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Is it difficult to survive in Warsaw without any Polish knowledge?


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mephiasThreads: 15
Posts: 812
Joined: Nov 14, 08  Gold Member MEMBER 		  Mar 22, 09, 23:04 /  #
Is it difficult to survive in Warsaw daily life without any Polish knowledge ?
I'll move to Warsaw on may. Should I try to learn some polish in this Period Or is it better to get some lessons after I reach there ?
Mr GrunwaldThreads: 34
Posts: 2,358
Joined: Dec 16, 08 		  Mar 22, 09, 23:19 /  #
Well I lived 1 year in Warsaw, I can speak/write/read Polish so I ha no problems. It will be much easier if you can Polish ofcourse but I think German would do too. English is maybe not that known allready.
impete82Threads: 7
Posts: 33
Joined: May 7, 08 		  Mar 22, 09, 23:23 /  #
learn polish maybe? if you're in a country try learning the language :)
codymasterThreads: -
Posts: 1
Joined: Mar 19, 09 		  Mar 22, 09, 23:25 /  #
Of course you should try to learn some polish before you get there. And when you will arrive to Poland you should learn it as well. Sooner you start better you are.
You colud allways count on that the guy next to you in the shop knows english, it's very probably, but not allways happes. People know English but learn if you can man.
SydneyThreads: 3
Posts: 17
Joined: Mar 21, 09 		  Mar 22, 09, 23:26 /  #
I was stuck in Beijing for a month; don't know any Chinese language at all... well, I survived...
SeanBMThreads: 41
Posts: 8,726
Joined: Mar 10, 08 		  Mar 22, 09, 23:30 /  #
I was locked in my car for a week.
I died.
SydneyThreads: 3
Posts: 17
Joined: Mar 21, 09 		  Mar 22, 09, 23:35 /  #
Insane Irish.
SeanBMThreads: 41
Posts: 8,726
Joined: Mar 10, 08 		  Mar 22, 09, 23:40 /  #
Sydney:
Insane Irish.

That makes it sound like their might be an alternative :)
mephiasThreads: 15
Posts: 812
Joined: Nov 14, 08  Gold Member MEMBER 		  Mar 22, 09, 23:40 /  #
I bought a software to practice polish but it is really boring ( software not the language :) ) and really don't have much time.
LoriThreads: 5
Posts: 122
Joined: Mar 17, 08 		  Mar 23, 09, 04:30 /  #
Go to byki.com and then select the free download of Polish language materials. It's not at all boring.
Guest   Mar 23, 09, 09:14 /  #
English is not widely spoken by the older generation. German is more spoken, but will get you funny looks. Learn some Polish!
mephiasThreads: 15
Posts: 812
Joined: Nov 14, 08  Gold Member MEMBER 		Edited by: mephias   Mar 23, 09, 10:38 /  #
I
Guest:
English is not widely spoken by the older generation. German is more spoken, but will get you funny looks. Learn some Polish!

I can't speak german too :(.
vndunneThreads: 72
Posts: 340
Joined: Jan 12, 07 		  Mar 23, 09, 11:01 /  #
Mephias,
From the times that i have been in warsaw, i would say that you can survive without polish on a day to day basis...a lot of people do speak english. In local shops, you can just point. Restaurants, bars, banks, estate agents etc normally have a few people who can speak English.
Where you will start to have problems is dealing with local authorities e.g. tax etc. You will need to bring a translator along with you. Also, any dealing over the phone can be abit of a nightmare.
If you are going to be here any lenght of time, it would probably make sense to learn some polish.
Best of luck.
mephiasThreads: 15
Posts: 812
Joined: Nov 14, 08  Gold Member MEMBER 		  Mar 23, 09, 11:08 /  #
vndunne:
If you are going to be here any lenght of time, it would probably make sense to learn some polish.

Thank you vndunne,
I'll move to Warsaw permanently. I'll be there for a new job. I think I will learn Polish in time. I am only worried about first 3-4 months.
Guest   Mar 23, 09, 12:08 /  #
You and I are in the same boat lol. I am intending to take some Polish classes, so maybe you'd like to have some moral support?
mephiasThreads: 15
Posts: 812
Joined: Nov 14, 08  Gold Member MEMBER 		Edited by: mephias   Mar 23, 09, 12:28 /  #
Guest:
so maybe you'd like to have some moral support?

Sure.. :)
dcchrisThreads: 11
Posts: 687
Joined: Oct 29, 07 		  Mar 23, 09, 14:37 /  #
No its not difficult to be in Warsaw and not know Polish beyond the technical things like communicating with the internet installer and these type of people. learn a bit of polish and you can make some friends and they can help you during certain situations. In Warsaw many people under 40 speak some English. Just don't expect that they should speak English. If you say sorry my Polish isn't very good than they will help you.
LidkaStarThreads: -
Posts: 3
Joined: Mar 24, 09 		  Mar 24, 09, 04:16 /  #
xD i lived there a year...and when i was barely grasping it! i had to leave.... ¬¬ sucks...
but yes, you can survive xD but YOU MUST LEARN POLISH!!!!! =D its like awesome...and so complicated x) but you just love it after hearing it some time =D
RandalThreads: 1
Posts: 758
Joined: Feb 14, 09 		  Mar 24, 09, 05:37 /  #
impete82:
if you're in a country try learning the language

This is what we tell the Mexicans.
Mr GrunwaldThreads: 34
Posts: 2,358
Joined: Dec 16, 08 		  Mar 24, 09, 07:45 /  #
Randal:
impete82:
if you're in a country try learning the language
This is what we tell the Mexicans.

Well it's hard to understand for an immigrant if they don't know your language Randal :)
I bet they don't listen to you if you speak Spanish either xD
King SobieskiThreads: 7
Posts: 1,106
Joined: Jan 22, 07 		Edited by: King Sobieski   Mar 24, 09, 08:01 /  #
mephias:
I'll move to Warsaw on may. Should I try to learn some polish in this Period Or is it better to get some lessons after I reach there ?

what are you studying?

the armenian genocide? oh, thats right, it didnt happen.
mephiasThreads: 15
Posts: 812
Joined: Nov 14, 08  Gold Member MEMBER 		  Mar 24, 09, 12:28 /  #
dcchris:
dcchris

Thank you DC it was very helpful.

Randal:
if you're in a country try learning the language

I'll try when I get there, I mean should I try to learn something before I move (it may be very difficult to learn the language myself that's why I ask that).

King Sobieski:
what are you studying?
the armenian genocide? oh, thats right, it didnt happen.

Study ? it was long time ago Sobieski. I am a computer engineer and I am moving for work.

I don't see any point to discuss this subject with you. I am sure I have more armenian friends than you. And what is your intention to blame someone or a nation with a historical claim on absolutely irrelevant thread ?
RandalThreads: 1
Posts: 758
Joined: Feb 14, 09 		  Mar 24, 09, 15:51 /  #
It's just rude and disrespectful to go live in a country and not at least learn some of the native language. I wouldn't so much as go on vacation to another country without first learning some of the language basics, let alone go to live there.

I understand English isn't so hard to learn as compared to some others, like Polish.
freebirdThreads: 3
Posts: 638
Joined: Jun 8, 07 		  Mar 24, 09, 15:54 /  #
Randal:
It's just rude and disrespectful to go live in a country and not at least learn some of the native language.

In principle right but good luck if travel to about 30 different countries Randal :-)
SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 		  Mar 24, 09, 15:54 /  #
True enough, Randal. Even when I went to Seoul, just for 3 days, I learned how to say good day and thank you.

I find it natural to just pick up a few words and use them. To be otherwise would just be ignorant.
mephiasThreads: 15
Posts: 812
Joined: Nov 14, 08  Gold Member MEMBER 		  Mar 24, 09, 16:04 /  #
Randal:
It's just rude and disrespectful

I don't agree with you. Anyway I already said twice I want to learn Polish but I am not sure if I am able to before moving there because I don't have time and friends who knows Polish.
SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 		  Mar 24, 09, 16:05 /  #
You have online resources you know. They'll give you the basics.
mephiasThreads: 15
Posts: 812
Joined: Nov 14, 08  Gold Member MEMBER 		Edited by: mephias   Mar 24, 09, 16:32 /  #
Seanus:
You have online resources you know. They'll give you the basics.

I'll try. I think basics won't be trouble but Polish pronounciation is very difficult for me I think it will take long time before I can speak or understand it.
SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 		  Mar 24, 09, 19:07 /  #
Many are in the same boat. It's a tough nut to crack but good luck. Persistence pays sometimes.
GoDfaTheR420Threads: 7
Posts: 46
Joined: Jan 2, 09 		Edited by: GoDfaTheR420   Mar 25, 09, 14:30 /  #
I have been in in Poland for over a year now....and have been living in Warsaw for little over 5 months.

I spoke no Polish when I lived in a small town outside Warsaw...I speak no Polish now I live in Warsaw......sure I have tried to pick up some very 'common' phrases such as 'vodka please!' ...just messing!!....but I have never felt like it was a major problem. Every restaurant/bar I have been to has an English menu...and most have English speaking staff.

Not speaking Polish has its advantages as well!!..I have ''Talked'' my way out of a speeding ticket!!...and I don't understand when some drunk muppets try to give me abuse!

I understand when people say that whilst your living in a foreign country then you should try and learn the lingo etc...but life's too short!...I'm fine with things as they are...I love living here...and until the language barrier becomes a problem I'll keep on smiling and ignoring the non English speaking Polish people.

As for official purposes I use the British Council..and the British Embassy to deal with things...thats what they are here for!

If you really want to learn Polish here then do and exchange of teaching English in return for some Polish lessons...there will be plenty of takers!
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