Germans and Poles – Fiction or Myth?

Germans and Poles – Fiction or Myth?

As a German I am very well aware that fellow Europeans – especially those, whose countries suffered at German hands – resent us for what our grandparents have done or haven’t done, and I can understand that to a certain degree, really: What a suspicious people whose grandpas cold-bloodedly committed genocide on a grand industrial scale, no matter how pacifist, liberal and urbane their offspring appear to be these days. But the Germanophobic attitude of the Polish media, the Polish elite (e.g. those twins!) and last but not least of some of the people here in this forum seem to proof that this venomous relationship is a helpless case. The German attitude towards Poland on the other hand is – especially in West Germany – predominantly based on indifference and a complete lack of interest (ask 5 Germans about Erika Steinbach and the Prussian Trust’s territorial claims, and 4 people have no idea what you’re talking about and the one who does, doesn’t give a ****).

BUT having said that, my personal experience is quite the opposite: Whenever I meet Poles (in Hamburg there is a huge Polish diaspora) they are anything but hostile. At work, as clients, at cocktail parties, in clubs, at birthdays, at academic symposia etc. – it is always rewarding to encounter Poles. They are very open-minded, easy-going and tolerant, have a great sense of humour and are fun to hang out with. Some are very sophisticated, some aren’t, but they almost always show an interest in what you do and as colleagues they are diligent and fair. Poles are my favourite group of immigrants, we really benefit from them, don’t we? And even as a tourist in Poland I was always treated with respect and no one despised me when I revealed my Teuton provenance.

Now – Am I wrong? What about the alleged mutual animosities?

personally i think we should have gone past the point of blaming each each other for what happened 60 odd years ago.

On my last visit to warsaw a month ago i only met friendly people, had a great time in clubs and bars and noone seemed to have an issue with where I was from. I have also been to Poznan on numerous occasions and again was always welcomed.

I dont think it matters where someone is from. Its about opening up to other nationalities, cultures and languages. Someone asked me something at Warsaw Airport. Instead of telling him in a longwinded conversation that i dont speak polish a simple Nie rozumiem Polski (i hope that was right) did the job and he walked off smiling. It is about the effort to fit in.

Now having said that sometimes I can be very lazy too and can't be arsed making the effort. I guess we all have those moments every now and then

Ha ha ha ha haha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaa. And my favorite group of immigrants is lets hang on a minute....................... yes for the month of 03/2008 the award goes to hkisdufiouwrjkwe4nrwemknckxuyc.

Thanks for joining us folks and remember if its not German its not real. AUF WIEDERSEHEN.

Ciaou

Some bruises and injures take a long time to heal, but i think that most of today's Poles (in particular, the youth) aren't hostile to Germans anymore. Of course, you will always find people hating Germans and every nations that invaded and wanted to rule over Poland by force.

I don't know why but when you say "Polish elite" and then say "the Twins", it makes me laugh... ;) Maybe because "elite" sounds to me like smart people... Hehe ;)

what an interesting comment. you're obviously the blockwart around here, aren't you?

zankel - speaking as an American who's traveled abroad, please don't ever believe or trust the media or many politicians. They will dredge up the past, twist the present, cite negative facts only and ignore positive, reignite old prejuidices, or do anything to sell newspapers or drive popular opinion. "The boogieman effect".
As an American who's traveled extensively in Europe I can honestly say that at the moment we (Americans) seem to be the biggest "boogieman", trust me on that one!

I have many Polish friends and I am of Polish descent myself, no Pole that I know hates Germans. Matter of fact, Poles seem to be some of the most open-minded folks out there.
Trust faces, and experiences and not the media! :^P

We have survey, How Poles and Germans see Germany ...

Yawn...

Interesting....if I could read it...:(

Ok later I will make translation ...

Zankel,
Poles are usually quite successful in assimilating and integrating themselves in their new countries. There are many poles in my part of canada and all of them speak english and interact with everyone of all different backgrounds - we very quickly become canadian. Assuming that this happens in Germany as well, this is probably why you have a favourable view of Poles in Germany.

But Poles in poland have a limited contact with ze Germans and as a result they continue to have negative views of them. The classic stereotypes of Germans continue to spread. You also have to admit that Germans tend to look down on Poles and give them a hard time, especially the police/border guards. This doesn't help with relations either.
Although i must say, from my many trips to poland, i don't seem to notice any hatred of Germans, rather it's more of a distrust or language barrier that keeps the 2 apart.

Btw, the twins may think they are elite, but to many poles they are nothing more than idiots!

Have you been to Germany? lol that you have your opinion :P about Polish German relationships :P ? I am currious :)

Ok you have been to Poland on hollydays and you know everything :)
I think you have limited contact with Poland.

I had a business in Germany.
It wasn't good to mix.

I have been to Germany several times. I met a lot of German tourists here, Poznan trades a lot with Germany. There is conntact with Germany ...

Ok I think the best idea is to read book of German immigrant who live in Poland



you are going to find a lot of answers there...

I'm not German you dumb azz . I would think a lot don't like
"YOU" here.:)

I am not here to be liked :)

btw It is good you are not German ... :)

I used to frequent another online forum themed around Poland and the anti-Polish sentiment that came from several German posters was sickening at times !

I don't have anything against Germans.

Here is another thing Germany is known for (and not really liked for, at least not by me)



M-G

I have friends from Holland and they don't think so.

We don't hate them. Just find them... uncool... (except Butty of course)



Dutch are more gay than Gerries, so shut up.

Visiting small German towns next to polish border has often been no fun for me. I had experienced everything from openly hostile to mildly disrespecting. They have good bike roads there but better careful who to ask for direction or double think if you really need that drink bottle.
Many East Germans have that ...attitude.
I've been on day trips to Slovakian towns while in polish Tatra and couldn't see any similar tensions there. It's sad but even parking a car on polish plates for too long is problematic in East Germany small towns.
It is better off Poles who would go cross border for few hours but even that has stopped. Quoting my friend: " they (East Germans) can't stand I am not poor and have better car then they " I'm kind of fed up with East Germany myself too.

What part of "at least not by me" didn't you understand?



ah, our gay-basher!

M-G (is not impressed by flaming)

Every German Holiday they flood our bordertowns looking to buy coffee and cigarettes, occupying all the sidewalks so nobody can pass and expecting to talk German to them in your own country without even asking if you speak German first.

M-G

Thats what I was saying.

Ok.

M-G

Ah,der kapo sprachen....G'you odious little boy,when will you learn this is not YOUR forum.The world reads and the world laughs at you though so,please,carry on showing how cultured you are.


Think your maybe forgeting the erm,old days...Older guys I know had plenty of contact with the DDR army if nothing else.
Funny,been stuck on borders,watched the Polish Border Guards treating Poles with contempt and seen the Grenzies on the other side all smiles and polite manners.

Ehm, was this for me?

M-G

nope,der polsche wiess hund........
nah,dont be daft MG,your a pretty cool guy....twas aimed fair and square at the rabid dog not the alter fuherer der moffen like cat :)

hahahaha

The Führer didn't like cats no :) There were some ppl that he didn't like too, I believe :)

M-G