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Social Culture - Confused - good place in Warsaw to make new friends


JaynGarrick 10 | 16
27 Sep 2011 #1
Is there any good place is Warsaw to make new friends? All of the "new friends" I'm making seem to take my smiling as flirtation-- not complaining as most of them have been handsome, but I'm not really looking for lovers or a boyfriend at the moment. I'm three-days into my relocation to Warsaw and I could use some friends outside of work (I'm a teacher). I miss having friends to laugh with, but I'm not really sure where to go to meet them. Striking up conversations with strangers here seems more daunting than it did back home. I will be studying the language on my own time, but three days in, no Polish-studying-history to speak of, and I feel a little more isolated than I want to.
JonnyM 11 | 2,611
27 Sep 2011 #2
After such a short time you're bound to feel a bit isolated. Where did you relocate from, what sort of age group are you and what are your interests?

Warsaw can be a fairly disconcerting place but there's bound to be somewhere for you to do or somewhere to go.
hythorn 3 | 580
28 Sep 2011 #3
just hang out at the British Council library
ilovewine - | 3
28 Sep 2011 #4
Hello,

Yeah, I understand where you're coming from. I'm experiencing culture shock myself but the funny thing is I'm Polish:). I've spent the last few years living abroad though and have been back here in Poland for two months now. I am still surprised by the experience of culture shock in my home country. I wonder if it will get any easier :).
butterflylizard 1 | 13
28 Sep 2011 #5
I am in the UK and moved into a primarily Polish and Slavik area and wondered why my neighbours seem abrupt...is this a language barrier? I have German friends who seem abrupt but now i know this is just the way they talk
JonnyM 11 | 2,611
28 Sep 2011 #6
Partly that and partly because the concept of neighbours is different from the UK.
OP JaynGarrick 10 | 16
9 Oct 2011 #7
JonnyM
After such a short time you're bound to feel a bit isolated. Where did you relocate from, what sort of age group are you and what are your interests?

I'm twenty-four and relocated from Los Angeles. I've lived abroad before for a year, but in a small town in China, which was much different. Poland so far has been a much greater experience.

As far as my interests, I like yoga, jogging, cooking, reading, writing, drawing, music (I play guitar and sing, both very poorly, but I love it, and I love live music). I'm not really into TV, and movies can be pretty cool, but I don't watch too many. I like improv theatre and watching theatrical performances. I like drinking, but I'm not a "drinker." I like nerd stuff like comic books, Star Wars, Dungeons and Dragons, Doctor Who, etc. I found a comic book shop by a guitar shop in the metro, but naturally, everything was in Polish, which I don't speak yet.

So far, I've been hanging out a lot at Plac Zbawiciela, which is nice, and since posting I have made a few friends, but I'm still looking to broaden my social network out here because I'm used to having a lot of acquaintances and friends.

So I stopped by the British Council yesterday just to check it out. It's the school I'd love to work for, but it's not likely I'll ever work for them because I'm too inexperienced. I wasn't really sure where the library was. I felt too intimidated to ask. I imagine it's actually in the building? Tomorrow after my interview with Cambridge School of English, I'll swing by and check it out.

However, if anyone is interested in just being a platonic friend with someone new to Warsaw, I hang out at Plac Zbawiciela a couple of times a week when I'm not too exhausted from dealing with BS and chasing kids at school.
hythorn 3 | 580
12 Oct 2011 #8
Babe, go into the library and cruise

they have a little cafe there or used to

you seem a decent human being, you will be fine
OP JaynGarrick 10 | 16
12 Oct 2011 #9
Okay, well I'll be there tomorrow I guess at some point, while I'm breaking from job hunting.
Polsyr 6 | 760
12 Oct 2011 #10
Howdy! Sent you a PM.
MAIA 1 | 3
14 Jan 2012 #11
Hey there! I couldn't agree more with what you wrote in your first post. Good choice of words. I'm in the same situation and well, I never looked for friends online, so it feels a bit awkward... but you seem to be a decent person, so if you wanna meet for a coffee or a walk just contact me.
magdalen
23 Jan 2012 #12
Hey!
I moved to Warsaw a few months ago from Canada. Although I'm Polish (used to live here at one point in time, speak the language, etc) I find myself to be experiencing a bit of culture shock as well.

Any luck finding places to meet new people?
I'm 23yr old, female, currently studying. Like the previous posters, haven't looked for friends online before either, but i suppose it's as good of a place to start as any.
MAIA 1 | 3
25 Jan 2012 #13
Send me a PM and we'll meet up if you want ;)!
Shizuka 10 | 44
31 Oct 2014 #14
[Moved from]: How a foreigner can make friends in Warsaw?

I am moving to warsaw very soon,so just wandering how foreigner can make friends there? I dont speak Polish,is there any events for newbies to meet people?I would love to see many people from many countries :)

Please do not send me PM to see me( I am not looking for on-line meeting)
smurf 39 | 1,969
31 Oct 2014 #15
Join a few Warsaw groups on Facebook for expats/immigrants/language exchange, that'll get the ball rolling at least.
Monitor 14 | 1,818
31 Oct 2014 #16
Check meetings organized by Couchsurfing: couchsurfing.org/n/places/warsaw-mazowieckie-poland
ufo973 10 | 88
2 Nov 2014 #17
I would love to see many people from many countries :)

Then Poland is not for you...Multicultural environment doesn't exist here. And those 2 dozen foreigners living here will hardly meet you.
smurf 39 | 1,969
3 Nov 2014 #18
There are tons of foreigners living in Poland, the 'ex-pats in Warsaw' FB group has 2000+ members, so add to that the many without a FB account or online presence and I reckon the numbers of foreigners is quite big. OK, nowhere near as big as Western cities, but there's still loads around.
Umer
2 Apr 2015 #19
HI, My name is Umer and I am living and working in Warsaw for over a year now. I too have had a hard time making friends here but it seems to be like a good place to start. Im gonna list my facebook address link here for everyone to add me and I would be willing to meet up if I find any common interest with the people who send me a friend's request.


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