Is the general consensus in Poland that black people shouldn't visit?

mbaker230 wrote:

My boyfriend and I are planning to travel to Poland sometime in the near future, and I was just wondering how we would be accepted. We were even thinking of maybe moving there for a year or so after we finish our degrees. He is 100% Polish and I am Black (but mixed). We were both born in the US and would just like to visit where his parents lived and where they finally met, Wrocław. We get stared at here in Chicago by everybody (except Polish people) because we're an interracial couple. Polish people here don't seem to care and find it kind of cool that I'm trying to learn the language. But how is it in Poland? Will I be able to fit in?

ciscosupastarThreads: 2 Posts: 16 Joined: Jan 12, 08	Jan 15, 08, 20:40 / #
I visited Poland quite some years ago and thought it to be a beautiful country with very nice people..... have things changed or is there something I'm missing here? I'm starting to notice an underlying tone.... just wondering outright is the general consensus in Poland that black people should go elsewhere even on vacation/pleasure or business? truthfully?

z_dariusThreads: 22 Posts: 5,091 Joined: Oct 18, 07	Jan 16, 08, 00:47 / #
I can't speak for what changed cuz I don't live there nwo. I can say that black persons in Poland were not such a frequent occurence. I lived in Poland since birth till 1987. In 25 years in Poland I saw 5 black persons. I knew one of them personally. Yup, I could count on the fingers of one hand. Whatever that can tell you, it sure should make you aware that in Poland people haven;t had a chance to have the same exposure to non-European ethnicities as mostly elswhere in EU. The fella I knew was a student from one of the African countries, and his girlfriend was Polish. They both went to the same university I did.

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,900 Joined: May 17, 07	Jan 16, 08, 03:42 / #
There is a member called Puzzler who can answer your question.

inkrakow	Jan 16, 08, 05:47 / #
ciscosupastar wrote: just wondering outright is the general consensus in Poland that black people should go elsewhere even on vacation/pleasure or business? it is definitely not the general consensus that black people should go elsewhere! you're spending too much time on this forum I think...

ciscosupastarThreads: 2 Posts: 16 Joined: Jan 12, 08	Jan 16, 08, 09:05 / #
z_darius wrote: I can say that black persons in Poland were not such a frequent occurence. I lived in Poland since birth till 1987. In 25 years in Poland I saw 5 black persons. I knew one of them personally. Yup, I could count on the fingers of one hand. Whatever that can tell you, it sure should make you aware that in Poland people haven;t had a chance to have the same exposure to non-European ethnicities as mostly elswhere in EU. yes the same when I was in Poland I think I saw another black person once? but I didn't perceive the country as unwelcoming either.... I don't know maybe the statements of individuals here are the loud voice of the minority or unhappy. (ironic if it is.... lol) inkrakow wrote: it is definitely not the general consensus that black people should go elsewhere! you're spending too much time on this forum I think... thank you inkrakow..... If a polish person were to visit the US I would be welcoming ..... and would love to learn more of their culture. I just think that it is different and I would love to see Poland and learn of its culture but if it is not umm.... safe or welcoming I would rather go elsewhere..... I really wanted to see krakow and learn about its architectural and cultural past/history. southern wrote: There is a member called Puzzler who can answer your question. thank you southern ...... I have now searched his posts. Your message is loud and clear.

z_dariusThreads: 22 Posts: 5,091 Joined: Oct 18, 07	Jan 16, 08, 09:06 / #
ciscosupastar wrote: I don't know maybe the statements of individuals here are the loud voice of the minority or unhappy. You have a point here. Often the biggest as.holes fart the loudest.

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,410 Joined: Aug 29, 07	Jan 16, 08, 09:09 / #
don't let a few dumbasses stop you from checking out krakow or gdansk or all the points in between. there is a lot of very cool stuff in PL. go and enjoy just stay away from small towns and such. there are idiots in every country.

miranda	Edited by: miranda Jan 16, 08, 09:10 / #
ciscosupastar wrote: I really wanted to see krakow and learn about its architectural and cultural past/history. you can still do that if you are really interested. PF is not a representation of polish society. There are some people who voice their opinion on the internet but in real life would never do that. Again, you wouldn't want to speak to them in real life anyways. Since you have some Polish roots I would say that it would be an interesting trip for you. So plan the trip, go an have fun!!!!!

ciscosupastarThreads: 2 Posts: 16 Joined: Jan 12, 08	Jan 16, 08, 09:56 / #
miranda wrote: you can still do that if you are really interested. PF is not a representation of polish society. There are some people who voice their opinion on the internet but in real life would never do that. Again, you wouldn't want to speak to them in real life anyways. yes I do think this is true miranda wrote: Since you have some Polish roots I would say that it would be an interesting trip for you. yeah I think this is the best choice..... plus I already well invested in the venture anyhow. I've done my planning no reason to pull back now..... plk123 wrote: don't let a few dumbasses stop you from checking out krakow or gdansk or all the points in between. there is a lot of very cool stuff in PL. go and enjoy just stay away from small towns and such. there are idiots in every country. good advice on small towns taken, thank you and to z_darius lol

miranda	Jan 16, 08, 10:33 / #
ciscosupastar wrote: plus I already well invested in the venture anyhow. I've done my planning no reason to pull back now..... great, when are you planning to go then?

ciscosupastarThreads: 2 Posts: 16 Joined: Jan 12, 08	Jan 16, 08, 12:25 / #
Grzegorz_ wrote: If somebody comes here and in first post writes something like "Why Poles are so racist" then there rathter isn't much love... Generally most of Poles wouldn't like to have here millions of non-white people like in UK, France and some other western countries but most don't mind small number... hmmmm.... ok. just stating that I noticed an underlying tone..... Also I think immigration and its inherent results are a major issue for most countries. But this isn't a conversation for me though, I'm not a polish subject matter expert. If we were to speak about US immigration I could comment, but only from the voice of a concerned citizen. But I'm not a polish citizen just a visitor with a tint of polish blood in my veins. Zgubiony wrote: Poznan would also be a good city for you to visit. why Poznan I'm not quite privy? Sadek wrote: Comeback here and tell all the people how it was and end this pointless argues. yes I will post when I return, otherwise I think this argument will continue forever. Sadek wrote: More people will stare at you there. actually that is basically what happened the last time I was in Poland. a little kid even came up and said he wanted to touch my skin..... I thought it was odd. That and people are obviously like what the heck are these black people doing in Poland..... nonetheless with the different forms of transportation the world is getting much smaller alot faster.... I'm rambling. miranda wrote: great, when are you planning to go then? I'll arrive in Poland on the 30th of this month, hopefully if I finish off a job I'm doing here in the middle east early enough. But worst case scenario I'll have a meeting in w/ another client in Europe, and arrive on the 31st or 1st. I'll be in and out of Poland till the 24th of Feb.... couple of meetings. But hopefully I can reschedule..... nonetheless 30th Jan till 24th Feb...... also my current plans are to come back in late April/ Early May I've been told that this is a much nicer time.

ZgubionyThreads: 21 Posts: 2,037 Joined: Oct 20, 06	Jan 16, 08, 12:55 / #
ciscosupastar wrote: why Poznan I'm not quite privy? Because you may experience more tolerance due to the amt of students that come from all over. Besides, it's a beautiful city to visit.

AlicjaThreads: - Posts: 50 Joined: Jan 25, 07	Jan 25, 08, 14:10 / #
Ciscosupastar, I'm sure that people here will be welcoming. You'll probably come across same staring but people we'll be friendly. Have a good time in Krakow.

Kontractor	Feb 22, 08, 13:02 / #
I'm black and visited Poland back in early '07, was kinda suprised at first to see so many people staring at me and the lack of non-polish people. But damn are the Poles friendly! I dont travel alot but Poland is definatly the most friendliest country i've been to. People would greet me out of nowhere and in the clubs you had all sorts of attention! It rocked :P

SadekThreads: 7 Posts: 231 Joined: Jan 11, 08	Edited by: Sadek Jan 16, 08, 10:44 / #
ciscosupastar wrote: yes I do think this is true it is true ;) Comeback here and tell all the people how it was and end this pointless argues. plk123 wrote: stay away from small towns and such. there are idiots in every country. More people will stare at you there.

ZgubionyThreads: 21 Posts: 2,037 Joined: Oct 20, 06	Jan 16, 08, 11:04 / #
ciscosupastar Poznan would also be a good city for you to visit.

Grzegorz_Threads: 80 Posts: 6,104 Joined: Nov 16, 06	Jan 16, 08, 11:18 / #
ciscosupastar wrote: I'm starting to notice an underlying tone.... If somebody comes here and in first post writes something like "Why Poles are so racist" then there rathter isn't much love... Generally most of Poles wouldn't like to have here millions of non-white people like in UK, France and some other western countries but most don't mind small number...

ciscosupastarThreads: 2 Posts: 16 Joined: Jan 12, 08	Jan 16, 08, 16:24 / #
i think I will look @ doing Poznan on my second trip in late April/early may..... I would like to see Gdansk also.....well see.

hancockThreads: 1 Posts: 116 Joined: Oct 18, 07	Jan 25, 08, 16:31 / #
Ciscosupastar with little kids and skin touching, my son and a one legged man what do you think he said. its just simply what you dont see every day. I was overseas one time and saw an incredible black skin on a chap and i have seen quite a few. so as far as i can tell I see nothing different whatever all the time. I cant really understand the fuss. But this fellow was incedible I just loved his skin he was just so black I probably would have wanted to touch him myself, I dont know where he was from but to me his colour was amazing.

mbaker230Threads: - Posts: 10 Joined: Feb 5, 08	Feb 9, 08, 21:01 / #
My boyfriend and I are planning to travel to Poland sometime in the near future, and I was just wondering how we would be accepted. We were even thinking of maybe moving there for a year or so after we finish our degrees. He is 100% Polish and I am Black (but mixed). We were both born in the US and would just like to visit where his parents lived and where they finally met, Wrocław. We get stared at here in Chicago by everybody (except Polish people) because we're an interracial couple. Polish people here don't seem to care and find it kind of cool that I'm trying to learn the language. But how is it in Poland? Will I be able to fit in?

newhere2Threads: - Posts: 10 Joined: Feb 10, 08	Feb 10, 08, 01:52 / #
mbaker230 wrote: My boyfriend and I are planning to travel to Poland sometime in the near future, and I was just wondering how we would be accepted. We were even thinking of maybe moving there for a year or so after we finish our degrees. He is 100% Polish and I am Black (but mixed). We were both born in the US and would just like to visit where his parents lived and where they finally met, Wrocław. We get stared at here in Chicago by everybody (except Polish people) because we're an interracial couple. Polish people here don't seem to care and find it kind of cool that I'm trying to learn the language. But how is it in Poland? Will I be able to fit in? I am a black male married to a Polish national for 2 years now. I've been to Poland 3 times and what an experience! I love the country but the stares is a little off putting. Children were running down the street waving at me. When we went to clubs when I got up to use the restroom people would follow me in there and stand around. I hated it the first time I went now I am used to it and the staring doesn't bother me so much anymore. I usually visit the Poznan area, wife if from Wagrowiec, I think about 40 miles away. We are going back in May this year.

mbaker230Threads: - Posts: 10 Joined: Feb 5, 08	Feb 16, 08, 22:41 / #
newhere2 wrote: I am a black male married to a Polish national for 2 years now. I've been to Poland 3 times and what an experience! I love the country but the stares is a little off putting. Children were running down the street waving at me. When we went to clubs when I got up to use the restroom people would follow me in there and stand around. I hated it the first time I went now I am used to it and the staring doesn't bother me so much anymore. I usually visit the Poznan area, wife if from Wagrowiec, I think about 40 miles away. We are going back in May this year. Thanks for the info. I hope you have a safe trip and enjoy yourself.

RediThreads: - Posts: 1 Joined: Mar 19, 08	Mar 20, 08, 23:01 / #
Hello NIce People of poland.. My name is REdigul...i`m from Pakistan and i want to go to visit poland. i need some informtion about vsisit visa ?? And who can helpe me i want to come to poland just for three Munths Thank you

tehbThreads: - Posts: 13 Joined: Mar 21, 08	Mar 21, 08, 16:13 / #
@ Redi you wrote in the other thread: "Hello Sir, I`m from Afghanistan. my age is 23yrs..I want to work with you please give me chance to work Hardly and Honistly . Thank you" cant decide what country are you from, my friend?

DaveyThreads: 17 Posts: 436 Joined: Jun 29, 07	Mar 21, 08, 16:21 / #
Kontractor wrote: was kinda suprised at first to see so many people staring at me and the lack of non-polish people. Are you joking? I went in '07 too and there were tourists everywheree

ganymede	May 15, 09, 16:45 / #
Iid like to add my pennies worth I'm from the UK where we have a large Polish/Central European population and my my findings the women all over black men which is a good thing (I'm Black) and i have never had any issues with Polish people over here but it maybe like the Italian people, in that the best ones are the ones that travel to other countries. Personally i find central European woman very appealing far more than Western. I'm off to Krakow on a stag weekend next month and I have to say i am a little nervous as I really do not want to punch anyone's lights out. If i survive the carnage i'll repost

osiolThreads: 59 Posts: 4,714 Joined: Jul 25, 07	May 15, 09, 19:22 / #
There was at least one Mr. Ofoegbu in Łódź in late 1964. I know because I have his old Polish book. That's a Nigerian surname, by the way.

Muka	Jul 6, 09, 10:44 / #
Hi All, I've being going through this forum trying to read what ppl wrote back from their trips, there's been a rise in neo-nazi eastern europe and especially Russia. I just finished watching a ross kemp episode on gangs in both russia and poland. I'll be in wroclaw for a conference soon, but i thought i might travel around to warsaw and krakow by train before the conference. I am now seriously considering to change my booking........ and as you might have guessed i'm black......... What's the ppl thoughts on this?!?!?!? much appericated...

bobasz	Jul 9, 09, 10:48 / #
first of all poland is central europe not eastern, big difrence, i live in wroclaw, and i see black ppl almost every day, (since poland entered the EU, there is a lot imigration from africa to that country,) and i never saw any racism, i even saw once a group of football hooligans, who looked like nazi skinheads, hangin out with interacial couple, so i wouldn't worry much, but also i heard, that there is a lot of racism in eastern regions of pl,so i wouldn't go there if i were you(there isn't lot to see in there anyway). Also i don't know if u male or female, if u are a girl there is a very small chance that you be bothered by anyone in any way.Enjoy your trip

sobieskiThreads: 80 Posts: 1,121 Joined: Jun 1, 08	Jul 11, 09, 07:35 / #
Redi: Hello NIce People of poland.. My name is REdigul...i`m from Pakistan and i want to go to visit poland. i need some informtion about vsisit visa ?? And who can helpe me i want to come to poland just for three Munths Thank you Next thing we will see that he is from Nigeria and several million pounds which he wants to transfer, he will only need our bank details :)