Post by Jaga on Jul 1, 2013 9:36:17 GMT -7
I found this post in a different forum, which is usually related to Poles in England. Here is a link:
www.polishforums.com/travel-tourism-5/just-visited-poland-here-random-rant-66843/
Below are couple of points from the author. I do not agree with some of the comments,but his post is interesting. For instance I think that Polish countrysite is beautiful although sometimes regressed in time:
3. Many of the Polish villages and small towns.. still a disaster to look at. Most of the buildings are 100-200 years old. They just don't fit to the current world. All people do is to change the outer siding (using some cheap cement), which is an equivalent of putting up fire with oil. Many buildings are in pathetic state and people have been living in them for the past few generations. This is probably the worst problem of Poland's infrastructure - how to get rid of the old buildings which are not up to the modern age. I understand people don't have money to build new ones, but still..
Unless there is something major done with the old Polish buildings, Poland cannot look 'nice' to an average tourist. My prediction is that these buildings will stay until they collapse (it could take another 50-60 years). Only then something modern and efficient can be build. Heating or cooling such old buildings would cost arms and legs and it's wasted money.
4. The roads in Poland have significantly improved. Now it takes 30-50 percent less time to drive between some cities. Hopefully they will keep maintaining them properly in the long term.
5. Anti-radars on the roads... pathetic disaster. Imagine 2 radars, one cop, and one 'straz miejska' officer all trying to catch you speeding on a 5km road! Who agreed to install these radars in the first place? I thought Poles like freedom, but apparently this is the history. It seems half of the power of Polish police and 'city cops' are directed at trying to fine drivers over speeding. Again, a big turn off for potential travelers.
...
12. The famous Polish beaurocracy.. still thrives. I was trying to open a bank account in Poland. I did without much trouble, but then I wanted to add my relative to the account. I could not do it because I forgot my 'dowod osobisty' and only had my drivers license. What's wrong with my drivers license (which features my name, picture, and the same address anyway)?
13. Poles have been duped by their politicians (well, that affects most of the countries) and now business owners take advantage of the failed policies. For example, it's very common for a Pole to work on a contract basis (and the contract is being renewed every... WEEK). That way the employer saves money and the employee isn't really an employee but a contractor without legal rights to many things. And most people seem to be fine with that. They don't know they are being screwed twice (and once from behind?)
...
15. High grass in public places. Poland's towns and cities would be much prettier if someone took care of lawns. For now, it appears you are in a city but have high grass and bushes around you, not nice looking.
16. Energy cost is way too high in Poland. I wonder why. It's annoying when everybody tries to saves some zlotych and you have to live in darkness or have a few seconds to dry your hands. Maybe that's the reason grass in the cities is high and lawns are not maintained.
17. Corruption. If you have a company and can offer a much better deal but you don't know anyone in the government (be it local or not) then you are screwed. Contracts are given to friends or to those who pay bribes. It's not only Poland's problem, but it should be obvious for people to do something about that.
...
20. There are a lot of factories in Poland. Ugly ones. They are being built in the outskirts of towns and cities, which makes them ugly. Who wants to live in the area with a view on factories or smoking chimneys? Unfortunately, that's a common view for a lot of families. Poland creates some 'economic incentive zones' which help bring business to the region, but nobody seems to care about the long term effects of the commercial buildings surrounded by housing estates, schools, or churches.
...
22. Poles like to dress well and Polish women are as beautiful as always. It's nice to watch well-dressed people on Polish streets. What I noticed, however, is that people aren't as easily approachable as they used to be and are more stressed out in general. Rat race in Poland is in a high gear too.
23. Everybody I met knows some other Pole who works in a foreign country.
+++++++++++++++
-------------------------
Overall, I spent a nice time in Poland. If the things I described above are improved, Poland is on a good way to be a nice country to live (as long as you have a good job and enough money). The problem is, some fundamental things are going to take decades to improve.
If you have enough money and you don't care about little things that may annoy you, Poland is a very good option to visit or settle. Otherwise, you're still better off staying in a country you have a job because it's not easy to find one that pays well in Poland.
www.polishforums.com/travel-tourism-5/just-visited-poland-here-random-rant-66843/
Below are couple of points from the author. I do not agree with some of the comments,but his post is interesting. For instance I think that Polish countrysite is beautiful although sometimes regressed in time:
3. Many of the Polish villages and small towns.. still a disaster to look at. Most of the buildings are 100-200 years old. They just don't fit to the current world. All people do is to change the outer siding (using some cheap cement), which is an equivalent of putting up fire with oil. Many buildings are in pathetic state and people have been living in them for the past few generations. This is probably the worst problem of Poland's infrastructure - how to get rid of the old buildings which are not up to the modern age. I understand people don't have money to build new ones, but still..
Unless there is something major done with the old Polish buildings, Poland cannot look 'nice' to an average tourist. My prediction is that these buildings will stay until they collapse (it could take another 50-60 years). Only then something modern and efficient can be build. Heating or cooling such old buildings would cost arms and legs and it's wasted money.
4. The roads in Poland have significantly improved. Now it takes 30-50 percent less time to drive between some cities. Hopefully they will keep maintaining them properly in the long term.
5. Anti-radars on the roads... pathetic disaster. Imagine 2 radars, one cop, and one 'straz miejska' officer all trying to catch you speeding on a 5km road! Who agreed to install these radars in the first place? I thought Poles like freedom, but apparently this is the history. It seems half of the power of Polish police and 'city cops' are directed at trying to fine drivers over speeding. Again, a big turn off for potential travelers.
...
12. The famous Polish beaurocracy.. still thrives. I was trying to open a bank account in Poland. I did without much trouble, but then I wanted to add my relative to the account. I could not do it because I forgot my 'dowod osobisty' and only had my drivers license. What's wrong with my drivers license (which features my name, picture, and the same address anyway)?
13. Poles have been duped by their politicians (well, that affects most of the countries) and now business owners take advantage of the failed policies. For example, it's very common for a Pole to work on a contract basis (and the contract is being renewed every... WEEK). That way the employer saves money and the employee isn't really an employee but a contractor without legal rights to many things. And most people seem to be fine with that. They don't know they are being screwed twice (and once from behind?)
...
15. High grass in public places. Poland's towns and cities would be much prettier if someone took care of lawns. For now, it appears you are in a city but have high grass and bushes around you, not nice looking.
16. Energy cost is way too high in Poland. I wonder why. It's annoying when everybody tries to saves some zlotych and you have to live in darkness or have a few seconds to dry your hands. Maybe that's the reason grass in the cities is high and lawns are not maintained.
17. Corruption. If you have a company and can offer a much better deal but you don't know anyone in the government (be it local or not) then you are screwed. Contracts are given to friends or to those who pay bribes. It's not only Poland's problem, but it should be obvious for people to do something about that.
...
20. There are a lot of factories in Poland. Ugly ones. They are being built in the outskirts of towns and cities, which makes them ugly. Who wants to live in the area with a view on factories or smoking chimneys? Unfortunately, that's a common view for a lot of families. Poland creates some 'economic incentive zones' which help bring business to the region, but nobody seems to care about the long term effects of the commercial buildings surrounded by housing estates, schools, or churches.
...
22. Poles like to dress well and Polish women are as beautiful as always. It's nice to watch well-dressed people on Polish streets. What I noticed, however, is that people aren't as easily approachable as they used to be and are more stressed out in general. Rat race in Poland is in a high gear too.
23. Everybody I met knows some other Pole who works in a foreign country.
+++++++++++++++
-------------------------
Overall, I spent a nice time in Poland. If the things I described above are improved, Poland is on a good way to be a nice country to live (as long as you have a good job and enough money). The problem is, some fundamental things are going to take decades to improve.
If you have enough money and you don't care about little things that may annoy you, Poland is a very good option to visit or settle. Otherwise, you're still better off staying in a country you have a job because it's not easy to find one that pays well in Poland.
