Why are Poles always so miserable? Why do they never smile?

Where the heck did that come from? What an unsubstantiated statement to make. Does it mean that nobody is happy after 5 p.m? :) lol. Americans still have plenty to smile and laugh about, no matter what anybody outside of the borders think.

A simple smile does wonders, it makes you more approachable, open, friendly and yes, prettier (forget the wrinkles). You can accomplish so much more over the phone or in person, when you take care of issues with a smile.

I know quite a lot of Polish living in Southampton. I have to say a good 80-90% of them are not miserable. They are fun, lively and unlike most of the meatheads in the area, are not aggressive when drunk.

Mind you there is one of the doorman at one of my local pubs, you try to be friendly to him and say hello or goodnight to him (in Polish) he just scowls at you, gets aggressive and accuses you of taking the ****.

you guys are weird thinking about whole nation they are miserable lol. it's so stupid haha

Isn't it just what I said. The smile, in a society, serves some purpose and is not an expression of inner happiness I would say is fake and dishonest (or at least defeats its original purpose). For that very reason wearing a smile is required by some employers (I have heard that in America managers insist that service people smile) as it allows them to "accomplish so much more over the phone or in person, when you take care of issues with a smile". I had an unpleasant experience myself when using my much less than perfect English was using banter with the fellow who was smiling and not giving any signal that he was feeling being offended, at the end he exploded telling me that I was rude. Would he stop smiling I will get a signal and for sure will not be pushing farther.

Is that the McDonalds smile Eurola, u know, the one when they know the customer is leaving in a minute or two? Just curious.

I'll never get this "miserable" thing. It's an unnatural thing to walk about with a big grin on your face so therefore most people will not be smiling when you see them, particularly if they are alone.

Wouldnt say Polish people were miserable, they are just serious. Besides as PolskaDoll said, why would you be walking around smiling when youre by yourself? Youd look like a nutter! British people force their smiles often, i know quite a few of them and its hillarious when their smile disappears from their faces almost as soon as it appeared, its so fake! You can see their lips form a smile and then in a matter of seconds they look all miserable again. It is true that a regular shop assistant in Poland will not smile at you, some of them dont even look at you. They must hate their jobs. Costumer service is much more friendly and relaxed, an probably more helpful in UK, than it is in Poland. Hate the ladies in the counters at the train or bus stations, they are right grumpy cows! Some shop assisntants will smile if youre in a perfume or jewlery shop and youre about to spend a lot of money ha ha... In general, people in Poland tend to look serious and maybe arent as chirpy as the British folk. But then you should realise that they might have more worries than people in UK.

i noticed when i was in poland u dont see many people smiling. i also seen that most guys dont hold girls hands. but people in the streets on england i also notice dont smile.

This made me laugh because I'm picturing someone leaving their house with a big smile on their face the entire time. Who does that?

I find people in Poland to be happy and laid back (sometimes a little too laid back).

I do admit that my grandmother will never smile in a picture. She wants people to think she's a serious woman, lol

because Pole's are just that poles.. they stand there, not doing anything at all
and wouldnt you be not smiling if someone attached a electric wiring to you and
you had to stand in the rain ,sleet, snow, weather all year around and hold up
wire all day??

Little humor there for ya.. cheesy I know. lol

if they said, why are Polish folks ( some) why do they never smile.. then .. my
answer would be.. probably cause they have alot on their minds and alot of
memories that just wont go away..

but if you see one not smiling, maybe offer up a smile and concern and ya might
be surprised at the results.. especially if ya smile back.

Well, I dont know who to believe.

If I come to Poland , the whole country will be smiling and then my work shall be complete.

believe me believe me lol
:P
:P
:P
:P
:D

no believe me! do i look like i'd lie to you?? ha ha

If you are waiting in a bank in Belgium, I guess you'll change your opinion. I had lived in Poland about two years, and was satisfied with the bank clearks, but now in Belgium, it really make me crazy , they are so so so ....slow!!!

In the US they do it fast so you don't get a chance to get friendly with the teller and you can get out and spend it faster.

I both agree and disagree about Pole's not smiling.

I know when I go to the Polish Markets the workers look so serious, like they are not having any fun. I have also been warned that in Poland to smile means you are happy about something, you must be rich, how come you are not helping me.

However, mY girlfriend and her friends smile often. When they smile it is with everything they have from head to toe. Maybe that smile is saved for special people.

People in cold countries smile less as the wind makes your teeth hurt. I'm only semi-joking.

Smiling is the best medicine and I think all poles who are on polish forum should have a national smile promotion day and go out and make people happy. Is there much charity work in poland as in the US. I do charity events once a month.

Whats Polish for 'Turn that frown upside-down!'