7 Things No One Told Me About Poland

[@pb218]

Before you buy a bus ticket from the ticket machine, you can choose the English language. Maybe you didn't notice, but there was a British flag on the screen. If you buy a 24-hour ticket in Warsaw, you can use it to travel by bus, tram, metro and local SKM train. You've been to Poland and the proper language for that country is Polish, do not expect that every old person will speak English to you. If you want to avoid the mistake of buying a train ticket at the counter, do it online. 😉

[@Shekumanstravel]

That's correct! Eventually, I was able to buy a ticketafter a close inspection of the machines.

[@dominika3762]

Proper language? When you go to Egypt do you expect/want ppl not to be able to communicate with you in English? Do you travel at all? Do you always speak the local language? Everyone under the age of 50 should have at least a passable command of English. If you don't then it's your fault, English since primary school etc. You have to pass matura. Do you have access to the internet? Personally, I don't have a person in my circle of friends and family who wouldn't be able to sell you a ticket. Even my parent's generation (60-75 yesrs old) had some English at school. And they and their friends travel abroad so you have to speak English

[@pb218]

@@dominika3762 Sunshine, I live in the UK. Your comment is a bit awkward and weird...

[@magorzatacharczynska5656]

No serio ja mam 41 lat i mialam w szkole rosyjski a angielski w średniej był na tak gównianym poziomie że nie masz pojęcia. Moji rodzice mają 65 i 69 i może umia 5 słów po angielsku. Polak nie ma obowiązku mówić po angielsku w swoim kraju. Francuzi są tak dumni ze maja w dupie angieslkich tyrustow i uważają ze ich francuski jest najpiękniejszy . Mówią jedynie ci w centrum pojedzie na prowincję Francji zobaczysz angielski jak sobie zamazysz 😂 Mieszkam od 17 lat w stolicy szkocji i mowie oczywiście w ich języku ale jak gość kupuje bilet w okienku a wymówi źle nazwę swoim worso to kobiete nie kuma mógłby jej nazwę w Google transalte przetłumaczyć pokazać palcem i by sobie przeczytała 21 wiek chlop podruzuje po świecie powinien wiedzieć jak się ogarnąć a nie wymagać od każdego w okienku żeby na stare lata uczył sie angieslkiego😂😂😂.Jeszcze za tają gownianą pensje.

[@natalias50]

There is one historical fact that might be interesting for you. In 1802 Polish legions were sent by Napoleon to quell a rebellion in French colony in Caribbean but later joined the Haitian slaves during the Haitian Revolution and fought against French.

[@VoidCosmonaut]

That is the reason there is a village named Poland in Haiti

[@Northerner-NotADoctor]

@@VoidCosmonaut That is the reason why Poles are not considered "Gringos" in Carribean, but simply "Polaccos", which means they are treated better than Gringos.

[@januszlepionko]

​​​@@VoidCosmonautpe. The Polish village in Haiti is named Cazale. After creole Cay Zale, meaning House of Zale where "Zale" is shortened "Zaleski", a family name of one of Polish legionnaires.

[@Shekumanstravel]

Fascinating history that's surely worth a read.

[@Shekumanstravel]

@@VoidCosmonautreally? Where is that village located?

[@wladyslawbukowski]

I cannot understand that foreigners are so surprised that Poles in Poland speak Polish. When we Poles find ourselves in England, Ethiopia or Egypt, we are not surprised that they do not speak Polish there. There they speak English, Ethiopian, Arabic. This determines the average level of intelligence and rationality. Foreigners, realize once and for all that Polish is spoken in Poland. As a courtesy and to make your life easier, learn a few words in Polish before you come to us, please don't be ignorant and lazy. Thank you.

[@garnekux123]

Well, English is common language used around the whole world so foreigners are not surprised that Poles speak Polish but they are surprised that not so many of Poles speak English due to the reason I've mentioned before. There is nothing rude by pointing this out. Not everyone knows Polish history and not everyone is aware of what iron curtain was and why people don't know English in Poland lol

[@dominika3762]

But you would be surprised they don't speak English. If you don't speak English in Poland, you fucked up. What did you do at school? How do you navigate the internet?

[@dominika3762]

And what good would a few words do? Nothing. Do you do extrnsive oanguage courses when you travel abroad? How is you Ethiopian, Chinese, French, German? Fluent enough to buy tickets? He wouldn't be pissed that ppl don't speak hos language, it's mindblowing some of my country men don't speak ENGLISH. Which is the worldwide lingua franca

[@dominika3762]

I hope no foreigner stumbles upon you, with your attitude you seem a person who'd be offended by ppl trying to speak English

[@nopenope460]

​@@garnekux123 If you want to visit Poland, learn the basic phrases or download an application on your phone that will translate for you. In Poland we speak polish. Im Home, english is also not in my language group and is as difficult for us as learning polish for you and I personally don't know any English people who speak any language other than english, being lazy is no excuse. I speak polish, english and german.

[@mireklalas]

Your soft-spoken manner adds credibility to your story. You're sharing instead of selling, and that laidback, easy-going attitude is very persuasive in its sincerity.

[@yakeosicki8965]

A few words about black Polish patriots. You need to know the stories of August Agbola O'Brown, aka 'Ali.' He was born on July 22, 1895 in Lagos and died on September 8, 1976 in London. He was a Polish musician of Nigerian origin, an underground activist. Probably the only black participant in the Warsaw Uprising. After the war, he emigrated from communist Poland. He has a commemorative plaque in the center of Warsaw in Pasaż Wiecha. Joseph Sam Sandi wrote a great story. Born as Sam Sandi (born 1885, died April 29, 1937 in Poznań) He was a Polish professional wrestler, an insurgent of Greater Poland. The commander of the legion sent to Haiti was Władysław Franciszek Jabłonowski (born October 25, 1769 in Gdańsk, died September 29, 1802 in Saint-Domingue) - brigadier general of the Polish Legions. . He was a Polish and French general. Jabłonowski was the illegitimate son of the wife of General Konstanty Aleksander Jabłonowski, Maria Franciszka Dealire, an English aristocrat, and her African butler. He was adopted by Jabłonowski.

[@MaraMara89]

If you have troubles with buying tickets at station just look around for someone young-er (20-30years) - and ask if they speak english. Older people had russian or german at school, but younger - english. And some like to practice it so would gladly help if not in a rush (been there: I translated in station in Opole). Kebabs are hit and miss - some can be great, some are terrible. When in doubts: check google reviews. Also: if there is long line of people that looks like locals - it probably will be good :) One tip: music in video is way too loud and your voice too quite (especially at the beginning) - had to change volume few times. Music was really nice though :)

[@agatastaniak7459]

Yes, Polish people are sociable, so it's good to go about language barrier the natural Polsih way: 1. Walk around asking at random: Do You speak English? If answer is yes, briefly explain the problem. 2. Go with this Polish person to a station and buy your ticket with their help. How a Polish person would go about any random problem having other random perfect strangers around. This is natural pattern of random social contacts in Poland. ;-) I know it feels weird in France or in Scandic coutries but is really perfectly normal in Poland or Greece, so go for it and enjoy.

[@robomurlok2029]

main reason for the language barrier is the fact that many people didn't have english at school beacuse english was incorporated into polish school after the year 1989

[@charonboat6394]

Nieprawda, od przynajmniej lat 70-ch w liceach miałeś do wyboru, poza polskim i ruskim, francuski, niemiecki lub angielski.

[@michachodkowski8499]

​@@charonboat6394Do 89 w szkole podstawowej nie mogłeś wybrać innego języka obcego niż język moskali. W najbardziej chłonnym dla umysłu czasie wtłaczali dzieciom do głów przez 5 lat jezyk okupanta... wiec pisanie ze to nieprawda jest co najmniej grubym niedopowiedzeniem.

[@charonboat6394]

@@michachodkowski8499 Liceum też jest szkołą.

[@michachodkowski8499]

@@charonboat6394 co nijak nie zmienia faktu ze do 89 roku uczac sie w szkole jedynym jezykiem obcym jakiego MUSIAŁEŚ sie uczyc był ruski - bo podstawówka jest obowiązkowa - wiec nauki ruskiego nie mogles uniknąć. Liceum obowiązkowe nie było. Z tego wynika wprost ze jedynym jezykiem obcym ktorego musiales sie w Polsce uczyc do roku 89 byl kacapski i nie było żadnego wyboru ani wyjątku od tej reguły. Innych jezykow MOGŁEŚ sie uczyc jesli chcialeś, ale kacapski znac musiales.

[@charonboat6394]

@@michachodkowski8499. Myślisz się.W szkole średniej musiałeś uczyć się trzeciego języka.

[@luxuryheat3023]

Thanks for this video helped me alot. Now i know my next destination.

[@No_Saint_]

You should definitely visit my city "Wrocław" it is called the city of a hundred bridges and the city of meetings.

[@Shinobito1]

No. 1 - yes, you do need to be extra careful about you ticket. Ticket controllers get paid extra for people they catch, either without a ticker or with a wrong one, so any chance they can write you a ticket, they will, they rarely cut you any slack, even if you are a tourist.

[@marzena9625]

Sheku _ you made me miss Poland even more today. I can’t wait till I come back home again. Greetings from NYC and you are not bashing the US - unfortunately what you are pointing out is true!

[@Mean_Zer0]

Most youg generation do speak english, so what you can do if someone doesn't speak english, just ask a random person for help. To be fair, if you are in a queue... leave, ask for help, explain in detail what you are trying to do and you have huge chances that you will get help. Some people will pretend they don't speak english, because they're shy and we don't speak english in poland that often, so it's very rusty and broken sometimes. Varies from person to person, obviously.

[@TomaszB]

#2 is not quite fair. Why someone expecting everybody speaks english (BTW most young people do, on train stations / city there are special tourist info points with english speakers). I'm wondering, can i buy a ticket in London using German/Italian/Spanish/French or Polish? Can i select Polis language in kiosks? Do English/Americans speak ANY other language than English? Greetings from Katowice PS Speak louder (and music volume down). It's partially hard to understand for non-english speakers.

[@unmanned_system]

I don't know how about you but when i travel somewhere and i go to any public service (ticket shop, museum etc) I take it as obvious that people that work there speak english in a level that allows communication. If you're traveling to let's say italy, but you don't speak italian, what language are you going to use?

[@TomaszB]

​@@unmanned_system I've got same, but i don't expect i could buy a bus ticket in middle of Sicily using english, forget it! And i don't blame Italian i can't be understood.

[@MaraMara89]

@@unmanned_system I usually learn/write down few words in language that is spoken in that country. I try to know how to say: good morning, thank you, please and goodbye in any local language, then I might check how to say "ticket". My only exception is greek for now, as I was there only once and it is really hard for me to learn. I speak english at ok. level, then I know those few words in French, German, Italian and Spanish - it always help. (My friend knows French, Portuguese, Japanese and Korean, so together we cover a lot ;) ) TLDR: as I travel outside tourist destinations I try to know few words in local language beforehand.

[@TomaszB]

@@MaraMara89 I assume, he didn't read carefully my opinion. It was comment to #2 point when Sheku complain (or jus realized) he can't speak english to "TICKET SELLER on TRAIN STATION". I didn't ment museums, ticket seller for tourist places etc. :D

[@charonboat6394]

When teaveling to Italy I've got italian phrase book and learned some useful stuff. Imo it is arrogant to expect most of the local population to speak English.

[@nikka00]

Heh, on 6.42 you caught quite famous Polish book writer and journalist Mariusz Szczygieł :D

[@mariusz07]

Buying a ticket for train is very easy. Just show the train-app screen at the ticket office and you say "Poproszę bilet". :)

[@charonboat6394]

Just out of curiosity, how many cashiers in GB or States speak polish?

[@swetoniuszkorda5737]

So "speak" or "polish" ? :)

[@somsiadtomasz]

If u will be again on Łódź check out the "pasaż róży" also try to participate in higher cities in "noc muzeów" (night of museums - free entry to most of them) and "light move festival" ;)

[@somsiadtomasz]

Bigger cities* (phone dictionary changed it ;/)

[@mixter2005]

@sheku Love your video man Glad you like Poland If I ever meet you while you’re in Torun again We gonna smash the best pierogi on the world bro 🤜 Keep doing what you doing Grand job 👌

[@mariolasej8639]

If you visit Poland again, I invite you to Rawa Mazowiecka. This small city is located between Warsaw and Łódź. Adorable and pretty. I invite .

[@kingabar5133]

To tak jakby Polak pojechał do Londynu i wymagał żeby na stacji kolejowej kasjerka mówiła po polsku!!!!

[@Ula-Ka]

Więcej osób zna język angielski jako język obcy niż jako ojczysty.

[@kamikadzegga9188]

Angielski jest aktualnie językiem światowym więc wypadałoby znać chociaż kilka słówek, ale racja w takich małych miasteczkach nie jest to zbyt użyteczna umiejętność.

[@Shekumanstravel]

You know what you got a point 😅 English speakers like us are spoiled but I was just giving advice to future travellers to be aware to avoid the stress.

[@iesroo]

It's like someone went to London and told them to speak English!

[@marcinmrozowski6703]

Serio porównujesz polski do angielskiego? 😂😂

[@joannarojewska2211]

Nice video! Greetings from Lodz ❤

[@robertswietochowski6452]

13:56 you coincidentally spotted Mariusz Szczygieł I think, journalist/writer etc :)

[@U96michal96-sx5fs]

Bydgoszcz moje miasto

[@zjemtwryz4943]

Maybe you should try visiting some smaller towns? Less known atleast

[@MachetManPL]

Older people speaking Russia,mabee Germany. In communist times we have mostly Russians foreginers and thats the only language in school (i mean foregin offcorse). Now in Polisch schools we have English and Germany,but sometimes Spanish,French etc

[@RitterDesHimmels1]

Nice video.

[@Shekumanstravel]

Glad you like it mate!

[@lupoxxx2511]

visit Zakopane in Poland

[@Navorek]

cause of tickets i use app on the phone ;)

[@studiosztukwizualnych]

I'm glad that as a foreigner on a trip You actually made the effort to use the public transportation in Poland. As I see many tourists just skip it and use Bolts and Ubers to get around and especially in a big cities is really not efficient cause You will most likely stuck in traffic jams. If You will be here for a longer time it makes more sense to buy a week or 24 hours ticket and Yes just use apps and website to buy a ticket its so much easier and faster! One disclaimer though - about the drinking in Poland. Actually as even statistics shows - when it comes to alcohol consumption in UE, Poland is not even in top 5, and ahead of us are Czechs, Germans, Ireland and Baltic Countries. To be fair, it really depends on social context. Many of my friends are not drinking at all, I grew up in an abstinent family, and 70% of families that I know consume only wine on very special occasions. Alcoholism was a huge problem during communism time, but nowadays people are more aware of health impact and really - young generation here in Poland are not up to alcohol. Of course You will meet a lot of drunkards cause its still cheap and widely available "drug" , but lot of people are not drinking on daily or even monthly basis.

[@jarosawklejnocki6633]

During your stay in Poland you were mostly in cities, and I encourage you to visit the province next time. I think you'd like the Tatra Mountains, the only alpine-type mountains in this part of Europe; the coast of the Baltic Sea is also nice, although the sea itself is rather cold. Such a peninsula of Hel is impressive - until recently there was a bus number 666 :), someone from the authorities apparently associated what Hel (with one more "l) means in English and probably gave the line such a number as a tourist attraction, but recently some Catholic organizations protested and it was changed to 669. But this again caused protests from tourists - it's very Polish :) Nevertheless, as I say, next time go to nature: Masurian Lakes, Białowieża Forest, etc.

[@walterweiss7124]

national parks, sure

[@ilovehardstyle6242]

Because Polish-Turkish "KEBAB" is made with love. You must try food from Polish Grandma someday, you will jump out of your shoes.

[@nieszczepionatuszcza9598]

Yeah mate you`re absolutely right - Poles (especially working in so called public sector like transport, government etc.) doesn`t speak english. It`s little bit better when you deal with private businesses like restaurants for example. Thanks for visiting !

[@izabela1961]

Most of the transportation fares and other info. is usually in English, too but don't worry. I can't understand most of it in Polish, too. The info about prices, routes and timetables at the stations or bus stops is unclear and confusing even for the locals. On websites, too!

[@kimkupfer5549]

When was your trip to Lodz? I also rode the Baczynski train on the Lodz-Warsaw relation 2 days ago! Even the hour was the same, so maybe we've seen each other?

[@geo2theo]

don't buy reduced fare - U , buy N normal. :)

[@aleksandram.3180]

6:38 Mariusz Szczygieł na peronie?

[@bogna8877]

dokładnie 😂

[@mostlikely...]

🇵🇱🏆🇵🇱🏆

[@pawejaroszewicz7893]

My way of parting in Poland was drink only with womens. Much less vodca, much more fun:)

[@antekp2965]

6:40 Mariusz Szczygieł ?

[@VoidCosmonaut]

Who TF is Mariusz Szczygieł?

[@czyrak]

@@VoidCosmonaut wiki it - journalist and writer

[@JesusMagicPanties]

Mariusz Szczygieł is Elvis Presley just living in Poland.

[@annakinzel4212]

Learn basic polish simple

[@monwabisitembani6319]

His voice sounds like Prince Harry

[@MrCroxxx]

many prople in poland speak english, but you know. It's just ticked agent... it isn't necesery to know english on ny level there

[@KoRbA2310]

If you like Kebab that much there is a chain of restaurants with craft meat called Piri-Piri Kebab. They are one of the best in the country.

[@VoidCosmonaut]

No. Chains are terrible. Same with pizzas. There are chains in Poland like De Grasso or Domino's or Telepizza and i find local pizzerias way better

[@Shekumanstravel]

Maybe, I will get to try that when I get back to Poland soon.

[@Shekumanstravel]

@@VoidCosmonautand your suggestion will be noted as well ❤

[@KoRbA2310]

@@VoidCosmonaut Nah this one different coz it's owned and promoted by a know tiktoker, his reputation is on the table so he takes care of the stuff he sell

[@wojs2401]

Kebabs in Poland are terriible!!!! Why you say so?

[@bee12117]

Co on się do tej Łodzi tak przyczepił?

[@dawidskok8870]

Masz rację. Obejrzyj jego ost film o zyciu w USA. Skomentowałem jego komentarze o Łodzi. Pozdrawiam

[@jacek222245]

bo sami łodzianie tak opowiadaja jakie to ich miast jest słabe. To dosyć powszechne wsrod lodzian narzekanie

[@zielonyludzik8018]

ciężko się do łodzi nie przyczepić. paskudne, brudne, zakorkowane miasto. no ale nie może być inaczej skoro łodzią rządzi lewactwo.

[@ereeekaleso9586]

łódź nie miała łatwo tyle zakładów tam polikwidowano ludzią cieżko było to i patologia sie rozwineła i różne inne problemy, to nie ich wina po prostu warunki mieli kiepskie w okresie "transformacji" i stosunkowo od niedawna z tego wychodzą na prostą

[@dawidskok8870]

Wiem,że narzekają,ale to przez brak znajomości historii tego miasta. Sam jestem Łodzianinem i jest mi przykro czytać i słuchać tych komentarzy. Gwarantuje wam, że Łódź może zafascynować. Wychowałem się w samym jej sercu ..wiem gdzie znaleźć wspaniałe wille i pałace fabrykanckie..wiem gdzie są famuły i stare fabryki. Wystarczy się trochę zainteresować i nie patrzeć stereotypowo. Pozdrawiam

[@albu318]

Polish people know their Kebab if it is rubbish no one will go there.

[@walterweiss7124]

this rule is everywhere

[@ifeanyinwogu2616]

Pls help me relocate to Poland. Am from Nigeria

[@krzysztofmazurek3819]

No to przyjeżdżaj kolego.Nie ma problemu😅

[@agatastaniak7459]

Any chance you can apply to any Polish university? If yes, it's good way to get in some larger city and start fromt here. Plus there are free Polish language courses for students.

[@BornToWalkInTheSun]

English man will tell, You drink to much. The hypocrisys is takin next level.

[@baird5682]

Did you learn already that polish people are black?

[@ereeekaleso9586]

haha we are blacks of europe :))) thats some of us feel, thats true

[@iesroo]

I've never seen a black person in Poland.

[@baird5682]

@@iesroo maybe you weren't looking in the right places.

[@maciejwyzgowski]

@@iesroo Because you've never been to Poland?

[@iesroo]

@@maciejwyzgowski I have...

[@rightfulcop]

Sheku I invite you to visit Bydgoszcz again, I can give you a quick tour, take you to the most interesting spots and landmarks, just let me know in advance. We can go by car or take a bus/tram, whichever is more convenient for ya. Gimme a shout if you're planning to come back. Btw I'll also tell you some quirks and funny facts about cities in Poland that may make it more interesting. Cheers!

[@zozole7164]

🇵🇱🇵🇱🤜🤛🇵🇱🇵🇱