Job Discussion Forums

[run-jp]

First, thanks to all for the great posts recently (names of some good schools). Makes me feel my time checking out Poland is well spent. (thus inspired - 1st Polish lesson tomorrow!!!)
My Q is : What kind of personality type do the private schools look for in interviewing. Also what type of guy/gal is still happy there after 3 years?
If this seems silly, I gotta say that in Japan this was key to getting jobs as well as surviving. I imagine that being "Mr Smiley" is likely less important there...but still it's a universally pleasing, ice-breaking thing, huh ? Do they want stoics or just a great CV?
Is some free talk part of the lesson? (hopefully not like my 1st job was!) Any taboo subjects (i.e. the Pope) or unavoidale ones?
Also, about after work. if I speak German and French will that help with socializing? Or if you go to a bar in a city, can some folks actually chat with you? (In Jp., Joe Average made very predictable chatter...Thank Kamisama for the oddballls with hobbies) ....& if my 25cents aren't up,
is air pollution really a factor in selecting an area? I need my lungs to run
Boston or Betsudai again some day. I promise this is the last of long questions, if I can fill in the key blanks. cheers, tom

[bnix]

Speaking French and German will not help you so much in most social situations in Poland(French?Most Poles do not speak French.)Some of the older people speak German,of course,but in light of what the Germans did to Poland in WWII,German is not exactly the most popular language.Ditto Russian,although some people speak it also.Of course,it would help a lot if you could speak POLISH.But if you don't, no big problem...but try to learn some.They will REALLY like that.

Most schools are not overly concerned with your CV and looks...it is not like the deal in Japan,Korea,Taiwan.It is very different.The Poles are "rough and ready".They love to argue.Sometimes they sound very angry,and they are only joking with you.Sometimes they are really angry.

Alcohol is VERY important...and can lead to problems.Many of the drunks are of the mean,aggressive variety.Fistfights break out in banks,trains,sometimes in restaurants.Often the younger people tend to more outgoing.
It is a very religious,conservative country.The Catholic Church is very important ,and they are very proud that the current pope is Polish.

Some areas,especially in the bigger cities,like Warsaw,can be dangerous,especially at night.

However,it is a fascinating,interesting country.If you exercise reasonable caution,you should be okay.But I think you will find it completely different from your experience in Asia.Have fun!

[Harry Swindells]

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[bnix]

Just because YOU have never been robbed or mugged in Warsaw does not mean it is completely safe.What an idea!I HAVE been,in broad daylight(1 p.m. on a Sunday ) with all kind of bystanders around,none of whom did anything.And then the Polsih police...shrugged their shoulders and said"Be more careful!"yeah,right!
And just because you have never seen a fistfight in a Polish bank does not mean it has never happened .Why are you being an apologist for Warsaw?I have been all over eastern Europe(as well as in many other countries in the world)and when people ask me what city to avoid...I say'''Warsaw...although of course I know you are going to say I have an exceptional reason to say that...I don't think so.It is a dangerous,unsafe city.And comparing it to US cities does not make it any safer.It is true there are a lot of US cities that are just as bad(or worse).I will continue to tell people to avoid Warsaw whenever possible.And I think it is amazing when people who have lived for awhile in a country suddenly become "experts".

[Albulbul]

You mean that Harry Swindells isn't the EXPERT on Warsaw?

[Harry Swindells]

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[bnix]

February 12
Harry says in his latest post defending Warsaw:"He is an expert"(Sarcastically referring to me).I do not claim to be an expert on Poland(or any other country,for that matter).I have traveled around,too,taught in various countries,but I have NEVER claimed to be an expert in any of them.Those are his words...not my claim.At least I am honest and professional enough to know it is patently ridiculous to claim to be an "expert".Doesn't he know we have enough self-styled"experts" in this business,including a lot of people "teaching"English,who have no qualifications whatsoever?

I think it is nice that he writes for all those publications,etc.etc. in Poland,but really,so what?Does he think that makes him an expert?Truth to tell,neither one of us is an "expert".And I certainly KNOW better than that..and I think he does ,too.

Also,I never claimed that the entire country of Poland is dangerous(I was only talking about Warsaw),and I never said"everybody in Poland is drunk all of the time"(that is ABSURD,and again those are Harry's words,not mine).I said,alcohol is a problem in Poland,not that "everybody is drunk all of the time"(what an idea!)

And no,I do not go around"slagging Poland all of the time".If it comes up in a conversation ,I usually say something like "Poland?Great country.But I would avoid Warsaw as much as possible."

My opinion.Of course,he is entitled to his opinion.I really don't care about comparing crime statistics,etc.What he says about some cities in the US being just as dangerous (or even worse) is probably true...but that doesn't change my opinion of Warsaw.I do not intend to live in Warsaw.Or Chicago,Detroit,or Los Angeles,either.

Like I said,if he likes Warsaw,fine.I really hope he is happy there.Personally,I intend to give it a wide berth,as much as possible,whenever I am in Poland.And please note,I am talking about Warsaw,and I am not "slagging"Poland.Oh,and think about that "expert"thing. I think he is basically a professional too,and should know better than that...leave that "expert" thing to the newbies!Warsaw...well...if he likes it...no accounting for taste....I like Suwalki,too,for some reason.Don't ask me why!

[Harry Swindells]

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[scot47]

Well looks to me like Harry knows more than most !!!!!

[bnix]

Harry continues to "put words in my mouth".He says(referring to me"he has limited experience but you must listen to his opinion".Those are Harry's ideas,not mine.I have never said anyone must listen to my opinion.It is just that his feathers are ruffled because I am questioning his status as an "expert".And the fact that he writes for all of those publications....I think that is all very nice,but it still does not make him an expert.And it is nice to know that he is sure I have only been in Warsaw for "5 days"...My.my Harry,how did you come up with that info?Are you psychic ,too?Of course,I have been in Warsaw less than him(but more than five days).Since I really detest it,why should I linger there?I am not a masochist.
I have lived in certain countries(not Poland,though) for as long as he has lived in Poland.However,I have never considered myself an expert on any of those countries.On the other hand,maybe that is because I have never had the experience of"writing for publications".

And,Harry, it is an old cliche to imply that because someone does not share your opinion that you know more about it than they do...because you have lived somewhere longer and written for "publications".Give us a break!

[Brooks]

I disagree with people who say Warsaw is a `dump`.
I lived there for a year. You can argue that Krakow, Poznan, Torun, etc. are nicer places. The city center is ugly in Warsaw.

But I met a lot of nice people there. It has nice parks.
But I will say that there is crime there, and I was a victim, as were a couple other teachers.
My flat was broken into. I lived with two British men, and one of him had his discman stolen, and the other had money stolen.
All the doors had been kicked in.
Also, at least 13 computers were stolen from Wysza Szkola Pedagogiczna.
That is the school where I worked. It is near Ochota.
The crime was never solved. I called up a Polish teacher and she had to translate what I said so the cop could write it down. It was late night. I don`t think I got to bed before two a.m.
We think the thieves were construction workers, who were working right by the school.

Also, one of the teacher`s I worked with had his cellphone taken on a tram, and about a year ago he was the victim of theft. His car stereo was stolen on a cold winter night.

In Germany there is a saying about cars: today it`s stolen, tomorrow in Poland.

Also, the Polish mafia should be avoided.

I used to live in Siberia, and while people assume that the Russians drink more than the Poles, many Poles could drink as much as any Russian.
Lots of Russians can drink half a liter of vodka in an evening.
I saw lots of drunks in Warsaw, but at least they can walk, er, at least stumble. Some Russian drunks can`t even walk.

Compared to other places in Poland I think Warsaw is safer. I have heard bad things about Radom and Kielce. I mean no disrespect.

Brooks

[Harry Swindells]

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[bnix]

Harry.I agree.I do not "act like a journalist".It is easy to explain that,because I am NOT a journalist.You do NOT need to be a journalist to post on Dave's Cafe(what an idea!).

No,I have never had a writing job ,either.On the other hand,I have never applied for a writing job.I am not really interested in being a "journalist".If that is what you are...well.... GOOD.Warsaw?Enjoy,enjoy,Harry.We need happy people in this world.You can be happy writing for your publications in Warsaw....and I can he happy staying out of Warsaw.Isn't that great?Oh, by the way,I guess you saw Brooks'post about crime in your favorite city.But don't worry about that ,Harry...after all, Chicago might be worse.Enjoy Warsaw ,Harry.

[run-jp]

I appreciate peoples' views on crime in Poland. Always a factor in choosing a place to live. Sill I was hoping to hear something about potential air pollution. As far as sports to do there. Ijust saw a TV report (in Polish)
about cross country ski competition in Zakopane. Is this a sport normal people just watch or do they join. I picked it up in Hokkaido...cheap winter fun!... you dont need a mountain like with snowboarding. Also curious if there are Hashes (running wih drinking after) like in Saudi and H Kong. ...Poles gotta do something besides hang out in bars!?

For those who may want to learn Polish, FYI, a nice on line system can be found at http://www.rosettastone.com/home. A limited # of Free Polish lessons as incentive to buy the package. I have found the free ones are useful and a good start on basic vocab/grammar. ....or is there better system?

Also, someone commented that Poles don't speak French but my experience in Paris supports the idea that some do (the elite?), with a very charming accent. It seems to me that Poles have an unwarranted rep as under-achieving, lushes. could be an old prejudice Westerners got in the 19th century. Otherwize how could Poland have turned arond economically so much in about 15 years?

[Harry Swindells]

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