7 Things Americans Won't Like About Poland

[@Trev_in_Poland]

I somehow messed up numbering to the point where I added an 8th. Oops.

[@-Popel18-]

Myślałeś o polskich napisach?

[@Cloud140]

@@-Popel18- Na pewno zrozumie xDDD napisz po angielsku xD

[@-Popel18-]

@@Cloud140 muj English ic not perfect XD

[@Cloud140]

@@-Popel18- google translate xD

[@CieplinskiPawel]

@Trev I think you'd really love our "job contracts"! Cause our employers HATE IT! They give you tons of rights, privileges and add to your social benefits! And of course you can quit your job! It's just a month notice instead of 2 weeks as in US. But guess what: you can't get fired if you don't breach the contract!!! Basically if you're doing your job decently, never show up drunk etc. your employer can not fire you! They have to have a reason for that, and guess what: "we found someone who will do this job better than you" is not a reason!!! You can quit any job as easy as in US (except for special contracts when you obligate yourself to do a certain task, but that's not a job contact, it's a kind of "task contract"), but you can't get fired as long as you're working fine. To the extend that if company has to cut costs and they're terminating your position there are restrictions for them. If your boss just doesn't like you he can't "terminate your position" and then creat another one with different title. Ow, and you confused ice cream with sorbet:) That's healthier fruit based ice cream alternative. And it's very popular. We have typical ice cream though, chocolate chip, vanilla, chocolate etc. Now we even have Ben and Jerry's;) And yes, peanut butter is not a thing in Poland. You can easily buy it even in Biedronka, but it's not popular at all.

[@ulllaaaklara]

Didn't your mama tell you not to talk with strangers?

[@kapitankloss4657]

It's for children...

[@mil3k]

If she did he wouldn't be molested ;)

[@privatetaxcollector1957]

@BrainChoice the word "occupation" doesn't describe our 123 year non-existence very well

[@hokage4072]

Yeah I learned that it is not ok to talk to strangers and it's like natural for me in adult life as well as when I was a child

[@tabin00]

@@kapitankloss4657 It's also for the peopple who have lived 50 years in communism and suspect everyone can be a snitch.

[@sylwianiespodziewana5767]

Talking to strangers at least for me feels kind of weird and suspicious. For example a stranger at the bus station could ask me about the way, which bus to take or something like that and that’s fine but other than that, when the person out of the blue would ask me how is it going I would get suspicious and a bit uncomfortable. And I think it’s common for teenagers and adult people. I noticed that elderly people would talk with strangers on the buses or at the bus stations without a problem.

[@Sandra-hv9bn]

exactly, the only convos I had on bus stops, were with sweet old ladies ^^ and it was because they didnt worry about my distance, they just ignored it. now I am glad - it was a pleasure every time to chat with them.

[@Asus_ek]

@@Sandra-hv9bn True. And our "olders" usually don't speak english much :")

[@ammarmar3628]

Older people are more likely to engage in a conversation with strangers simply because they are often lonely.

[@Pentazemin44]

thats because of the brain damage this nation sustained by 50 years of socialism and communism by cccp, we need to grow up socially a lot but its not that bad as it was lets say in 2005

[@keenmate9719]

The main issue with his understanding of socialising is that YES, you can talk to everyone but YES you also don't give a crap about his answers You might think you do but you are just fooling yourself. I have my personal experience with an american that was expressing how happy he is with us and how are we his friends but those words had no real value. They like to express their feeling towards you a lot but you as a stranger cannot trust that. It's one ear in and the other out. In Europe once you start with socialising it's because you care about the other. In US everybody understands that chitchat is just a chitchat so they don't take it seriously.

[@boargarage9590]

Most things you said are just EU things rather that Polish things (I've been places so I am telling you that out of experience). You are taking a lot about service and tipping. In Poland the customer asks and tips, service is trying to be polite and not interrupt, you have a distance bubble, I am going to say that we have a talk bubble, we don't like being interrupted and talk more than needed with strangers. Tips are just less common here

[@wladyslawbukowski]

If the American employer were paying fair wages then the waiters would not have to beg for tips. In Poland, the tip is an expression of customer satisfaction with GOOD service. The waiter must earn the tip.

[@clean280]

@@wladyslawbukowski Władysław Bukowski if waiters would have FAIR and GOOD education/knowledge/expirience they wouldnt work as a waiter. And they are not forced to work there :) it's so sad that our society wants to reward people with low education and expirience and punish the smart

[@wladyslawbukowski]

@@clean280 Fair wages does not mean millions. Fair means fair. You use a perverse argument.

[@ananiashard9466]

@@clean280 Most waiters in Poland are students earning their studies

[@henningbartels6245]

I would say, the "personal space" is a full arm length in the U.S. while in Europe is more like just half an arm length.

[@M-CH_]

I'll give you a tip about starting a conversation with strangers in Poland: complain. A true Pole won't skip a good opportunity to whine.

[@mimikal7548]

This

[@mateuszmolenda341]

That's true 😂

[@poiuyt975]

Dobre! :D

[@kontemoka339]

So true 😊

[@StajnaRaciniewo]

ssooooo true

[@ania6577]

I'm Polish and I hate when someone is standing too close. Especially at the supermarket. I think it concerns older people. I have noticed that they have this tendency of violating my personal space. 😀

[@bullet1544]

True, that annoys me so much, that sometimes Im very rude.

[@monikap-d9269]

I'm the same way. I hate when people stay too close to me. I moved from Kraków to Katowice and noticed that in Katowice or generally in Śląsk people are standing even closer then in Kraków.

[@wertez9129]

"A ja mam to w dupie"

[@ammarmar3628]

This is just because they were raised in a system where holding your place in a line was a difference between buying a bread and not buying a bread :)

[@SnoopDoggystyle]

@@monikap-d9269 try japanese metro in the rush hours XD

[@bqgin]

I feel like just randomly talking to people is ok as long as it is "na temat". So for example I feel no problem with people walking up to me and starting a conversation about pets if I'm walking my dog at the moment or if they start talking about art when they notice me painting at the park, or going on about how they also like T-shirts with skulls on them when I'm wearing one. So it is situational. If there is a certain subject that is somehow "relevant" right now I have no problem with that but yeah, but I would be creeped out if someone just randomly started asking me "How are you? What's your name? Where do you live? What do you do?". Especially because in Poland "how are you?" is not just a substitute for "Good Morning" but an actual question people are expecting an answer to.

[@HaveFun-All]

Exactly. On the other hand, I'm wondering, why should people like to waste their time and energy to talk to strangers? The more time you have for strangers, the less time you have for people and things that really matter in your life.

[@sf3757]

@@HaveFun-All That's a weird approach. Looking at life like a game where you need to min/max resources and be calculated about everything is unhealthy. Sometimes conversing with strangers is nice and you might make a new acquaintance if you go to the same place regularly.

[@frankaczmarek3042]

"How are you?" to w zasadzie " jak się masz? Też nie zobowiązujące do zwierzania się, chociaż pytanie jest niby o Twoje samopoczucie. Albo: "jak leci? też pytanie, na które zazwyczaj nie oczekuje się odpowiedzi szczegółowej, a tymbardiej ponurych zwierzeń.

[@annakalicka3430]

Being Polish I also feel uncomfortable when people ask me randomly personal questions on the street, I immediately think I might be a victim of a prank or a con, when someone tries to distract me with questions to pick my pockets etc. Friend of mine got robbed in Barcelona when ruse was the thief has thrown something runny on my friend, pretending it was bird's poo, making big fuss of helping to clean up while stealing his mobile phone and the wallet from his pockets. So beware of pick-pockets and cons like that in "turisty" locations.

[@markg1531]

I’ve been living in America for 36 years now. I spent six months in Poland last year. The quality of life is so much better in Poland. Poland and Europe have so much more to offer, it’s not even close. I have lived in the most attractive and beautiful places in America. Polish people think that America looks like they show it in Hollywood movies. They have no idea about the reality.

[@garysmith7760]

Interesting.... I find it curious and disingenuous that for many Polish people America is good enough to live and make money for years and then go back with full pockets and parade around like a true Poland-lover.

[@markg1531]

gary smith It’s not always as simple as that. And besides, those who make money provide value to others. It’s a win-win, a mutually beneficial exchange. Nobody owes anybody anything in those transactions. That’s what freedom and free markets are all about. Besides, America, rightly, always done what was best for America.

[@margaretta000]

Hey Mark, its interesting what you are saying. I used to believe that the very high standard of life in US is just in the movies, i was sceptical that it is like that in real life, but then social media came along, i keep snooping into many different people profiles, watch you tube videos, tik toks etc and I am amazed how reat their quality of life seems to be. Just like in the movies! Now that everyone is on lockdown, many young people post clips from their parents homes, and nearly every second home looks like a mansion.. Teenagers own cars, high schoolers go out all the time, cinema, food, coffee, shopping, trips. I have seen how amercian high schools are equiped on some you tube channels and i was gobsmacked! Sporting, musical equipments, libraries full of laptops, cameras, laboratories with amazing equipment too, tones of activities you can do to develop, to learn, to discover your talent, to socialise. Honestly i dont know what to believe anymore. As i said, in the past i did think movies are just movies and was sure they dont show the whole truth, but since social media, when i see the way so many amercians live i know that most europeans can only dream about it. Even as silly thing as girls on you tube showing clothes and cosmetics to their audience, gosh, typical american teenage seems to be able to buy tones of make up and clothes while in Poland typical teenager has very very limited number of stuff like that. I keep hearing how overworked Americans are as well, but again, when i see anything on social media or on tv, thats shows real, normal people, they dont look extremly tired, they seems to have time for gyms, hobbies, most of them seem to be full of energy, smily etc. People who just work, work work, have debts, and low quality of life do not shine like this, tiredness, exhaustion, problems are visible, they live mark on peoples faces. I dont understand it at all, but either way, i do regret i didnt go to americal school, after seeing the opportunities the average public school presents, and compering this to Polish school I feel really sad...I think i would have been in completely different place in my life if i had so many chances to learn and try differnt things just in schools, without having reach parents to pay for private lessons. Not to mention the fantastic chance to socialise and experience so much. Polish school is extremly serious, demanding, there is no place for fun, fo discovering yourself or your talent. You just have to study and nothing else. I have an impression that this doesnt teach polisgh people many soft skills, and that americans are a lot better in them than us. The lightness of conversation, the confidence that doesnt come across as cocky, in Poland people are socialy very awkward, most grow up with enormous complexes, we dont like to talk to strangers because the truth is we are scared, we have high levels of enxiety, as we are being raised from the earliest age to just achieve and to not be ourselvs. This is what i really envy with american people. You just come across as so laid back, confident and fun.

[@markg1531]

margaretta000 Hi Margarita, yes, many Americans have a lot of stuff. The top five or 1% even have some decent quality stuff. Most Americans have very poor quality stuff, and a lot of it. It’s mostly garbage and junk. You can’t tell the difference on the computer or phone screen. American houses are being built very shoddily and cheaply. American schools are just awful. Polish kids know incomparably more than the American kids.You can look it up on Google. Polish kids rank very high in the world. Much, much higher than American kids. Also many poor American kids don’t share what they have on Facebook. You need to travel to many different places in the United States to really see it and understand it. Not to mention the quality of food. And the quality of entertainment. And the quality of cafés and restaurants. Most toilets in America are dirty and disgusting. My American wife can’t believe how clean Poland is. And there is much more freedom in Poland. I could go on and on but you really have to see it for yourself.

[@debocha]

Agree completely

[@hekatenor4844]

about starting conversation you just have to be simply more creative. We really do not like small talk and we do feel interrogated, when we are asked personal question by a stranger. It is like with your personal space. When you ask us personal question, it feels for us same as for you when a stranger stands to close in the line. But we are very open to conversation, just not small talk and not personal question. You want start conversation- be creative and start from your own person. We are very helpful so use it- say that you are new here and you dont know around and you don't know the language. Ask for help finding something. If you find someone, who is actually free in that moment- you might get your self a tour guide. And if it catches- even you might get invited somewhere for food party or something like that. Talk to people about how different things are in your country- we are very curious of other cultures. We will listen and might tell you something about us than too. Talk about other places you visited, like- hey that looks a bit like this thing I saw once in...". And first and most important question- do you talk english? Because many people might not talk to you simply because they are generally shy to talk in other languages in Poland. We are all thoght english in school- but just few actually use it.

[@bullet1544]

Who all? I have russian and german language in school.

[@TricksterIdiot]

Yeah, I'm a polish person and I still remember first time when I talk with someone from other country. I was going home and met some girl on the bus stop. She had problem with ticket, so I hepl her. She and her dad sit next to me on the bus and we were talking all the time. I was strange for me, becouse I have social anxiety, but it was really nice. She was studying in Poland and wanted show her dad whole country. I finded it very nice and sweet

[@ntrrd]

We can speak freely,but just lack encourage to do so

[@hekatenor4844]

@@bullet1544 most hhhh is that better?

[@ntrrd]

@@bullet1544 english became obligatory sebject starting since primary schools at least ten years ago :') education level remained terrifying, it's mostly almost if during your schooling you've bumped on real lecturer who was able to help you understand the language once your acquisition skills were in the edge

[@bartek3261]

8:40 you can't do that. If you bring your food or drinks to restaurants you can be ask to move out cause it's rude

[@garysmith7760]

Charging for mini bottle of water - that's what's rude...and cheap.

[@bartek3261]

@@garysmith7760 no It a part of a culture we just have higher standards of manners. It's extremely rude to bring your food or drinks to bars, especially to restaurants.

[@PanRobak.]

@@bartek3261 yeah, it's a part of the culture but I wouldn't say higher standard of manners. It's just different

[@juliacyran8596]

I think there's also another difference, that in Poland you usually pay for mineral bottled water. In US water might be free but in most cases it's just tap water.

[@lniko333]

@@PanRobak. Bringing food from a different restaurant into another naturally seems insulting to the people working there.

[@bip5395]

There were many comments about contracts but something that men don't really think about: only with a contract of employment women have maternity leave guaranteed. Other things: 20-26 days free of work in the year, if you are sick or had an accident you are not left without salary for those days. You won't get that in other types of contacts. Also this idea of fine is wrong: depending on how much time you have spent in the firm there is a specific time that you need to wait between informing your boss that you are quitting and the end of your employment.

[@adammianowski7710]

But you will get fired quick.

[@Lurker01]

@@adammianowski7710 being fired and resignation has the same time.

[@sugarsimmie7402]

"If any Polish people are watching this" 75% of your channel viewers: yes sir

[@Katniss218]

Of course! :D

[@adammianowski7710]

Sure. Of course, yes sir, I always do like this etcetera. In reality all this people have no idea what they do at work, and they are very nice people by american standard but they are only liers and a...kissers protecting them self from other people to know how little they know.

[@Willowwasbored]

So true XD

[@Shouta1933]

@@adammianowski7710 you don’t must to say etcetera, in english theres shortcut etc. Nie musisz mówić etcetera, w Angielskim jest skrót etc.

[@adammianowski7710]

@@Shouta1933 Jestem bardzo wdzieczny za uswiadomienie mnie.

[@magdalena4098]

I feel you misunderstood job contract concept. I cannot imagine to work without one. It is still easy to quit. That point was missed by you. In US from what I understood you don't have any social security. Whereas in Europe we strongly believe in it. Working with contract provides you with all the benefits-medical care, retirement, annual leaves-26 days in a year, maternity leave (in US I heard 3 weeks or 3 month - sounds like a policy against women), child care benefits, sick leave-you can take upto few weeks in a year and then if unable to work - disability security, unemployment benefits, etc. It protects you also as a employee from unethical practices of some employers. Quitting is really not an issue and you can really do it very easily and anytime you wish in 99%of cases. Contract is to protect employee. My father employs some people in Poland and it is always first priority to fulfill all the obligations towards their rights, as per contracts. And yes - we don't like peanut butter. It's just not tasty at all for us 😂

[@Carrotcakefan]

I like peanut butter xD

[@pp_jasperki]

We don't believe in social security, we're forced to it. And we like peanut butter :)

[@suonatar1]

I like peanut butter. What's not to like? It tastes like peanuts. Try it with cherry jam - yummy 😋 @Paweł Pietryga Social security is good, but it should be more like car insurance (OC), when you can choose between the companies and rates, and someone should actually invest those money in Polish market. Instead it's just sitting there and the government takes the interest in advance to pay for their sick ideas.

[@ekokreatywna]

I like peanut butteemr too and there is a lot on stores 😳

[@renanvinicius6036]

And do you really think that all those benefits are getting out from nowhere or they are taking the money they would already have to pay you to pay all those "social security" measures 🤦

[@kijankus]

Things are a little different with these employment contracts. They protect the employee more than the company. Most such contracts have a probationary period (usually a month) during which you can normally quit your job. Later, the notice period applies, so you don't lose your job right away, e.g. if we have a notice period of 1 month, if a company wants to dismiss an employee, you must notify him one month in advance so that he has time to look for another job. Often, companies ask employees not to come to work anymore and they pay them normally for this period. An employee does not have to pay any penalties if he or she leaves work, he / she just has to call the company earlier, but in such situations he / she goes to the agreement with the company and terminates the agreement by agreement of the parties immediately. Thanks to the employment contract, we are sure that we will not be without money, that the company will pay taxes for us, that we will have medical care (in Poland, medical care (doctors, hospitals, etc.) is for free if taxes are paid), we can also based on showing in other companies where we worked and what we did.

[@johnnyguitar4408]

It can be also explaind in few words. USA is 100% capitalist, Poland and many countries in Europe are socialist.

[@ThePantoffel]

@@johnnyguitar4408 We are social democracies.

[@johnnyguitar4408]

@@ThePantoffel We have got rather catholic scialism. 😉

[@johnnyguitar4408]

@North American KZbinr No mandatory health insurance, employer decides about days quantity of vacation leave for emploee, no medical sick leaves, when emploee is sick, he is on vacation, emploee can be fired at any time without notice period. That's why I think USA is in 100% capitalist.

[@famas0]

@North American KZbinr Wybacz ale zgadzam się z @Johnny Guitar

[@iexist2217]

Smog in Krakow is a meme in Poland by now.

[@michazadkowski8516]

Smok ;-) One time in tv (TVN) were informations about dragon in Krakow xd

[@wertez9129]

Krk

[@MiCHU.94]

Like smog in LA and New York

[@keenmate9719]

It's not only smog. Smog from south Poland goes as far as to Prerov in Czech republic, which is almost 80 kilometres away from Czech/Poland border, but we have quite more issues like that greenhouse that is emitting light pollution like crazy, many people don't know what night is anymore and we all know dark environment is very important to human health. You also want to continue coal mining near our borders and don't care we will lose our ground water supplies. Let me tell you, we are not happy about it.

[@maidere]

in the EU countries, u have to sign the job contract (they are different contracts and some u can easily terminate with no consequences). The thing is, the contract gives u protection - ur insurance is covered and if u f. ex. get sick, have the right for paid sick-leave and stay at home. Same with a pension or financial help when u are unemployed. So, in fact, those contracts are more for employees not for employers.

[@wojstube9359]

Real original Polish junkfood: ZAPIEKANKA!

[@ivanp1716]

xD yes, exactly. While quarantine is going on, there is barely a way to avoid to get fed with it and a soup made of boiled sausages and noodles

[@meimei9285]

Bułka z czosnkiem :D

[@waschbar4960]

@@meimei9285 Love it

[@vaskemire]

dla mnie jeszcze paszteciki, ale to jest bardziej pomorskie niż polskie, chyba

[@danielsikorski8167]

@@vaskemire mmmm paszteciki , z kapustą z grzybami xD

[@E-virtuosEu]

0:39 An interesting fact that I observed is that during this coronavirus pandemic polish people keep more distance in lines than Americans 😂.

[@monochromeink.]

I wish...

[@hermenegildakociubinska6665]

With talking to strangers in Poland (or Europe in general), there's a time and a place. If it's a social occasion (party, club, festival, meetup, convention etc.) socialising with strangers is quite normal. If it's not a social occasion, you need a good excuse to start a conversation. Asking for directions is generally considered a good excuse. Asking personal questions comes off as nosy-you need to establish some kind of relationship first, by talking about some common subjects. For example, if you meet some random hikers in Bieszczady, you first talk about your recent adventures on the trail, other places you've hiked in etc., and once it's established you're enjoying each other's company in and getting along, then you can get to "and by the way, what do you do? I'm an X." And with public toilets - I never have any problem with finding one. They're in all restaurants, bars, shopping centres, railway stations, museums, supermarkets, public libraries - most places that are open to the public have them. You just need to come in and ask "Przepraszam, czy mógłbym skorzystać z toalety?" Most are free.

[@maciej5866]

Question about the job contact should sound like this: How you in US are doing without them? To be legally employed, employmend office (and government) needs to know about it. It's important in therms of your tax matters, your employer tax matters, retirement money (do you have retirement money in US?) etc. So how do are you doing without it? How employment office know do you work or not? How employment office know how much employees do you have? How they can tell do you really working or it's just a lie? And contract is important both for employee and employer. Everybody have their rights. You can't be kicked suddenly, they need to inform you in advance (this period depends on how long you was working there) to give time to find another job. But it protects also employer because you can't suddenly leave, he needs time to find a replacement. It's stupid to not have jobs contacts.

[@virginiaice13]

We have tax forms we fill out called W-2 forms. These are filled out yearly by the employer and employee and sent to the Federal government. Healthcare and retirement are automatically taken out of paychecks. Yes, there is no promise that you will have your job for as long as you want it, but it gives you flexibility to move to a higher paying job if you find one elsewhere or if it’s just not a good fit.

[@garysmith7760]

@@virginiaice13, I ditto that!

[@mrssiruuvi]

@@virginiaice13 Go and tell 16m Americans who lost their jobs overnight about flexibility.

[@snake3837]

@@mrssiruuvi If you think contract here will help you in situations like COVID then you are wrong. Not that we like to but basic tactic: you are out, I don't care about contract. Sue me (it will be delayed few months already anyway). If I go out of business then everything is over. If I don't I'll pay you compensation in a year or two (of course after you've already sued me because otherwise there is no legal basis), maybe even hire you back but now we stayed alive so it's ok. Many businesses in Europe are already doing that. I'm curious if governments or some other institution will do something about it. Contract does nothing if business doesn't have money. I have two friends who lost jobs like that.

[@katarzynazofia]

Business in Europe are letting people go true, but with a legal contract you automatically eligible for a lot of support and compensation from the gvt, sometimes even employer, without one... you're screwed overnight and even have no right to sue. So figure that... Also with your contract you have paid sick leave and paid holiday so some ppl instead of being fired can use those.

[@bratstali]

Putting trash into the fire is becoming less and less common. There are people called "nosacze " (something like boomers) and they still do it

[@radzioradzi79]

more like assholes

[@r.f.2615]

Don't name bad people Janusze. Actually Janusz is a beautiful Polish and maybe not only Polish name that a lot of people have. I know few men named Janusz, and they are smart, intelligent, and just great people. Do not stigmatize a name!!!!!!!!!! How would you like your name used as a stereotype of ashole? The last years stupid custom to name some people's( not very smart groups of people) Janusze and Grażyny is a stupid custom!!!!!!!

[@bratstali]

@@r.f.2615 U are joking or just don't understand this type of humor?

[@r.f.2615]

@@bratstali It's not a humor for someone named like that.

[@bratstali]

@@r.f.2615 Ok man so I'll cal them "nosacze". Right?

[@joannabasinska8993]

HI Trev, Appreciate your videos. So I am Polish, have lived almost all my live in Poland until 10 months ago, when I moved to the US. And actually some of the stuff you mention here is things I will probably always like better in Poland. Personal Space - I think, we in Poland are somewhere in the middle of the range within Europe. There will be nations that have this bubble much wider, and others that it is much smaller. But we do have the bubble you mention. It is maybe not extended arm + fingers and a little bit. But an arm yes, there will be individuals though that do not have it. Foodservice - as you notice, we tend to be annoyed by the waiter coming to my table every 3 bites to ask if the chewing process is ok. I like that in Poland (and in many other countries too) you can just stay sitting and sipping beer for hours at the place. The waiter will not hand you the bill right when you are with the last bite of the dessert but will accommodate to your plan for the day/night. You ate at this table, you can sit and drink and talk at it until you are done and you will be the one signaling when it is. Smog - this is correct, many still use coal, but it is changing. There are projects to eradicate the smogers from the landscape. It will just take time, as investment is big, especially for regular countryside household. Regarding burning trash - it is not in the fireplace, it is usually in the underground part of the building where the stove for heating is. pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kocio%C5%82_centralnego_ogrzewania so no: fire place: never trash, but yes some use it in the heating stove (i don't know the proper name) as it is even cheaper than buying coal - however you will be entering a war with some of your neighbors, they will not appreciate you. Socializing with strangers - this is a weird one. Even though it is much much easier to socialize with perfect stranger in the US. when you already know someone and ask "How are you?" in Poland you actually wait for an answer and you are likely going to get it. What does annoy me here in the US. Is that many times they even do not slow the pace when asking "How are you?" so when I start to respond there is no one already there to hear the answer. And they do have surprised expression that there would be one. So we talk to less people in general. But when we talk - then we talk. Maybe it has to do with the history. You know all of the wars and stuff and the regimes from the past. That we have a trustworthy circle of people that we T A L K and T A L K a L O T to. And others are strangers. Not to be too trusted with too many details of the life. But I do like, that when I am asked “how are you” the person who asked will care for the answer. Lack of public toilets - true, but is getting better Work contracts - Your point of view makes perfect sense in an economy with virtually no unemployment for decades. and the fact, you can make a living on a minimum wage - not too fancy, but still you will be able to pay your bills, pay the gas for your car (and have a car) and pay rent + food. Not the case in Poland. There were times that we had 30% unemployment. So when you did find a job you wanted to grab it so hard so that you would never lose it again. And the work contract works both ways. It protects more the employee than it does the employer. After a year of service both parties need to give the natural month length of notice. You don't pay fine as long as you keep to this notice period. And the employer can release you form duty of performing the job, but still will need to pay you the salary if they fire you. And after 3 years it is 3 months. So from the impacted employee point of view it gives some time to start looking for the new job and pull resources together so you will be able to pay your rent in coming time if you don’t find it. I find the US lack of contracts and notice periods unnerving. Makes me feel unprotected stores not open 24/7 - there will be some, and for sure the gas station will. there are some tescos open 24/7 - not all of them. But yes, you need to know the around of your house where to search for 24/7 store. I guess we simply don't mind it We dislike the Sundays deal tool. But this is nasty politics topic. Junk food - I guess we simply don't care for the junk food. The most common now is kebab and you need to know where you can find decent one. But the others junk foods we treat precise as it is called. junk food, not the food you care for, nor you are expecting amazing experience from it. We also don’t go to these places for breakfast. It is not the everyday dining place. We cook (usually from scratch) and eat at home and we grab a junk food when in the city all the day walking from one place to another, or travelling somewhere. And yes, peanut butter is not a big deal in Poland. When I was a kid and the Sesame street was first airing in Poland (early 90ties) and some other US TV shows aired for the first time too, it appeared in the shelves in some limited capacity. Never conquered people's hearts. Now if you find it, it will be in GNC type of stores. Very healthy and natural ones, to get healthy fats from it for the body builders. But you know. After a year here I will also find number of things that in the US are not widely available and I do miss them from Poland.

[@bullet1544]

POINT - "many times they even do not slow the pace when asking "How are you?" so when I start to respond there is no one already there to hear the answer. And they do have surprised expression that there would be one"

[@ginterka381996]

It's strange about peanut butter, because you can find it in Carrefour, Lidl, Biedronka etc. Why you think it's difficult to find peanut butter?

[@maciej5866]

I don't like talk with strangers. It's pointless. It's annoying, when you thinking about something and somebody break your thoughts with pointless, empty small talk. I don't care what job has person next to me. And it would be outrageous if somebody strange start asking me about my personal things like what am I doing, what is my hobby and so on. But trust me, there are people who can talk with strangers in waiting rooms, like my mom. And there are even less socialize nations like Finland. In Finland even I am feeling wired, when saying good morning to a bus driver is considered as wired.

[@bartomiejsieniawski3397]

you seem to be frustrated

[@maciej5866]

@@bartomiejsieniawski3397 no, it depends how you read this. And Trev asked how we feel about talking to strangers.

[@autumnramble]

Yup, because we don't have custom of talking to strangers, cultural, well mannered people usually don't try to talk to you without reason - it's always some weirdos trying to tell you should smile or how women shouldn't be allowed to wear trousers.

[@garysmith7760]

Maciej Dolny, To each his own. :D

[@rpra6435]

PL język i ENG language - two versions available. PL Umowa o pracę - wspaniały przykład na typową mentalność amerykańską. Amerykanin wyjaśniał bardzo długo jak to jest dla niego wyjątkowo niezrozumiałe i niepotrzebnie ograniczające jego wolność, że on musi podpisać umowę o pracę w Polsce. Muszę przyznać, że jako Europejczyka i Polaka rozśmieszyło mnie to ogromnie. Umowa o pracę to fantastyczna sprawa, która … jest głównie w interesie pracownika, a nie pracodawcy. Sytuacja w Stanach Zjednoczonych Ameryki związana z bezrobociem z powodu koronawirusa dowodzi tego ogromnie. Taka sama mentalność dotyczy opieki zdrowotnej, która w USA praktycznie nieistnieje (wiem co mówię - część mojej rodziny żyje od dawna w USA, niektórzy z nich sztucznie przedłużają pracę unikając emerytury, ponieważ na emeryturze nie będą mieli prawie żadnej opieki zdrowotnej, mniejsza o szczegóły). Nie wiem czy potrafię Amerykaninowi wytłumaczyć o co chodzi z umową o pracę, ponieważ jest to tak oczywista obrona interesów pracownika, który nie może być tak po prostu pozostawiony bez środków do życia bez możliwości przygotowania się na to z wyprzedzeniem, co narzuca na prawodawcę prawo pracy. Podsumowując, dla mnie sytuacja z umową o pracę jest całkowicie odwrotna - dla mnie jest nie do pojęcia funkcjonowanie na rynku pracy który takich rozwiązań nie przewiduje. ENG Employment contract (“job agreement”) - a great example of a typical American mentality. The American explained for a long time how it is extremely incomprehensible to him and unnecessarily restricting his freedom, that he must sign a contract of employment in Poland. I have to admit that as a European and a Pole it made me laugh a lot. An employment contract is a fantastic thing that ... is mainly in the interest of the employee, not the employer. The situation in the United States of America related to unemployment due to coronavirus proves this enormously. The same mentality applies to health care, which practically does not exist in the USA (I know what I am saying - some of my family has been living in the USA for a long time, some of them artificially prolong their work avoiding retirement, because in retirement they will have almost no health care, no details here needed). I do not know if I can explain to an American what an employment contract is about, because it is such an obvious defense of the interests of an employee who cannot be simply left without a livelihood without being able to prepare for it in advance, which is imposed by the labor law. To sum up, for me the situation with an employment contract is completely the opposite - for me it is inconceivable functioning on the labor market which does not provide such solutions.

[@pd7160]

Z drugiej strony, umowa o pracę jest również korzystna dla pracodawcy, gdyż nie dochodzi do takich sytuacji gdzie pracownik porzuci stanowisko z dnia na dzień. On the other hand, job agreements can be profitable for an employer, because the situations when an employee quit a work day-to-day are very rare.

[@rpra6435]

@@pd7160 też prawda.

[@maxmax5054]

Mówisz o umowie o pracę, jakby w jakikolwiek sposób chroniła pracownika, ale bądźmy szczerzy - pracodawca będzie chciał Cię zwolnić, to to zrobi i nikt mu w tym nie przeszkodzi. Tak samo pracownik może w każdym momencie dać miesiąc wypowiedzenia i jeszcze tego samego dnia wręczyć szefowi L4 i nigdy więcej nie pokazać się w pracy. Ja pracuję na kilkumiesięcznych kontraktach od lat i moja praca nigdy nie była tak bezpieczna, jak teraz. Masz na ten temat dobrą wiedzę, ale raczej teoretyczną ;) Natomiast co do opieki zdrowotnej, to chyba jasne jest, że ta posypała się po zmianach, jakie wprowadził Obama, bo wszyscy go chwalą, ale jakimś cudem nikt nie wspomina o tym, że całkowicie położył najważniejszą rzecz w Stanach. Amerykanie po jego zmianach zapewne przez całe pokolenie się nie pozbierają. Przed jego prezydenturą było całkiem ok.

[@wladyslawbukowski]

Wytresowanie i salutowanie do sztandaru jako przejaw najwyższego patriotyzmu.

[@clean280]

Z drugiej strony better dead than red

[@samma995]

Cultural diversity makes the world more interesting. Would you like everything in Poland or in Europe to be like in the USA? I agree on toilets and service, but for example a contract at work mainly protects you, not the company. Europeans do not change jobs as often as Americans. In addition, we have 5 weeks of guaranteed vacation, and how much vacation is in the US? I am worried that junk food in the USA is so tasty, it has fatal effects on health. Take care of yourself and enjoy the diversity of Europe. :) By the way, I like Americans for their directness and willingness to help.

[@rivieramaya2618]

About contracts, you have them in Poland because your employer pays your taxes, insurance etc. As well as 30 days of holiday a year. Other thing is confirmation that you work legally and you will get retirement pay based on what you were earning through all those years.

[@genericmike9130]

Nutella > Peanut butter Change my mind

[@Rob_Erto_33]

Nah ... Nutella is basically fat and sugar

[@michachaszczyn]

I wont. Nutella is absolutely european favourite.

[@charlies.5777]

Nutella® tastes great. Especially when you add some Peter Pan® Honey Roast Peanut Butter to It!! #Foodgasm

[@woytzekbron7635]

in Silesia where I'm from, there is no problem to buy peanut butter, my daughter loves it.

[@Man_of_Krieg]

Choccy nut

[@cpt.flamer7184]

If you look at the word itself, waiter is someone who waits xDD so he should't bother you every 2 minutes ;p jokes aside, in US tips are major part of salary to waiters, they get very little money from employer, so they want to be as nice as they can to get bigger tip. In Poland waiters have regular salaries and tips are just extra bonus. But as you noticed in other point Americans like to talk to strangers and Polish people don't, so system is well-fitting to respective country i guess ;p Air pollution is higher in montain area, where as you noticed we have walls of moutains and deep valleys. This is a problem in south Poland, but also in south Gemany and north Italy. Also mountain areas are places where natural resources are extracted, so heavy industry is also located there. In Poland coal itself is not a problem, i mean it is, but old, defective furnances are what's really poisoning our air. Polish people need time to open up, we don't like converations with strangers. Even if we know someone we don't speak with him about everything, we have different level of friendship. Znajomy or kolega is your friend from work or school, or simply someone you're hanging out with, but przyjaciel is your true friend, it's like family. We even have saying "you can have a lot of znajomych, but you have only a few przyjaciół" ;p in English you can refer to many people as your friends, we mostly translate 'friend' as 'przyjaciel' but in fact it's strong word reserved only to the closest friend. Junk food in US is more processed, it contains more artifical compunds, it taste better, but it's much less healthy. Europeans standarts are higher. We pay attention to things which are in our food(or rather control institutions do xd). In general we try to eliminate as much unhealty food as we can, for example n Poland it's illegal to sell junk food or even sweets in public schools, kids get fresh meals, fruits and vegetables. If we're talking about big American corporations like McDonald they adjust their food to specific market and make it mostly from local products so Polish McDonald is teastier to Poles and American McDonald is teastier to Americans ;p Most of our shops are closed after 10 PM, but from the other hand i've heard that bars and pubs in US are open to 1 or 2 AM (i've just heard that, im not sure) and in Poland services like that are open mostly "to last customer" ;p Shops closed on sundays are still relatively new thing to us, 2020 is first year when all sundays will be 'trade-free' and it's still controvercial for some Poles, at the begining many Poles were against this idea, but we just used to it i guess.

[@Natalia-mi4su]

U're right, u sum up everything, Poland and US have so much different culture, and some things he saw was by his gf eyes

[@DarkonZ]

Xd

[@GdzieJestNemo]

As for talking with random people - it's considered rude to bother random people for no reason over the most of Europe. As for contracts - how are then american workers protected against their boss not wanting to pay out salaries?

[@GdzieJestNemo]

@North American KZbinr based on what? just on someone's word? If you got no contract then there's nothing proving you were actually working and if you are owned any money

[@virginiaice13]

GdzieJestNemo we have federal offices of labor that you can report your business to. If they are not paying you it is also easy to quit and the store would suffer serious social reproduisions because things like that get reported in the news. No one would go to that store if they treated their employees badly

[@GdzieJestNemo]

@@virginiaice13 That sounds like lawless mess - system where the louder ones is right, really fucked up. I hope that's not how it actually works like in US.

[@virginiaice13]

GdzieJestNemo it’s not lawless. There are 3 levels of government: local, state and federal. At the state and federal levels there are government bureaus that protect employees through laws. If laws are broken, we do as Americans do and sue. As for the public stigma thing, if the company is too big to sue (they have more money) it is very easy to move to a new business or bring your story to the news. If a business is not treating employees well then people should know. In my experience working with multiple businesses big and small, it works well. When I was not happy I got a new job. If someone is getting screwed over in the american system it’s because they have no other opportunities. I’m sure you have bad businesses in Poland. A contract would lock you in to working with that bad company for as long as you are hired.

[@GdzieJestNemo]

@@virginiaice13 you seriously think a witch hunt system - one not based on evidence but opinions is a good system? A made up story in such system can ruin people's lives. As for contracts - it never locks you for good. There are various tools - different contract types, termination clauses, probation periods etc. It makes things transparent for all sides

[@kadz3597]

Forced tipping is stupid

[@kamil11421]

You are uninformed about it, for those people tips help them to pay the bills, they go to cooks, dishwasher etc. I would never wanna go to restaurant with notiping people and i never been in US

[@kadz3597]

@@kamil11421 I am informed. I just say that employer should pay their workers enough money for work. Tip if want to but enforced tipping is stupid cause you never know how much you will pay for your meal before you eat. It's a double standard, for example tipping for waiter is ok and legal but if you tip a doctor thats a bribe.

[@MrTangerine666]

@@kamil11421 I like tipping, but I think it's something extra for a good service. If it's obligatory, why don't you just include it in the restaurant prices? It makes no sense. The whole point is that you can tip somebody, if you really like the service they provided.

[@kamil11421]

Theres no equality if i would go to low price place for coffe and breakfast why wouldn't tip too those people that have no stable work contract like its in Europe where this doesnt exist. Stay objective if you go to restaurant you usually know the place already so whats the problem ?

[@pd7160]

It's just shifting the employee "costs" on customers. For me it's like a supporting the shadow economy.

[@kdnu27]

It's interesting, what you said about work contracts. Because when I heard for the first time, that in the US you not necessarily sign a work contract, it blew my mind. My first question was, what guarantee you have that employer don't screw you after some time if there is no evidence on the conditions you both agree for.

[@renanvinicius6036]

Why would a employer do that if your work is giving them return?

[@Pixelek22]

So what's the proof of employment in the US? I have all the contracts from companies I worked for since 2006. A contract doesn't force you to work for your employer until the end of days. Even if you sign a contract for a year, you can quit earlier with a 2-week notice. It's also possible to come to an agreement with your employer to terminate it earlier/immediately. Contracts also protect an employee when my company was sold, I didn't lose my job the day it happened, I was still getting paid for three months bc there was a 3 month notice period. Not to mention a work contract equals being insured, paid sick leave, 20 to 26 days of paid vacation days. When we start a new job, our new employer might also expect us to be able to prove that we worked for the companies we list in our resumes. Based on our contracts we receive a certificate of employment.

[@Jaros95]

The work contract thing is the only reason I won’t move to the US although I like the people etc. It’s just the lack of job stability, and especially now reading about 400 people being laid off in a 5 minute conference call and being cut off from everything by the time the call ends... Idk, just seems like too much stress on top of all the other pressure you get in your life.

[@dahu4046]

About trash burning: my grandma used to go to a small village for summer and she used to burn all trash including plastic in order to get rid of it (its better than leaving thrash in forest and there was no other way to dispose thrash). About work: I have never heard about fine for breaking work contract. You can always quit "with sides agreement". It takes i think about month to end current job and go somewhere else. There are fines for breaking contracts but surely not for low payment jobs. About stores: Few years ago all stores were open on sunday. Now there are some small stores which are open every sunday. Lastly most of 24h stores have Żubrówka so you do not need to worry next time you visit xD

[@Victorn2222]

Yes mostly older people who don't know the term ecology does that and it's annoying that they do this and sometimes it's difficult to breath when you can smell plastic in the air and not only sometimes it's even tires

[@marysia3147]

The grocery stores are closing on sundays to give an opportunity for smaller stores to be open and get more customers

[@wojciechgrygiel8485]

I am a native of Poland and I l went to the graduate school in the US. For the most part I agree with your observations. In particular if you insist upon a stranger (in a bus for instance) whom you don't know with your questions on what they do, the perception is like: what's your problem? Indeed, this is not a thing to do in Poland. People will find it rude. It might be changing slightly in the younger generation. The second thing, that is not keeping a distance in a line, is normal. People do not freak out that quickly about someone else's proximity. Old ladies must stick their nose through the line to see which ham they wish to buy for their breakfast. Or if the meat looks good and if it not too fat. Just details like that. I liked your video, thanks a lot.

[@bhblueberry]

1. I agree with you - polish customer service is not good enough, especially in restaurants. The one reason is probably that people are not used to give much bigger tip when being much better served. 2. Really I don't ever have to pay for using toilet anywhere. You just need to ask if you can use it really.. 3. I am often talking to strangers but you usually need to have a topic to talk about. You see - subjects like "How are you doing?" are consider being rather annoying, even if you know someone. We are using this question rather as a conversation-filler - when we don't know what to talk about. It is logical that we don't want to hear this question from a stranger because - why do you bother? Even in US you are not taking this question seriously :) 4. Polish people (most of them) are not burning trash in their homes (maybe sometimes they are using some foil to start the fire) but they often throw them into the open fire when they are for example burning sticks etc. It is mostly a problem of older generations because they were not educated about ecology at all.

[@wladyslawbukowski]

One can always go to Russia to realize that it is not that bad in Poland. Let's stop complaining.

[@bartoszdolata1164]

When we're talking about contracts... We have a huge difference between european, so also polish, and american law systems. And if we're talking about contracts, we've to focus also on social support system. In the US, in my opinion, you have less governmental and social support than in Poland, ex. public health service, public universities and a lot of social programmes. In our law and which is so important in EU law we can see putting a lot of effort of savings consumers and workers rights. So, we've more possibilities to save their rights by ex. a longer time of ending the contracts to have a protection to find another job and compelling employers to not overwork their employees. In polish law system is something like difference between kinds of contracts. We have job-contracts which are more saved by domain of law - job law - and another contracts connected with civil law and definitely less saved than past - order-contracts - but also associated with working for some eployer. It's really complicated... because common law and our european continental law are really different. I hope that explain something, because it could be hard to understand if you are not in our "law mentality"😅.

[@player400_official]

Most people treat talking to strangers in Poland as strange. If you do that they may even think you are crazy.

[@monochromeink.]

I personally like when a stranger talks to me. Although so far I've never had a real conversation, there have been times when a strangers (usually elderly people) complement my look or have said "smacznego" when I was eating something. It always makes my day a bit better

[@Neko-gc6vu]

I'm from Poland and I won't like if a random people at street starts asking me about my hobby, where I'm going and what I'm doing in free time, etc. I won't ask stranger for his / her about personal information. Only case when I'm asking stranger for any information is when I'm in city that I don't know and I don't know how to go to for example stadium. One more thing: my parents were always telling me that I shouldn't talk to strangers.

[@perfumiorz]

Work conract is to protect your rights, so that the employer would not exploit you. Also they can't fire you unexpectedly unless they have a reason (like you messed something up or you did not show up at work for a few days). If the employer wants to get rid of you, you will have some time to prepare and find a new job.

[@HybrydaArt]

tbh, there is nothing to be proud of when saying "we do junk food better"... junk food is trash, eat some fruit salad. also maybe we add fruit so much is bc most if not are imported and considered treat... there is a whole thing with oranges and Christmas here in PL

[@MrDziewson]

having a contract is in your favor ( paid holidays etc) but iv never heard of paying a fine when u quit your job.

[@Cloud140]

Im from poland. You have right about personal space, many people have problem with that thing. About trash in fireplace... now we get cash penality for doing that, but a few years ago.... many people did that. But if you want know how many, you have to check in internet. The most smog problem we have in Śląsk ( voivodeship/province) because is many factory here. We have memes about that. The air in this place isn't bad but you have to bite well. Cost of leaving job? Depends on the type of contract. But the most popular cost is your time. You don't like your job but you have Fixed-term contract? You have to give denunciation of your contract. Then you have to work a some time later ( most often a 30 days). Of course you will get payment for that time. If you didn't give denunciation and leaved your job... you can get "disciplinary dismissal". That thing will be in your history of work. After that, getting a job is harder because a many heads don't want employ somebody who had "disciplinary dismissal". About 7th. You can get peanut butter but a many people don't like that ;) If you want find, you have to visit Lidl/Kaufland

[@Tycini1]

Are you Japanese?

[@tomaszk9210]

I really feel uncomfortable when I leave a tip. It's a bit like paying someone for being polite to me. I hate false people. If someone wants not to be polite to me then I prefer him not to be.

[@uceee1]

same thing here

[@TheEmpress185]

You can quit a job if you want based on "porozumienie stron" when both parties-the employer and the employee agree upon "cutting" the contract short on a settled date. Generally though it's hard to just quit straight away.

[@youprobablyshouldntbeoffen9199]

I'm from Poland and I have to say that talking to strangers is very difficult. I don't feel comfortable when someone I don't know starts talking to me. It's totally different if you are on a party or someone invites you to meet their friends. I personally would freak out if stranger came up to me trying to make a conversation. It happens all the time with elderly, but we are used to it. The problem is when person is younger that that.

[@Gylock_winters]

Fun fact: Poland was very famous for salt mines and a lot of kings of Poland were king of other countrys to

[@Wojtasss96]

About socializing - as a Pole I admit it's not that easy to have a chitchat with a total stranger, mostly bc many ppl are quite shy and not used to this kind of contact. Personally I'm fine random talk in a shop or sth, as long as the person is not 'attacking me' with too many questions too soon, for example: where you from? where did you go to school? are you single? etc. I remember having this uncomfortable feeling few times when talking to Americans. It makes me feel TOTALLY interrogated, like 'why the hell I'm supposed to tell you all this stuff, we just met' :D

[@ALIlublin]

If a stranger talks to us, we think that he is a pervert, a thief or a madman. This probably affects the service in the restaurant. The waitress is a stranger. And we are strangers to her.

[@dziobakowski]

I remember that first time when I was eating in restaurant outside of Poland and waiter asked me if my food is good I thought they accidently mixed wrong ingredients or sth like that. I didnt think that its some kind of service

[@karola9764]

In Poland it's werid when a stranger starts talking to you, personally I don't like talking to strangers here. I was living in US for over a year and I didn't mind talking to stranger at all, so I think it's all about culture and how ppl talk.

[@CieplinskiPawel]

Dear @Trev The case with talking to strangers and especially asking questions is very much affected by our history. Let's see for about as long as USA exists: - Since late XVIII century for 123 years during The Partitions of Poland ( en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partitions_of_Poland) there was no such country on the map. All 3 occupying powers were suppressing Polish identity to the level of death sentence for speaking the language! Possession of Polish books, speaking Polish at home: you could be killed for that if someone rats on you. - Then there was 20 years in between World Wars and... Natzi Occupation. We had the first Resistance in Europe formed as soon as Fall of 1939. There were colaborators, there were Gestapo agents around etc. Secrecy was crucial for the Resistance. - And then Soviet Occupation 1945-89. And again huge freedom-fighting opposition, we raised in 56, people died. Political Police was working hard on getting to the anti-communistic structures. We rised again in '70. Yet more people died. In 1980 we got smarter, underground structures were extremely well organized. It all run on secrecy, Secret Police had their agents everywhere. Back then around 10 million people were members of the Solidarity! In 35 million nation that's basically everyone except of children and the communists! So that's it. The last centuries most of the time literally the survival of our Nation depended on keeping it all to ourselves. Think about it: our "tradition" of not sharing much with strangers is as old as USA.. So... When you were asked a lot of questions? At Gestapo interrogation during WW2. Who was asking a lot about you? Secret Agent during 44 years of Communism...

[@marimetr4261]

I was born in Poland but actually living in USA for over 32 years so I seen the good and bad on both sides. The quality of food in Poland is much better then in USA and that's why the food in Poland teste much better much less chemicals in it. In U.S. the walls in the buldings houses are made of sheetrock which is actually not good. I love actually how the Polish houses are built because they're much stronger because they're using concrete blocks and bricks. I love the fact in Poland the houses are not so close this way you feeling like you have more privacy. People in Poland cooking much more so you definitely will have nice fresh dinner every day not like in US people working so long hours and when they get home they just want to warm up something quickly and eat or just ordering from outside like pizza , Chinese food, Italian food

[@kryokori]

for me the comfortable distance of standing in line is around ~30 cm, it's cause the person does not breath in your face and 'walk onto you', closer than that makes me uncomfortable , and if said distance was bigger, especially above 50 cm then it's really iritating, I will give you two examples why: 1. the automatic belts by the cash registers - you are standing there with lots of products and almost whole belt is basically empty, you could put it all onto the belt, but the person before you have this large distance from the person in front of the line and you have no way to put those things onto the belt. If said person just done one more step, but noo, they keep standing there like all it matters is that free field in front of them and they just take comfort in watching it growing bigger and bigger =_= 2. the growing line - imagine there are many customers for example in bakery, and there is a person there who creates this big comfort zone in front of them where even up to two people could fit comfortably, said person keep this big distance all the time while the line keep growing and even brake into second line that goes opposite direction. You would keep wondering if they actually are in the line or just stand by the side of it. For us, it's usually someone not buying things that keeps their distance from the line, showing this way they have no interest of purchasin anything at the moment and giving you priority. Our "comfort zone" is not measured in metrics like in USA but in socialising you mentioned later - not interacting with each and everyone for no reason ;) We feel uncomfortable when someone we do not know sniff around us and ask us personal questions. It usually means you are a target of scamming or someone want to get info on you for some reason (or people doing random questionnaire s). Most who would do it nowadays would be bored old ladies to get more things to talk about with other old ladies - and soon whole neighbourhood will know what you did, whom you meet, what you ate etc. you are free to talk if you are ready for the consequences. We have a social firewall preinstalled :D it temporarily switches off in pubs or some entertainment events, not on streets. We are more like NPC in a game - you need to trigger a quest with us and when you finish it with positive result then your favorability with us rises and you have chance to unlock more new features ;) About burning coal - we have one of biggest deposits of coal in Europe and our economy often suffered due to all restrictions put on it by EU. The Westerners build lots of nuclear power plants and done other stuff while we were suffering under Russian occupation. Now is a trend of abstaining from building new nuclear plants or shutting them down so building one in here seem almost impossible and they act as if it was their justice call to fight anything that was not 'green' enough - thus the coal issue. Because the price of coal varied, poorer people tended to burn things that just burn. Coal is still better than most other stuff people tended to burn when it comes to polution. Most poluted areas are those with biggest industries, mainly around Silesia. The bathrooms are relics of PRL. There are free public bahtrooms but I find those quite rare. Most shopping malls have free bathrooms. All transport station (train/bus) centers have paid bahtrooms. Paying for water - there was exemption of this rule. When you were at some tourist spot with limited resuorces (for example mountain top with some youth hostel in the area) you could ask them for warm water. For example you went camping etc. and you have travel cup and a pack of tea - you could ask them for boiled water for your tea. For bottled water, yup, you pay, always. But the boiled water for your own cup, it was a kind custom to share with traveler. Been years since I took those kind of trips so I'm not sure if it changed due to capitalistic trends. Btw. countries located in regions with cold winter have tendency of drinking warm things on daily basis. We add ice to drinks mostly during really hot summers. And yeah, our junk food is not as junk as in USA xD we can't compete in that yet.. yet

[@superspeederbooster]

Man you already sound Polish, sneaking in bottle into restaurant is most Polish thing you can do. I'm proud 🥲🥲 of you.

[@Monika-rv7ne]

Talking to strangers is kind of weird, because, there is a lot of situations that stranger ask you about the time, way to go, or something What he need to know, I think talking about another things like What are you doing, where are you going, some questions can be weird because we are used to not talk to each other like that, but I think it depens personally, if someone is talkative person and will talk and for this person will be very nice and easy to talk or if someone doesn't like making a conversation like that, but don't be afraid of trying to talk, in this way you can show us that is not bad behavior and maybe something will change in people mind, and they will be more hm open to strangers :)

[@bartoszstanek4024]

There are generally 3 types of contracts in Poland which differ by the time of work, salary etc. The contracts kinda work two ways: yes, you cannot quit the job without notice, and there is usually a minimal work period assigned to the contract ( usually 1-3 months), but the employer also cannot fire you without notice. Employees also get 1-3 month period during which employer is obligated to pay them, even if they want to fire a worker. The most important thing when it comes to contracts is that you have to have them to work legally and pay taxes. You can still get a job without a contract but neither you or employer do not pay the taxes then. Which is why it is mandatory in Poland. Also: work contracts often cover medical expenses. For instance: if you have an accident during work, the contract provides insurance which will cover your expenses and pay you for your potential loses. And there is also subject of retirement. To retire in Poland, you have to work a certain time in “work years” and only years covered by the contract count as said “work years”, therefore retirement can also be affected by them. Hope that clears things out a bit :)

[@guciolini123]

About contracts: If you want to, you can easily find a job without contract out of public sector in Poland but: it is illegal mostly and over 60% of polish economy is public sector and you lose all the benefits of having a contract. and you can negotiate a trial time contract which is easy to break without consequences and even permanent contracts can be broken just by being stubborn, not going to work and most employers will not draw consequences in court. Nevertheless many people work with no legal contract especially in the country and small town. There are also jobs with "order" contacts, which are contracts to end one task, and then they expire on themselves. They pay less and are more of "after time jobs" for people who need to earn more then they do in basic job. In US people change jobs very often compared to Poland and all of EU. We are used to have one job, that we try to keep for many years. Also people in US usually have one job at a time, when in EU most people work one job form 8: to 15:00 and then then work some other job till 18:00 (fuszerka- opposite to job for guild, bungle job).

[@KristoffDoe]

"and even permanent contracts can be broken just by being stubborn" - or you can simply resign...

[@kajo7195]

The reason why you have to pay in the bathroom is that Poland had a huge problem with homelessness at a time. So, at the peak of it the homeless used to take shelter in public bathrooms, spending night there or even live there for a while. To prevent bathrooms from becoming a squat we put tiny charges for entering. Well, the homelessness problem is now marginal in most of the country, but the fees remained...

[@zapasiewicz]

Hey Trev! I really enjoy your videos, and I feel you're doing a great job depicting various differences or focal points in between Americans in Poland and Poles in America. That being said, I decided to write this as some of your comments in this video are a bit strange to me, so please bear with me :) 1. Personal space vs talking to strangers. I think one ought to observe that this clearly shows how our two cultures perceive social distance differently. In Poland, physical proximity is not as intimidating as it is in the States, yet - as you rightfully say - interrogating is. So apparently, for us, our individuality and remaining anonymous / distant when outside, is indeed this "invisible bubble at arms length" that you describe when you speak about physical distance - but in terms of psychology. Think about it :). This is also true when you think about the second point from your video - it's not that our waiters are lazy or rude; they just want to make sure they respect people's right to psychological privacy when they're having a meal, especially when they are with company. 2. Burning waste at home only happens in rural areas and underprivileged homes with no access to central (i.e. municipal) heating. I've never seen it personally. Also, it's not really common and it's definitely not prevalent. 3. You're right about public bathrooms and especially public fountains! However - when it comes to paying for the bathroom in a restaurant, it basically almost NEVER happens. I've personally never had it happen to me, and I've used toilets in various restaurants numerous times despite not being a customer. They have these signs "toilet 5 zł unless you're a client" but it's mostly to deter people from loitering, not to ACTUALLY charge anyone. If you need the bathroom, just ask a waitress if you could use it, and they will point to the toilet and you're free to go there. Try it next time. 4. Please don't tell people to sneak water bottles inside a restaurant. It's equally as rude as the restaurant not giving you water for free. Just play their game and order a beer instead :D. BTW there are more and more restaurants or cafes that provide you with water for free. 5. The lack of written contracts in the US is actually a really bad thing as compared to Poland. I'm a proponent of economic liberty, although I am happy that people are bound to have a contract which specifies the relationship between the employer and the employee. It's also much more secure than in the US - where basically the employer can come up to you and say "you're fired" and kick you out. Try and look at it from both ends, not only your liberty as an employee, but also your security when you have a job. 6. I don't know what you mean by ice cream :D. You have yogurt based, cream based, sherbet based, with chocolate, sprinkles, peanut butter, etc. - everything is available in good ice cream shops. So maybe it's just your experience from Grycan which is admittedly not a good one :) Anyway, I really enjoy your channel, and you have a very nice voice as well. Cheers!

[@miyomikonran]

The easiest way to talk to stranger in Poland is honestly being in some sort of annoying situation with them, even if it sounds weird :) We looove to complain, so we complain about weather, public transportation being late or bus being completly packed or in general when someone does something rude and we murmur something about that and then someone suddenly agrees next to us and that sparks conversation (it works the best with elderly people). Sometimes complaining about politics will get the same reaction but it's kinda tricky cus you never know if person next to you has the same views as you. Other more positive way is to ask us for directions or help if you need it and try to use some polish words, as most of polish people will be suprised, impressed or just happy to see someone doing their best to say something in polish :) So yeah treat it as a little protip from someone who's from Poland :D

[@bartswitalski]

1. Yes, some of my neighbours burn trash for heating on semi-regular basis. 2. Regarding job contracts. There is no fine for quiting or fireing. You can disolve the contract if other side agrees. If not, then there is "grace period" of 2 weeks - 3 months dependent on how long you were working in that place. My impression is, most employees in Poland see this as a good thing, ensuring paid time to find new job when fired.

[@marysia3147]

I Don’t mind talking to strangers. If I hear that someone has a problem with finding a place or smth I always go and try to help them. But it is true that when someone starts asking personal questions out of the blue I will probably be a bit suspicious but I won’t turn down a conversation.

[@Olicia88]

Maybe personal space is smaller than in USA but it still exist. I don't like it when someone is standing so close to me that we almost touching with our noses. I work at a store and there are too many customers that do that. And when I take a step back, they take a step forward. About talking to strangers - as many people said before me I don't mind talking about that's relevant to the situation. Like talking about a book I'm reading. But when someone ask me questions where I live, what I do for a living or where I am going (if I'm on the train or in the bus) I feel attacked and threatened. Because what could be the reason other than someones want to assault or rob me?

[@inuku2629]

About the one with talking to strangers, I am polish from birth and It's not happening. Like if someone will go up to me and talk first I could talk a little but I would feel wierd and if you'd ask questions like "what's your hobbies?" "where do you live?" "what school are you in?" I probably would feel just in danger, that you're gonna use those informations for your own goals, like robbing me. Maybe it's just me but from birth they (school, parents) warn me "don't believe strangers in anything" so now I just feel like every stranger on street COULD (not must) be a danger to me in some way.

[@leszekpomian]

As for signing contracts. In Poland, it's mainly about protecting both parties to the contract. The employee cannot be fired the next day, he is protected by hospital services and the labor office. And the employer should be guaranteed that you will do your job to pay you.

[@MrLuke255]

Could you make a video about working in US? It's weird you don't usually sign any work contracts!

[@sara.suau.]

Hey, I just discovered your channel! High five and be brave while you stay in Poland 😁 About 24/7 shops and sundays. Just to compare, I live now in Austria and is even worse... Grosery stores are open 7-19. And all sundays are closed. Even some petrol stations are NOT 24/7. Self-service. Now with the Corona thing the open hours are even shorter. So... Can be worst than Poland. 😁

[@guru82master]

About penautt butter You can buy it in most of the popular groceries and of course in all big markets as Lidl, Biedronka and so on. Personally I love it and do it by myself :)

[@Sandra-hv9bn]

people in lines are worst in PL! even if I am Polish, i dont understand it too, because in other places people usually stand with extra space. Also I dont like when the waiter is too much into me and my meal xD I like a distance with a waiter, so it could be Polish thing xD if I want smtg I would call him, but the waiters always come when I have full mouth and its unconfortable. And I agree with talking with strangers - I am talkative with new friends, but I feel weird when a total stranger ask me about all my personal stuff out of nowhere xD AND last - I wish we could have here free water and wc ;( especially when I come back from abroad, I miss it ;p

[@vessyphobia]

In Poland we're teached to be rather careful when rangers come up and starts talking with us, some od people are getting bit suspicious when you come up and starts asking "how are you, what do you like to do" etc...

[@DartianBlade]

Job contract is also protecting you as an employee. The longer you work for some1 the more time you are protected - 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months. That is why we chose our job places more carefully. Ofc if you are really unhappy with your job you can ask for immediate termination of a contract if both sides agree (za porozumieniem stron). This is a employee - employer protection system. If you get fired you don't have to worry about rent and money immediately, but you have some time to find a good job, instead of a crapy one just not to starve, and employer is sure that you will not quit next day, because recruitment process is quite pricey, takes time, and if you are some kind of specialist you would be taking all your knowledge with you. That is also why we don't travel as much for work and we don't feel comfortable with. That is also connected why we don't feel to comfortable with renting apartments for 20 years. In Poland we have like almost 80% ppl having thair "own" flats and houses and that is also not good for frequent moving :)

[@Thispersonisreal]

heya trev! i got interesting proposition when coronavirus dissapear, come to callisia, not the oldest, but the earliest mentioned city in poland, Julius Caesar mentioned it actually!

[@alam5055]

A job contract is a good thing, it protects employee more than employer. You can terminate the contract whenever you want - yes, when terminating, usually you can't leave immediately and have to work for some time (called a "termination period") but when you just started a job, that time is rather small (2 weeks if you worked for that employer for less than 6 months and 6 months is usually enough to decide if you like the job. And then the termination period is 1 month if you worked between 6 months and 3 years and 3 months if you worked for longer than 3 years for that employer). And usually, before getting a normal contract, there is a trial period contract first and if you're on such trial contract, the termination period is even smaller - 3 days if you worked less than two weeks and one week if you worked between 2 weeks and 3 months (because after 3 months trial period ends and you get normal contract). So you don't have to bear with a job you don't like for long. And there is still a possibility to leave immediately, without termination period, but an employer must agree to it. Besides, if an employer abuses you, doesn't fulfill his contract responsibilities or doesn't provide proper work environment, you can also break the contract immediately, without termination period (yes, they can sue you if they think they did everything correctly, but if you have a valid reason, you'll win and don't have to pay any costs). Yes, having a termination period when you want to leave immediately can be pain in the ass, but on the other hand, an employer also can't break the contract immediately, suddenly leaving you jobless and without money to live - thanks to the termination period you have time to look for another job. And while you can terminate the contract whenever you want (of course abiding the termination period), employer can only terminate the trial contract without a reason and to terminate a normal contract, they must have a valid reason (valid reason is when your work isn't good enough or when the company has documented financial problems and needs to reduce the number of employees to survive). So job contracts are a really good thing, they protect the employee and give them stability. Besides, thanks to it you have many benefits like paid holiday leave (20-26 working days per year), women have a year long, full-paid maternity leave after giving birth to the child (and the employer can't terminate the contract then, even with termination period, and also can't terminate the contract earlier when the employee is still pregnant) and you get a health insurance (so you have free healthcare and when you are sick, a doctor gives you a paper proving it and you don't have to go to work but you are still paid so you don't end up without money and the employer can't fire you because of it). That's a lot of benefits for just one downside of having to work through termination period (which is, as I mentioned, very short if you worked less than 6 months for that employer)

[@themeanmachine84]

As for work contracts (to put it simple) there are few types of them (one type is the one signed for a set period of time, there is one that is not limited by time and there is one for "one time jobs" when specific job will be done) and in all cases you can quit the job if you don't like it. If you are working on a full time contract and you want to quit, you have 2 weeks or more (up to 3 months depending on how long you were working for the company) of termination time, once this is over you are free. If you work on the same contract and the company lets you go, it works the same way but the company will pay you some compensation (how much you will get it depends on how long you were with the company) for letting you go if it wasn't from your fault. Contracts also regulate things like working hours, working week (what days you work), how much extra hours you can work (and when you get paid extra for them and when not), how many days of paid leave you can take per year (it can be 20 or 26 days, you can also request unpaid leave in some occasions) and many other things such as social security, sick leave (which is paid but it's 80% of regular salary) etc. In other words, it's a balance between the employer and employee when it comes to obligations and rights for both sides.

[@robertmielewczyk4219]

you can smell in some usually smaller villages when someone is burning plastic and paper. I've never seen anyone or known anyone that had friends doing this but I have smelled it a few times in my life. It smells like a sasuage on a grill except you smell it everywhere you go.

[@KrisuNaNowo]

In Poland most people sign a contract at the job and this is a desired option. Let mi explain. In poland you can work based on a contract, or something that is called "work agreement" (sorry I am unable to translate it accurate). The catch is that in Poland you've got working law statute that contains many laws that are there to protect both the employer and employee. Is it rather uncommon to pay a fine for quitting, unless you do it against the contract. Usually in such a contract there is a "quitting period" that spands between 1-3 months. It means that if I want to quit, I place my resign but I must still do my job for the quitting period (so my boss can find someone for my place at the time), but on the other hand if my employer decides to dismiss me for whatever reson (except disciplinary) he also has to tell me that and still has to employ me for this quitting period so you can't be just left with no money and job instantly, also this law guarantees you minimum holiday, protect you when you get sick, you can't get paid less than a minimum wage etc.. If you are working based on jus work agreement many of those laws don't apply to you.

[@run2fire]

Even though I am an introvert, I do like to talk to strangers especially foreigners. I’m curious not nosy. And also try to show some American hospitality

[@garysmith7760]

Americans don't show hospitality...???

[@monikakrajewska2191]

We don't eat junk food so often as Americans do , a lot of people cook the meals from scratch . So that is why there is not so much of big variety available.

[@Keazzz]

When it comes to talking to strangers in Poland, well, we just dont do that XD And it sucks, but if You randomly ask a stranger about their day, they will freak out, and propably consider You as a creepy wierdo 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ekokreatywna]

Dear Trev- we have job contracts which means we are protected against abuse and violation of worker’s rights - we get insurance and health care and some part of our income goes to our pension program. And of course you can leave your job as most contracts state you Can leave ( usually a few weeks notice depending on a job)

[@hexzerorouge6361]

You're not afraid of saying what you don't like in Poland and I respect that and I like that your channel is not just flattery. Burning trash in fireplace. You're right, it does happen, and to be honest, I myself did it years ago when I was young, I blame my upbringing. Extreme cases of the trash burning include tire bonfires, but I haven't encountered this in more than 10 years but people are more and more aware and the fines are pretty severe. As it comes to contracts, I never had any difficulties with leaving my job. I'm a citizen and I don't know how it goes. Contracts in Poland serve the employee and the employer. First you get the trial period, which is three weeks and then if you and the employer are willing to prolong this contract, then you sign a one year contract. You can't leave your job and you can't be fired without a beforehand notice. Next you get a permanent agreement and when you want to leave you have to work three weeks more or "accept the blame" and leave immediately, or you want to go, your boss agrees, and you also can leave right away. As it comes to talking to strangers I love it! Once in Cracow I heard in a burger place some Americans, so I went to talk to them, and while they were in Poland we met a couple of times. Great guys

[@ThePantoffel]

The part about shops closing is not accurate. If you want a hypermarket, for example Tesco is open 24h. Apart from that there are many Carrefour Express around which are also 24h and most important the Monopolowy, so the alcohol shops and of course most of them are 24h ;)

[@reguslav]

About the coal and trash burning. The reason why we have so much coal heating systems is because Poland used to dig a lot of coal and there simply was nothing other that that to heat a house up to 90s I would say. So all older houses have coal heating and changing the heating system is expensive. Generally newer houses have alternative heating more often. Electrical heating is very expensive in Poland, and we need to heat the houses for like 5 months a year. In Kraków there is actually a coal and wood burning ban from a year now. City was financing a major part of changing old coal heating systems in hoses, because there was a financing program for citizens. There was a decision that you can no longer use coal heating about 5 years ago and there was a time given for citizens to change it together with that financing. However it didn't solve the issue because all other small towns nearby Kraków can use coal and all pollution is just sucked to Kraków because it's in valley. About a trash being burned. It's not that people can't afford coal or any other fuel. They just don't want to pay extra money for removing their trash. You have to pay to remove your trash to the company that do it in your area, and you are paying certain amount of money for one trash bin, but if you have more trash you need to pay extra, so they are just getting rid of the trash by burning them. This is disgusting and everyone hates people who actually do that. Usually older people do that, younger people are usually more into healthy environment.

[@MrTangerine666]

Water fountains in the US are great, I loved it, same thing for 24h hour stores. Another thing I liked was splitting the bill however you want, this is actually the only food service thing I like in the States better than in Poland - a Polish waiter would never take into account that you ordered a snack and split it between few people, it amazed me when they did for us in America :) (but generally I like our service better, for me this constant attention is just pestering) And, although generally public transportation is better in Poland, there is one thing I like better in States - the bus drivers don't care about safety rules :D In Poland they would never open the door for you in the place other than the bus stop for safety reasons and they never wait (which is of course not a bad thing, because they want to be on time). But it is really nice in the US, when the bus waits for you or stops just to get you, it happened to me a few times and was super nice. Once I was with my friends on some huge intersection, trying to get to the airport (the sidewalk ended of course) and the bus driver actually opened the door for us in the middle of what looked like a freeway intersection for me xd, let us in and asked what terminal we have to get to. When we didn't know, she asked for the country that we were heading to and went out of her way to drive us to the right terminal :) In Poland, the safety rules are very strict and nobody would do that :

[@Xandra2612]

I have lived in Poland all my life and there were many occasions when I was running to catch the bus and the driver stopped even when the bus already started to leave the bus stop. I always said 'thank you' between panting :D Personally, I'm amazed that there was no accident when the bus stopped in the middle of the intersection for you and other passengers didn't mind the longer route if there were any. When it comes to the bill I never had any problems with that if I asked the waiter to split it 2 or 3 ways.

[@MrTangerine666]

@@Xandra2612 Yeah, I had this happen to me (bus driver waiting for a couple of seconds when I was running), but in States they actually talked on the radio to the other bus and asked to wait for us on the next stop ;) that's why I'm saying their rules are much more loose Regarding that airport situation - we were lucky, because the intersection was almost completely empty (even though it was right next to the airport) and so was the bus. That's why nothing bad happened, although we were a bit anxious at the time. Although as much as I've gotten to know Americans, I don't think they would mind. And the bill - I had it split in Poland, but in States, when we ordered water and one starter for 4 people, the waitress automatically (we didn't ask for it, because we didn't think that was possible) split the price of those shared things 4 ways and each of us had this 1/4 of the price on our bill, I never had that happen in Poland. And from my experience as a waitress, they don't really like the splitting thing xd

[@MrTangerine666]

When I think about it, I don't think the system in my restaurant even allowed to split one dish on different checks.

[@bomberbaja111]

When it comes to talking to strangers...well...it depends on the neighbourhood . If its say...a downtown area of a bigger city then people might actually want to talk as long as you dont ask for anything personal and don't sound creepy or like you try to beg . In less popular areas people refusing to talk is usually out of a habit so that they don't get in trouble or have the person follow them around where they don't want to be followed .

[@player400_official]

The job contracts are good, because you are sure you will not get fired immediately. In Poland if you get fired you are still getting your salary for 2 months after being fired and even after that you can go to The Employment Bureau (pol. Pośredniak), show your job contract as a proof you have been working somewhere and get benefit payment for another few months until you find a new job. You can quit job immediately, but only if the employer agree for that, otherwise you will pay the price for his loses caused by your quitting (ex. production problems). If you want to get a part-time job you still can sign the craft contract or commision contract. If you do that you always will be able to quit immediately, but you also may get fired immediately. Also job contracts help goverment with statistics, taxes and special ZUS dues (ZUS is a kind of obligatory insurance for all workers in case they suddenly got ill/injured, so they can't work anymore. It also guarantee you retirement, but only if you were working for long time enough).

[@artur6912]

For the most part there are two types of job contract, salary and commission. To quit a salary position you put a letter of resignation and there's a waiting period before the contract end, usually between 1 and 3 months and it depend on how long the employment lasted.

[@gajagna]

And... you can quit your job when you want (in most cases). When you want quit you must put on desk you employer paper called "wypowiedzenie za porozumieniem stron" and if your boss are ok you end the job in the date named in this paper. Greetings ;)

[@Lurker01]

1. Work - Yeah, basically every employee has an employment contract with their employer and it's viewed as a good and honest thing. It's a labor law thing. Some people have civil law contracts (grey area in some cases). Working without an employment contract is illegal for employer and courts can decide that despite there was so signed employment contract there was an employment situation and the employer should give you all the rights and insurance. Working without a contract is called black work and almost nobody wants to do that. The basic quiting time is one month (not 30 day, you end at the end of the next full month). If you work more than 3 years for the same employer it's 3 months. It works both ways. In most cases, employer and employee come to an agreement of voluntary termination of employment and the date of the termination can be any day. 2. Stores - Yeah, big things are closed on Sundays, but most small places are open so if you forgot to buy some essentials or food you can easily do that. There are 24/7 places as well. Gas stations are 24/7 and there are groceries, but not cheap. 3. Ice creams - Grycan is a rookie mistake. It's not good, it's just big and popular. The best ones are small places with artisan ice cream (much in Warsaw). No fruits, but yes, fruits are popular, but it's just the whole desert. 4. Junk food is considered in Poland as ...junk so fast foods are trying to be least junky so there could be your problem. Almost everybody feels a little be o shame eating for e.g. in McD. Only when hurry or guilt pleasure.

[@THAMNOS]

Actually the thing with shops being closed on sundays is a new thing. The government decided to implement this like about a year ago or so, because they wanted the shop assistants to have free sundays

[@maggiekowalczyk3914]

One more thing not all Poles do not talk to strangers. I am a very open person. I often travel alone and make friends everywhere. You are probably right that we Poles are more reserved. But for me it is a character thing as well. I talk too easly to strangers. I hope you will find more Poles like me in future.

[@hansta2040]

Hey, about job in PL. It depends on the contract, you can for or a period time or not. Period time contract is obvious. Work for an indefinite period, if you work about 1 year, you have t 1 month earlier give termination, 2-5 years=2 months earlier give termination, more than 5 years=3 monts earlier give termination. Also if boss is nice you can have termination of the contract by agreement of the parties (that same day). so it depends.

[@joanelightwood7744]

Well, I hate when a stranger tries to talk to me. I feel very uncomfortable. I mean, when someone just want to know how to get somewhere, or something like that, then its okay, but in the other cases I really dont like that. Its pointless to me. If i wanted to talk to someone i would have called to a friend. If I am standing alone at the bus stop, that means that I just stand there, and it doesnt mean that I have time, or that I want to talk with someone. And yes, I would feel even more uncomfortable if someone asked me in what school am I studying, or whats my hobby . I would think thats suispicious, and propably end the conversation right away

[@monikap-d9269]

About the labor contracts You can quit your job - you simply have to give notice 2 weeks, one month or 3 months - depending of your job seniority - it protects or annoys both parties (the employer and employee) the same way :). If you work on civil contract the notice is typically 1 or 2 weeks. But depending on your employer you can end your contract with them amicably on set date. This rules are the same for foreigners when they are working in Poland legally - it can be different because of visa status - but that I don't know.

[@Pruseek]

In poland we have "okres wypowiedzenia" usually it is from2 weeks to a month after this time you can quit the job. This is security option for the employer during this time they may find someone else for your position.

[@Ev0ltion]

Contracts are for taxes. In states you have to calculate your own taxes. In poland your employer pays taxes(and other stuff like insurance) based on the contracts. All you do is fill something called PIT(Personal Income Tax) You basicly confirm your income.

[@b.malinowski302]

Currently its only if you're an entrepreneur, otherwise the state will do all the filling for you on-line.