POLAND . The Unofficial Guide	Unanswered \| Archives
POLAND . The Unofficial Guide	Poland Now and Then	Witamy, Guest \| PF Members \| Gold Members

Polish Forums / Travel, Tourism /

My (short) Polish expereinces - bad luck?

page 2 of 5: « Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

♂

Edited by: zetigrek Aug 30, 10, 18:33 #31

tygrys:

You hit the nail on the head. I visited Poland a few times also and you summed it up perfectly.
Nobody smiles there, but if you do, they think you are "nie poważny" - not serious, and think you are crazy if you smile.
The kids when taking pictures in school are always stone faced, never a smile.
They always complain, they are never satisfied, always want more.
Always pushing in lines, on bus, in airports.
Never a smile.

Do we Poles have any reasons not to be sad? Tygrys you claims that you are a member of polonia. How is it possible that you don't know the major polish cultural difference? We don't smile whithout reason and we can't comprehend why you do!

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,410 Joined: Aug 29, 07 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 18:39 #32
zetigrek: We don't smile whothout reason being alive and well isn't reason enough? :)

zetigrekThreads: 59 Posts: 2,710 Joined: May 20, 10 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 18:40 #33
plk123: being alive and well isn't reason enough? :) no.

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,410 Joined: Aug 29, 07 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 18:44 #34
zetigrek: no. haha.. that's depressing.

Patrycja19Threads: 76 Posts: 3,877 Joined: Oct 31, 06 ♀	Aug 30, 10, 18:48 #35
zetigrek: We don't smile whithout reason and we can't comprehend why you do! well maybe you should, stop trying to analyze why others do, smiling wont cause cracks, well, maybe one ;D

♂

Aug 30, 10, 18:55 #36

zetigrek:

Well screw you all!!!!! :)

:):):)

Wroclaw BoyThreads: 56 Posts: 5,264 Joined: Jul 3, 09 MEMBER ♂	Aug 30, 10, 19:03 #37
zetigrek: I think that something had to annoyed you at the very begining of your trip and after you just have negative attidute. I agree, he did say that the Polish friends whom he knows and loves became different people in Poland.

peter_olsztynThreads: 8 Posts: 690 Joined: Apr 18, 07 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 19:31 #38
zetigrek: We don't smile whithout reason and we can't comprehend why you do! Teffle. We just walking all day and looking for the reason to smile so our concentrated faces may seem a bit stony :)

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,899 Joined: May 17, 07 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 19:44 #39
Poles usually smile when they see the vodka and after a good food.

zetigrekThreads: 59 Posts: 2,710 Joined: May 20, 10 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 19:47 #40
Teffle: Areas visited by the way: Łodz/Pabianice oh, gosh... no wonder he didn't like it!

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,899 Joined: May 17, 07 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 19:49 #41
First of all just being among nice beautiful Slavs is a premium a pleasure for the senses.

A JThreads: 19 Posts: 4,642 Joined: May 21, 10 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 19:51 #42
zetigrek: oh, gosh... no wonder he didn't like it! Why? What's so bad about Łódź? :)

♂

Aug 30, 10, 19:58 #43

A J:

What's so bad about Łódź?

Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz (Vicky Leandros)

Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Steh auf, Du altes Murmeltier,
Bevor ich die Geduld verlier.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Ich habe diese Landluft satt,
Will endlich wieder in die Stadt.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Gott verlaß'nes Dorf, nur Heu und Dorf.
Stets der gleiche Trott, nur Hü und Hott.
Im Stall die Kuh macht muh,
Die Hähne krähen dazu.
Das hält keiner aus, ich hier raus.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz
Da packen wir das Glück beim Schopf
Und hauen alles auf den Kopf.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Diese verdammte Nest, gibt mir den Rest.
Ich fühl mich zu jung für Mist und Dunk -
Ich brauch' Musik und Tanz und etwas Eleganz.
Gib Dir einen Stoß und dann geht's los.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Dann feiern wir ein großes Fest,
Das uns die Welt vergessen läßt.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Dann kann ich leben, dann bin ich frei -
Und die Liebe ist mit dabei.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.
Komm' mit, die Pferde warten schon,
Steig' ein und sei mein Postillion.
Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz.

:) Who said there weren't any German songs about Polish cities? :) Ok, she is Greek, but that doesn't matter.

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

jablkoThreads: - Posts: 156 Joined: Jul 13, 10 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 19:58 #44
A J: Why? What's so bad about Łódź? Łódź is considered to be under curse. Stay away from that city!!

zetigrekThreads: 59 Posts: 2,710 Joined: May 20, 10 ♂	Edited by: zetigrek Aug 30, 10, 20:21 #45
A J: Why? What's so bad about Łódź? because it looks like that: MareGaea: Theo, wir fahr'n nach Lodz (Vicky Leandros)

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,410 Joined: Aug 29, 07 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 20:22 #46
^^ krakow or warsaw or most pf PL towns have the same issues. lodz isn't that "special"

pgtxThreads: 48 Posts: 6,269 Joined: Feb 14, 09 ♀ [Moderator]	Aug 30, 10, 20:23 #47
plk123: krakow Krakow doesn't have any issues!!! it's perfect in its own imperfection! ;)

♂

Edited by: zetigrek Aug 30, 10, 20:25 #48

plk123:

^^ krakow or warsaw or most pf PL towns have the same issues. lodz isn't that "special"

no, you're wrong! they don't have so many dog poos ;P

But seriously in Warsaw you have plenty of nice places, the same as it goes for Cracow. But Łódź has only a shopping mall centre as main "tourist atraction"... And ppl look much poorer, yep it's ceratinly one of the poorest biggest city. I think that OP have to seen the most sad faces there (for me here...)

♂

Edited by: warszawski Aug 30, 10, 20:53 #49

(quote=zetigrek)Do we Poles have any reasons not to be sad? Tygrys you claims that you are a member of polonia. How is it possible that you don't know the major polish cultural difference? We don't smile whithout reason and we can't comprehend why you do![/quote]

In Poland during RP2 it was uncommon to smile on the streets, because no one wanted to be seen to be happy. But in RP3 there is plenty to smile about, for example you are the only country that did not go into recession, Poland is making big strides forward in Europe

Here is something to remind you of Poland's leap forward

zetigrek:

But seriously in Warsaw you have plenty of nice places, the same as it goes for Cracow. But Łódź has only a shopping mall centre as main "tourist atraction"... And ppl look much poorer, yep it's ceratinly one of the poorest biggest city. I think that OP have to seen the most sad faces there (for me here...)

Warsaw, has been voted the number one "city of parks in Europe" so no more nonsense about wonderful green Warszawa. In fact it is, so green even the Irish are jealous.

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,899 Joined: May 17, 07 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 21:42 #50
I find that Poles are usually involved in deep thinking and try not to annoy you.Certainly an intellectual nation. As for smile,if you want smile visit Germany and you won't be disappointed.

♂

Aug 30, 10, 22:15 #51

So much dog sh*t, Zeti? That's right, blame the dogs why don't you? ;) ;)

Teffle, look for Polish hospitality. That'll change your mind a little. The streets can be dreary. I was in Zabrze today and the faces were like they were on death row for the most part. However, I went off to see my parents-in-law and they are instantly uplifting. They look after me like one of their own and her whole family has helped in numerous ways. In that way, and in a few others, they are like the Japanese. Poles and Japanese have a healthy respect and I can see why. Oh, to qualify what I said, they are that way when you get to know them. Otherwise they may be suspicious or sceptical but these things take time. As the HP motto goes, 'the best things come to those who wait'. Short trips give you snapshots, of which yours are pretty darn accurate.

However, one thing. Sexism? Their joking aside, where did you see it?

FUZZYWICKETSThreads: 12 Posts: 1,821 Joined: Nov 3, 09 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 22:18 #52
Avalon wrote: As WB will tell you, you're in for a shock when you go back. to where?

dtaylor5632Threads: 48 Posts: 4,346 Joined: May 2, 09 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 22:20 #53
FUZZYWICKETS: to where? The UK or Ireland ;)

FUZZYWICKETSThreads: 12 Posts: 1,821 Joined: Nov 3, 09 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 22:24 #54
dtaylor5632 wrote: The UK or Ireland ;) why would I go there?

♂

Edited by: plk123 Aug 30, 10, 22:25 #55

zetigrek:

But seriously in Warsaw you have plenty of nice places, the same as it goes for Cracow.

lodz does too.. you're in denial.. and i know how it is when you're young and see greener grasses everywhere but your own backyard.. you'll find out they just aren't.. katowice certainly does not have greener grass.

FUZZYWICKETS:

to where?

englandia.. have you been sleeping? find his "after 5 years.. " thread.

FUZZYWICKETS:

why would I go there?

that's what he said afterwords.

♂

Aug 30, 10, 22:28 #56

plk123:

Its not the scenery or buildings that make a city, its the people. Look at Glasgow for example, famously the murder capital of Europe and it used to be completely wrecked through lack of industry, but today it is a vibrant modern city with some of the best new architecture around.

FUZZYWICKETSThreads: 12 Posts: 1,821 Joined: Nov 3, 09 ♂	Edited by: FUZZYWICKETS Aug 30, 10, 22:38 #57
plk123 wrote: englandia.. have you been sleeping? find his "after 5 years.. " thread. Avalon asked ME a direct question, whereas I asked a follow-up question. looks as though Avalon assumed I was from the U.K., which I am not. no sleeping here. foot in mouth on your end, though.

♂

Aug 30, 10, 22:42 #58

Seanus:

Sexism? Their joking aside, where did you see it?

I mentioned a vague sexism - old fashioned manners/chivalry that spilled over into patronisation and machismo some of the time.

E.g. my wife being repeatedly ignored when the glasses were being filled around the table - general deference to the male (i.e. me) for decision making and expecting me to answer for my wife.

Noticed quite a few older males kind of "rationing" their wives alcohol intake - often the women didn't get their own drink and were kind of given a little from time to time from their men.

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,410 Joined: Aug 29, 07 ♂	Aug 30, 10, 22:44 #59
FUZZYWICKETS: no sleeping here. foot in mouth on your end, though. how is that? i know you're not from uk.. youre question only made sense if you were sleeping.. and just in case, i told you where to look.,., how is that fim? hmm FUZZYWICKETS: Avalon asked ME a direct question, oh, and now we can't comment on stuff unless it is directed specifically at one? hmm x2

♂

Edited by: zetigrek Aug 30, 10, 22:52 #60

dtaylor5632:

well Lodz goes down not up.
There was a famouse international festival in Lodz - Camerimage (guests of the latest edition in 2010 where: Terry Gilliam and Bill Murrey, among many others international movie industry fames). It will be no loger in Lodz. Now it will be in... Bydgoszcz.

David Lynch was to establish his movie studio in EC1 building (a historic building) but it seems it won't be finalised. Lodz is trying to make a new conception of its downtown aglomaration - the strict heart of the city (Łódź Fabryczna railway station was to demolish and go undergound). They invited many famouse architects to create the new conception: Rob Krier (2006), Frank Gehry (2008), Daniel Libeskind (now)... and it seems they can't decide who and what and when and whether at all they do anything to make those wonderful plans come true! There was a plan to built a modern conference hall but the idea was given up because of its costs (that's why Camerimage has moved to another city) but they will build for the little price of only 200 mln... an art gallery!
Where's the fast train line to Warsaw??? It was few years ago when the govern of the city claimed that whithin 2 or 3 years the journey time from Lodz to Warsaw would last less than 30 min.
Corruption, political wars, street pathology (żul w każdej bramie, do you know that's Łódź where the word kibol was invented?) scrawls on the walls and dirt. Welcome to Łódź!