gosiaczek wrote:
Don't tell me WWII was the only factor that had an impact on the mentality of Poles. Communism (over for almost 20years) also exerted influence on the way in which Poles perceive themselves as a nation.
Gosiaczek and omniba are right, and I'd go even further. Few countries in the world have had such a stormy (and often tragic) history as Poland, going back hundreds of years, and for much of that time they have shared their territory with many other nationalities.
There have been times when viewing their identity through the "prism of nationality" has saved them.
As a foreigner living here long-term, I can't say that it doesn't sometimes irritate me, but that's the way it is and it's important to get used to that. But with increasing stability, prosperity etc, the next generation here may well change.