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How do Poles spend their free time?


Achilles   Feb 9, 07, 18:45 /  #
In principle Poles are no different from any other Europeans or perhaps even no different from any race. But that is in principle; this means that Poland has good, bad and indifferent people, as does every race. Poland also has the talented, the industrious and the determined just as it has the mediocre, the idle and the resigned. So much for the basic material. But what happens when this basic material is exposed to the historical, contemporary, political, social, economic and climatic conditions that constitute its environment?

Historic instability, contemporary instability, political incompetence and criminality, an economy that is growing albeit from a very small base and of course the geographical climate. All these factors are evident when one considers the use of leisure time. It is evident that the conditions have made the Poles generally proletarian in their interests and hobbies and short of money and physical space in the pursuit of such activities. Poles like mass entertainment, be it football at the stadium or on TV, similarly basketball and to a lesser extent speedway and other sports and athletic activities. Because of the general lack of space in Polish homes the only leisure activity normally pursued is watching television or surfing the Internet. Because of this lack of space Poles spent as much time as possible outside in the summer. Balconies, gardens and allotment gardens are vitally important in summer. Holidays are spent on the beach or in the mountains, but release from historic restrictions shows Poles to be adventurous international travellers and holidaymakers.

Skiing is extremely popular and the mountains are close, and so are the Slovak mountains. In the summer and autumn mushroom gathering in the forests is a major preoccupation for many. Poles travel increasingly by car rather than using the very good public transport. There is lack of the prestigious, expensive and traditional leisure activities that one might associate with Britain, France or Germany for obvious reasons. Hunting once very popular and having a certain prestige about it is not so popular now though still widely practiced. Equestrian activities are very popular. Fishermen are to be seen around every lake or watercourse, some undoubtedly fish for the pot but as a sport it must be one of the most popular in Poland.

At home during school terms many parents organise evening lesson activities for their children, sometimes it is extra language curses sometime music. Obviously this is motivated by a desire to help the children’s careers, but I suspect that the crowding in very small flats also plays a part. Certain traditions are still important, family events are treated with more significance than in British homes that is name days and first communions and the ritual of Easter and Christmas. It should also be remembered that a quarter of Poles go to church on Sunday and in the week. In conclusion one might consider that Poles are basically the same as everyone else and that the environmental constraints are waning. Perhaps soon enough the only difference will be that Poles actually enjoy meals and eating good food rather than the British tendency to eat because it is necessary.

Achilles Węgorz
freelance_art   Mar 8, 07, 15:12 /  #
Hey ho ACHILLES WEGORZ.Thank U for your article!Big smile on my face ,while I was reading..I admire U for breaking the stereothype of typical Polish person in foreigners eyes. Dzieki i pozdrowko!
szarlotkaThreads: 14
Posts: 3,340
Joined: Feb 20, 07 		  Mar 8, 07, 15:45 /  #
Quoting: Achilles
How do Poles spend their free time?


Nice well balanced, considered and thoughtful post. It will never catch on

9/10
ArturSzastakThreads: 6
Posts: 828
Joined: Feb 16, 07 		  Mar 8, 07, 15:50 /  #
Quoting: szarlotka
Nice well balanced, considered and thoughtful post. It will never catch on



Not unless we are all brain washed by aliens soon and all violence comes to an end. Until the MATRIX becomes reality. Then we free ourselves of our alien robot opressors and then the intergalactic STAR WARS happen. After the rebellion wins we then pull a STAR TREK out of our asses and explore the universe. Then we decide to build a STAR GATE and travel some more. Up until we get bored, build a time machine and go back to screw with the Earth and give the 16th century Polish future weapons that they then take over the world with. One people living on all corners of the globe. So then they fight back the aliens and the rest never happens.


But what do I know?
forgetmenotsThreads: 4
Posts: 94
Joined: Jan 18, 07 		  Mar 8, 07, 17:47 /  #
Quoting: ArturSzastak
But what do I know?


Artur that was completely secret plan that polish people kept in their minds = till now....
So when you elicit everything what was planned to remain unknown I will say even more...
Artur said a truth but he forgot to add that we need to find common ancestor of Steven Seagal and Lord Vader that has been proof was polish to complete the mission.
GigelThreads: -
Posts: 34
Joined: Jun 9, 07 		  Jun 12, 07, 10:05 /  #
Achilles, what you have written ab leisure time, actually matches most of eastern Europe, things like fishing, football playing, going out on a picnic - watch my profiule to see where I come from. And this is quite good. As long as nobody breaks a bottle of vodca in your head to steal your money in the forest. Jokin ;)
BondiThreads: 4
Posts: 148
Joined: Sep 11, 07 		  Sep 16, 07, 13:26 /  #
Forgot to mention the most cultivated leisure activity: having a couple of nice Polish beer with your mates. And maybe a few shots of vodka. Or ślivovica, to celebrate our cross-Eastern-European friendship. :)
osiolThreads: 59
Posts: 4,714
Joined: Jul 25, 07 		  Sep 16, 07, 13:57 /  #
Quoting: Achilles
Balconies

There seem to be a lot more of these in Poland than the UK.

Quoting: Bondi
nice Polish beer

The two can go together quite nicely.
Osiedle_Ruda   Sep 16, 07, 15:34 /  #
Quoting: Achilles
How do Poles spend their free time?


Drinking coffee and eating cakes.

Well, that's how I live, anyway. :D
AmirahJanowitz   Sep 17, 07, 00:53 /  #
I am sure you guys do all normail things.
roalexThreads: 14
Posts: 44
Joined: Oct 21, 07 		  Oct 24, 07, 01:26 /  #
Quoting: Achilles
In the summer and autumn mushroom gathering in the forests is a major preoccupation for many

yech!!!
lennyd   Nov 14, 07, 04:22 /  #
what free time they take jobs by working 21 hours a day
sapphireThreads: 28
Posts: 1,418
Joined: Dec 7, 06 		  Nov 14, 07, 04:48 /  #
i cant speak for all Polish people, but my boyfriend spends a lot of time watching TV and drinking beer and vodka :)
Rafal_1981   Mar 15, 09, 17:58 /  #
Thread attached on merging:
How do Poles spend their leisure time?

Well?

More like this (BTW :thanks Poznań junior freeriders :-])



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