I'm a Polish immigrant. And I'm not going back to Poland.

I have a question to Polish immigrants. Would you be willing to come back and live in Poland? I was 100% sure I would go back to Poland when I was 1 year in the US. On the 2nd year I was 80% sure, on the 3rd year 60%. Now on the 5th year I'm sure I won't go back to live permanently in Poland.

I visit Poland every 2 years and everytime I'm there, it's just -- I keep repeating "DUH" or "WHAT?" because some social norms, laws, people attitude, beaurucracy, Polish politics, or other things seem so weird to me. I know not much changed in the past 5 years in Poland, but now from a new perspective I think some things are just unacceptable and that's why, sadly, I don't think I'll go back and live in Poland.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way -- I know many poeple who don't even have a drivers license not to mention social security, but they don't want to go back "unless they deport me". It's not good for Poland, I know.. but poor economic situation doesn't bring much choices.

BTW. I know some Poles tend to be "annoyed" or "angry" when an immigrant tells them he doesn't want to come back. Some of them try to talk - "traitor; don't like Poland then Fcuk off" or similar.

But some of them forget they go back to Poland on vacations only where they have a good time and can spend money they earned abroad. If they were to live there just like regular people do, they would change their minds quickly. I don't like such hypocrites who talk BS.

Your story repeats itself over and over. I've heard it so many times.
I know a lot of Polish people who came to America. After the fist year they couldn't take it anymore, but waited another year. It got a little better. Next year was even better. And now there is no way they want to go back. I know some who are here 20 years illegally. They don't have a driver's license, don't have a green card and are finding ways to stay, for example through marriages to US citizens. (They pay them a lot of money for that).
And some can't go back to Poland, even for a visit, because thay overstayed their Visa and wouldn't be allowed to re-enter the US again.

That just proves they don't see themselves in Poland anymore; otherwise they wouldn't care if they was not allowed to re-enter the US, would they?

This is silly, I personally admire peole who are able to just go and start new life so far from home, friends, family. But thats life. This is understandable that you want to live there where life is better. You wrote that it is not good for Poland but sadly I think it IS good for Poland because less people in the country means more work for those who stay. It is sad to see that people have to go, want to go and dont want to go back though. I understand you and Im happy that my fellow Pole found his place. Good luck.

I know some people who want to go back, even if their chances of returning to the US were slim, but, they don't want to because they didn't make enough money in the US and are afraid of what people will say.

Yes, but you can make 5 times more money doing the same job in America.

Thank you, Ola

I disagree. You know why? Because it does not solve the problem of unemployment and low-wages in Poland. It just makes the Polish politicians' job and demagogy much easier - they don't have to do ANYTHING and in spite of that the unemployment rate will be steadily going down (because young Poles would leave the country in search of jobs).

I can understand that -- it's so Polish. I don't care what other people would say -- for unknown reason most Polish do.

In extreme situations a mother would tell her child: "Son, you were born Polish. When turn 18, get ready to leave Poland because you won't have a chance here to make a normal living."

Yes this is probably not so good in the long term because Poland lose brave young people but in a short term emmigration over last two years helped to decrease unemployment. Politics wouldnt do anything with this no matter what, I lost my faith in them, in fact I have never had faith in them.

This is too true .

Every time I visit Poland, (every couple years), I see Poland changing and becoming more and like UK or US. People eating American junk food. They look fatter every year. They talk on cell phones, and look stupid. Their attitudes are becoming more Western, more American. They are only concerned with money. They are concerned what neighbor next door has. They are less and less concerned about each other. Sometimes, I see no cultural difference. Eventually, there will be no reason to visit Poland.
But, if assured employment, I would go back. I know Poles who did go back.

I'm sure some do go back. But - let me guess -- those Poles who you know that went back... they are well-off, correct? They are not coming back to Poland in the hopes to make a good living "from start"..

I guess, that's correct. Why would they come back with empty pockets - to file for unemployment benefits? (some of them do file for unemployment benefits anyway - to get free health insurance or other benefits)

I live close to a Polish family currently. Their son is 18 years old. He works illegaly. Doesn't pay taxes. He bought himself a Brand New motorcycle. He bought a Brand New Boat. Brand new Computer. Brand New TV. Brand New Stereo. They have to have everything Brand New and the Best. They like to show off what they got to their friends and family in Poland. In America, unless you are extremely rich, we mostly buy used stuff. Used boats, cycles, snomobiles, cars. etc. Whatever's the best deal.

"Look what the neighbour's gonna say" -- The 11th commandment of some Poles.

That is so true.

krysia whats your mother tongue- polish- english

and what part of usa u from

Spot on..



The longer you stay overseas the less chances are you will return to poland, if you have children you stay where the children live...Children adapt well living o/s and don't even want to visit poland...A lot of polish people who have never left poland and lived for some time o/s make nasty comments about polish people and question why they left... well the sad answer is poland has little to offer...starting from weather to social security, poles are obsessed with politics (who cares) and religion (that would be o/k if they practiced what they preached.) If you are prepared to work hard o/s, you will do very well.
Poland in time will change for the better Ie wages and conditons, but there will always be a rich few and majority just making ends meet..The ones who have not will always be envious of the ones who have.. and if you are better off be prepared for constant demands for funds from other family members and friends..someone will always have his hand out for a share of your wealth.mmmmmmmm how true.

Ya, like when you win the lottery. You suddenly have "new" family members and "new" friends who will help you with your money.
My mother's tongue is pink with white spots on it.

In my opinion it does actually solve this problem. At least at some extend. There are more job offers on the market, and the employers are rising the wages in order to keep workers in the country. Of course you still can't compare them with those from the UK, but you can feel the improvement.



Do explain.



I think that often this is being very painful for their parents. If you had a good childhood, you will always have some kind of nostalgia towards the place of your birth, and upbringing, but this doesn’t have to mean that your children will feel the same way about it. Actually why should they? They have a new, totally different home now.

But then again, maybe their grandchildren will visit some day this forum in order to get some information’s about the strange country their grandpa was always talking about.



There's nothing wrong with polish weather! Nor with the discussions about politics or religion. I'm of a opinion that you should know what is currently going on in the world, and especially in your country, as it affects your life. It's maybe boring for you lef, but it's still far better than talking about what happened in the Big Brother house yesterday, or who was cheating who on the Jerry Springer Show.



And how can you be so sure of that? Are you some kind of a medium?



Greed has been accompanying humans long before Poland started to exist. Please, remember this.

PS: The thing that astonishes me the most, is that the people that are actually moaning on this forum about the lousy condition of modern Poland are those who are no longer living here. I always thought that in the western society people tend to have a positive attitude towards life, but it seems that I’m the only one who is being truly positive here. It's quite funny, isn't it?

The world now is international just remember your parents didn't have the opportunity to travel and live overseas, now you can move around and live where it suits you.

for a captain cook only (look), you live where you feel at home and what suits your lifestyle.



if you enjoy cold weather most of the year sure, poland is lovely.



People in a democracy elect a government to govern and do the right thing, if not they don't get re-elected...politics in poland is very erractic, each one trying to feather his own nest...(I do think the present leaders in poland are better than average) but how can you have a person like lepper who has only about 10% of the votes (his party) have so much say???.
Religion is important but lets practice what is taught to us in church, too many poles go to church and next moment are ripping people off etc...(I'm not saying all)

[

Not many watch US style rubbish...however, horses for courses, and each to his own..like the poles say, some people like cucumbers and some people like the gardeners daughter. mmmm.


I think we can take this as read, once you have big businesses in poland, wages increase dramatically to management type jobs and filter down to the working class, unfortuanately when wages go up , so do commodities, pensioners feel the brunt because the government is unable to keep increasing the penson.



thats why


People who have lived in poland under the harsh conditions from post war to the 80's cannot trust people in government, if you live in the west long enough you might understand.



Not all poles have it bad, and if your happy with what you have, your are a blessed man.

I think it depends on perosn and age she/he emigrated.

If someone emigrated as a child with parents this person will finish school abroad, find friends there and stay there. It is his homeland even he was born in Poland.These popel are sometimes interested in Poland want to visit parents homeland but that is all.
If someone moves as adult he will always have some nostalgia but again it depends on personality some people easier get used to new environment some

It makes me smile when someone says that when visiting Poland everything annoyes him. It is the same everythere- awkward rules in England, bad NHS, overpriced houses.....and USA?
I was there ones for 6 weeks I liked there a sa tourists but I wouldn't like to live there- my impression was that it is quite racicit place there, much more than Europe.
And the law? all strane rules? I wouldn't say it is free country.
I was reading yesterday that woman in USA was taking crack as pregnant and child was stilborn.
She got 12 years prison sentence for "killing "- ? It is bad what she was doing but they don;t even know if it was a reason.

or a captain cook only (look), you live where you feel at home and what suits your lifestyle.

lef,
It is quite shallow statement.
not everyone thinks so.

you people have deserted your motherland...you should be ashamed.

You flood into other peoples countries to make a better life for yourself...you are selfish.

Go back to your own country and help to make it a better place to live...you are all cowards and parasites.

eddien,

Why did you join this forum if you so much hate polish?

I don't understand.

iwona - i think they need to vent somewhere, I also think it's getting a little bit out of hand and the postings putting Polish people down are going to an all time high

it is upsetting really.

I moved here over 4 years and was always saying that people are so tolerant here. Noone was hostile towards me because of my nationality.
I know that emigration is too big now, but these posts are just radiculus.