8 American Ideas that Would Make Poland Better!

[@zdenekzdun410]

In Poland lives a very powerfull guy who doesn't like to see the garage sales or hiring teenagers to lawnmowing or babysitting. His name is Fiskus.

[@Polukpan]

Poland is typical socialistic country that's while there is this kind of pathology.

[@zdenekzdun410]

@You Kou I like the term "best European countries". Every country is best in some aspects and not so much in others, even Poland. In many less financially oppressive countries, the tax office is not even interested in someone selling bunch of his second hand 'treasuries' unless this becomes a regular source of income. The taxes for buying/selling these items in the first place were already paid. Same applies when people are selling other parts of their property like houses or vehicles. If this is not done as regular source of income, the tax office has nothing to do with such trade. In contrast in Poland such nano trades are being called "Shadow economy".

[@zdenekzdun410]

@@Polukpan sure, and this is exactly why so many Poles fled the country at first opportunity choosing such roaring capitalistic destinations as UK, Norway, Ireland and Spain. Some didn't even board on the plane when they were asking "mam lumbago I płaskostopie, co sie mnie należy jak dojade ?" ))

[@wojciechorama]

To bardzo ważna odpowiedź.

[@lukaszosojca6812]

:D

[@someonewhocares999]

7 its quite easy actually. Petrol stations have more revenue from selling other things than just petrol so that why you have to go inside, they want to lure you into buying something else, eg coffee or hot-dog, cause those are huge margins sales for them.

[@penguinsfan251]

Same here..they are convenience stores that sell gas. Sheetz has a drive through to order food.

[@RefreshThisPage]

Nope, there are Gas stations which allow you to pay right after.

[@Pinzpilot101]

@@RefreshThisPage In my village the gas station guy will come out and fill your car for you at no extra cost.....Mind you I always fill the tank and two of my trucks have 100 litre tanks, I think he is pleased to see me.

[@johnlabus7359]

Interestingly enough, some stations in the US now allow you to order/pay for food from a touch screen while you are pumping your fuel. This way, the sandwich can be prepared while you are finishing pumping your fuel and all you have to do is walk into the store to retrieve it.

[@polluxtroy1310]

Pay at the Pump gas stations here! That’s the only way I get gas!

[@maciejszymanski2386]

Warsaw University shall be proud for having me as a student for 13 years.

[@WGal-er8bm]

Career Student? Is that your vocation?

[@akkudakkupl]

@@WGal-er8bm More likely he is constantly failing some of his classes and has to redo them :D

[@samuan001]

Or he has a few degrees?

[@aliciagarstka8865]

13 ??????? Hahahaha

[@tnit7554]

13 ....you must be very intelligent.😂🤣👍

[@zardzewialy]

Garage sales are not a thing, because we don't have the sprawling suburbs the way they are in the US. Instead we have something called a "pchli targ" or just a flea market, which is exactly the same thing, but organised into a single space with every person just getting their own "stand" with all the junk they want to sell.

[@piotrr4097]

Or OLX and similar services ;)

[@Agtiss]

Also, suburbs in Poland consist mainly of blocks of flats and hardly anyone has a backyard.

[@PatrickKniesler]

In America, people race to be the first to scour yard sales, mostly older people who wake early on the weekends. I think it would be better if we had more small flea markets instead.

[@Vauno4]

I guess since you pay thousands of dollars for university you have to make up for it somehow...

[@LoveMyPoland]

I went to Liberty on academic scholarships. Not everyone is financially ruined...

[@run2fire]

Most kids take way too much money out in loans to pay for school

[@annanajduch5201]

Nope. If you are poor or low middle class your kid can end up going to college for free, especially if they get some sort of athletic or academic scholarship.

[@WGal-er8bm]

@@LoveMyPoland Yes if anything when you have an education debt you work harder to get rid of it.

[@tomsmith8255]

@@WGal-er8bmSo you might become a money slave. And work and money might become your god that hold an unhealthy central position in your life.

[@Hadar1991]

5. This view on the Holy Mass comes from just not understanding what Catholicism is. The main difference between Catholicism and Protestantism is that Catholicism as source of True Faith uses not only the Bible but also the Sacred Tradition (Anglicans and Methodists throw off some of the Sacred Tradition, while Lutherans, Calvinists and Baptists negate the Sacred Tradition entirely) . So the continuity and uniformity of the Sacred Tradition is extremely important, so in Roman Catholic churches mass should look exactly the same in every church in every country (but not always it is the case). For the example the reform of the Holy Mass after Second Vatican Council is often criticised as protenstantisation of Catholicism, because the continuity of how Holy Mass was performed for ages has been interrupt and now in different places different languages are used and often each place have their own different quirks. Even though Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, led by His Eminence Cardinal Robert Sarah, is supposed to make sure that Holy Mass is the same in each corner of the world. To sum up if you see a band performing in middle of Holy Mass songs as you shown in this video you may be sure that priest who allows it commits serious liturgical abuse and may (and should) be admonished by local bishop.

[@tomaszzbikowaty2854]

I agree! I just wanted to write the same opinion about it.

[@kojak8403]

I wouldn't leave a hamster with a modern day highschooler :)

[@LoveMyPoland]

Hahaha good point

[@utahdan231]

Does it mean there's no responsible highschooler in Poland? Little trust can change many things.

[@tomsmith8255]

@@utahdan231Trust was destroyed in this country after 123 years of occupation that erased Poland from the map, two World Wars, 50 years of Soviet communistic protectorate and rule of ex-communists that were not judged and until this day meddle in politics. And much of this because this country was given away for free to oppression by the Western Europe and USA of that time while they were having fun in their rich lives pretending like no one is suffering here, despite previous assurances of protection. This nations trust was broken by a nationwide PTSD and rule of fear that is passed down through generations. Read the history of the last 200 years of Poland.

[@EzechielTheProphet]

I think this may be connected with "trust". I'm not sure, if I picture the typical US suburbs correctly but I imagine some sort of community where everyone knows at least some of the neighbours and a babysitter can be recomended to other people in need. Now, I am not sure If I could easily recomend anyone in my area of a sufficient age and responsibility to take care of my kids.

[@kojak8403]

@@tomsmith8255 - it's not really just about Poland, I wouldn't much trust the right mind nor responsibility of a modern teenager in all Western countries and probably a few others as well...

[@kojak8403]

Full agreement on: garage sales, university dancing cheerleaders, gun and defense law, paying at the pump - btw, lack of this one is probably deliberately boosting sales. It's tricking you to step in and buy something...

[@dfsdffdsdfsdf9047]

If you step in you will buy something , gas stations earn little on petrol but tone (when you look on margines ) on drinks hot dogs snaks beer etc. Plus if every one has to go in its easier to notice a thiefth of petrol.

[@peteroz7332]

@@dfsdffdsdfsdf9047 thieves... 😉👍

[@orzelmorze5586]

Hiring people under 18 is very difficult legally and thus costly.

[@kacpergalik609]

Yes, for instance a person under 18 cannot be legally employed during night and even during day, if a workday falls on a school day for instance, the mandatory lessons are deducted from the total work time. I know, there are weekends, but it is still a lot less time at the end of a day. E.g. If someone has classes from 8 am to 3 pm, then out of 8 hours of possible worktime, 7 are already deducted without even working. Plus, young people cannot be employed in professions deemed to require a lot of physical force.

[@Ttlreess]

I mean like hiring with job offer and stuff like that. I don't think it's like that in the us and it shouldn't be so if that will ever be a case here in Poland. If you "Hire" a teenager to do things in the garden or babysit a kid, you say "Jak skosisz trawnik dostaniesz 50zł" itd. Simple as that, I got some job offers like that from neighbours/some times parents of friends of mine. (I've never accepted those bc I'm lazy af)

[@rafalulikowski]

yes but giving money to someone underage as a donation isn't a problem and the fact that it's always after he mows out laws or takes care of our kid is just a coincidence, that's ofc only if the authorities were to know about it and pretty sure no one will do tell them hiring underage people is difficult legally if they were to work i.e. in a mcdonald's

[@kacpergalik609]

@@rafalulikowski yup

[@orzelmorze5586]

@@rafalulikowski If unrelated person gives a donation then taxes (-19%) need to be payed also, and if there is a work done seemingly in exchange then law is strict in this matter. You need to pay social security tax (something like +30%).

[@madeinpolska8306]

Good points especially number 8, thanks.

[@Zynka17]

Sadly; #8 isn't as strong in the States as it should be either.

[@nonperson22]

"You'll know what I mean when you hear this" and then... advertisement 😅 😂 🤣

[@LFernandoQ]

Hehehe! Same thing happened to me

[@nonperson22]

@@LFernandoQ 😅

[@edytaszafraniec7837]

Yup, exactly!

[@TheSwedishRider]

About the thieve thing: In Europe, most thieves will be unarmed for two reasons: 1. They don't expect getting shot. 2. If they got caught armed, they will spend significantly more time. So, when they break into your house and realise somebody is there or is coming home, they will just take off because the worst thing that can happen to them is being recognized. There is no need for them to commit a bigger crime than theft, it's just too much risk. Violence or threat might only be applied robbing really rich people, like forcing them to open the safe or something.

[@Ussurin]

6:00 - but why would I feel anything towards my university? I don't have anything in common with like 80% of it. I don't like like half of people there. Some loyalty towards your wing may exist, but it's more towards fellow students, not staff or uni side of it. Most people hate their unis office staff. Also noone has money to organize marching bands, etc. And if we are fans of the sport, we are fans of our local teams, not uni. Like, why would I feel regional loyalty towards a random group of people from all around a country over my home city?

[@utahdan231]

maybe because you got free education . You know polish saying" I'm entitled to that" .If you pay, you are more attached. Besides Americans are much more social.

[@Ussurin]

@@utahdan231 nah, if I had to pay for what I'm getting from it I'd request a refund, half of the studies is no use bs

[@FemmeIncomprise]

Speaking of the church. I can never decide which mass to attend: morning or evening. If I go in the morning, then I can just relax for the rest of the day. BUT this also means listening to "Kiedy ranne wstają zorze", sung by eldery or half-asleep people. Makes you regret not bringing a pillow for yourself. On the other hand, the evening masses are usually aimed at young people and there music tends to be more lively and modern. It's always a tough choice for me :)

[@mattaz2315]

But neither is really a wrong choice.

[@agakoszyk2441]

Kiedy ranne wstaja zorze is beautiful. Try to understand what it is about. Everything that is alive is worshiping God Almighty. If you sing it in the spirit of worship and immense gratitude than you can see that there is nothing boring about it.

[@FemmeIncomprise]

@@agakoszyk2441 I'm not saying that the song itself is bad, but the way it's usually sung just ruins it - there's no joy or energy coming out from people.

[@Morrov]

Oh man, if going to Uni would mean I'd have to associate myself with it that hard and I'd have to play in a marching band, I would probably not bother lol

[@utahdan231]

It sounds very antisocial.

[@karolpalion2883]

Being antisocial sounds very Polish, though.

[@Maverral]

I'm a Pole and just wonder what to complain about xD

[@tomsmith8255]

Maybe start by complaining about people complaining.

[@PawaW05K]

@@tomsmith8255 yeah i hate those people especially foreigners...comming here stealing our reasons to complain give it a couple of years and young poles would not complain at all! it's not the future i want for my kids!

[@tomsmith8255]

@@PawaW05K ? Phillippians 2 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

[@PawaW05K]

@@tomsmith8255 sir I was joking I thought it could not be more obvious 😅

[@tomsmith8255]

@@PawaW05KI know it's a joke, but I don't know which truth is behind it. And I'm interested in the truth behind the jokes.

[@halinalewandowski8130]

Here in Canada we have charity stores where you can donate your stuff. You can arrange a pick up from your home for large items. Garage sales are very popular and I love them. Love your channel Russel.

[@LoveMyPoland]

Hello, my dear viewers! I love Poland for what it is RIGHT NOW! I do not wish to change a single thing because it would no longer be unique or different. I simply answered a question posed by many of my viewers of what I'd like to borrow from America to ADD to Poland (never replace!). And just to be totally sure, again, in no way did I intend to slam the Catholic church by suggesting it's inferior in any way. I hope you didn't feel touched by my comments. My Polish family members here are devout Catholics and, although our churches differ in many ways, we hold the common belief that Jesus is the Son of God, which is everything! I only wanted to state that I miss this dynamic style of singing and dancing and that more energy in worship (if at all possible in the Polish Catholic Church) would be fun. One thing's for sure, God can see the true intention of our hearts, and we all may worship God differently. Thanks for your interaction here :)

[@RefreshThisPage]

Really good episode. BTW Poland seems to be a catholic fortress... Only seems to be due to the older generations

[@kopernik_elfka]

This could be an explanation of the phenomena you observed: my mother told me that, a dozen or so years ago, during the retreat (rekolekcji), we sang the Polish version of the song "All Saints Go to Heaven" with clamping and jumping. Then the parish priest at his sermon forbade this type of activity, because: the church is not meant to sing, clap and stomp, but stay with dignity and praise the Lord. And these were just activities for school kids who had a hard time standing and sitting in the cold church for several hours. Maybe something has changed on this topic now.

[@LoveMyPoland]

@@kopernik_elfka Yes , it could be. But anyone who frowns on singing and dancing before God should read about King David in 2 Samuel. I named my son after this Godly example of a man. 👆

[@cez_kor]

@@LoveMyPoland there are protestant churches in Poland, lots of them really

[@LoveMyPoland]

@@cez_kor Not anywhere near Częstochowa. Not my kind 😒.

[@miroslawmajka4817]

Kudos for point 8!

[@AMonikaD]

Russell- start the first garage sale with your neighbors- it will take off like wildfire!!!

[@WGal-er8bm]

Yup - but beware of the Babcia Police informing the Tax people as they are jealous of you making money. LOL

[@JsCalmingCorner]

I was given the impression once that it was more a matter of pride. Like people would consider it shameful or beneath them to sprawl out belongings and ask for money?

[@alesgill]

1 and 2 - I bet there are plenty of highschoolers willing to mow the lawn or watch kids. Yet there is not platform to facilitate the service. Blablacar for lawn mowers. Market oportuniny. 7 - It is even harder for non-Americans to fill up gas in America (I drove some 20000 miles around States so I believe I have some experience). 99% I would say non-US issued cards do not work at the pump, so you have to go inside (if there is any) to pay cash (you have to estimate how much you will fill) or by card. Sometimes you have to go inside twice (to get change or receipt). Except of Oregon and New Jersey of course :-D

[@andrzejpienczewski5489]

Regarding the church music: Jumping and dancing in a church it's just not a catholic way. There are plenty more appriopriate ways of displaying joy in a church and they are being widely used in catholic churches aroud the world! Even If some catholic wouldn't understand that - catholic liturgical provisions forbids a certain behaviour in our temples. And thank God for those provisions ;)

[@Aleksandrus12]

Russell, there're catholic concerts or festivals in that spirit. Yes, there faith issues in polish Christians that go to church not really believing or not understanding what's going on. But I'm 22 years old Pole and I would kicked out anyone how would tried do something like that on the Mass. In the Mass (from Hebrew means bloody offering) we participate in the Christ's Offering on the Cross. He died on the Cross and afterwards resurrected, so we could now start participating in eternal live by beginning relationship of love with Holy Trinity - God himself. There's no Resurrection without tht Cross and the Cross have no meaning without the Resurrection. When you're personally participate in these events you don't need and want to jump around and shout but you naturally start meeting with the God in the quiet depths of your soul. There's much more to tell than is possible in single comment but I'll never would choose concert even praising the Lord over the Sacrament of Eucharist, (shaped by 2 thousand years of Tradition, overflowing in much deeper meaning covered by symbols present everywhere) in which I can stay in communion with God, talk with Him and live with Him.

[@penguinsfan251]

Well put. I get turned off by the rock concert atmosphere of that so called worship. The Traditional Catholic approach is so different...my favorite music at Mass is the Missa de Angelis used in the Traditional Latin Mass.

[@TheWolkiewicz]

Well written brother. I am 21 and I would also slap someone who would try to destroy our mass. I hope that you will read this comment Russell and look on the catholic mass with more thinking. What is written here is just a glimpse, because there are so many things to talk about catholic mass, especially the tridential mass. The communion with God himself, hidden in a piece of bread, the unification of the Earth and Heaven, participating in the events happening on Calvary... I am sure Russell, that if you will truly dig into that topic, you will change your mind.

[@TheWolkiewicz]

Oh, and also, I can attend to any concert and get the same as I would in your church. It's just the topic that changes. Your worship is nothing more than usual having fun. It is comfortable to have fun and call it worship, isn't it? :) But nothing in a world can offer me what catholic mass offers me.

[@renataklimczak9189]

Bravo- well explained.

[@agakoszyk2441]

Thank you for your beautiful comment

[@ziggy129]

Early this year I visited my family in Poland. Funny thing happened when I went to gas station to fill up my car. There was no option to pay by the pump so I went inside to pay for the gas. I told the lady what pump number I want to pay, she looked at me and asked me if I filled up my car I said no I just want to pay first ,then she said that I have to fill up first than come to pay for it. I felt embarrassed and stranger in my own country . By the way I live in USA for twenty five years.

[@halinalewandowski8130]

I'm in Canada. Visiting USA they took me by surprise to pay for the gas up front.

[@utahdan231]

There are many places in small towns and rural areas, you fill up and pay. Unfortunately in big cities you can't do that. We have to many people who love to have free gas, because they never worked.

[@archief4598]

I don't know how studies look like in US, but I know nobody from my university here in Poland that would have time to do all the stuff you've mentioned during their studies. We go there simply to learn and graduate. People who do other stuff (like sport or choir singing, but mostly the ones that do students clubs things) are often considered slackers. And as far as I know nobody wishes it would be other way, five years is quite a lot time to waste playing when you have to compete for a job after you graduate. Better to spend that time learning something actually useful, so you don't have to worry later. When it comes to hiring teenagers it's way too complicated in Poland. Making it legal would also cost significant amount of money (compared to how much is spent on actual payment for the kid), and if anything happens to them and they get injured it would became quite a legal nightmare. Number 8 is so valid though.

[@WGal-er8bm]

Sad - I have been in the Oil and Gas industry for over 25 years in senior management for large firms in Canada and in Europe as well as my own companies. While strong academic performance is important we always ask an incumbant what are your extra curricular actives while at school. I will tell you now that if your answer is as you noted above our interview would be over and I would be thanking you for coming. Employers are looking for well rounded individuals that did well in school but also in outside activities from their studies - sports, clubs, volunteering, nature activities - just to name a few. My best highly educated/university sales/marketing hires were avid golfers, fisherman and hunters - they displayed intense focus in what they did and followed through with superb interpersonal skills and final results. This would also apply to the accountant, engineer or cleric that I would hire. Sorry you are wrong and I wish you the best in your future endeavors. School/University is to groom one for life with not just academic skills but also social and life skills. So I guess I am a slacker in your opinion.

[@archief4598]

@@WGal-er8bm School and studies are two different things. And as much as school is something that is supposed to shape a an individual studies are supposed to give knowledge and experience for work. Also nothing stops you to do other activities during them - just most likely not at the uni. I get what you are saying, but my point was that polish universities are nowhere close to what was showed here about American ones and that I don't see any room nor the need for them to change that.

[@WGal-er8bm]

@@archief4598 Firstly I am coming from a Canadian system of schools and culture. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. You do not have a clue what your are emphasizing or promoting. from what I see - good luck to you. Matter/discussion is closed.

[@WGal-er8bm]

@@archief4598 Good Luck in your narrow minded thinking. You will have to expand your thoughts and actions. Are you a NERD?. LOL

[@archief4598]

@@WGal-er8bm Thanks! Also, I am ^^

[@inkmy3ds976]

I think the first garage sale in Poland would end up with the visit of tax office workers asking if you have a business activity registered and if you gonna pay tax from the income 😅

[@DoubleU555]

I totally agree with babysitters and garage sale. There are more working mothers right now in Poland so they need help with taking care of kids. And I always dreamed of going for garage sale, but I guess they wouldn't be that popular since very few people live in suburbs and I can't see how somone would organize such sale in block of flats.

[@mateuszmigut1108]

ad.5.) I'm sure that for most of the catholic-raised people in Poland this US-evangelical-TV-show-church style of worship is just silly and annoying... ;)

[@TracyR4]

I will say the Catholic Mass is still pretty strict here in the US as well. You won't see anything like what you showed online from a Protestant church. Some Catholic churches will allow instrumental music but even I can admit, you aren't going to see anything close to what you see in a Protestant church in an American Catholic church either. It comes down to reverence in a church, music like that is still pretty frowned upon here as well. On occasion you might see a little youth band or something, but we're fortunate to have instrumental music with piano , violin or guitar, or an organ. Even then that's brought out for special occasion or maybe depending if you get a music loving priest too. I did once go to a mass where drums were used. I will be the first to say that drums sound terrible in a Catholic church. I'm not sure if it's the acoustics but it's pretty rare to see that happen. Out of any musical instrument you can use in a church, drums sound the worst. Different strokes for different folks. So that is not something you're going to see change anytime soon at all , even in the US. Catholics are just different. I'm fine with saying that because I am Catholic.

[@zethandrews3860]

I wouldn't say Catholics are just different. I have been to many churches (including Catholic services) and different faiths and the two major things I have learned doing so is this... 1: Most attendees I've gotten to know at any given religion tend to think that their church and ways of beliefs and conduct are the best and (many times) the only way to be a morally decent person even if it's just a private thought they would never admit openly but might in private. And all the goers I have come across are all either trying to better themselves or going just because it's expected of them. 2: All the religions I've experienced also fall into one of two groups... what I like to call the "Reverence" groups who fully believe that behaviors that bring attention to one's self and away from a subject (a scripture reading/sermon/object including a crucifix/lesson/etc.) are disrespectful and shouldn't be done in a church and the (usually) more emotionally driven "Display" groups which usually puts their worship on display through things like music/art/dancing/swaying in the spirit/etc. Most churches have a bit of both including Catholics, but there's always a time and a place for it in the reverence groups, while the display groups usually don't seem to mind it at almost any time so long as it isn't detracting from the messege they're attempting to share/learn. I mean no disrespect to either way a person views their church or how they choose to express it, but for the most part this has held true for every different religion I have attended services, studied, or been a part of regardless of the faith. This means that when entering a church I usually take a reverence mindset until I've learned more of the church's way of doing things. I have a huge drive to learn and religions fascinate me because of their similarities and their differences. I figure the better I can understand a person's beliefs, the better I can understand the person.

[@PatrickKniesler]

I grew up in Catholic parishes that had folk, rock, or even "children's" bands for Mass. For children's music, think plinky synth piano and lullaby vocals. It was all destructive to my faith and I firmly believe it was destructive to the faith of everyone involved and exposed. Choir, organ, bells, and silence, please.

[@glowackijacek.85]

I totally agree! I could not agree more on this. Absolutely true.

[@annakastelik4764]

A very nice video. I'm gona discuss your ideas with my students , personally I found them all very interesting. I hope you enjoy living in Poland. All the best! :)

[@Grygong555]

Wholeheartedly agree with no. 8

[@mimikyulostatail4705]

I'd disagree on catholic part. It's more of the way catholics celebrate. We do have very cheerful masses, like christmass and Wielkanoc (forgot english word). It's just difference in form between catholics and protestants. We focus way less on feelings in faith.

[@slvva]

I would add customer service to this list. It's better than years ago but still need some improvements.

[@Pinzpilot101]

I totally agree that it is getting better. some 10 years ago my wife and I bought a very expensive Italian bathtub from Le Roi Merlin....the damn thing had a thin spot and it leaked. We complained and they told us to go to the Italian company and complain.!!!!!! My wife quoted all of the Polish and EU laws that LR Merlin were breaking and she even called the manager to the shop floor....after she put him in the picture (she was the manager of a large store like Media Expert in UK). He agreed to replace the bath at no cost to us and sent a guy to bring the new bath and do all the work...She still reported them to the authorities......When we came to the store to collect the money outstanding (the new bath was cheaper) a woman came down from the offices, she told us that she had worked at this store since it opened and had never seen anyone get their money back because no-one knew all the new consumer laws that shops and stores have to comply with, my wife, of course, knew these from being a store manager herself. Even a Big place like Le Roi Merlin cannot be trusted, because the manager is sure that people do not know their consumer rights.

[@krisrudecki9477]

Points 7 & 8! Bravo! 100% hope this can be improved!

[@teanshin]

So you've just listed things you miss from US, but how these things supposed to make Poland better?

[@LoveMyPoland]

I feel these would all make Poland better....

[@Virus989898]

I was at UT Austin for my exchange year and I absolutely love the hype vibe around Longhorns and the lasting relationship with the University. I need to go back when the corona crisis is down :D

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

1) You never need to apologise for being who you are, or for issuing your opinions. Interesting content always. 2) Kids don’t babysit in Poland? Wow ... This is so commonplace over here in America, that I cannot imagine anywhere that does not have this. 3) Hmmm, no one sells their older stuff either? Question: Are there second hand (like Goodwill, for example) and consignment shops over in Poland, Russell? 4) ❤️ Looove the full band, playing the fight song! Very rousing and buoying! ❤️ 5) 👍 Every year our family drove around with the kids in tow, looking at allll the XMAS displays, lights, and such. Many larger homes, around where I grew up were realllly decked out and dolled up ... TO THE NINES! It was realllly a treat to see such effort! 👍

[@666bambucia]

I totally agree with you on the last 3. Especially the very last one.

[@marysiagrant4959]

Good observations! I think the basic cultural differences (Polish are more reserved and traditional)between the USA and Poland are the main reasons why most new ideas take much longer to be accepted as options.

[@MK-ki8ks]

Russel, ja tez myslalam ze w Polsce jest malo dekoracji na swieta. Dopoki sie przeprowadzilam do Holandii. tutaj to dopiero nie ma nic:) nie narzekaj ;)

[@miroslawmajka4817]

2nd Amendment! Guns, guns, guns! And 1st amendment, FREEDOM OF SPEECH :-)

[@poloziki9990]

We have a liitle bit of that In form of blackpowder guns :). The only cyrterium to get one is being 18 yo. Not only that, but you can carry it loaded basically everywhere. And this is nothing new, change of law was in... 2004. 16 years, and people somehow are not shooting eachother in the streets :).

[@xelocycles2267]

When I was in USA bought me a ticket to a Notre Dame's football match and really loved the marching bands in USA. The whole event is more family friendly than Polish soccer. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

[@polskifutera]

How does US electricity bills compare to PL ones? Beacuse it might be a factor about Christmas lights. Anyway, I like them like they are in our towns, in moderation when done by individuals and when they are done by the town administration in a cohesive manner as opposite to the American chaotic, over the top, competitive lighting. Christmas shouldn't be a competition, especially not a showing off your stuff competition.

[@zbyszanna]

The castle doctrine - I'm 100000000% with you on this.

[@kojak8403]

Make Poland Great Again

[@pacinpm2]

You have to visit the store at gas station to buy more stuff like hotdogs. It's called upselling.

[@tekla5487]

As to university life I must agree with you. I graduated from the Warsaw University, one of the biggest and oldest in Poland, and yet I didn't feel connected to the institution at all. The campus is much too small so a lot of courses take place in various shabby places around the city, there are very few events that you can attend to feel part of a bigger community and, last but not least, there is no graduation ceremony! I always envy Americans their commencement ceremonies with speeches and fancy hats. In Warsaw, I went to the administrative office in the middle of the day, I got my diploma, confirmed reception, and that was all.... Can you imagine that?!

[@mpod_creative]

Hell yeah, I'm agree with you all the way.

[@frofro7134]

when you will start to make videos in polish? your speaking is so great and cute and a lot of times without usa accent. You speak really well and for polish people is so precious that someone can speak polish even half as good as you are. It will be such a pleasure for us! please please please and your channel only profit with that. Greetings from Tricity!

[@LoveMyPoland]

Soon, I promise! It's coming sooon!

[@frofro7134]

@@LoveMyPoland that is the spirit! :-) can't wait :-)

[@Pinzpilot101]

@@LoveMyPoland I suspect then that you will lose all your viewers in English?? keep an eye on the viewing figures and go with what gives you the most views.

[@frofro7134]

@@Pinzpilot101 omg he is not 5 years old.... ! he know what to do. He can make polish speaking and english speaking videos or put subtitles.

[@Pinzpilot101]

@@frofro7134 I look forward to both Polish with subtitles and English, if he makes both, I,m sure he will keep everyone happy.

[@marcin3844]

Great points Russel, I would implement all of them in Poland. Another important one would be roads in Poland. I would like to see them wider and with more lanes. Especially the middle lane for turning, so that you don't have to get stuck behind somebody who's waiting to turn left.

[@damiank9138]

But please never bring American drivers to Poland:))) or before they are allowed to drive, set up mandatory practical and theory tests.

[@WGal-er8bm]

Babysitting - in Canada for my son who started Baby Sitting when he was about 16 he had to first to a course and pass it with Family Services which covered Kid psychology, general care (not for infants but toddlers and up) and most importantly first aid. He then got a certificate - it did not guarantee Baby Sitting jobs but at least showed competency. As a teenager summer lawn care and winter snow shovelings (During a big snow storm in Toronto he would make a $ killing but be dead tired) is how my kid earned extra money and also learned about the value of work earning money. It got a lot easier when we got a big snow blower and an ATV with Blade in front. School/University Spirit - When I started High School at Humberside in Toronto the first week of school we were taught the School Cheer/Fight Song - "All Hail to Dear Old Humberside the school we all Revere - Lets Sing of all the Happy Days within her wall so dear - Lets cheer our teams endeavors whether they win or loose - for that the spirit of Humberside which we will carry through the years .........." We would sing this at every Football, Base Ball, Basket Ball and most importantly Hockey Game. I still remember the Humberside Huskies Song. At University it was the University of Guelph Gryphons - Go Gryphons Go! Ohh and the Cheerleaders - Yes. Pay at the Pump - YES Yes and Yes again - also to me there is no point in these different Paragon vs Faktura receipts - in Canada we do not differentiate, same in Belgium when I lived there. Receipts for all over Europe issued only one receipt, be it for gas, hotel, meals etc. I think just going to one receipt would be simpler and faster. Home and Self/Family Defense - I agree 100% and then some. Lastly one that I would like to see here in Poland is traffic/ driving fines and consequences. Here in Poland you speed or run red light you get a fine, in my opinion very low, and loose some points which return after one year I believe. These kind of lax fines and consequences leads to all the aggressive/careless driving I see here in Poland. Back home in Canada, and I believe in US also, when you get a speeding ticket or any other moving violation, be it minor or major, you lose points which are on record for 5 years and then also your insurance company is advised and your car insurance increases in some cases dramatically - Insurance companies keep records for 6 years on your DL. Hence I think North American drivers are calmer and more careful because if you are reckless driver your insurance goes through the roof - and even in really bad situations you will not be able to get insurance. This does not seem to be the case here - it would really instill safer calmer driving here in Poland. Again another great video. Keep up the great work.

[@pamgarner9817]

Great ideas Russ!

[@janeweller]

There was a small chain of gas stations years ago who had the option to pay for gas at the pump though it was in cash only if I remember correctly. They were fully automated and there weren't any employees around. But they weren't in business for long I think.

[@pothkan]

1-2 Is generally related to different attitude to youth working, but also legal limits. But I agree here. 3 This comes from different housing, in USA garage sales are easy, because many people live in suburban housing where each one has a lawn and a garage. However, we do sell (or give out) our not used stuff nowadays - but using online platforms, like OLX. Notice, that pawnshops are also much more popular in USA (albeit I'm not sure that one is actually a good thing). 4 Simple major reason - our colleges don't have sports teams (at least no major ones), which comes from lack of sports leagues. But on the other hand - thanks to that, we don't have "sport scholarships" and whole "jock" people. Of course it's also indirectly related to higher education being paid in USA, while (public) free in Poland. Regarding cheerleaders - it's distinctly American, and would be weird happening here. For the same reason, thankfully "trick or treat" didn't really catched on here (albeit sometimes happens). To be clear - I don't mean these are bad or wrong traditions, they are simply foreign, not even from the same continent. Same about house decorating during Christmas. We are more about having Christmas fairs at city downtowns, albeit that one actually catched on only in recent ~20 years (and obviously won't happen this year). And truth be told, was borrowed from Germany, but that's nothing unusual - we have plenty traditions coming from there, including "Christmas tree". 7 - no disagreement here, you are 100% right. 8 - This is a controversial issue. Yes, protect your home is a justified idea. But it would lead to higher gun ownership, and this... could have certain bad ramifications. Very bad even. Poland has one of lowest gun violence stats IN THE WORLD (while USA is worse than all of Europe, even if real situation is a little overblown and stereotypized). There's no school shootings. There's no criminals robbing people under the gun. But there's also no police shooting people (even if because cop wouldn't expect other person to be having a gun). I'm against change to our current law, because I'm afraid what we have now is good, and might change for worse.

[@rafalulikowski]

Obtaining a gun in Poland is quite simple and higher gun ownership doesn't cause any problems, it's the criminals. A typical seba legally would not get a license, let alone that most of the people like that wouldn't even try. People who legally own guns don't commit crimes if they wanted to they would get an illegal gun because it's cheaper and much harder to track for the police and doesn't include waiting for anything. Look at the knife laws here, the most liberal out of all the countries around us(similar with gun laws with only Czech having what seems to be more liberal gun laws) with the ONLY limit is that a knife cannot be disguised as a different item not resembling a weapon, yet we have much less knife crime than i.e. the UK with very strict knife laws. Look at Switzerland and their gun laws, guns are really common there, around as much as in the US with even less strict laws. More liberal laws would not cause more criminals because law abiding people don't suddenly decide to become criminals because it's easier for others to protect themselves and people breaking into other's houses are more likely to be injured. Criminals are usually very desperate people who have nothing to lose or people who grew up committing small crimes. Gun ownership among law abiding civilians is not what causes crime but what stops criminals and saves lives when the police is just getting ready to go to the location. The last thing is that people who wan to protect themselves with guns will sooner or later obtain a gun regardless of the self-defense laws, the self-defense laws are what will keep them from going to jail after injuring someone who was about to harm someone innocent.

[@Ussurin]

8:30 - I'm pretty sure it's due to law. There were some self-use stations with just a little hut in the past, but one person was required to stay and take payments anyway. So they abandoned the idea and made them all shops to maximize revenue.

[@citizenofreality2751]

I'm happy you talked about self defence here. Unfotunately, public awareness about the law on self defence is still very low. This topic isn't mentioned in the public debate nearly enough. I wish we could not only legally defend ourselves, but also carry guns concealed in order to do so effectively as it is done in America.

[@admiralcasperr]

Most school in Poland are underfunded. We straight up can't afford fancy stuff, but a lot of high schools and universities have shirts and hoodies that are ordered-to-demand (you have a couple of days to choose and pay for what you want and a month later the shipment arrives).

[@Ussurin]

1:30 - I'd add that it's also totally illegal for a teenager to babysit. You gotta get loicense to be able to take care of children of any age.

[@WGal-er8bm]

See my earlier point - in Canada potential baby sitters have to take and pass a course with Family Services - but unfortunately not many do.

[@utahdan231]

Ussurin what about leaving younger kids with older sibling under eighteen? Still illegal? It should be punished because sibling couldn’t be used for raising younger sisters or brother. That’s the duty of parents.

[@Ussurin]

@@utahdan231 well, gray zone in law, unless you pay your kids to look over other kids, then no illegal, but if something happens you can be deemed guilty of gross misconduct in taking care of your kids.

[@dzikijohnny]

There is a garage sale that is 200+++ miles long in the South and even my town, that is a suburb of St Paul Minnesota, is famous for a large organized garage sale over 5 days.

[@EzechielTheProphet]

Hi. No.7 is quite obvious - the priority is to make as big sale as possible. At the pump you'll only buy petrol but at cash register you may also buy a bunch of stuff e.g. 3 hot dogs (yuck) and a soda for your kids tired of waiting for you to come back ;) Or a gum or a mentos.... Or a wipers you NEED to replace. ;) Great series by the way - I'm a fan :)

[@Polones12]

On churches, you've missed completely, here's Brian's take on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqfcoqWPr96VrJI , but he's got more videos explaining difference between sacred and profane (for pop or rock music I'd go to a concert instead of church; one finds God in silence rather than in noise). In the matter of house defence: spot on. We even need open carry laws and rights to own and use guns in self defence.

[@LoveMyPoland]

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord! It's Biblical, baby!

[@Polones12]

@@LoveMyPoland still missing the point, don't you? :)

[@kenb3552]

I'm an American of Polish descent and I am a Roman Catholic. No disrespect to any form of protestant worship, but our communal worship is based on the Mass. It is meant for thought, reflection brought on by ritual and tradition as well as communal prayer and the receipt of the holy Sacrament. It is not meant to be experienced as "entertainment".

[@LoveMyPoland]

But a variety could help with younger folks. King David danced and played instruments to God

[@rozacrain5784]

I had a “garage sale” in Poland and my neighbors called the polish irs on me, you mentioned in a different video the “polish jelousness” and unfortunately it’s very real… I agree very much on the church issue. I haven’t gone to church in Poland because of how awful it is, it’s literally a mafia. I love church in America, that is how you should celebrate your faith!

[@Ms.GreenJeans]

Possibly start a community day care center where they have oversight by an older person to teach, VET, and provide proper training. Very interesting.

[@kacperp8903]

I pushed sub button, cause 8 is very true. Nice channel, nice video.

[@LoveMyPoland]

Thanks 🙏

[@paula2006]

Great video! I agree with all points but the last two are something I truly want and hope will happen one day. I spent 1 year in the US and paying at the pump was such a time saver! I get that by going inside the store there's a chance customers will buy something other than petrol, but personally I think that paying at the pump would be appreciated very much by many people. Leave the stores though- I bet there would always be somebody tempted to go inside despite paying at the pump ;) Number 8 is something I feel should be in existence by now. How come are we not protected by law in case somebody breaks into our houses and threatens the lives of our families? This is something I can't wrap my head around

[@kasiakozl]

I love your channel

[@magicolek2394]

Number one thing is free water (with or without ice) in restaurants. Free refills would be appreciated too 😉

[@mathuraphael9196]

I think that the part of reason why babysitting by teenagers isn't popular is because, for many years, it was very common to have more than one child (actually, even now, in eyes of many people, if you have only one child, you are doing bad, it is often viewed as only child is not going to learn social skills as good without having actual siblings), often with significant age gaps between them, so when parents were leaving house the role of babysitter was taken by older siblings.

[@orzelmorze5586]

Clear law which is being executed by authorities is the thing I'd bring to Poland.

[@orzelmorze5586]

@@blademan4043 Konstitutional is a tribunal not a court, this is a political body, a place of legislature and control. We need honest and law-abiding public courts, civil courts and penal courts, places of judicatory and justice.

[@eurasiandynasty9824]

Why I was sure that the song in 5:17 will be "sweet home Alabama" xD

[@monikab2222]

I couldn't agree more,Rus

[@Tomchtmo]

Russel, w odpowiedzi na punkt 7. Stacje benzynowe dużą część swoich zarobków mają z produktów które są kupowane na stacji. Ich ceny są jakieś 2x większe niż w normalnych sklepach, a człowiek który nie wejdzie na stację, tylko zapłaci przy dystrybutorze nie ma szans dokonać takiego impulsowego zakupu. Czasami nie planujesz nic kupić, ale jak już wejdziesz na stację to możesz pod wpływem chwili zdecydować się na zakup jakiegoś RedBulla, kawy, innego napoju czy przekąski i na tym stacjom bardzo zależy, dlatego prawie za każdym razem kasjer zaproponuje Ci coś oprócz benzyny. Aczkolwiek na niektórych stacjach pojawia się możliwość zapłacenia przy dystrybutorze. Dzieje się tak przeważnie na bardzo zatłoczonych stacjach np. przy autostradach, żeby zmniejszyć kolejkę oczekiwania na wolne stanowisko.

[@juliacyran8596]

Yard sales and all those "buy nothing" groups on Facebook are so cool! I just moved in to the US and I managed to furnish the entire apartment for almost nothing. Also it's very much "zero waste" attitude. I do wish it was more popular in Poland.

[@lukaszmiklaszewski7126]

Yes to all ! Gas stations I understand, this is about people spending money on coffee, hotdogs, etc.

[@petersky1989PL]

We might not have garage sales in PL, but flea markets are quite similar of an idea if it comes to buying second-hand furniture etc.

[@swiatowidciesslak6249]

You know what would be cool if Poles would do/do more often? More celebrating Nativity plays. Nativity play - Wikipedia Shure there are Cavalcades of Magi Cavalcade of Magi - Wikipedia in most citys , but once tose were made by the people all by themsefs. People were making suites, walking from door to door and celebrating Christmass in the "micro scale". With proper PR Nativity play could be like polish halloween: opportunity for "cosplays", visiting neighbors, making shrt shows and getting sweets.

[@ShifuP]

Absolutely love your videos! Praying about moving my family to Poland to be involved with church planting there. Your videos have been such a. wealth of knowledge! I studied at CIU in SC, but a am a big fan of Liberty. Love the Clemson Tigers though, :) Keep up the great work.

[@LoveMyPoland]

Praying God's will will be done in your life 💪

[@paxvera5199]

As always, great video. 100 agree with you.

[@simply_linka]

There are serviceless petrol stations where you can pay by card or in cash by the distributor 😉 eg. Circle Express

[@jt2915]

Polish ethics: 1. students are meant to study, not work. They have grandparents to babysit. 2. Sunday is a Holy day. Attend church, spend the day with family. 3. My trash is somebody else’s trash. 4. College/University students have boutiques, and go to cafes & bars to have the university spirit. 5. Church is not a nightclub, but you should research OAZA, it’s a Christian youth program. 6. Xmas is about the birth of Jesus and a clean heart to welcome him. 7. Majority of countries in the world use the same method of payment as Poland at a gas station. 8. If you find an intruder in your home, you beat the crap out of him, and he won’t even report you or better yet, sue you for damages. A tip: The beauty of travelling to other countries is the diversity, respecting its culture, not try to change it.

[@NoctiVagusHD]

Very funny, just at the moment you said "when you hear this" the Kaufland commercial turn on with the 90's disco song with this "łuup, łuup, łuup, łuup' 😂🤣😂🤣

[@TaKreatywna]

1 & 2 - I was working as a baby sitter in high school, I left hand written notes around neighborhood (with contact to parents for liability) and people were calling :) If on the other hand you'll leave a note around, kids will show up! 3. we have "garage sales" on OLX or Facebook groups where we make a picture and offer thighs for free or on a low price and most of things vanish quickly 8. On Orlen you can pay via app - you scan QR code and pay with your phone - very useful :)

[@WGal-er8bm]

Wow - Good Video Post. Reading the comments below you really hit the spot and some sore spots. Keep up the good work and I follow and agree with all you points. I just wish Car Insurance would become more of an issue to keep the aggressive boneheads off the road. See below: "One that I would like to see here in Poland is traffic/ driving fines and consequences. Here in Poland you speed or run red light you get a fine, in my opinion very low, and loose some points which return after one year I believe. These kind of lax fines and consequences leads to all the aggressive/careless driving I see here in Poland. Back home in Canada, and I believe in US also, when you get a speeding ticket or any other moving violation, be it minor or major, you lose points which are on record for 5 years and then also your insurance company is advised and your car insurance increases in some cases dramatically - Insurance companies keep records for 6 years on your DL. Hence I think North American drivers are calmer and more careful because if you are reckless driver your insurance goes through the roof - and even in really bad situations you will not be able to get insurance. This does not seem to be the case here - it would really instill safer calmer driving here in Poland." Take care stay safe an healthy.

[@noface-wolf3839]

7:43 all grandparents: *disgusted faces* how can you be so disrespectful?! (lol, hj)

[@sokalbenoit]

I agree with you in almost everything here. Especially garage sales and jobs for teenagers. I see in myself and my (younger) family that we are not as well prepared to adult life as you do, because noone expects us to value money until we are actually out of home and we have no idea what to do next and where we can find money (I mean, full time job is not, nor should it be, the only way to support yourself in times of need). So, if we can not find a full time job we are just hopeless. I believe you are taught to be more creative in that area because you can do some chores for others as a teenager. Thank you very much for your video, it made me think.

[@sunglassshinpan1352]

And, Poland needs to pass a "2nd Amendment"; like Czechia is in the process of.

[@alesgill]

Is it really? I am Czech, I watch news every day... and have not heard about it.

[@sunglassshinpan1352]

@@alesgill I've heard/read it's already passed the lower house of parliament, or is about to..

[@Kozakow]

I have objections to everything that you said except number 8.

[@gaiusbrutus7174]

after this video i am fully convinced that you are wearing eyeliner

[@katarzynapross403]

Beautiful eyes, right? 💕

[@damiank9138]

Hey Russell, More down to earth issues Poland should adopt and worth mentioning: 1. Weekly payroll ( so many advantages of it) 2. Coffee trucks or any deli just around the corner to sell coffee 3. Sour cream wrapping :) I hate the one in Pl which leaves sour cream always open???? 4. Big parking spots around malls 5. Economy - average income much lower than here in the USA, but prices much higher. Cars, gas, appliances etc. Great wow for Poles handling this. If the situation were opposite here in the USA people would not know how to survive a single day. Bravo POLSKA. Great channel! Thanks.

[@LoveMyPoland]

I agree!

[@charlies.5777]

Since I'm a Big sour cream fan, what are you referring to in #3 ??

[@damiank9138]

Love My Poland! 👍

[@damiank9138]

Charlie S. There is a lid on the box, in Pl they have only the foil, you open and that’s it.

[@charlies.5777]

@@damiank9138 Oh, you gotta have the lid,especially since I'm guessing that it will preserve the sour cream's freshness. Since ,for me at least, SOUR cream is a mandatory accompaniment with Pierogi - as well as Texas😀 chili, ETC - you don't want it to go bad!!

[@myszowaty93]

For the point 7. there is a polish saying: "If we do not know what the deal is, then the deal is money". Gas stations don't make money by selling petrol (taxes on petrol in Europe are so high that the resellers must keep very low profit margin too keep prices on the same level as competitors) they make money on coffee, snacks,drinks and all that stuff, so they want to keep the customer inside the shop as long as possible ;). few years ago there were self-service gas station chain (Neste).....and they bankrupt.

[@TheSwedishRider]

Some years ago in Warsaw at a street market, I saw an ATM built into a car. This one wasn't to withdraw money, it was for business owners to get their money into their bank account account safely and quickly instead of carrying the cash all around town. They also scheduled tours, driving from shop to shop, so the owners could pay in their cash right in front of their shop. Great idea, I thought this is Polish innovation.

[@wojciechkrotoszynski5459]

Automated gas pumps exist but are not very common. Generally close to some Ikea stores - you might find some. Most of the points you mentioned are super nice ideas to have here, but in my opinion they are less of contrast between the US and Poland but actually more a contrast between the US and Europe as a whole. A big part of these differences come from a lack of big suburb communities like you tend to have in the US - probably if you would look at most of these points you could make the same comparisons between US Suburbs and US cities proper. The Christmas decoration tradition would be amazing to have here at the level you guys have it in the US - also the level of engagement (but also let's be clear, the level of funding) of Universities that you have in the US would be amazing to have here. You might have small echoes of this with the University of Warsaw, Politechnika Warszawska or Jagellonian University amongst others (as they also have basketball/volleyball/handball teams that are able to generate some crowd at events) but it is nothing close to the caliber of what you get in the US. I loved your video - keep it up !

[@Mszaanisko]

There's a very logical reason with paying for a gas inside the station than at the pump - gas station don't really profit for selling gasoline only, so they encourage customers to buy additional things in the shop, especially fast food like hot dogs and stuff, where margins are much higher than gasoline's. If you want to pay without need to go into gas station's shop, there are few phone apps that'll allow you to.

[@LoveMyPoland]

Right, so now explain why America changed over to pay at the pump. We're the kings of earning an extra buck 👑👍

[@Pinzpilot101]

In this area (Galicia - Podkarpacie) it seems to be a tradition not to actually go anywhere unless totally necessary.....OK so you could say that this is a poor area, but they have plenty of money for fuel to be scooting between relatives all the time.....but they just don't go anywhere else......our local big town is Rzeszow (about 11 Kilometers away) and a guy I know who used to be our soltys, told us he had never been into Rzeszow for pleasure, he is around 40 yrs old....he has made two trips (in his 40 years) on the orders of the doctor to be examined at the hospital, but when we seemed amazed that he never shops there, he said, "I have everything I need in the village shops". They have no concept of going for a drive in the country (and some of the country around here is very nice, forests, hills, Big rocks and even old castles very close)...But they just don't have the habit? We were also talking to a teen we taught and she told us she was going on holiday to her aunt's house for the summer holidays...Wow where does your aunt live?........and she told us........same village, just the other end of the village a couple of kilometers away, the poor kid told us in all seriousness that it was good to get away from this end of the village...and she was a teenager. The babysitter thing, maybe I mentioned before? but they do not even have sleepovers here or other children to come to their houses to 'play'...unless that child is a cousin...they seem to not trust any other families...around here anyway. Over the years several children have introduced us to their schoolfriend.....who turns out to be their actual first cousin.....when asked if they have any friends who are not their cousin, the answer is always No. I just discussed this with my wife and she said " He must have noticed being a teacher, these children are not brought up with any responsibility, they are not allowed to do anything on their own, teaching a 17 year old here is like teaching a 12 year old in UK, they are all socially retarded because they are not allowed to interact with anyone outside their immediate family. So that is a good reason why you would not want one of them in your house looking after your kids. Ha ha ha now you have made me laugh so hard.....a garage sale?? here ????? ha ha ha these people do not junk anything unless it is well and truly trashed beyond repair...and don't get me wrong, communism made them experts at making things from junk, the motor from a washing machine is put into a bench saw or connected to a water pump! they are brilliant innovators in some ways.......and then they bring their trash out to the country and they stop and 'fly tip' all their junk at the side of the country lane. You spoke of dumpsters and of course you are falling foul of the 'not so wonderful EU' EU laws say that as soon as something is placed in a dumpster it becomes the property of the Gmina or whoever has the contract to remove the trash. Germany has a great way to deal with things. some Poles by the way have become wealthy on it. On an arbitrary day in the week (usually Thursday) in Germany you can put out old sofas, chairs, bicycles, lawnmowers etc etc..and it stays there until midday when the local Gmina comes and picks it up, and until that time anyone can take whatever they think will be good for them...So every Thursday many Poles in vans, go around the German cities and towns looking over the items and load them into the vans and bring them back for sale in Poland, we used to go to a really good outlet in Jaslo.....you could buy almost anything there, cheap bicycles, almost new really good Germany makes, not the usual Chinese trash sold here. University Spirit?? I showed some young guys the great Classic Film National Lampoons 'Animal House' Delta Tau Chi they loved it, but just didn't get it. Churches, ?? church bell here goes Bong Bong Bong Bong......I showed a vid of church bells in UK, I got looks of disbelief. Hmmm self defence??? They have to find the body.....if you dispose of an intruder.....there are a hundred ways to get rid of a body. (bring to my farm) we are here to help.

[@kacpergalik609]

Basically the same thing here (south-eastern Małopolska). I can relate to it a lot, as I hardly ever go to the closest city, which in my case is Nowy Sącz if I don't explicitly need to. And even I go anywhere futher into the country, it is usually a family gathering. But even those vary a lot, since my family lives largely in Western Poland. We hardly ever see each other. Even if I meet my other relatives, it is a matter of max. 20 km of travel. So, that's it.

[@niecierpliwy3195]

That 8 point really caught my attention. I think we need to change the regulations on personal defence and weapon sales

[@peju2789]

Christmass lights: usally around houses polish people put some decorations. nothing amazing, its true, but... there are some villages where they doing exactly what in America - all houses decorated with lights and the compete who is better. This villages are: Popowo near Gorzów Wielkopolski or Nowa Wioska near Racibórz. They doing this every year.

[@TrueFunFan]

8:26 check out eMila Gas Station in Poland. They are 100% automated with no physical personel. You go there, put in credit card, choose how much you want to pay, start fueling and if you get less fuel than you choose at the beginning you will still only pay for the fuel you got :) But as far as I know, eMila is the only gas station franchise that allows that.

[@annanajduch5201]

I did have nannies growing up in Poland in the late 1970s. But that is because my parents lived in a city at least 4 hours away by train from their relatives. Also, there was no such thing as 'date night' concept for parents with young kids in communist Poland. However, my parents had no problem leaving us with their oldest child once in a while. So starting at around 12 years of age.