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Questions about Poland (traffic / fines, school year, talking about past, minimum wage)


posts: 21

Rain33Threads: 15
Posts: 24
Joined: Jul 5, 11 ♀ 		 Jul 6, 11, 05:26    #1
Ok, I have a number of questions for Polish tourists and natives alike:

1.) Is it illegal in Poland to make a right turn at a red light? In other words, could you get a fine for turning right at a red light, even if no one is coming?

2.) How expensive are the fines if you do get a ticket for speeding?

3.) How many days of the week do Polish children go to school? In America, the children go to school only five days--Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday--and are off on the weekends. Do Polish children go to school on weekends as well?

4.) Do Polish people talk a lot about the past? Do they frequently talk about World War II, Jozef Piłsudski, the insurrections, life under Bolesław Bierut, Władysław Gomułka, Edward Gierek, Stanisław Kania, Wojciech Jaruzelski, Lech Wałęsa? Would they mind if a foreigner asked them about said historical topics?

5.) What is the minimum wage in Poland?
urszulaThreads: 2
Posts: 362
Joined: Aug 31, 07 ♀ 		 Jul 6, 11, 05:37    #2
Rain33:
3.) How many days of the week do Polish children go to school? In America, the children go to school only five days--Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday--and are off on the weekends. Do Polish children go to school on weekends as well?

They used to go to school on Saturdays and required to learn Russian, but that was before marshall law. Now they go 5 days a week.
Rain33:
4.) Do Polish people talk a lot about the past? Do they frequently talk about World War II, Jozef Piłsudski, the insurrections, life under Bolesław Bierut, Władysław Gomułka, Edward Gierek, Stanisław Kania, Wojciech Jaruzelski, Lech Wałęsa? Would they mind if a foreigner asked them about said historical topics?

The Poles I met like to talk about politics, leaders and what's wrong with Poland. And these seam to be their favorite topics. But this also depends on how old are the Poles you speak with. Younger generation could care less about this.
OlafThreads: 8
Posts: 1,369
Joined: Oct 29, 09  Pictures: 1 ♂ 		 Jul 6, 11, 10:36    #3
1. You can turn right at red light but only if there is a green arrow light on. You have to stop first and then move (that I'm not 100% sure).
2. A lot depends on how much you exceeded the limit.
3. Monday to Friday, always.
4. I don't think they'd mind. If they know somethin about it (keeping in mind the age of your interlocutor) they would probably start their stories.
5. 1386 PLN and will grow to 1408 PLN probably this year.
SzwedwPolsceThreads: 13
Posts: 1,915
Joined: Feb 21, 09 ♂ 		Edited by: SzwedwPolsce  Jul 6, 11, 11:36    #4
Olaf:
1. You can turn right at red light but only if there is a green arrow light on.

Yes. If there is no green arrow to the right, you are never allowed to pass red light.

Olaf:
You have to stop first and then move (that I'm not 100% sure).

No.
alexw68  Jul 6, 11, 11:37    #5
Olaf:
1. You can turn right at red light but only if there is a green arrow light on. You have to stop first and then move (that I'm not 100% sure).

That's right. Here in Poznan it's a 100 zł fine on the spot (so says the sign below every traffic light). Not sure about other jurisdictions.
OlafThreads: 8
Posts: 1,369
Joined: Oct 29, 09  Pictures: 1 ♂ 		 Jul 6, 11, 11:46    #6
SzwedwPolsce:
You have to stop first and then move (that I'm not 100% sure).

No.

Yes.
Translate this:
http://www.nowosci.com.pl/look/nowosci/article.tpl?IdLanguage=17&IdPub lication=6&NrIssue=1122&NrSection=1&NrArticle=74472&IdTag=38
alexw68:
Not sure about other jurisdictions.

Right. It's all over Poland like that - meaning you have to stop first.
alexw68  Jul 6, 11, 11:48    #7
Olaf:
Right. It's all over Poland like that - meaning you have to stop first.

Yeah, I meant the fine. Wouldn't be surprised if Warsaw charged double!
SzwedwPolsceThreads: 13
Posts: 1,915
Joined: Feb 21, 09 ♂ 		 Jul 6, 11, 12:15    #8
Olaf:
It's all over Poland like that - meaning you have to stop first.

Ok. I have never seen anyone do that in the city where I live.
However, I live in the "crazy east" of Poland. ;)
alexw68  Jul 6, 11, 12:16    #9
SzwedwPolsce:
Ok. I have never seen anyone do that in the city where I live.

Me too - law or no law. Haven't seen too many people slow down at an amber light, either :)
OlafThreads: 8
Posts: 1,369
Joined: Oct 29, 09  Pictures: 1 ♂ 		 Jul 6, 11, 12:33    #10
That's because it used to be without stopping - it's in the article. Also people are not driving keeping rigidly to this;)
vndunneThreads: 72
Posts: 340
Joined: Jan 12, 07 ♂ 		 Jul 6, 11, 13:25    #11
Just on this subject, at zebra crossings with no traffic lights, who has right of way - Pedestrian or car? I know normally it is battle of wills.
isthatu2Threads: 13
Posts: 5,225
Joined: Apr 3, 08 ♂ 		 Jul 6, 11, 13:30    #12
vndunne:
Just on this subject, at zebra crossings with no traffic lights, who has right of way - Pedestrian or car? I know normally it is battle of wills.

Put it this way,who would win in a fight between a car and a person? ;) I was told quite confidently by a local in Warsaw that you have to step into the road before cars are obliged to stop.............................hhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmm......good luck there.
WroclawThreads: 77
Posts: 7,404
Joined: Apr 1, 06  Pictures: 3 ♂ [Moderator] 		 Jul 6, 11, 15:08    #13
Rain33:
Do Polish children go to school on weekends as well?


sometimes saturday, if there is a holiday in the middle of the week. they make up extra days off school by going on a given saturday.

holiday on thursday would mean going to school the previous saturday (to replace friday) and then getting a long weekend off. thursday to monday.
OlafThreads: 8
Posts: 1,369
Joined: Oct 29, 09  Pictures: 1 ♂ 		Edited by: Olaf  Jul 6, 11, 15:28    #14
vndunne:
Pedestrian or car?

If there is green light for the pedestrian at the same time - then of course the pedestrian has the right to go.

;) If not, and there's green arrow light and still a pedestrian runs through the crossing on red light - then you are allowed to drive over him/her. It is not frowned upon, it is even appreciated. If the police sees you doing that, you get +10 skill points to your driving license stats and a special sticker to put on your car.
dtaylor5632Threads: 49
Posts: 4,459
Joined: May 2, 09  Pictures: 3 ♂ 		Edited by: dtaylor5632  Jul 6, 11, 15:46    #15
Olaf:
It is not frowned upon, it is even appreciated. If the police sees you doing that, you get +10 skill points to your driving license stats and a special sticker to put on your car.

You have been living in Krk for far too long! XD
I would further this and say if it is a homeless old person, getting out the car after running him down and shouting abuse at him( as well as giving him a few kicks) is also promoted by the police;)
JonnyMThreads: 16
Posts: 4,487
Joined: Mar 9, 11 ♂ 		 Jul 6, 11, 15:52    #16
dtaylor5632:
I would further this and say if it is a homeless old person, getting out the car after running him down and shouting abuse at him( as well as giving him a few kicks) is also promoted by the police;)

I saw something like this a few days ago in Warsaw. Except the police breathalysed the (sober) driver immediately and didn't breathalyse the (drunk) tramp who was hit probably because they were waiting for his alcohol levels to decrease to make an easier case for the prosecutor.
dtaylor5632Threads: 49
Posts: 4,459
Joined: May 2, 09  Pictures: 3 ♂ 		 Jul 6, 11, 15:56    #17
JonnyM:
I saw something like this a few days ago in Warsaw. Except the police breathalysed the (sober) driver immediately and didn't breathalyse the (drunk) tramp who was hit probably because they were waiting for his alcohol levels to decrease to make an easier case for the prosecutor.

I hope they locked up this drunk tramp?
My example is a true story from Al.Pokoju, Krk. Also saw a girl who was hit and killed too. I mind my students asking me why I was covered in blood.
vndunneThreads: 72
Posts: 340
Joined: Jan 12, 07 ♂ 		 Jul 6, 11, 15:57    #18
isthatu2:
good luck there.


Yeah..that is my thinking as well...:-0
pawianThreads: 90
Posts: 5,395
Joined: May 30, 08  Pictures: 2 ♂ 		 Jul 6, 11, 17:02    #19
Rain33:
4.) Do Polish people talk a lot about the past? Do they frequently talk about World War II, Jozef Piłsudski, the insurrections, life under Bolesław Bierut, Władysław Gomułka, Edward Gierek, Stanisław Kania, Wojciech Jaruzelski, Lech Wałęsa? Would they mind if a foreigner asked them about said historical topics?


Constantly. Most of Polish discussion refer to the past, seldom present or future.
Canada  Aug 23, 11, 00:50    #20
Can a polish driver go to the police and get a copy of all violations they have had over the years? BK
delphiandomineThreads: 42
Posts: 9,954
Joined: Nov 25, 08 ♂ [Suspended] 		 Aug 23, 11, 00:56    #21
Can a polish driver go to the police and get a copy of all violations they have had over the years? BK


Yep. Any police station can do it - though - it might not cover old violations, just current ones for which points are currently deducted.


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