Job Discussion Forums

[Lins46]

I have been reading with interest some of the posting sent by our friends in Poland, and I must say it saddens me to read so many letters of dissatisfaction. My wife is from Poland & we have visited her family there a number of times during the past four years. I have yet to meet any 'rude' Poles, as have been described by some of the authors on these pages.
A few authors have also stated that Poland would seem to still be a '3rd' world country and they are still light years away from the west of europe.
Well, look at where they have come from, they have had to drag themselve to where they are now, with little or NO help from the so-called freinds in the west. For those of you who have been in Poland for some time, of course it's changing and of course it's not changing the way some 'native speakers' like it. The easy money life, the feeling of superiority, the 'listen to me I CAN speak english' years are drawing to a rapid close, and jobs with good salaries are getting harder to find. I shall be moving to Poland this year with my wife & child, I hope to secure a tefl position, but we have done our research. we know we are not going to become millionaires, we are well aware of the cost of living, we hear about it everyweek from my in-laws. We know things are going to be tough. But I will tell you something, I would rather live in a country that has pride in itself, is trying to pull itself up to the level where the rest of western europe takes it seriously, where the people ARE friendly and family is more important than having the latest 42" flat screen t.v.
If you have been away from good old blighty for a while I think you should know something, this country is going to the dogs! I don't just mean during the 'economic' situation, this country has just let itself go. The youth in this country are an abomination, they have no respect for anything or anyone & would stick a blade in you for 50p. Try getting a waiter (in any establishment), to greet you with half a smile, try getting the girl in the shop to serve you without greeting you with 'yeah wot you want'. Try & find a policeman when some 12yr old little sh*t has just spat at you. No, I have looked into the future and as for bringing up a child and enjoying the rest of my life, I want to do that in a country where you are respected by all, and can walk from one side of the road without having to look over my shoulder.
I know Poland has it's problems as to all countries, but you live & work in a lovely part of the world, enjoy it whilst your able too. If you don't like it, well there is that old saying.. stop knocking the natives and LEAVE. we cannot wait for our move to take place.

[Richfilth]

Your third paragraph almost completely nullifies the previous two, and all it makes me think is that people over a certain age, no matter what country they come from, are all whinging criticising incessant moaners.

If the UK is really that bad, is running away from it really the solution?

Just for the record, I'm a big supporter of Poland; the way it is now and the way it's heading. Seeing a post like that with such a deliciously epic level of irony in it has really brightened up my morning.

[the new guy]

[dynow]

quite a mouthful and strong assertion of certainty from somebody that has merely "visited" Poland.


Lins46.....you're a dime a dozen. maybe even 2 dozen.

[lundjstuart]

Lins46, for somebody not liking what we are talking about, you must not enjoy the truth!

First of all, your title was demoralizing and bashful, a 'Pole' is a derogatory way of saying a Polish person. You should know this because your wife would never refer to herself as a 'Pole'!

Second of all, you have only visited like Dynow said. When you live day in and out in Poland, you will start to realize that Poland was merely a facade when you visited.

I will give you 6 months of living here and you will either love it or hate it! I personally don't think that your man enough to last even that long! (who lets a 12 year old spit on them anyway?)

[the new guy]

somebody better call a WAAAAAAAAAAAmbulance.......

[Richfilth]

[lundjstuart]

Have you ever heard a Polish person refer to themselves as a 'Pole'?

The Answer: NEVER

[simon_porter00]

Welcome Lins, to our lovely, friendly, open community here on Dave's. You may think of us all as embittered, twisted and a bunch of Poland bashers and you'd be absolutely right. It's one thing to bash the UK and see Poland as the idyllic place at the end of the rainbow, but without living in one of the cities of Poland you really can't preach.

Only this morning (and this is one example of the many breaches of personal safety you're bound to experience here) I walked past an area that was cordoned off because of above roof works. And was sorting out my shopping from Castorama, when I heard from above (in Polish and words to the effect of) "Oi, can't you see we're working on the roof, bugger off matey." I took stock of my position - a good 10 metres past the cordoned off area - and politely responded in English "why don't you f***ing move your f***ing fat arse and move the safety cordon, instead of f***ing shouting at me" to which he responded with a volley of Kurwas and what have you. Rudeness, deep down unescapable and unforgivable rudeness is what you'll experience some of the time.

And yes, to qualify my position as a perpetual moaner, I'm married to a Pole, my mum is a Pole blah blah blah.

But that aside, welcome to the forum. I'd be happy to read your following contributions to the forum.

[hrvatski]

[Richfilth]

[katyathegooner]

Hi,
I will be starting a job in Poland next week. I've been teaching for a few years, mostly in Eastern Europe and have had good experiences, on the whole. Although I've visited Poland four or five times in the past and loved it, I have no preconceived ideas about what it will be like living in Poland full-time.

Your first two paragraphs had my interest and sympathy. Dave's is becoming less and less about helping new teachers, giving info about schools and countries, etc and more about bashing and promoting personal agendas. I do agree with you. People who don't like a place should leave it at their earliest opportunity.

Clearly by your third paragraph the adrenaline was pumping and you lost the ability to make a decent point. Youths will stick a blade in you for 50p? Do you really believe that? I've lived in South London the majority of my life and East London for a while and, to my recollection, have never been stabbed or known anyone who has ever been stabbed. You're not a Daily Mail reader, are you? I'm sure you were exaggerating for effect but it makes you sound a bit....rabid.

Lastly, sorry to be facetious, I'm sure it was just the adrenaline or typos but you might want to make sure your grammar is up to the standard needed to teach.

Now I've alienated everyone on both sides of this debate, I'll withdraw gracefully!!

[Lins46]

Everybody calm down. I was asked to do this.
I feel I must apologise to those who took offence at what was writen.
A very good friend of mine is writing a book on the subject of ex-pats living & working in Poland & how they are percieved by the Polish people.
She wanted to see what reaction she might get by some of the comments that were write, and boy I think she got a few of your back's up? I'm sorry. I should have put a disclaimer on here?

A few truths though:
I have 'visited' Poland many many times over the past few years & on each occasion my stay has been for no less than 4 weeks at a time. I have seen a lot of Poland & it's people, and with hand-on-heart...I love the place. Which is why we will be moving there this year.
Polish or Poles:
I have heard not only my wife but other members of the large Polish comunity here describe themselves as Poles. This afternoon I asked her and 3 of our friends if they find this description offensive. The response was a resounding NO, ''it's what we are''.
Knives for 50p:
I was the victim of this only 4 days ago. I came out of a shop, walked across the road to my car and was stopped by a child of no more than 12-13 years and he told me to give him all the money in my pocket. I had 50p. Of course being somewhat older than the little pr*ck I told him to p*ss off and leave me alone, at which point he produced from under his jacket a knife with a blade of at least 8 inches in length.....
I gave him my 50p. It's not a question of being man enough or not, I just did not fancy a knife in my back or making my wife a widow!
Will I survive 6 months?
I have lived and worked in quite a few countries in europe since I was 18 yrs of age, I'm still here to tell the tale. On each occasion I took stock of my situation and the situation of the country I was in at the time and made the best of it, with no regrets.

Look my friends, as stated at the start, I would never knowingly try and upset anyone, if I have, again I apologise.
Take it easy, and enjoy life.

[the new guy]

this whole "knife" thing is preposterous!!

C'mon.... a 12 year old with an 8 inch blade?? That is about as long as the kid is tall. And you were intimidated by him?? You must have no confidence in yourself. Do you have your testies in your wife's purse? Are you as tall as this 12 year old? Then I could see your concern.

I'd hate to see what happens if a black cat crosses your path.

As for writing this for someone else..... Why didn't she just register and do it for herself? Now you've discredited yourself... after only 2 posts.

Thanks for the comedic relief

[scottie1113]

[quote="lundjstuart"]Have you ever heard a Polish person refer to themselves as a 'Pole'?

The Answer: NEVER[/quote

Yep, all the time, from students and friends. I'm American; they're Polish. I'm an American; They're Poles. Nothing offensive about it.

But this Polish bashing seems to come mostly from Brits here. Oh, do you find Brits offensive? No more so than Yanks, which isn't at all offensive. Me, I'm naive, having only been around for 61 years, but if some 12 year old punk pulled an 8 inch blade on me he'd be lucky to walk home without it in his nether regions, if I didn't die laughing first. On the other hand, 50 p is cheap entertainment. I hope you enjoyed the show.