


As a Polish person who never been in the USA I find Americans on the Internet to be very rude in many cases and sneering about my ethnicity (Polish). I'm trying to be polite but those people patronise me and all "Estern Europeans". So you see it's easy to judge. I could say that Americans are rude and arogant too.


I'm not sure if I understand what you mean but in the late 90s short hair was a fashion while nowadays it's common among thugs... so no wonder that you find Polish people rude if such "cream" of the society visits your country...

Picky, picky.


Short hair is in fashion, although there are some clows who think filthy dreads are fashionable. I think Stosh would find Poles in Poland much more agreable but he should take a trip to see for himself.

I have seen Poles drinking and catcalling outside the Polish church in Paris, which they would never do in their home town in Poland. I walked away in digust, probably just like Stosh did for a slightly different reason.

If you are third generation Pole and still want Socialism go back to Poland because it isn't going to happen in this country without a war. As far as recent Poles that have come to the United States it is their choice to become a part of our society or not. If I moved to Poland it means that I want to become a part of it's people. I understand your cluture is different than ours and that can account for how you react to life here. I still have family in Warsaw and Kracow, but after my experinece with immigrants think I'll stay here. My faimly has been in this country since the late 1700's and I am very proud to call it my home. If you truly love Poland so much you should stay there and help rebuild it. I have been told Poland is very beautiful.

Socialism is the most humane system of government on Earth and it will come to all the world eventually and this includes the U.S.A. my country. Don't tell me where to go. You can go to Hell.

No it won't. It failed wherever it was practiced so far. Most humane system my as*. Do you want me to post what "socialism" did to people in Poland, Soviet Union and the entire eastern block? (and what is doing right now in China).

Zapomniał wół jak cielęciem był!

You really have the guts to lecture Polish people. What about your ancestors? When you critisize Polish don't forget you critisize your ancestors and yourself as well.

Shame on you.

Wow! So... you want to stand in a long line to buy food and wait for doctor's appointment for six months? Is that your new American dream? You really don't get it. Sadly, if more people don't wake up, it may come to this. We'll have the members of Politburo (read government employees, CEOs, etc) owing expensive cars and dachas in the mountains and the rest of us will barely make a living. That's your future Mr. Des Essientes.

Des Essientes you seem to love the Russian system that oppressed the Polish people and robbed them of their freedom. The Germans crushed them and then the Russians smoothered them.

Asik I am an American first. My ancestors fought and died for this country they chose to call their home. My grandfather was a warm and loving person to EVERYONE and not just family and friends. We carry on the Polish traditions which always make the holidays so happy. His joy was meeting new people. He always smiled, said hello, pardon me and enjoyed a friendly handshake.

I am very proud of my Polish ancestory and it's contribution to the world. My family named had been changed by officials when they came to this country because the person couldn't spell it. It remained that way since the 1700's. I am the frist to have it changed back to the correct Polish spelling. If I weren't proud of it I wouldn't have taken the time. I am not proud of the recent immigrants who have gained a reputation of being rude and crude not just to each other. This reputation isn't just in the U.S. Do an internet search and you will find it all over the world.

I understand that being rude is thought to be funny in Poland especially to strangers. I hope that is not the case.

Uśmiech (uśmiechać się) i świat uśmiecha się z wami.

Stosh could you reply on my post, please?

The Russian system wasn't Socialism.