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Do you think that Polish people are rude?


krysia 23 | 3,058
30 Jan 2007 #31
They just had on the news that Violetta Villas a famous polish singer was taken to a mental hospital under observation, and the people in her town only complained about her that she had over 100 dogs and didn't do anything to promote their town.

Who says she has to??? Why do some people always complain about something and have to tell others what to do?
ak_nelson - | 22
30 Jan 2007 #32
It would be nice to know how it works in all other languages and cultures. Anybody?

In Danish, there isn't even have a word for "please". It's just a matter of how you ask.

Politeness just takes different forms here... not putting the divider down for the person behind you at the cashier is really rude; whereas cutting someone off to board a train or bus is not a big deal as long as you don't push them. We simply don't queue, only when it's enforced by a ticketing system. We do say thank you an awful lot though. And if you lose your bus card or wallet you might actually get it back in the post.

There isn't a lot of 'superficial' friendliness here either. If people are friendly and nice to you, it's sincere. When I first moved here from they states, it felt like people were cold, but now it just seems genuine; and now when I go to the states I feel almost creeped out by cashiers calling me "honey" or "sweetie" and annoyed at having to answer so many questions from strangers. It's very interesting to see the other side of the coin.

Personally, I've found Poles to be polite in general. But they also usually laugh when I say that. So, I'm not sure what to think. :( Older people seem to be extremely polite!
ROZ 2 | 93
30 Jan 2007 #33
Rude? F- you.. Kiss my arse!

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:)
anielka 2 | 84
31 Jan 2007 #34
Rude? F- you.. Kiss my arse!

Charming, a well thought out response- on the author has mulled on for some time.

Older people seem to be extremely polite!

Again, the way to address stranger's is in Polish in the third person- to Anglo-Saxon's this seems excessively polite but if this is the way one has been taught it is normal- it would be rude if one says "you" if one does not have their permission, especially to the older generation.
ROZ 2 | 93
1 Feb 2007 #35
on the author has mulled on for some time

One might think that this is indeed possible.

Again, the way to address stranger's is in Polish in the third person- to Anglo-Saxon's this seems excessively polite but if this is the way one has been taught it is normal- it would be rude if one says "you" if one does not have their permission, especially to the older generation.

An apostrophe either displays possession or is used when omitting words such as not, will, or is. One only needs to add the letter "s" to the words stranger and Saxon in order to make them(the words stranger and Saxon) plural.

Example: The knife was Nicole's. The knife didn't belong to OJ Simpson.

The example of apostrophe use in the first short sentence clearly shows possession stating that the knife belongs to Nicole. In the second sentence the apostrophe is used to combine the two words did and not. That being said, the knife did nnt belong to OJ. Apparently the glove didn't either :)
anielka 2 | 84
1 Feb 2007 #36
The example of apostrophe use in the first short sentence clearly shows possession

Silly me, I put the apostrophe in the wrong place- apologies- to correct this I rewrite:
Anglo-Saxons' and strangers'.
Now, please explain your well thought out, deep and meaningful bunch of swear words to me.
truebrit 3 | 196
1 Feb 2007 #37
I really don't like it "are you all right".....What is the point of it? This person doesn't know me personally and is not interested if I am "all right" or not.

This is just a normal part of British culture/English language.In traditional times when a 'gentleman' met someone he might say "How do you do?" (How are you doing?).The modern more informal version is "You alright?" (Are you alright/ok?).This is just considered a more friendly way of saying "Hello".People usually respond by saying "I am very well/fine thanks/not bad" etc. I really don't see what the problem is!

It is different to the American automatic "Have a nice day" etc.
I think perhaps the Polish language/culture is more formal and less fluid than Britain.Try and enjoy the better differences.
Matyjasz 2 | 1,544
1 Feb 2007 #38
Personally, I've found Poles to be polite in general. But they also usually laugh when I say that. So, I'm not sure what to think. Older people seem to be extremely polite!

Because Poles are masters at self-criticism. :)

Again, the way to address stranger's is in Polish in the third person- to Anglo-Saxon's this seems excessively polite but if this is the way one has been taught it is normal- it would be rude if one says "you" if one does not have their permission, especially to the older generation.

Third person? Do you mean addressing people per Pan/Pani(Mister/Madam)?
anielka 2 | 84
1 Feb 2007 #39
Third person? Do you mean addressing people per Pan/Pani(Mister/Madam)?

Yes- although I'm not sure this is the correct way to express it in English.
feral belcher
1 Feb 2007 #40
Personally, I've found Poles to be polite in general.

Except in Polish delicatessen stores. :) :)
Eurola 4 | 1,902
1 Feb 2007 #41
I spent well over a half of my life in the US. I love the distance between people when standing in line to buy, let's say a movie ticket or a popcorn. The slightest, untended touch of bodies causes immediate acknowledgment - "I'm sorry".

To avoid touching a person when passing in a tight place there is always "Excuse me" - just in case. "Thank you" and "You're welcome" are as common as bread and water.

Too much politeness is never wrong.
I traveled on the train in Poland on my last visit. I was almost knocked down by this woman passing by quickly and there was not a word of apology... like I didn't exist.

I still could not see the welcoming smile of a person behind a counter. Often, it was almost like 'take it or leave it".

I'm sure there are stores who may operate more friendly, but there seem not enough of them yet.
krysia 23 | 3,058
1 Feb 2007 #42
I agree. People in Poland like to push. One bus doesn't show up, so everyone pushes to get on the next one.
svengoolie 1 | 112
1 Feb 2007 #43
I hate to be the guy that drives the beer truck
krysia 23 | 3,058
1 Feb 2007 #44
Hey buddy!! you can help licking up the spill once they turn it over.
svengoolie 1 | 112
1 Feb 2007 #45
what if Im the one that knocked it over!!!!
krysia 23 | 3,058
1 Feb 2007 #46
You and what army?
ak_nelson - | 22
1 Feb 2007 #48
The slightest, untended touch of bodies causes immediate acknowledgment - "I'm sorry".
To avoid touching a person when passing in a tight place there is always "Excuse me" - just in case.

But, what's so bad about touching people? (Not including pushing and shoving, obviously.) I grew up there and don't get it. Seems like people are afraid of getting sued, molested, infected, beat up, or some crazy ****. I think it would be so much nicer if people could trust each other's intentions more.

We could use a few more "excuse me"s here in Denmark. However In England it feels like people are constantly saying "i'm sorry", for everything. In Poland, I found the balance to be just about right.
feral belcher
1 Feb 2007 #49
But, what's so bad about touching people?

It's like invading their privacy.
King Sobieski 2 | 714
1 Feb 2007 #50
I traveled on the train in Poland on my last visit. I was almost knocked down by this woman passing by quickly and there was not a word of apology... like I didn't exist.

It is not just Poland, this happens everywhere, especially bigger cities.

It's like invading their privacy.

i agree, there is a personal space that shouldn't be invaded.
OP iwona 12 | 542
2 Feb 2007 #51
This is just a normal part of British culture/English language.In traditional times when a 'gentleman' met someone he might say "How do you do?" (How are you doing?).The modern more informal version is "You alright?" (Are you alright/ok?).This is just considered a more friendly way of saying "Hello".People usually respond by saying "I am very well/fine thanks/not bad" etc. I really don't see what the problem is!

It is different to the American automatic "Have a nice day" etc.
I think perhaps the Polish language/culture is more formal and less fluid than Britain.Try and enjoy the better differences.


I quite like "How do you do".....I remember learning it at school ...but noone uses it now.bit old-fashioned.

You alright?" (Are you alright/ok?).This is just considered a more friendly way of saying "Hello

I personally prefer Hello, Good morning....
ROZ 2 | 93
3 Feb 2007 #52
Silly me, I put the apostrophe in the wrong place- apologies- to correct this I rewrite:
Anglo-Saxons' and strangers'.

Silly old goose, you don't need an apostrophe :)

The words you used and how you were trying to use them was in a plural(more than one) tense.

To pluralize words that do not end in "s", one only needs to add an "s". Example: Jerk is a singular word meaning there is only 1 jerk here. Adding the "s" making the word jerks means that there are more than one jerk here :)

To pluralize words that end with an "s", one only needs to add an "es" to the end. Example: Glass is a singular word. Glasses is the plural tense of the word meaning you have more than one glass.

Now, please explain your well thought out, deep and meaningful bunch of swear words to me.

Actually, they were meaningless words used in attempt to be humorous :) Besides you can't even get apostrophe use correct :)

All kidding aside, you write well for not being a native English speaker. Apostrophes and commas are the most abused punctuation in writing English :)

Third person? Do you mean addressing people per Pan/Pani(Mister/Madam)?

I believe this is considered the "second person" in English.
OP iwona 12 | 542
4 Feb 2007 #53
Is it third person all fashion way of calling servants?
Patrycja19 62 | 2,688
4 Feb 2007 #54
I think everyone is capable of rude, if your not feeling yourself, intentionally we all
can be rude and not mean to be. Rude is a mood. and all people have this mood

so, just dont ram your buggys into anyone and you will be fine :) lol
anielka 2 | 84
4 Feb 2007 #55
Is it third person all fashion way of calling servants?

I don't know- Roz has kindly pointed out to me it is considered in the second person in English when addressing strangers in Polish.
King Sobieski 2 | 714
4 Feb 2007 #56
Grammatical person in English
English distinguishes three grammatical persons:
The personal pronouns I and we are said to be in the first person. The speaker uses this in the singular to refer to himself or herself; in the plural, to speak of a group of people including the speaker.

The personal pronoun you is in the second person. It refers to the addressee. You is used in both the singular and plural; thou is the archaic second-person singular pronoun.

All other pronouns and all nouns are in the third person. Any person place or thing other than the speaker and the addressed is referred to in the third person.
ROZ 2 | 93
4 Feb 2007 #57
Well I stand corrected. For some reason I thought nouns were included in second person....

I guess I should have checked Wikipedia first :)
anielka 2 | 84
5 Feb 2007 #58
Is it third person all fashion way of calling servants?

I have never heard of the third person being used to address servants- it sounds derogatory towards the servants-I doubt Poles would say this- simply as it is not polite.

All other pronouns and all nouns are in the third person. Any person place or thing other than the speaker and the addressed is referred to in the third person.

Thank-You King Sobieski for verifying what I assumed was correct.
kaka 1 | 142
5 Feb 2007 #59
some polish people are rude some not... if you stand in a huge line you probably will get the impresion that polish people are rude... as the lines make ppl more agresive.. I know it form my own experience... meybe it is because that in the past during comunism there was nothing exept of huge lines :) :) :)

but at other hand you will go to bakery and women who sells over there will be so kind and recommend what is good and what not, and even she will tell you not to take one cake cuz she thinks it's not fresh enough.. everything depends on ppl. but when you start to speak to smb politly you will get the same. :)
OP iwona 12 | 542
5 Feb 2007 #60
I have never heard of the third person being used to address servants- it sounds derogatory towards the servants-I doubt Poles would say this- simply as it is not polite.

It is not now,I tought about 100 years ago.
I am sure it was used .

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