3 ms·

As a Pole myself, I’d add two things: it is generally a lovely country, lots of beautiful countryside etc. Less “spectacular”, more “cozy” etc. People are a bit

As a Pole myself, I’d add two things: it is generally a lovely country, lots of beautiful countryside etc. Less “spectacular”, more “cozy” etc. People are a bit uncertain of new things (eg foreigners in a new town) but generally warm and helpful eventually. That said, I’d you’re not white and straight, small towns could be very unwelcoming, from people staring, to telling you to go, to physical violence. Rare but true.

peakaboo 5y ago
I find myself thinking the last part sounds great, well aware of how unacceptable that opinion is today. Its interesting how people think it makes you an evil person to want a more homogenous society instead of the multicultural one.
- makeworld 5y ago
  >very unwelcoming, physical violence >"I think that sounds great!" >"Oh no why do people think I'm an evil person"
bruceb 5y ago
non pole here, knew a guy who wasn't white or European, not living in biggest cities, loved it there. sure its safer than many places.
- rich_sasha 5y ago
  Well I love it, and many places and people will give non-white non-straight people no issues. But hand on heart can I say to someone outside that narrow blueprint it’s definitely fine? Nope.
  - fhood 5y ago
    Haven't been, so I wonder how it compares with rural US, where, at least in some of the places I've been, people are quite intolerant in abstract, but almost universally friendly in person.
    - rich_sasha 5y ago
      I think if people get to know you, they are indeed positively surprised that “despite” being foreign etc you’re actually nice etc. That wouldn’t be my concern so much. It would rather be the odd skinhead on the bus or in the street. The current government is also quietly accepting such behaviours, as it is their voter base, so the few “bad apples” feel they can act with impunity. I don’t want to overplay it, it’s not Nazi Germany, but for sure something to consider. Nice place one way or the other.
      - bobthechef 5y ago
        This is what I read in this response: "Is it safe to visit Poland? I hear you could get struck by lightening over there." Also, the idea that the current government is quietly accepting skinhead violence is preposterous.
  - lappet 5y ago
    Is that true even for visiting? I am Indian and have wanted to visit Poland and the region for quite a while. I did find rural Germany quite ok except communication.
    - rich_sasha 5y ago
      You’ll be fine for sure in touristy areas and big city centres. There are Indian people living and working in Poland, so it can’t be too bad. Right wing media say nothing of racist attacks. Left wing media describe them all the time. There are vocal nationalists, most of whom never go past their grumblings. I raise it as I’d be somewhat concerned sending a non-white or job-straight friend into rural Poland. If you look at UK Foreign Office travel advice, the LGBT intolerance warrants a mention, but no other warning: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/poland/local-laws-and-customs https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/poland/local-laws-a... . I guess attitudes to non-white people could get a similar treatment.
      - lappet 5y ago
        Ok. Thank you so much for the advice.
cloudedcordial 5y ago
Non-Pole here. Visited Poland in the past 10 years. Beautiful countryside for sure. Cities and roads were clean. Decent food. During my last visit, wireless phone service was super in the major cities...even better than Canada's. As a tourist, Poland was a pretty big bang on my money: Equivalent item from the west for 1/3 of the cost while enjoying modern amenities. But I can see non Polish speakers would have difficulties living there in the longer term. During my trips, I insisted on travelling with at least one native Polish speaker.
coderintherye 5y ago
The locals did stare at us funny when we didn't put ketchup on our pizza, but then we stared back cause why would someone do such a thing.
- exikyut 5y ago
  As someone who has never done this before, *I'm* now wondering why someone *wouldn't* do such a thing :D that sounds awesome
lostmsu 5y ago
What about fiber internet at 1Gbps+?

peakaboo 5y ago

I find myself thinking the last part sounds great, well aware of how unacceptable that opinion is today. Its interesting how people think it makes you an evil person to want a more homogenous society instead of the multicultural one.

makeworld 5y ago
>very unwelcoming, physical violence >"I think that sounds great!" >"Oh no why do people think I'm an evil person"

bruceb 5y ago

non pole here, knew a guy who wasn't white or European, not living in biggest cities, loved it there. sure its safer than many places.

rich_sasha 5y ago
Well I love it, and many places and people will give non-white non-straight people no issues. But hand on heart can I say to someone outside that narrow blueprint it’s definitely fine? Nope.
- fhood 5y ago
  Haven't been, so I wonder how it compares with rural US, where, at least in some of the places I've been, people are quite intolerant in abstract, but almost universally friendly in person.
  - rich_sasha 5y ago
    I think if people get to know you, they are indeed positively surprised that “despite” being foreign etc you’re actually nice etc. That wouldn’t be my concern so much. It would rather be the odd skinhead on the bus or in the street. The current government is also quietly accepting such behaviours, as it is their voter base, so the few “bad apples” feel they can act with impunity. I don’t want to overplay it, it’s not Nazi Germany, but for sure something to consider. Nice place one way or the other.
    - bobthechef 5y ago
      This is what I read in this response: "Is it safe to visit Poland? I hear you could get struck by lightening over there." Also, the idea that the current government is quietly accepting skinhead violence is preposterous.
- lappet 5y ago
  Is that true even for visiting? I am Indian and have wanted to visit Poland and the region for quite a while. I did find rural Germany quite ok except communication.
  - rich_sasha 5y ago
    You’ll be fine for sure in touristy areas and big city centres. There are Indian people living and working in Poland, so it can’t be too bad. Right wing media say nothing of racist attacks. Left wing media describe them all the time. There are vocal nationalists, most of whom never go past their grumblings. I raise it as I’d be somewhat concerned sending a non-white or job-straight friend into rural Poland. If you look at UK Foreign Office travel advice, the LGBT intolerance warrants a mention, but no other warning: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/poland/local-laws-and-customs https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/poland/local-laws-a... . I guess attitudes to non-white people could get a similar treatment.
    - lappet 5y ago
      Ok. Thank you so much for the advice.

cloudedcordial 5y ago

Non-Pole here. Visited Poland in the past 10 years. Beautiful countryside for sure. Cities and roads were clean. Decent food. During my last visit, wireless phone service was super in the major cities...even better than Canada's. As a tourist, Poland was a pretty big bang on my money: Equivalent item from the west for 1/3 of the cost while enjoying modern amenities. But I can see non Polish speakers would have difficulties living there in the longer term. During my trips, I insisted on travelling with at least one native Polish speaker.

coderintherye 5y ago

The locals did stare at us funny when we didn't put ketchup on our pizza, but then we stared back cause why would someone do such a thing.

exikyut 5y ago
As someone who has never done this before, *I'm* now wondering why someone *wouldn't* do such a thing :D that sounds awesome

lostmsu 5y ago

What about fiber internet at 1Gbps+?