NationStates Jolt Archive

I've seen alot of things posted in general about Poland, common misconceptions, hazy ideas, some things hostile, other things friendly. I am Polish, and I thought I'd make a thread where I could answer whatever questions or thoughts people may have about my nation. I should hope that this thread will be a nice place where people can engage in intelligent conversation, maybe we could all learn to better understand on another. If anything, I should hope that any discussions here will be educational, and perhaps benefit someone in their perception of the greater world which surrounds them. I admit that I got this idea from the "what do you think of" threads, so maybe the idea isn't all that original. Still, I really wanted to try this, as I'm curious as to what you all have to say. I hope this will prove to be a positive and building experience for all of us. So, if you have any questions, comments, or thoughts, please go ahead and post them, and I'll do my best to answer. Cheers. :)

cockamcha (i know that's not how it's written but tough luck!)

Crap, I forgot Poland.....








and a-way I go........

cockamcha (i know that's not how it's written but tough luck!)

I don't know, it sounds like nothing in Polish. Sorry, can't help you there. :D

"You forgot Poland! (www.youforgotpoland.com)" :D

"You forgot Poland! (www.youforgotpoland.com)" :D

rofl :D

I don't know, it sounds like nothing in Polish. Sorry, can't help you there. :D
it's meant to be i love you, maybe i got it mixed up with slovakian :confused:

it's meant to be i love you, maybe i got it mixed up with slovakian :confused:

Possibly. In Polish its "kocham cie", pronounced koham chye.

Possibly. In Polish its "kocham cie", pronounced koham chye.
yeah, i can say it, i just can't write it!

Is it true that you're all über-conservative?

What do you think of the League of Polish Families?

Is it true that you're all über-conservative?

What do you think of the League of Polish Families?

No, this is not true. The current governing party in Poland is The Democratic Left alliance, which is a social-democratic organization. About 10% of Poles are still straight out Communists, another 50% are left-leaning to one degree or another. The uber-conservative part of society makes up about 25% of the Polish population. I would suppose that this misconception would come from the fact that the most extreme Polish right wingers were forced into emigration during the 70s, and its their voice which is commonly heard in the USA and Canada.

As for the Liga Polskich Rodzin, well, I think Giertych is a charismatic leader myself, and I agree with some of their program, but I think overall their kind of crap.

I've seen alot of things posted in general about Poland, common misconceptions, hazy ideas, some things hostile, other things friendly. I am Polish, and I thought I'd make a thread where I could answer whatever questions or thoughts people may have about my nation. I should hope that this thread will be a nice place where people can engage in intelligent conversation, maybe we could all learn to better understand on another. If anything, I should hope that any discussions here will be educational, and perhaps benefit someone in their perception of the greater world which surrounds them. I admit that I got this idea from the "what do you think of" threads, so maybe the idea isn't all that original. Still, I really wanted to try this, as I'm curious as to what you all have to say. I hope this will prove to be a positive and building experience for all of us. So, if you have any questions, comments, or thoughts, please go ahead and post them, and I'll do my best to answer. Cheers. :)

Not to mention Poland is Bushs favorite country.

Did you know?: In the late 1800s my ancestors owned huge coal factorys or breakers in Hazleton PA. This was a huge employer of foreign people, especially the Polish. So yes, we were kinda like slave drivers, all those kids working for so little. Oh well, HOORAY FOR US!!!!

yeah, i can say it, i just can't write it!

;)

"You forgot Poland! (www.youforgotpoland.com)" :D

That is awesome!

But Poland I like, they have delicious foods, were the second country to make a good contitution (we were the first) and they contributed to the econemy. See my previous post, # 12 or something around there. Plus my best friend is Polish. Well, half, its really his mom, she was born there, so he is first generation. GO POLAND!!!! (Despite what George W. Bush says.)

I personaly hold Poland in high regard for the level of defiance that they showed during WW2. Out of all countries sucessfully ocupied by the Nazi's the Polish fought the longest and hardest and held back the invasion force longer than any other. Also the Poles killed more Germans on horseback than the French did with all their "millitary might". And then there is the Warsaw uprising. With little food and even less amunition or weapons the Polish Jews held Warsaw for something like a month wasnt it? I forget the details of that one but for their levels of resorces, they displayed remarkable courage.

I personaly hold Poland in high regard for the level of defiance that they showed during WW2. Out of all countries sucessfully ocupied by the Nazi's the Polish fought the longest and hardest and held back the invasion force longer than any other. Also the Poles killed more Germans on horseback than the French did with all their "millitary might". And then there is the Warsaw uprising. With little food and even less amunition or weapons the Polish Jews held Warsaw for something like a month wasnt it? I forget the details of that one but for their levels of resorces, they displayed remarkable courage.

The Warsaw Uprising was not a Jewish uprising. The Jewish Ghetto Uprising was a small scale event, and has been glorified by certain Hollywood Personalities.
The Warsaw Uprising lasted two months and ended when Hitler bombed Warsaw into rubble.
Fun Fact: After the Warsaw Uprising, there was hardly a single building left standing in Warsaw, literally. The Warsaw of today was built from the ground up using the rubble in the 50s.

Where in Poland are you from Presgreif?

Where in Poland are you from Presgreif?

I was born in Warsaw, Ursus to be exact.

I was born in Warsaw, Ursus to be exact.

I was just curious :). Not everyday that I meet many people who are actually from Poland here in the states. It might be because I'm in Missouri though...heh

I was just curious :). Not everyday that I meet many people who are actually from Poland here in the states. It might be because I'm in Missouri though...heh

Oh, where are you from?

No, this is not true. The current governing party in Poland is The Democratic Left alliance, which is a social-democratic organization. About 10% of Poles are still straight out Communists, another 50% are left-leaning to one degree or another. The uber-conservative part of society makes up about 25% of the Polish population. I would suppose that this misconception would come from the fact that the most extreme Polish right wingers were forced into emigration during the 70s, and its their voice which is commonly heard in the USA and Canada.

As for the Liga Polskich Rodzin, well, I think Giertych is a charismatic leader myself, and I agree with some of their program, but I think overall their kind of crap.
So is the 60% left-wing majority generally liberal/libertarian or conservative/authoritarian, socially? Or in the middle?

Did you know?: In the late 1800s my ancestors owned huge coal factorys or breakers in Hazleton PA. This was a huge employer of foreign people, especially the Polish. So yes, we were kinda like slave drivers, all those kids working for so little. Oh well, HOORAY FOR US!!!!
Well, that's Republican economics for ya!

Oh, where are you from?

I was born in Lodz :)

So is the 60% left-wing majority generally liberal/libertarian or conservative/authoritarian, socially? Or in the middle?

Most definitly Liberal.

I was born in Lodz :)

Good looking. ;)

Good looking. ;)

Hmm? :)

I found this shirt the other day, I picked it up, just because it says "Polish girls just do it better"....haha

Hmm? :)

I found this shirt the other day, I picked it up, just because it says "Polish girls just do it better"....haha

rofl :D

Presgreif can you tell what people in your country think of the EU. Am asking since the turnout in the last European elections was ridiculously low!

I dont know much about Poland, Ive learned a little in the last month or so, but I can say this, the girls there...

Seksowny!!!! :D

(Oh, and very Tigrous!) ;)

Presgreif can you tell what people in your country think of the EU. Am asking since the turnout in the last European elections was ridiculously low!

Most people (something like 75%) are in favor of EU. As for the turnout for the elections, well, I can't explain that. I guess, like in most countries, alot of Poles can't be bothered to vote. Oh well for them, all the better for us thinking types.

Also the Poles killed more Germans on horseback than the French did with all their "millitary might".

Like killing more people is a good thing...

Not to mention that´s not correct. The campaign against France caused more German casualties than the attack on Poland.

Like killing more people is a good thing...

Not to mention that´s not correct. The campaign against France caused more German casualties than the attack on Poland.

It is a good thing if you're defending your nation against invaders. Or did you forget that small detail?

Also, if you're going to refute something someone has written, why don't you provide sources? Simply saying "that's not true" isn't very convincing.

In virtually all news broadcasts and especially photographs, the sky in Poland is always completely covered with white cloud. Is this just a photography trick?

What do you think of Gorgoroth, and the little stunt they pulled in Poland?

In virtually all news broadcasts and especially photographs, the sky in Poland is always completely covered with white cloud. Is this just a photography trick?

No, the Polish sky is really very fluffy. :D

What do you think of Gorgoroth, and the little stunt they pulled in Poland?

I don't know anything about that.

I Sir Stanislavski of The Mighty Dominion of Winged Hussars would like to declare that yes we indeed are Polish and very proud of it infact. Many ignorant people make fun of the Polish people who, if you actually looked into their history, are not to be taken lightly or disrespected. Here are some did you know's Did you know? Vodka is a Polish invention and not Russian as most ignorants think(Polish potatoe vodka which is charcoal distilled)
During WWII the Polish not only accounted for a solid 12% of the British Royal Airforce but also racked up the most confirmed dog fight kills in the entire outfit during the WWII conflict! While many say Vival Le resistance, it was the Polish that had the largest and most active resistance cells throughout Europe. We are also responsible for breaking the "unbreakable" German code which led the way for America to stomp some serious ass. And if you go way back to the 15th and 16th centuries, we invented the sabre, the Heavily armored cavalry known as "Winged Hussars" were such a formidable foe that Germany ceased to exist for a period of time. We also had Europe's 4th largest army at the time of WWII and held out longer than the French who might I add had a significantly greater amount of time to prepare for the invading krauts. Mergenau line my ass!

p.s...




HONOR

i

OJCZYZNA !

Bizump!

Uhh...Poland. Just to the left of Germany. Uhh...Archie bunker's son-in-law was Polish. Polish dill pickles rock. Umm...at a hot dog stand, never order the hot dog, always order the polish sausage. They're tastier. If you don't know Polish, and you hear it being spoken across a room, it sounds like Russian, but if you mention that, you always get Poles angry with you. Pope Shakey is Polish. It took me twenty years to finally figure out that Danzig and Gdansk were the same city. And...that about exhausts my capacity for talking about Poland...

Sorry.

Uhh...Poland. Just to the left of Germany. Uhh...Archie bunker's son-in-law was Polish. Polish dill pickles rock. Umm...at a hot dog stand, never order the hot dog, always order the polish sausage. They're tastier. If you don't know Polish, and you hear it being spoken across a room, it sounds like Russian, but if you mention that, you always get Poles angry with you. Pope Shakey is Polish. It took me twenty years to finally figure out that Danzig and Gdansk were the same city. And...that about exhausts my capacity for talking about Poland...

Sorry.
Your ignorance my dear boy only serves to further your moronic tendancies!

Hey, I did as was asked...and I even apologized. So go ahead and slag me, sure.

At least I can spell 'tendencies'.

To quote the Simpsons: "Uh...I hear they launched a rocket to the sun once...at night...and they built a submarine with a glass bottom."

But a few semi-serious questions:

Now Poland and most Eastern European countries are stereotyped as having ugly women, but every Polish girl i've met has been :eek::p:D . So is the stereotype really totally false and it's some sort of paradise, or are only the emigrants decent looking?

Does wodka taste just like vodka?

Is there a Polish alcohol made out of plums and what is it called? It was really good. I think it was Polish anyway.

Are holocaust death camps, ex-KGB torture cellars and a fallen over tower really the only tourist attractions?

Is Polish rock music as bad as Russian rock music?

Do you really hate Lithuanians?

(Have a little Polish blood in me, but more Lithuanian)

Last time I went there (Warzaw and Wroclaw) almost noone could speak English (1998). Has this changed? I was surprised that not so many could speak German either. Is this because of the history? They don't want to learn it?

Is the pollution problem still as big as it used to be? I mean burning coal in cities. My face was almost black every night after walking around city all day.

I find the character of Polish people quite similar to Finnish. Both are proud of their country and of everything they have gone through.

It was most likely brandy. My grandfather made a plum brandy and it was very popular amongst the Polish. Yes we despise the Lithuanians! they shall perish under the might of Polish oppression! :-) :p

Hey, I did as was asked...and I even apologized. So go ahead and slag me, sure.

At least I can spell 'tendencies'.
Please refresh me, is this a thread about Poland? or various english grammatical errors?

Please refresh me, is this a thread about Poland? or various english grammatical errors?

Gee, and I thought this was a thread wherein you shit down people's throats for doing what's asked of them by the original poster. Guess I misunderstood that one, there.

D-uh...

Gee, and I thought this was a thread wherein you shit down people's throats for doing what's asked of them by the original poster. Guess I misunderstood that one, there.

D-uh...
Fine fine fine! you win boy! I tire of this babbling!

Fine fine fine! you win boy! I tire of this babbling!

I didn't know it was a contest - what's my prize, "BOY"? BTW, you shouldn't make assumptions about people's gender, "BOY".

It was most likely brandy. My grandfather made a plum brandy and it was very popular amongst the Polish.

It was good, I know that much :)

Yes we despise the Lithuanians! they shall perish under the might of Polish oppression! :-) :p

lol...but seriously, I heard there was some mutual dislike, but I find it hard to believe considering the common history.

Now Poland and most Eastern European countries are stereotyped as having ugly women, but every Polish girl i've met has been :eek::p:D . So is the stereotype really totally false and it's some sort of paradise, or are only the emigrants decent looking?

You're the first person I've ever heard say something like this from. Its the commonly accepted stereotype that Poland is a land of beautiful women, and their ugly male counterparts, which I hold to be true. I like Polish women, though I prefer Pennsylvanians.....oh, woops, never mind about that last comment....

Does wodka taste just like vodka?

No, it tastes more Wish than Vish. :D

Is there a Polish alcohol made out of plums and what is it called? It was really good. I think it was Polish anyway.

Yes. Its called Plum Vodka, surprisingly enough.

Are holocaust death camps, ex-KGB torture cellars and a fallen over tower really the only tourist attractions?

Only if you're a German or Israeli tourist.

Is Polish rock music as bad as Russian rock music?

Without question.

Do you really hate Lithuanians?

(Have a little Polish blood in me, but more Lithuanian)

Who me? No, why would I hate Lithuanians?

You're the first person I've ever heard say something like this from. Its the commonly accepted stereotype that Poland is a land of beautiful women, and their ugly male counterparts, which I hold to be true. I like Polish women, though I prefer Pennsylvanians.....oh, woops, never mind about that last comment....

Hmm. It just seems to generally applied to all slavic nationalities.

Who me? No, why would I hate Lithuanians?

I meant the Polish people as a whole.

Last time I went there (Warzaw and Wroclaw) almost noone could speak English (1998). Has this changed? I was surprised that not so many could speak German either. Is this because of the history? They don't want to learn it?

Well, there are many Poles who can speak English, German, and French, and they were around in 1998. I know, I was one of them. Though I must admit that I find it strange that you go to Poland and expect people to speak English. That's like me going to Mexico and expecting people to speak Mandarin. Why haven't those damn Mexicans learned to speak the most common language in the world yet? Are they stupid or lazy or what?

Is the pollution problem still as big as it used to be? I mean burning coal in cities. My face was almost black every night after walking around city all day.

I don't know what backward hell-hole ghetto you were living in. I was born and raised in Warsaw, and never did I see this "burning coal in cities", nor was my face ever black from it. Perhaps you were tricked into staying in a coal yard or something?

Two questions based on my experiences in Warsaw this summer:

Is walking through the centre of Warsaw constantly bamouthing the Pope a bad idea? My friend wouldn't believe me.

This is a very vague one, but: I was sitting in a large park between the centre and the old town on Sunday morning when all of a sudden about 500 policemen filed past. Is this a regular occurance or was I halucinating again?

Well, there are many Poles who can speak English, German, and French, and they were around in 1998. I know, I was one of them. Though I must admit that I find it strange that you go to Poland and expect people to speak English. That's like me going to Mexico and expecting people to speak Mandarin. Why haven't those damn Mexicans learned to speak the most common language in the world yet? Are they stupid or lazy or what?

I didn't expext them to speak English. I never said that. I just thought it was a bit weird. I met some 15 Polish people (aged 18-25) and only 2 of them could speak English (3 spoke German). And they were living in Warsaw, not in some small village in the middle of nowhere. Why you got so offended? I do assume that people can speak more than one language nowadays especially if their native language is Polish (or Finnish, or Swedish, or German...)