Polish Stereotypes

[george]

Radio Polonia has organized a competition open to foreign journalists who cover Polish developments. Sixteen journalists have been shortlisted and the main prizes went to those from Belgium, Germany and Lithuania. We spoke about the image of Poland abroad and the popular stereotypes about Poland with Stephane Alonso of NRC Handelsblad in the Netherlands, who won an honourable mention.


I hate stereotypes but we all have them. What are some stereotypes non Poles have of Poles?

[nancy]

george said:

I hate stereotypes but we all have them. What are some stereotypes non Poles have of Poles?

George, Are you sure you want to open this topic?
Might quickly become "politically incorrect"

[pieter]

George,

I am a subscriber to the NRC Handelsblad, receive and read it six times a week and
so get most information about Poland from this newspaper.
I am not suprised that German and Lithuanian journalists won prices, because
neigbours are always interested and good informed about their neigbours.
The Duch for instance get much news about Belgium, Germany and Great-Britain
(direct neigbours), and France and Poland get less attention, because they are
not direct neighbours. Belgium has a lot of Polish citizens (due to its Mines
in the past), and was tradtionally more Poland friendly than Holland (maybe,
because Belgium is a Catholic country and Holland traditionally Protestant).

Pieter

[Jaga]

George,

what if we woudl broaden the subject and talk about the general relations between the new and old Polonia? In the past I found some interesting articles about it I may dig out a bit.

What if people would write about its interesting experiences - the culture clash? Something like that which happens always

[leslie]

I have my stereotypes of the people of different countries. OK I know a population is made up of individuals and stereotyping is generalizing. But I have my stereotype of Polish people (it changes a little the more often I visit the country) but I would like to know what these journalists identified. In the straw-poll in my pub local I told you about this some time ago - I asked if they knew where Warsaw (not Warszawa) was and I was amazed at the results.
I for one would like to see what they have written.


Can you manage this George?

Leslie

[bescheid]

George

As a person, I see nothing wrong with your question of stereotype in as much as to Polish People or Poland. Until the question was broached, I had not thought of it. So now, we have the power of suggestion...

I have some special friends here that are Polish yes..I have never visited Poland, so have little to compare as an impression.

Personally, my beliefs coincide with my early professional training, which means,"you do not stereotype any one".

I do apologize as to adding very little to your thread in as much to new information or confirmation of old information.

Charles

[Pawian]

george said:

I hate stereotypes but we all have them. What are some stereotypes non Poles have of Poles?

Negative stereotypes are probably as follows:

- Poles are drunkards. It isn`t really true, because a statistic Pole drinks only about 7 litres of pure alcohol every year. In countries in Western Europe (France?) the amount is much higher, sometimes 12-14 litres per year.

- Poles are thieves. It is probably the result of the activity on Polish gangs which specialise in stealing cars in Western Europe. Germans make fun of it saying: "Go and visit Poland. Your car is already there!"

- Poles are bigots. The number of people going to churches all over Poland is in contrast with Poles` everyday behaviour. Poles openly declare they are christian, even catholic, but except for going to churches, they do not show it in their life.

- Poles are quarrelsome, they even tend to be anarchic. The history of Poland suggests there is some truth in it. Polish anarchy was one of the reasons why the country was partitioned by foreign powers in 18 century. Later Polish Uprisings, considered noble by Poles, contributed to the general opinion that Poles are quarrelsome.
Even the most recent events, I mean the disputes between Poland and the EU or cold relations between Poland and Russia might add to the stereotype.

- Poles are dirty. In some way it is true. I do not know now, but surveys made in communist times proved that Poles didn`t use too much soap or toothpaste.
Probably that has changed after the new system allowed Poles to buy whatever cleaning products they want.
But the stereotype still functions and it does not help much to get rid of it when you come to Poland and see these dull greyish drab buildings and dirty cars. In Germany, when a farmer has to go out onto the road from his field, he washes the wheels of his tractor first. In Poland it is unthinkable. That is why, in the fall season the country roads are full of mud which sticks to cars.

- Poles are primitive. Hmm, sometimes the behaviour of our compatriots abroad proves that Poles are primitive. We boast of our European origin but behave like barbarians from the east. The lack of higher education is important here, or the lack of any education. About 30% Poles finished primary schools only, about 105 graduated from universities. It is natural that with such education level many people in the country behave like barbarians.

- Poles are messy and disorganized. This can be partly true. One day a road is open after being rebuilt and next week it is demolished by builders again because someone forgot one more thing, some pipes, to put under it. Or Polish law - it is completely messy and allows many interpretations. These are things obvious and visible not only to foreigners, but to Poles themselves too. In Germany it is called " Polnische Wirtschaft."
Apart form negative stereotypes, there are also positive ones. But I will mention them in my next post.

[Pawian]

nancy said:

george said:

I hate stereotypes but we all have them. What are some stereotypes non Poles have of Poles?

George, Are you sure you want to open this topic?
Might quickly become "politically incorrect"

Yes, I am sure I want to continue this topic, even if we had to say some bad things about Poland and Poles. I hope there won`t be any censorship ha ha ha.

[nancy]

OK, Pawian, since you ready to explore this topic --

Stereotype 1. Poles are thickheaded (stubborn). ("You can always tell a Polack, but you can't tell him much." - my Polish-American father said this a lot.

Stereotype 2. Poles are stupid. I heard this when I was a child, and I still hear it sometimes.

I was surprised that you included "Poles are dirty." Maybe the men, but surely not the women.

[justjohn]

;D


"In what aisle could I find the Polish sausage."

The clerk looks at him and says, "Are you Polish?"

The guy, (clearly offended) says, "Well, yes I am. But let me ask you something, if I had asked for Italian sausage would you ask me if I was Italian? Or if I had asked for German bratwurst, would you ask me if I was German? Or if I asked for a kosher hot dog would you ask me if I was Jewish? Or if I had asked for a Taco would you ask if I was Mexican? Would ya, huh? Would ya?"

The clerk says, "Well, no!"

"If I asked for some Irish whiskey, would you ask if I was Irish?"

"Well, I probably wouldn't!"

With deep self-righteous indignation, the guy says, "Well then why did you ask me if I'm Polish because I ask for Polish sausage?"

The clerk replies, "Because you're at Home Depot"

[leslie]

Just a quick post as I am up to my ears in 12 different projects: I have never heard anyone in UK say any of the stereotype aspects that Pawi quotes. Before my first wonderful visit to Poland, I certainly did not have any of those aspects in mind about the Poles. I intend to do a quick survey soon with my friends at my local pub to see what they say. I think a lot of them will say 'Poles?! I know nothing about them!!!'
Leslie
From what I remember my only feeling about the Poles were from what I was told when I was due to speak at a Conference - dress formally because that is what they will expect and respect, and don't try humour because Poles generally don't have much of a sense of humour. This was from a Pole living in Poland - I found both to be untrue!

[Pawian]

leslie said:

I have never heard anyone in UK say any of the stereotype aspects that Pawi quotes. Before my first wonderful visit to Poland, I certainly did not have any of those aspects in mind about the Poles. I intend to do a quick survey soon with my friends at my local pub to see what they say. I think a lot of them will say 'Poles?! I know nothing about them!!!'

Hmm, it`s interesting. It means that stereotypes are invented when there is some closer contact between nationalities. If there isn`t, there is no ground for a stereotype to originate. What for?

But take Germany. They have hundreds of stereotypes about Poland there, they have always been our neighbours.

[Pawian]

leslie said:

and don't try humour because Poles generally don't have much of a sense of humour. This was from a Pole living in Poland - I found both to be untrue!

The guy who told you that must have been a bore himself. Polish audience loves it when the lecturer is funny. I have experienced it myslef - a humorous teacher is twice as successful as a boring, politically correct one.

[Pawian]

nancy said:

Stereotype 2. Poles are stupid. I heard this when I was a child, and I still hear it sometimes.

I was surprised that you included "Poles are dirty." Maybe the men, but surely not the women.

I included stupidity but I called it primitivism, which results from the lack of education. I suppose they are the same things.

[Pawian]

OK, OK, I am going to ease of on them anti-Polish guns and talk about positive stereotypes now.
I suppose they might be like that:

- Poles are freedom-lovers and fighters and patriots.
It is natural that Poles are seen like that, our history of wars, uprisings and rebellions against foreign or even home power is well known. Probably it is our recent history which is best known to an average non-Pole. Poles threw off Soviet yoke with the help of the Pope and Walesa and it is a fact.

- Poles are brave.
In fight Poles are determined and able to sacrifice their lives easily, especially when they consider the cause to be noble, e.g. fight for motherland.

I have some ideas but do not know if they are worth mentioning. I need some help.