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Do you think that Polish people are rude?


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SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂ 		 Mar 1, 09, 13:57    #301
Which English person?
Mikey4777Threads: 2
Posts: 11
Joined: Jan 28, 09 ♂ 		Edited by: Mikey4777  Mar 1, 09, 14:08    #302
Apologies, the person who signs in as "brit guest"- ok, The quite possibly "british person" who may not be albiet, the tag tends to give it away a bit...There's no need to be insulting, life's difficult enough, however i felt a "thanks" for the intelligent input was in order, Iwona did not deserve that particular response.
SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂ 		 Mar 1, 09, 14:16    #303
I agree, being mannerly is not always so easy for those under stress. As I said, some are rude but many are thoroughly decent people.

Even if you encounter rudeness, you don't need to take it on. I've had some people try to skip the queue but the shopkeeper has ignored them and served me before them as I was first.

At least they don't shove people onto trains, LOL. Check this out, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk2R_mqV4ts. I have respect for some of their mannerly ways but they too are fake and use polite language to mask something more vulgar. My Japanese friends agree with me too.

I hope Yoshi sees this, he will tell you how it is. Ask him about the Yamanote and Denentoshi lines, quite an experience. That's rudeness. That was the only occasion where I had to push somebody there. They usually keep their distance. My weight advantage was much needed.
Mikey4777Threads: 2
Posts: 11
Joined: Jan 28, 09 ♂ 		 Mar 1, 09, 14:16    #304
brit:
You always are so critical of people living in GB. why don't you pack your bags and return to your beloved Poland...Ivona you must walk around with a broom stuck up your backside...I am the best, I am the best, you are SH.T

Seanus i meant this one.
SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂ 		 Mar 1, 09, 16:02    #305
Aha, thanks. I didn't see it. The point is that cultural nuances distort things. I've known many Poles to be grateful and give thanks.

OK, let me put it a different way. When the Japanese conduct business, they look down at the floor and suck in air through their teeth. To us, this is rude but they are just thinking and feeling out the situation. Want more? OK, they slurp (siorbać) noodles in local Yoshinoyas. Very loudly too. To not slurp is not to express appreciation for the food. Also, to leave grains of rice is a sign of disrespect, that you haven't completely enjoyed your meal. They are simply different, not rude. There are many cultural faux-pas.

It is better to live as a grateful host, sometimes it is difficult, but tolerance cures that. There is something about some Poles that they think they are superior in some ways, it is up to us to just let that wash over. Many countries people are like that, Brits very much included.
TrevekThreads: 33
Posts: 2,155
Joined: May 21, 08 ♂ 		 Mar 1, 09, 17:25    #306
Personally I think Poles are very polite for not killing those bastards who walk straight to the front of the queue in the post office and say "Oh, just a quick question" and proceed to get served. That the assistants who stop serving you to serve them are also still alive is a sign of great politeness.
SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂ 		 Mar 1, 09, 17:59    #307
They sometimes serve them but they are changing their tack. It depends on the energy or the caring of the attendant.
JustysiaSThreads: 15
Posts: 2,869
Joined: Oct 14, 07  Pictures: 2  Gold Member MEMBER ♀ 		 Mar 1, 09, 19:21    #308
it's not Polish people being rude - it's the Brits who are too polite lol. i agree with what mikey4777 said on the previous page, if people who don't really know you ask you about things such as how was your weekend or if you're alright it is not because they genuinely want to know or they care. i don't know what it is, it's like a habit to ask those things over here, they ask 'how are you?' with the same sorta enthusiasm they feel when they're sitting in front of a plate of cold soup and are about to eat it... i got used to it and it doesn't really bother me so much but i often skip asking the person how they are in return and they kind of get the message i'm not into small talk. they probably think i'm rude but oh well lol. if someone is being genuinely nice, helpful and smiley i always smile back cos it's just nice being nice, isn't it?! LOL
as for giving tips, i never had a problem with that if i feel the service was fair or more than good. we always leave a tip when we go out for a meal, but not for a taxi driver cos they always rip you off anyway ha ha...
Polish airport staff? a bunch of miserable sods. although they were quite nice to me last time, in general they are rude and cold, especially towards coloured people. Polish customer service has a lot to work on in general, i'm not saying they should ask everyone how they are and always have a fake smile glued to their face, but it would be good if they were actually a bit more helpful and interested in the customer. it's almost as if they are doing you a favour by looking up at you and simply doing their job, like they were having a bad day everyday and decided they will treat everyone like dirt and not care if they're happy with their service. i know a girl who works in a shop selling ladies shoes in Poland and if she's in a bad mood she won't be helpful, in fact she will just sit there and sulk and not sell anything all day. silly cow.
it's probably the language barrier that often gets mistaken with rudeness. plus i don't believe Polish people are used to strangers caring about their wellbeing (unless it's a doctor or sth), so maybe that is where the coldness and creating a distance comes from. Polish people are generally warm and friendly once you get to know them, just not very good at first impressions ;).
polishcanuckThreads: 10
Posts: 583
Joined: Feb 11, 07 ♂ 		 Mar 1, 09, 19:42    #309
Seanus:
They are simply different, not rude.

This is true seanus. I am more familiar with Chinese customs though as they are a large ethnic group in Toronto (and area). I've noticed that they do not like to show any kind of emotion (always have a neutral face). They do not like to "small talk" and, like poles in poland, don't say "hello, how are you" when entering a store/restaurant. I can see how some foreigners could see poles as being rude, for many different=rude.
SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂ 		 Mar 1, 09, 20:08    #310
The Japanese are the same way with regards to face. The Japanese call it 'kao'. It stems from Confucianism, a Chinese philosophy.

I think the reason that Poles have grown not to ask 'jak się masz?', 'jak leci?' or 'jak tam u ciebie?' is that they don't have the half hour needed to listen to the reply ;)
TrevekThreads: 33
Posts: 2,155
Joined: May 21, 08 ♂ 		 Mar 1, 09, 20:17    #311
JustysiaS:
it's the Brits who are too polite

True. I've realised that waiting inbetween two post office kiosks or not forcing my place in a queue is the road to being ignored.

I once stood with my wife in a supermarket queue. she then went to get something else. The women all circumnavigated me and then sternly accused me of pushing in. When I blew my top and said if they flt that way I'd stand at the end of the queue, despite the fact that my wife had been there and that they had all pushed past me, they got a little embarrassed. "Oh yes, there was a lady there, wasn't there?" Then one or two of them insisted that I go infront of them.
SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂ 		 Mar 1, 09, 20:23    #312
I can't comment for the English but I wouldn't describe most Scots as "too polite". They do tend to say thank you as a matter of manners but that doesn't make them too polite. There are many kind souls in Scotland who will help you but that's helpfulness, not being too polite.
EurolaThreads: 6
Posts: 2,647
Joined: Dec 2, 06 ♀ 		 Mar 1, 09, 20:23    #313
Seanus:
I think the reason that Poles have grown not to ask 'jak się masz?', 'jak leci?' or 'jak tam u ciebie?' is that they don't have the half hour needed to listen to the reply ;)

lol. I think you got that right! The questions would be taken as genuine, not a small bs talk. So, don't ask unless you have some time to listen. :)
SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂ 		 Mar 1, 09, 20:30    #314
True enough, you open the floodgates. There is a girl at work who has said 3 times, 'fine thank you, and you?' without me asking her how she was. I usually just say 'hey' or 'dzień dobry'. If my colleagues need help with a professional matter, I'm always there. Or if they look sad, I'll ask why. However, I don't often ask people how they are. I just acknowledge them and say 'a'right?'. Scots often do this. People often create their own problems and I don't wanna hear them. I believe that we should be positive.
JustysiaSThreads: 15
Posts: 2,869
Joined: Oct 14, 07  Pictures: 2  Gold Member MEMBER ♀ 		 Mar 1, 09, 20:36    #315
Seanus:
I just acknowledge them and say 'a'right?'. Scots often do this.

yeah my bf always says that instead of 'hi' :). it's not the quantity of greetings but the genuine concern that makes people like you and think you are friendly.
SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂ 		 Mar 1, 09, 20:38    #316
Precisely, you can gauge people's interest in different ways. Tone of voice and body language being the main signs.
TyskieThreads: 1
Posts: 30
Joined: Mar 2, 09 ♂ 		Edited by: Tyskie  Mar 3, 09, 00:06    #317
I don't think Poles are rude; their manners are just a bit different.
For example, when I was in Poland (only on a short visit, mind) I noticed that people there generally don't hold open a door for you. There are also more sparing with 'please' and thank you' than their Irish counterparts would be.

I remember, in Zakopane, I held a door open for a guy coming out of a shop and he starred after me in amazement!

I think Poles' radar is a lot smaller than an Irish person's. An Irish person is more aware of what's going on around them, like standing back for someone, holding a door, etc.

In the bus station in Krakow, the woman at the information desk yelled at for asking her a question! I didn't mind, as I find it funny!

Also, I get the feeling Poles don't do 'small talk' like the way Irish people do. This might come across as standoffish to an Irish/British person, but I think it's just the Polish way and isn't rudeness.

But these are just minor things and the Poles have other redeeming qualities. Differences, after all, are what make the world interesting.
krysiaThreads: 26
Posts: 3,604
Joined: Aug 10, 06 ♀ 		 Mar 3, 09, 01:37    #318
You give them an inch, they take a mile. Specially when they come to the US, they act differently when in Poland but once they cross the border they become high and mighty and want more more more.
pgtxThreads: 49
Posts: 6,327
Joined: Feb 14, 09  Gold Member MEMBER ♀ 		 Mar 3, 09, 02:17    #319
krysia:
You give them an inch, they take a mile. Specially when they come to the US, they act differently when in Poland but once they cross the border they become high and mighty and want more more more.

heyyyy!
:(
boknekThreads: -
Posts: 1
Joined: Jan 25, 09 ♂ 		 Mar 3, 09, 09:56    #320
i dont know yet.
since im new in this forum.
ZIMMYThreads: 10
Posts: 2,353
Joined: Feb 21, 09 ♂ 		 Mar 4, 09, 14:22    #321
Do you think that Polish people are rude?

Only the rude ones..........just like anyone else.
BubbaWooThreads: 46
Posts: 4,438
Joined: Sep 26, 06 ♂ 		 Mar 4, 09, 14:29    #322
lol

with logic like that youve got to be polish
ShelleySThreads: 18
Posts: 3,647
Joined: Jun 26, 07 ♀ 		Edited by: ShelleyS  Mar 4, 09, 14:35    #323
Rather be considered too polite than considered rude as a nation is what I say :0)
Mr GrunwaldThreads: 34
Posts: 2,358
Joined: Dec 16, 08 ♂ 		 Mar 7, 09, 03:57    #324
Well in Norway in General if you don't do something against the public or the largest part in an situation it's ok. Like when somebody sneaks by the last person in que it's like no big deal, but when that person sneaks infront of everybody except the first person then EVERYONE "banns" that person, even the one infront of that person. you go against the state/public you get banned. It is also very like in Denmark as one fella has described here also.
z_dariusThreads: 22
Posts: 5,091
Joined: Oct 18, 07 ♂ 		 Mar 8, 09, 04:28    #325
iwona:
In our language we don't use so often please, thank you.....

And what language would that be?
Mine is Polish and I use those words often and when applicable?

iwona:
How are you...How are you doing .....

What's so polite in asking a stranger how s/he is if you don't really care and all you want to do is just to pay for that roll of toilet paper and... keep on rolling.
Patrycja19Threads: 79
Posts: 3,974
Joined: Oct 31, 06  Pictures: 1 ♀ 		 Mar 8, 09, 04:35    #326
BubbaWoo:
with logic like that youve got to be polish

with sarcasim like that you have to be british ;0)
BubbaWooThreads: 46
Posts: 4,438
Joined: Sep 26, 06 ♂ 		 Mar 8, 09, 04:42    #327
there was no sarcasm P, just astute observation
porzeczkaThreads: -
Posts: 130
Joined: Jan 14, 09 ♀ 		 Mar 8, 09, 21:32    #328
BubbaWoo:
there was no sarcasm P, just astute observation

Yeah, with arrogance like that there is no way you aren't british ;-)
Patrycja19Threads: 79
Posts: 3,974
Joined: Oct 31, 06  Pictures: 1 ♀ 		 Mar 8, 09, 21:43    #329
[quote=porzeczka]
Yeah, with arrogance like that there is no way you aren't british ;-)


I sent him a message :) all in good fun.


as-tute: definition small flying pocket of air coming from ones backside.. lol
SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂ 		 Mar 8, 09, 21:45    #330
I'm still waiting to be mooned by a bunch of hot Polish chicks. This is acceptable rudeness ;) To be positively encouraged :)

Oh, Hi Muniu ;)

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