Birthdays/Namedays ?

Can someone clear something up for me with this?

A while ago I was told that Polish do not have birthdays but do celebrate 'name-days', but Im not sure if I was being wound up or not..........

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Im lost.............

If this is indeed true can you elaborate a little?

Celebrate both.

Anymore to tell?

I know what a birthday is :) but whats a nameday?

Maybe when a name wasnt decieded on birth but later was?

Sorry if this seems ignorant..........

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namesdays#Poland

It's usually the saint's day for the saint you were named after, or a day nominated for your particular name. To make it easier (and to spread the parties throughout the year), many saints have more than one day in the year, so for example, if your name is Paul (Pawel) you can chose a day to celebrate from: 10, 15, 19 or 25 Jan, 1, 5, 6 or 8 Feb, 2 or 7 March, 16 or 28 April, 15 May, 1, 7, 26, 28 or 29 June, 20, 25 or 30 July, 20 August, 3 or 19 October or 8, 16 or 19 November. I think that your parents chose which day is 'your' namesday (the nearest one to your birthday??) but I don't know if you can change it later on yourself. Also, my Mum gets really upset if we forget her namesday (29 July) but doesn't care if we forget her birthday, whereas for my brother and I it's the other way round.

Namedays are great invention because you don't have to disclose your age ! he he he

i dont think its fair... you guys get presents twice a year. I want to create my own name day.