Non-verbal communication of Polish people?

I'm doing a project in school about Poland and how people communicate non verbally

I just want to get an overall persceptive on what people have to say about
non-verbal behaviours and communication practices in Poland including
eye contact, posture, gesture, facial expression, distance, voice, touch time, clothing, gender restrictions/rules (if any), acceptable greetings, and formality in the use of names

I recently went to a Polish Deli and I gently tapped a female worker on the shoulder to ask her a question and she looked at me like I had hit her. I got the impression physical contact is not common among Polish people like in other cultures.

When I got in line, a different woman angrily pushed her way in front of me because she had been in the store longer than me. Maybe that's a custom?

I've also noticed that Polish men do not openly flirt with women when there are other people around. But when you get away from people, they change dramatically and become more flirtatious than men of other races.

Shelwolf,

good observation.

When I got in line, a different woman angrily pushed her way in front of me because she had been in the store longer than me. Maybe that's a custom?

It happens sometimes I think these are still remains from our "push and queue culture" in previous years.But really not everyone does it.


I've also noticed that Polish men do not openly flirt with women when there are other people around. But when you get away from people, they change dramatically and become more flirtatious than men of other races.

True, I sometimes think that in our culture men often like to be perceived as strong "macho"....maybe they are little shy and embarassed to be so flirtatious with
their mates around.

I recently went to a Polish Deli and I gently tapped a female worker on the shoulder to ask her a question and she looked at me like I had hit her. I got the impression physical contact is not common among Polish people like in other cultures.

I think that in private, family relation we don't differ much from other antions. In public....we are probbaly more reserved.....

giggle,

When people pass in the street, see a friend on the other side of the office etc.

They nod their head. It's an acknowledgement that they have seen you.

Women as well as men will do this.

Funny thing I notice these days in England.

You can recognize a Polish immigrant just by the way they walk, their gait, their heavy shouldered, monkey-like lurch... and general lack of self-confidence and bland, vacant gaze.

Poles who were born in the UK or who've been here a long time seem to walk differently and are more comfortable with their bodies, and sometimes even smile in public! It would be interesting to see how long it takes for this transition to take place.

Any Bronislaw Malinowskis out there who would care to explain?

I have notice funny things about England. Bad teeth, english breakfast and awful beer.

Steady on, that's fighting talk. There are some very good English beers although I am forced to admit that the generally available lager type stuff is pretty awful.

Oh god yea, Ive been to shops in Poland and it is the elderly are the worst at shoving and HITTING! whats with that!! - excuse me works MIRACLES!

The younger shop assistants LOVE the fact I am struggling with Polish and are very helpful and charming I must say! even the blokes were friendly!

In Ireland - it is not uncommon to say 'hello', 'how are ya' when you pass a stranger on the street. In poland, old habits die hard, i shocked some old fella when i did this and made some other girl smile

My girlfriend tells me it is just not done and that is why - i ask why, she just says, because.

it really doesnt answer the question

Could be a hangover from when they had to queue for the basics of life in the bad old Communist days. After a while you get used to it and start to actively participate. When I had to queue to pay my telephone bill I got really adept at the local customs. As an ex blind side flanker I found the old skills were really useful.

Wro, this must be common only in wroclaw because this is a very popular custom in ireland, often also accompanied by people raising their eyebrows at you..... yet I've explained it to Polish people from all areas of Poland from Zakopane to Gdansk.

People get used to it, but at first they misunderstand and think they have been snubbed.