Black English Teacher going to Wroclaw

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Sep 1, 10, 14:39 #31

CzarDaniel:

I honestly expect the students wanting a white teacher scenario to come up because once again in Asia it was similar. They somehow got the impression (wonder how) That blacks didnt know how to speak proper english

Certainly not.

CzarDaniel:

I'm mainly worried about monkey sounds or physical attacks.

We have lot's of louts in Poland and they like to provoke males to fight and you being balck can be another good reason to provoke specifically you.
I really don't know what to say to you. I'm not sure what you can encouter in Poland even though I'm native Polish. I live in Lodz and we have quite few foreigners because there is polish language centre for foreigners but I don't know how they feel in Poland. Here are some other threads about Afroamerican ppl who visit Poland and their experience and what I've read they are suprisingly quite nice. They were complaining about ppl staring on the streets (you will be consider as exotic look on polish streets) and that's all. I know that in the Białystok area (north-east Poland) they have really big racial problems, some skinheads groups are very active but it's the only place from where I hear about any cases of racial abuse.
I suggest you to visit Warsaw or Cracow as a 2 most cosmopolitan cieties.

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Edited by: CzarDaniel Sep 1, 10, 14:44 #32

zetigrek:

I suggest you to visit Warsaw or Cracow as a 2 most cosmopolitan cieties.

I will be in training in Krakow for a week before I begin in Wroclaw so I will be sure to check it out but I have heard is is a rather dreary and dismal place, more industrial oriented. Is that correct? I am excited! Sadly most I have seen of Krakow was when the city was being shown all over the news when the Premier unfortunately passed in the airplane accident along with all those other souls. R.I.P.

jonniThreads: 26 Posts: 4,189 Joined: Nov 27, 07 ♂	Edited by: jonni Sep 1, 10, 14:47 #33
CzarDaniel: but I have heard is is a rather dreary and dismal place, more industrial oriented. Is that correct? Not at all - it's one of the jewels of Central Europe, a medieval university city with a beautiful centre. And quite cosmopolitan too ;-)

Matt32Threads: 11 Posts: 193 Joined: Aug 30, 10 ♀	Sep 1, 10, 15:04 #34
CzarDaniel: Thanks! I think that polish towns are safer in general than US towns, however you could encounter some people with less than friendly attitude. Its up to you really.

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Edited by: MareGaea Sep 1, 10, 15:09 #35

Matt32:

Its up to you really.

Are you saying that he should hide and can't go out to bars or sth because of those idiots? The guy's going there because he has been getting a job offered there. He should be able to walk the streets whenever he feels like it, without being harrassed because his skin-colour is different. In fact those harrassers should bind in, curb their behaviour and learn to accept that it's a modern world where ppl also will want to come to visit or work in Poland. Just like any other country. And it shouldn't matter at all what colour his skin has. If ppl have trouble with that, then those ppl have mental problems.

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

zetigrekThreads: 59 Posts: 2,710 Joined: May 20, 10 ♂	Edited by: zetigrek Sep 1, 10, 15:10 #36
CzarDaniel: I will be in training in Krakow for a week before I begin in Wroclaw so I will be sure to check it out but I have heard is is a rather dreary and dismal place, more industrial oriented. Is that correct? Maybe you mean Łódź? It fits your description ;)

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Edited by: CzarDaniel Sep 1, 10, 15:11 #37

Matt32:

I think that polish towns are safer in general than US towns, however you could encounter some people with less than friendly attitude.

Its up to you really

So I am guessing its pretty much safe to say that being cautious will by far be anyones best asset in unknown or potentially unfriendly territory.

Jonni: those pictures of Krakow are beautiful love the Romanesque and Gothic architecture that I've seen in many pictures of Poland.

zetigrek:

Mayb you mean Łódź? It fits your description

No not Lodz my friend. I was told to book a ticket for Krakow as that is where the training will take place. I have heard of Lodz though, maybe I got mixed up with all the information I've been trying to digest!

jonniThreads: 26 Posts: 4,189 Joined: Nov 27, 07 ♂	Sep 1, 10, 15:32 #38
CzarDaniel: those pictures of Krakow are beautiful They're actually of Wroclaw city centre.

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Edited by: zetigrek Sep 1, 10, 15:39 #39

Kraków:

CzarDaniel:

No not Lodz my friend. I was told to book a ticket for Krakow as that is where the training will take place. I have heard of Lodz though, maybe I got mixed up with all the information I've been trying to digest!

I think you've really mistaken Kraków for Łódź.
Kraków is a main tourist atraction of Poland, very important academic city. While Łódź is famous of dull athmosphere of XIX century idustrial city.

jonniThreads: 26 Posts: 4,189 Joined: Nov 27, 07 ♂	Sep 1, 10, 15:55 #40
zetigrek: While Łódź is famous of dull athmosphere of XIX century idustrial city. Though some people find Łódż uniquely atmospheric and would prefer to spend time there than in Krakow, which is nothing special really and jammed with tourists.

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Edited by: Matt32 Sep 1, 10, 16:05 #41

MareGaea:

Are you saying that he should hide and can't go out to bars or sth because of those idiots? The guy's going there because he has been getting a job offered there. He should be able to walk the streets whenever he feels like it, without being harrassed because his skin-colour is different. In fact those harrassers should bind in, curb their behaviour and learn to accept that it's a modern world where ppl also will want to come to visit or work in Poland. Just like any other country. And it shouldn't matter at all what colour his skin has. If ppl have trouble with that, then those ppl have mental problems.

I mean common sense - as I wouldn't go to certain areas of my-hood at night time.
Well, it would be nice what you are saying (postulate) in your above post but we are discussing real life here.

CzarDaniel:

So I am guessing its pretty much safe to say that being cautious will by far be anyones best asset in unknown or potentially unfriendly territory.

That is correct and it goes for everyone :)

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Sep 1, 10, 16:10 #42

Matt32:

I mean common sense - as I wouldn't go to certain areas of my-hood at night time.

Granted. That wasn't quite clear from your post to which I responded. Of course there are areas one shouldn't go - here in Dublin for example, you should definitively not frequent a place called Summerhill too often at night. Chances are that you will get mugged some day.

>^..^<

M-G (any city has 'em: in Amsterdam it's Crow's Nest)

jonniThreads: 26 Posts: 4,189 Joined: Nov 27, 07 ♂	Sep 1, 10, 16:10 #43
Matt32: I mean common sense - as I wouldn't go to certain areas of my-hood at night time. Exactly - if you're not a local, it's best not to go alone to some dingy backstreet bar full of glowering skinheads. Wroclaw is however a big city, and most places in the centre should be OK.

convexThreads: 47 Posts: 7,189 Joined: Nov 25, 09 ♂	Sep 1, 10, 16:11 #44
MareGaea: He should be able to walk the streets whenever he feels like it, without being harrassed because his skin-colour is different. Should be able to, in practice, that's not the case.

HarryThreads: 59 Posts: 7,995 Joined: May 2, 07 ♂	Sep 1, 10, 16:13 #45
zetigrek: Maybe you mean Łódź? It fits your description ;) I think he might actually mean Katowice. jonni: They're actually of Wroclaw city centre. Does look far to German to be Krakow! Very much like Gdansk actually.

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Sep 1, 10, 17:01 #46

jonni:

They're actually of Wroclaw city centre.

Oh really? Sorry about that I've seen pictures of Wroclaw from my friend but the pictures you've shown me certainly give a more tourist friendly impression that the ones I've seen. Maybe its the aerial view of the first picture :)

jonni:

Exactly - if you're not a local, it's best not to go alone to some dingy backstreet bar full of glowering skinheads. Wroclaw is however a big city, and most places in the centre should be OK.

I've heard living near the Rynek (I'll be 10 minutes walk from it) is about as safe as you can get. I was informed by my friend that it is heavily monitored with police and cameras. Is that true?

WroclawThreads: 74 Posts: 7,273 Joined: Apr 1, 06 ♂ [Moderator]	Sep 1, 10, 17:11 #47
CzarDaniel: I was informed by my friend that it is heavily monitored with police and cameras. Is that true? i wouldn't say so. unless the cameras are hidden. there is a police station in rynek though. i think u are worrying too much. i doubt you'll have many problems here in wroclaw.

Lyzko

Sep 1, 10, 17:14 #48

Czar,

I'd imagine as an African-American English teacher, you'd fare far better in Poland today than a Caucasian English teacher of Jewish descent, both with the exact same skill set! Black people are regarded as rather exotic in Poland, for that matter many European countries (such as Germany!), Jews on the other hand, remind too many people of their shameful past, and so are looked on as more of a pain the ass.

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Sep 1, 10, 17:29 #49

Wroclaw:

i think u are worrying too much. i doubt you'll have many problems here in wroclaw.

I'm glad to hear that and part of me honestly agrees. I just dont want to be too naive but you know going to an unfamiliar place long term is always a bit nerve-wracking.

Lyzko:

I'd imagine as an African-American English teacher, you'd fare far better in Poland today than a Caucasian English teacher of Jewish descent, both with the exact same skill set! Black people are regarded as rather exotic in Poland, for that matter many European countries (such as Germany!), Jews on the other hand, remind too many people of their shameful past, and so are looked on as more of a pain the ass.

Interesting you'd think that Lyzko. I am really hoping to absorb the polish culture as much as I can. It's always eye-opening experiencing the world from outside your familiar cultural box.
I was surprised to hear a lot about skin heads and neo-nazis in high boots. I would think that the influence and memory of Hitler would be something that people in eastern/central europe would run from! I remember I took a course on eastern central european history in university and I must say it was THE MOST difficult course I have ever taken to this day. Such a tumultous history!

tom45	Sep 1, 10, 17:43 #50
zetigrek: Kraków: Oh Krakow I just love this place. I have had some fantastic nights out in this city with both poles and non-poles, and the atmosphere down in Kaszmierz, especially when dawn is breaking is just a classic moment.

pgtxThreads: 48 Posts: 6,268 Joined: Feb 14, 09 ♀ [Moderator]	Sep 1, 10, 17:44 #51
tom45: Oh Krakow I just love this place. I have had some fantastic nights out in this city with both poles and non-poles, and the atmosphere down in Kaszmierz, especially when dawn is breaking is just a classic moment. yes :D

tom45	Sep 1, 10, 17:55 #52
pgtx: yes :D You have also had the Krakow experience? Krakowians look after you if they like you, and they know you are genuine. They are great true people with big big hearts when you really get to know them.

pgtxThreads: 48 Posts: 6,268 Joined: Feb 14, 09 ♀ [Moderator]	Sep 1, 10, 17:57 #53
tom45: You have also had the Krakow experience? Krakowians look after you if they like you, and they know you are genuine. They are great true people with big big hearts when you really get to know them. i am a Krakowianka, and thank you very much :)

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Sep 1, 10, 18:14 #54

CzarDaniel

I'm a black guy.

I recently accepted a job as an English Teacher in Poland.

OMG!

You'd better sharpen up your karate game brother, because the locals are damn sure sharpening their spears right about now, anxious to hunt down and cannibalize an African-American bold enough to enter their part of the concrete jungle!

Sheesh... Chill out man. This isn't 1985 anymore. Wroclaw is pretty much a European city, I'll doubt anything be wrong as long as you take the same precautions as in NYC.

zetigrek "We have lot's of louts in Poland and they like to provoke males to fight and you being balck can be another good reason to provoke specifically you."

Sure, **** on your own kind.

Jews on the other hand, remind too many people of their shameful past, and so are looked on as more of a pain the ass.

I'm Jewish and make this no secret. Never had that problem. Care to elaborate?

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Edited by: zetigrek Sep 1, 10, 18:16 #55

Lyzko:

a Caucasian English teacher of Jewish descent

and how those ppl would recognise that someone is an Caucasian English teacher of Jewish descent??? Oh I know after the pejsy!!!

Oh give me a break!

he's a Jew

she's a Jew

she's a Jew

he's a Jew

she's a Jew

she's a Jew

and no one see any problem with that (ok, maybe the last person not everyone likes but it's not about her jewish descents)

MidasThreads: 2 Posts: 727 Joined: Jul 19, 10 ♂	Sep 1, 10, 18:17 #56
A German shephard is more "German" than pirog is Jewish. Part of his TV persona, nothing more to it.

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Sep 1, 10, 18:19 #57

CzarDaniel
As a Polish person I agree with what other people told you. I don't think you will encounter a situation so extreme that nobody would want to be taught by you but I do agree that as a black man you're a natural target for thugs and as a foreigner you will be seen as rich and easy to take advantage of (I know a man who was charged three times too much by a fake taxi driver, because the driver thought that foreigners are rich and won't notice). I second the idea of carrying a pepper spray, I don't think you'll need it but it's always safer to have it. And you will definitely be stared at a lot. I hope you have a good time!

Lyzko

This is the second or third time I see you rant about "those evil Poles!"
Besides, you're quite wrong. I, for one, am very proud of Poland's Jewish past.

zetigrekThreads: 59 Posts: 2,710 Joined: May 20, 10 ♂	Sep 1, 10, 18:20 #58
Midas: A German shephard is more "German" than pirog is Jewish. Why do you think so? He is very proud of his Jewish heritage. He wears David star necklace, recently moved to Israel because he feels magnetism to this place (as he claims). So why not?

Wroclaw BoyThreads: 56 Posts: 5,264 Joined: Jul 3, 09 MEMBER ♂	Sep 1, 10, 18:22 #59
vetala: I, for one, am very proud of Poland's Jewish past. Yeh, because its past.

vetalaThreads: - Posts: 512 Joined: Jul 10, 09 ♀	Sep 1, 10, 18:43 #60
Wroclaw Boy: Yeh, because its past. And hopefully the future too :)

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