What are POLISH Really Like?

Which Polish stereotypes are the most true according to Poles (and expats)? And which are totally outdated? I went to Krakow and Warsaw to find out. Stay until the end cause I test Polish people on their love of vodka.
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0:00 Intro
1:03 Polish don't smile
1:59 Why don't Polish smile?
3:01 Friendliness: foreigners vs Polish
5:17 Polish are hardworking
6:08 Polish are cheap
6:27 Do Polish complain a lot?
8:00 Do Polish drink a lot?
9:32 Do Polish work as plumbers?
10:50 Not a true stereotype?
11:58 Vodka or candy?
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Website: dating-beyond-borders.com
CREW:
Marina Iakovleva (directing)
/ youtubermarina
Akshay Bapat (filming)
shorturl.at/MQST3
Oleh Voitovych (editing)
/ olkowg
Filmed in:
Krakow and Warsaw (some shots from Gdansk), Poland

[@adrianadrian3510]

"They are friendly in a different way". That sums up about polish people, maybe from the outside like they have "Polish smile" or negative vibes, but when you talk to them it's like warm and very welcoming people. Greeting from Indonesia for Poland 🇮🇩🤝🇵🇱

[@pawemarciniak4929]

How do you understand "being friendly"? Recently, leftist circles have been interviewing Poles living, for example, in the Netherlands - people there smile, they are very nice at first glance, but when you are in trouble, this gloomy Pole will help you, a Dutchman with a nice smile will tell you: 'I'm sorry, I can't help you' (it was leftist circles that conducted the interviews - I emphasize)

[@josefk7437]

The lack of smile is also associated with Finnish, Russian, German, Hungarian, and Ukranian people. The smiles of Americans seem more weird than people who don't have the mandatory customer service smile.

[@roberturbanczyk204]

In Poland we find such smile fake. We usually do not interact on streets with eachother. Relationship with Poles is a deep thing. We are looking for friends that will be reliable rather than keeping smile. It might change in future but it's just way we are

[@nothuman3083]

The police came to talk to me, found out I was an American. I can't fundamentally grasp the idea of not smiling and talking to strangers.

[@nothuman3083]

"Do they do this where you from" "Yes!?" "Okie Dookie, what about where else you been!" "Yes" ...... "Welcome to Europe, don't talk to strangers."

[@ImNotMito]

Poland seems like an introverts paradise. I'm moving right now!!!

[@juliaarmata2338]

Also there's no sexual harrasement in the streets 👌

[@Arashenstein]

I lived in Poland for 5 years, it truly is a introvert paradise 😅 although I am not but I admit it about Poland

[@ErnieKings27]

I have such a hope for that to be true as an introvert Mexican

[@pawemarciniak4929]

The stupidest decision of your life. We are introverted in public places, for us it is a sign of good manners - not imposing ourselves on others. Poles are an emotional, very extroverted nation - emotions boil under a cold shell. As our great poet wrote, "our nation is like lava, cold and hard on the outside, dry and dirty, but it will not cool its internal fire for a hundred years."

[@DatingBeyondBorders]

Sorry for the late upload everyone! Hope you like the Polish themed videos 😀 I went to Krakow and Warsaw to film this, and honestly, I felt that the people of Krakow were much, much friendlier than Warsaw. But I guess it's also the smaller city vibe. Also, stay until the end to see me test Poles on their love of vodka 😊

[@Frivals]

Good to know

[@johngonzalez4298]

Bottoms up 🍸

[@haeunpark7185]

As a Canadian, I remember being shocked by Polish customer service in restaurants. No smile, just straight-to-the-point. Hilarious! However, it's true that Poles may seem stand-offish at first, but are so warm once you get to know them. ❤

[@DatingBeyondBorders]

You and me both. I tried smiling at people and they just glanced back with no smile

[@noook21]

go to the Netherlands :)

[@topalbano]

First impression matters. Why to get to know someone who is cold and unfriendly at first? You just turn your back and go to the next one.

[@pawemarciniak4929]

@@topalbano What for? Because this cold and unfriendly person does not pretend to be a friend to people he does not know. You are so stupid. When you have real problems in life, you will become smarter. It's better to have relationships with people who are honest and initially distant, when they open up to you, you know you can rely on them. You certainly CANNOT rely on idiots with the "standard #3 smile" plastered on their face.

[@pawemarciniak4929]

@@topalbano P.S. and this is exactly the experience of Poles and, for example, the Dutch "The Pole will be rude, but when you are in trouble he will care very much and help you, the Dutchman will answer with a nice smile "I'm sorry, I don't know how to help you" Do you understand, idiot? Life should have real value, not be a pretend game "to make it nice"

[@Pewtah]

As a German I see in ths video many similarities between the german and the polish culture.

[@jusienka1]

so true :D

[@biaaszinterneta1050]

Don't you fucking dare compare my culture to your failing, jew-eating society

[@EA00000]

Yes so true ! Polish also like to complain also Germans always complain

[@biaaszinterneta1050]

@@EA00000 that is such a dumb comparison. Hungarians like to complain as well, Lithuanians like to complain, Ukrainians like to complain. Poles differ much from Germans and here is how according to my expierience with Germans: - ya'll drink less vodka. In fact, you hardly ever drink vodka or any high voltage alcoholic beverages apart from Jagermaister - You obey rules like blind sheep. Poles have hardly any trust towards government and it's common not to abide the law - You are atheists. This is pretty sad. That's why your society is collapsing but that's a fact. Your churches are empty whilst ours are full every sunday (I'm not counting black muslims that imigrated to your country. They are not Germans) - You're open for other nations while we're not that open. As a matter of fact, people here are already getting angry with Ukrainians. TL;DR: If you look really hard, you will find similarities between Americans and Germans. It doesn't mean shit and comparing these nations to each other is plain dumb. Not to mention, 'friends' from the west tried germanizing us for 123 years. Of course there will be similarities as Germans commited a multitude of attrocities towards Poles in order to seem that way

[@Mordimer935]

U kill a lot of innocent people so your Culture is familiar to this one who don't die from your grandfathers :)

[@traveltoks6578]

I feel like the reason we smile here in Canada is more of a friendly acknowledgement; kind of like 'I see you' sort of greeting. Helps people feel less lonely in a highly capitalistic, individualistic society

[@waterfaerie9]

I feel it’s the same in the USA but there’s also the diversity factor, in my opinion. When you have a country built on immigrants and people who don’t all share the same language , a smile is an easy way to communicate in a positive manner without having to say any words. Facial expressions are universal across many cultures and you can read them much easier than trying to decipher a foreign language you’ve never heard before.

[@jusienka1]

we have such saying in Poland Im not a horse to show my teeth :D it is because of old days :D - so people dont feel like they need to smile neither be always happy, it might be sign of madness for us

[@davidfreeman3083]

Love your Poland series. Reminding me of the good old days when I lived in NY. I'm Chinese, but I was hanging out in the Polish neighborhoods (such as Greenpoint & Maspeth) like all the time ;) Agree with the friendliness & smile thing. I don't think I recall if the Polish ppl I'm more familiar with smiled or not the first time I met then haha! But they definitely are some of the friendliest ppl I've ever met. After drinking, chatting & partying at the same bars for a couple of times at least. XD Although I did remember one, major exception. My 'beautiful stranger' who happens to be from Kraków. She smiled at me the first time our eyes locked together. A big, warm smile. That was during the harshest lockdowns of COVID, things were difficult. But her smiley face always gives me a ray of sun. And I still remember the first time she served me a shot of Żubrówka. Which was a little too strong for me at that time, that I had to finish in TWO shots... Too bad she remained my 'beautiful stranger'. ;( (Had nothing to do with the 2 shot vodka drinking thing I swear).

[@markdc1145]

In the US, as children we are taught a saying and it goes like this: "smile and the whole world smiles with you". In most of northern European countries (not just Poland) this is considered insincere. Southern Europe is different, you'll see people in Italy smiling walking down the street.

[@amiquigonzales7917]

What, Insincere just being hospitable, good-mannered and enjoying sunshine, flowers, music, pretty girls walking down the street? For us Latinos is so hard to understand this point of view. Is it forbidden to enjoy life, and when are you supposed to emjoy it, after death?

[@PolHa-gv4js]

I am from greece and i find insincere and a trick if someone smiles at me without being my friend. I feel like he wants something from me and uses this technique to lure me in

[@zlam9872]

In general Europeans don’t smile without a genuine reason(Especially eastern or northern europeans),while north Americans are just accustomed to smile as a way of being polite

[@henri_ol]

I remember once a person from Poland saying "we smile a lot" and then Marina "Polish people smile a lot ? What ? I don't believe you" 😂

[@DatingBeyondBorders]

Yes. I did a "Polish smiles" video on Instagram 😄

[@egrafix2006]

We don't smile too much because we are inteligent and realist.

[@sirajyousef5915]

I don't think it is relayed to intelligence. It is more related to overthinking. Most overthinkers don't smile !

[@dcikaruga]

Empty poker faces at times, but I've seen people on the street bumping into friends and they become quite friendly and open then, I actually prefer this, unlike those insincere smiles and empty polite conversations people give each other in the west, at least these people are frank about things.

[@pattypereira3913]

Poland seems a beautiful place to spend some vacation

[@bkjvk]

Well, it's safe thats a big plus Alcohol prices are fairly low A lot of tourist locations have english captions Some older generation have hard time with english which can cause some troubles with tickets, other than that its great place to come for a week or two just to see some places and chill

[@pattypereira3913]

@@bkjvk thank you;)

[@toomuchinformation]

At 10:00 the fixing thing is very true. The Polish gardeners and tradesmen who worked on my old house were excellent; very hardworking, thorough and precise.

[@dernevalribeiro4503]

I used to be like that long time ago. People already told me I could be a good bodyguard. But with time I learned smile is important. It brings people closer and open a lot of doors. I got to be an English teacher it is good to smile. If you have a good smile, you go really far. At least, in Brazil, it is good to have a smile

[@johngonzalez4298]

Happy Saturday, Marina! Love the video on the Polish 🇵🇱 stereotype and Poland 🇵🇱 is credited as the first country who invented the drink, Vodka. Sending you my love ❤ from Miami, Florida, USA 🇺🇸

[@slapshot0074]

Marina I have to say you look much happier out and about doing this style of video. We love them. Keep it up and all the best as always from the UK.

[@LinTree25]

I love these people, great answers ❤

[@fatmanursonmus4462]

I've been in Wroclaw for 2 weeks and I think the people are warm and friendly. They always say good morning or hi when they see me outside.. maybe it is different here

[@arthurburzynski]

yes, Wroclaw is different. Always has been.

[@chrisskywalker6079]

Your channel definitely is one of the most usefull and fun channel that i ever subscribe. Along with Lang Focus channel we can be more educated if we want to travelled abroad and or want to make relationship with locals. Two thumb's up👍🏻👍🏻

[@DatingBeyondBorders]

Thank you! That is my goal 😊👌

[@tobiojo6469]

Awesome video

[@johnd.rockefeller3150]

I would like to visit Poland, greetings from Mexico

[@jarrettreckseidler]

Some nice people and couples in the video…kudos

[@nico5173]

Actually they seems all super nice. Greetings from France.

[@invisiblehandofadamsmith]

Love Poland greetings from London

[@dunnowy123]

I don't think North American smiling is "fake" or "doesn't mean anything." In a multiethnic society where you aren't always sure about other people, superficial niceness is a great and highly effective social lubricant.

[@neko_samurai]

I like that the Mexican in a Slavic country’s accent evolved into a vampire accent.

[@jaktoztymj9225]

I'm kinda disappointed with the answers of my fellow Poles. So let me tell you about what I think: There is no such concept of small talk in Polish culture and I believe it to be a great reason for Polish 'coldness' with strangers. If we ask 'how u doin'' we genuinely want to know what is going on in the other person's life, both good and bad things. So approaching strangers with 'Hello, how are u' often seems to Poles too intimate, almost a lack of disrespect. I don't know if you want to talk to me (a stranger for you) and tell me about your life so I don't approach you without a clear signal that you're okay with this. In this context, personal space is an important part of Polish culture and a way to be courteous and respectful towards others. And indeed, we complain a lot, however, I wouldn't call it 'negative' or 'pessimistic'. We complain, but then we don't take it so seriously. We comment on anything that bothers us, and then we get over and deal with it. You can almost perceive it as a Polish manner of small-taking. Complaining about some general phenomena like weather or poor economy is considered to be a safe topic (not like politics, hehe). It's literally talking about the weather, trying to avoid being 'fakely' optimistic, which results in the "negative-realistic" way of approaching the subjects. And yes, we Poles can be super expressive, passionate, emotional and positive. We just keep that for our social groups like friends or family, so we don't bother strangers with it. And yessss, we drink hellish amounts of vodka (and other things too) and dance and sing a lot when drinking!

[@user-zq5kd6we3y]

I hope Marina didn't get drunk haha

[@ErnieKings27]

2:05 thanks for telling us poor cheers from Mexico 🇲🇽 lol 😅

[@jarq19]

4:05 - Trust me, that's only in Cracow.

[@jackstone112]

only going to mayor cities is not the way to find out, rural is very different from big cities...

[@gordian2939]

Omg, why didn't I meet you visiting my city? Haha 😅 Yes, I can confirm all of that. And I'd say that I prefer that sincere approach here than being kind and polite and in reality thinking "get the f... out" like in some other countries. Maybe you will not see Poles going down the street and smiling for no reason, but in reality we are very friendly 😁 And I choose chocolate! I don't drink alcohol and when it comes to chocolate I think good chocolate is delicious and bad chocolate is still pretty good 😆

[@amiquigonzales7917]

Why do you have this obsessive idea that people being kind and good-mannered in the bottom of their hearts are really thinking "get the hell out of here"?? Soooo strange, in Latin America people are passionate and free to express themselves, if they dislike you they will show you, no doubt, but if they smile and try to help you is that they really want to. We never shut up.

[@gordian2939]

@@amiquigonzales7917 okay, this is my opinion based on the behaviour of Norwegians and British. At first they were extremely kind to me, wanted to help me with everything etc., but after a while they started to show me that they are more and more annoyed with me and were like "you're not a part of out community, fuck off".

[@amiquigonzales7917]

@@gordian2939 Strange people ... aren't they Christians? " Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself". Our culture is Catholic and we are raised in such a creed, an important part of which is to share, to love, to be compassionate .... And for educated Latin Americans, it is EXTREMELY IMPOLITE to show you are annoyed: better just be absent elegantly. Our culture is hospitable and respectful, don't tell me these are bad characteristics 😟

[@marcinconan4590]

Smiling all the time looks like someone's mental 😂

[@justus.justus]

07:03 Funny how the weather changed drastically. Sunny then dark

[@gordian2939]

yes, that's exactly Poland in a nutshell - you can never predict the weather 😅

[@nataliam5698]

1:01 and she said that smiling

[@richardshiggins704]

I found them 'correct' but not particularly effusive or warm . Take them or leave them is as good as it gets .

[@user-od4yl3rf4n]

Did not think that the smile will be common thing for poles and russians

[@kge6492]

On the more controvertial note: funny thing about Poland and opennes is that the surveys show less acceptance towards the lgbt after the parades and june's flagging everything that at other times. Most people have this tendency to think like if it is done in the bedroom I don't care, but dont take indecency to the streets (men walking around in only colourful panties and other unconventional clothing choices are seen as inappropriate for public view). Also about racism. SInce we are a really white country and we are so safe foreigners bring this feeling of threat. It cannot be hidden that they are strangers. From what I expirianced, it is mostly Polish men who take good care of their women (fathers, husbunds, brothers) that are the most xenophobic towards non-Europeans. But when it comes to real interaction with other we are friendly and wish everyone the best.

[@markbigelow2608]

That blond in red dress is beautiful❤

[@pythagorasnine]

What's your point? Inane comment.

[@markbigelow2608]

@@pythagorasnine Awwww, who's a little snowflake.

[@littlebrit]

They are friendly, sometimes flashy: like to show wealth, nationalistic, sometimes bossy, because they take pride in their history and military. They also have aristocrats before WW2. Do Canadians smile ? I thought it is an American thing.

[@macroxela]

The racism thing is unfortunately true, even in big cities. Many people I know who come from the Indian subcontinent have been treated badly simply because of where they are from. Refused service at restaurants or harassed. It's happened to me as well but once they find out I'm Latino, it's a complete change. And this has not been a single experience but multiple ones throughout several years visiting Poland.

[@rsm5627]

Why do they prefer Latinos over people from the subcontinent?

[@nuttyjunior]

You're not entitled to be accepted in foreign countries

[@TheMagdalenaBB]

Our faces need rest. Leave us alone! 😛

[@SashavonTschin]

My attitude towards Poland is very neutral. Historically, Poland has often been under pressure and yet it has survived. That's respectable. Food in Poland is good. It probably takes the Polish language to really judge Poland. Poland is European, I would say so.

[@frostflower5555]

Better question is why would there be a need to smile?

[@cabemaru1]

In a latin perspective, chile seems much as Poland.

[@Playingdownunder]

That girl in red. Sha-wing!

[@sebastiandrylla]

We Poles are only smileing WITH peopel who we realy like and know good! Bring a bottle of Wodka and we will smile to you😊😊😊 and the Stereo Type IS, that we only Drink Wodka, that is wrong: we Drink All THE WODKA😂😂😂

[@aduszyns]

Majority of Poles are not at all racist or homophobic. We do not care that much unless you force us to conform to your agenda. We hate political correctness, because true Pole is independent critical thinker. We like what we like, we are pragmatic and adhere to reality. You can convince us with facts but not with your ideas and concepts about how the world in your view should look like. We will speak hard truths nobody likes and behind Polish smile is a person that is truly free.

[@airgaborpara3824]

Polish women are amazing, beautiful, funny, good souls. Very direct😊

[@elsavillanueva2134]

I’m living in Poland now, and it’s really true polish people didn’t smile maybe because of the weather😢😊

[@Sammi_Kristiansen]

Thanks Marina for visiting Scandinavia. We'll miss you. It sounds like some Norwegian men like Polish women too. It's ok. You can upload whenever you like. Thank you again!

[@DatingBeyondBorders]

So much more to come from Sweden! And a bit from Norway too :)

[@simonnursaidov3145]

I had lived for 2 years in Poland and worked in the construction but rarely I saw that they were eating something for lunch . They really do not have money for food or they always economize money . But for drinking and smoking they always spend money .

[@szogun-iy9qz]

If you ate breakfast in a Polish home, you would understand why Poles don't eat lunch. My father and I ate 5 eggs with sausage and onion, sandwiches and the obligatory tea with lemon and sugar.

[@MarcinArcin]

Nie usmiechamy sie sztucznie, jesteśmy szxzerzy w tym.

[@mariuszmusiaka9692]

In traditional Eastern European culture, smiling without reason is equated with sillines :) oops

[@NoName-yw1pt]

That's actually a German stereotype. It's been attributed to the Polish since WW2

[@lightsout630]

they look friendly i wish i had a polish girlfriend and build a family with her 😇

[@celizalde.c]

hahahahha, Based Mexican AF

[@frostflower5555]

Another stereotype is that they eat pierogies.

[@DatingBeyondBorders]

It's the truth 😁

[@gordian2939]

...which is funny that the most stereotipical Polish dish is the one that actually doesn't originate from Poland, but from China 😅

[@Rene_Moor3095]

@@gordian2939 Pierogi are our dish, it is not a stereotypical thing. But yes, the dumplings themselves come from China, but ours are different.

[@justynadzt7728]

@@gordian2939 Chinese dumplings come from China. Polish dumplings come from Poland. There are many nations in the world who have their own version of dumplings. Pierogi were a popular dish as far back as the fourteenth century. At that time, most Poles had no idea about the existence of China.

[@SaveTheJinjos]

Sadly, the racist one wasn't true in my case. I visited Poland (Warsaw and Pruszków) with my Polish boyfriend last year and was called the n-word on my first day for doing literally nothing except existing. That tarnished the rest of my visit and I probably will never be back. Mentally stronger individuals may handle it better than I did. Also, the constant staring is absolutely true. I get it, black Americans rarely visit Poland and folks are curious as a result, but damn. I felt like I had three heads. Food is incredible and the city was gorgeous, however.

[@AKRLUC2012]

Not all people in Poland are Polish, it's the same in USA,not all of them are Americans. You can't judge a country by an ignorant person that said something nasty. What most folks don't realize, is that many Polish people, especially women are married to African men. Also men are married to black women.

[@ulysspike9278]

The n-word is only taboo in Anglophone countries, chiefly because of the history of African slaves brought to North America. In Eastern Europe, there were no black slaves - in fact, it was the Slavic peoples themselves who were taken as slaves and sold to Arab countries on markets in what today's Germany, France and Italy. An educated Pole fluent in English most probably knows that for Americans n-word is a taboo word, but most people whos knowledge of the culture and language is mediocre most likely do know this, especially since there is no Polish equivalent taboo word for a black person (well, maybe "czarnuch", but even that is most often said tongue-in-cheek, quoting a funny line in some movie or something). They hear the n-word in the American popculture (movies, rap songs etc.) and think it's a regular slang word for a black person. I don't know the exact circumstances of your encounter, but I'd guess with 99% certainty (based on having lived in Poland for 5 years) that the word in question simply had different meanings for you and that other person. You should know that in many languages (Latin, Spanish, Portuguese...) it's a regular word and it simply means "black" without negative connotations it has in English. And even in English it used to be a regular word and not a slur not that long ago. And even that aside, just because the only country where I had something stolen was Italy does not make me think of Italians as thieves...

[@sandra5345]

Shocking, in almost 40-mln country , 1 person said n-word.🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@nuttyjunior]

stay out, we don't want blacks here

[@scarba]

It’s terrible how people are gaslighting your experience. I live in Germany and the N word is very taboo, including it’s German equivalent. My husband is German and was spat on in Poland for being German in the 80s. Having said that I have never met a Polish person I haven’t liked and I’ve known quite a few in Germany.

[@kazepl8988]

To że Polacy nie uśmiechają się do obcych ludzi, to jest coś normalnego. Właśnie uśmiechanie się do obcych ludzi wydaje mi się strasznie dziwne. Zakrawa to wręcz o jakąś chorobę psychiczną. Poza tym Polacy jak już kogoś poznają i porozmawiają z taką osobą dłużej, to wtedy jak najbardziej można zauważyć że potrafimy się uśmiechać. Raczej nad swoim zachowaniem powinni się zastanowić ludzie co się uśmiechają do obcych, anie pouczać w tej kwestii Polaków.

[@esztemeszte89]

Dokładnie. Poza tym ja nie cierpię tej ich kultury fałszywych uśmiechów. To jest dla mnie takie sztuczne i nieszczere, że serio nie chce mi się gadać z tymi ludźmi. Nie wiadomo, czego po kim się spodziewać, tym bardziej, że nauczony doświadczeniem generalnie nie ufam ludziom z Europy Zachodniej i staram się trzymać ich na dystans. Mówiąc wprost po prostu ich nie lubię i te ich uśmieszki to często dla mnie oznaczają, że albo czegoś chcą ode mnie, albo nachalnie szukają kontaktu, co dla mnie jako introwertyka nie jest fajnym doświadczeniem.

[@andrzejwalczak7039]

@@esztemeszte89 Słuchałem ostatnio Cejrowskiego, który opowiadał o prawyborach i dyskusjach telewizyjnych w USA. Zapomniałem jak to określił, ale opowiadał o dyskusjach i wyglądało to okropnie sztucznie, bo jedna osoba zarzuca drugiej jakieś straszne rzeczy a ta słucha i oczywiście amerykański piękny uśmiech. Jak by ci ktoś zarzucał że jesteś złodziejem ... itd to byś się uśmiechał? Mówił że wyglądało to tak sztucznie i nienaturalnie.

[@toomuchinformation]

​@@esztemeszte89Is it the same as giving a morning greeting as you walk by? Of course you don't do this in a city, but in smaller towns and more rural areas?

[@paulinalegut1705]

I would say that complaining is polish National sport 😂

[@huynhmao9514]

I don't got starred at in Warsaw and Krakow. But in Bialystok I got starred at lot, and I did same what they did starrred at them back until they gave up...

[@AKRLUC2012]

All depends where you're from, what you look like. It can be uncomfortable, but they're curious about you. Better to walk up and introduce yourself, and satisfy their knowledge and curiosity.

[@pythagorasnine]

Actually, I don't believe that average people anywhere have the time to stop in the street and stare at anyon, so get over yourself and stop fantasizing; you're not that interesting.

[@toomuchinformation]

​@@pythagorasnineThey do.

[@toomuchinformation]

​@@AKRLUC2012That'd be the WORST thing to do. Did you not watch the video?

[@Mordimer935]

Fake smile or natural

[@tomaszzbikowaty2854]

Honestly i'm complaining that too many Poles are complaining xD

[@turkai43]

This video came in the knick of time for me cleared alot of stereotypes. They seem to be nice and normal people generally the racism part was my biggest concern but I will be visiting Poland very soon from Canada as a person of color 😁

[@leszek315]

Polska powita cię serdecznie. Polska nie ma naleciałości kolonialnych. Polacy traktują każdego z szacunkiem, żądają tylko tego samego dla siebie.

[@dsong2006]

Seems like NE Asia(Japan/Korea/parts of China) and the Nordic countries/Central/Eastern Europe have a lot of commonality in social norms and unspoken rules of social etiquette. If you put a Japanese person in Sweden or Poland for ex. there will be a lot mutual understanding about respecting personal space, not engaging in small talk out of respect, being punctual and generally behaving in a less individualistic way and more like everyone else(collectivist mindset. vs. western individualism).

[@Frivals]

The police in Warsaw stopped me and was aggressive without reason, and I look like a polish. I asked for some information about the SIM card at the seller and he was rude. Not really the most friendly people on the planet

[@kku6857]

Why would random strangers might be friendly to you?

[@Frivals]

@@kku6857 because they live in a society. Why would an ambulance come for you? Why should they care about a stranger?

[@kku6857]

@@Frivals because it is normal that some people are nice some not.

[@Frivals]

@@kku6857 so you are happy that for some people the ambulance will come and for you not?

[@kku6857]

@@Frivals maybe somebody had a bad day and you make a big deal about that. When I was in the Netherlands they did not want to speak with me in English at shop but they know English very well. In England some people were passive agressive some were incredibly helpful. This is human nature.

[@iloveyouamberappel]

I have only heard/witnessed two "stereotypes". Being cheap and afraid of the police.

[@kku6857]

Are you German? XD

[@komentatoorr]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpilf2aLnLSHb9k If a man says he's going to fix it. He's going to fix it. No need to remind it twice a year.

[@willileo2373]

Much way better than cold grumpy Russians

[@frostflower5555]

What's that about?

[@AKRLUC2012]

​@@frostflower5555Too much Vodka, delusional!

[@Rene_Moor3095]

This is true, this is confirmed by the russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians themselves when they come to Poland. For them, we Poles are open, relaxed, smiling and very polite. Russians, in fact, have never lived in a democracy, but always in some form of autocracy or regime - they always live in fear and are afraid of everything - we have a boy from Transnistria who once went with his father on a trip to Wrocław and they stayed in a hostel with russians and Ukrainians who came to Poland to work. It struck them that he and his father were already relaxed and smiling in Poland, while the russians and Ukrainians in this hostel spoke to each other in whispers, completely avoided eye contact, kept their heads down, avoided contact with them as if they were afraid of them. Of course, forget about any smile. This is how totalitarianism affects people's behavior.

[@SRBOMBONICA86]

Nah Russians are kind and happy ​@@Rene_Moor3095

[@SashavonTschin]

Truth is, all eastern european countries drink much booze. Poland is no different boozing than LT, LV or Belarus. RU is the only asian country where people drink much booze.

[@sebastiandrylla]

Russia IS NOT an "asian" country, IT IS SLAVIC!!!

[@BbYyTtOo]

!

[@Buuubaaaaaa]

You know how they say...only fools smile all the time, becouse they don't really understand what is going on around them...😉

[@smartarse9877]

Brits hardly smile because of the way foreigners coming over and take advantage of their hospitality, by seeing kindness as a weakness.

[@chetyoubetya8565]

Why is smiling or small talk phony??I think they say that rubbish to justify rudeness and misery.

[@ulysspike9278]

In Eastern Europe honesty (as in telling the truth, as in not being fake) is a deeply ingrained social value. You say you're having a great day only if it's literally true. You smile only if it's a natural smile, when you feel affection or sympathy for another person. You call somebody a friend when he or she is someone you know intimately and trust deeply, not merely an acquaintance who is not your enemy. I have lived in the U.S. and grew to actually like the small talk as it opens so many doors and it's fun, but I still can't stand the fake smiles. People are not dumb, they sense that you are having a shitty day because your dog died and your boss is riding you or whatever. I still expect you to be polite and civil while serving my fries, but please cut out the fake grin and "going just fine" part. In Eastern Europe it's actually perceived as incredibly rude, someting like lying, or being crafty or conniving.

[@sonh788]

As an irish who lived in Netherlands... I can confirm the stereotype of polish stealing cars motorcycle and bicycles is true in both countries 😂

[@homointernetus9733]

In Poland is stereotype that all germants want to steal whole country for Poles and Netherlands are their puppets who reapets german propaganda .

[@homointernetus9733]

Such countries like Germans or Netherlands they often confuse the order becouse first germans stole for Poland's whole country later Poles start to steal german cars .

[@L_from_USA_]

Have you ever seen any polish doing this? Also what is your point? You hate them or something?

[@L_from_USA_]

Also this is a Stereotyps about polish in Germany and not in other countries. you know nothing 😂

[@homointernetus9733]

The Germans took hundreds of wagons of works of art out of Poland and had lists of all the museums, and to this day the thieves have not returned anything. Car thieves from Poland are nothing comparing to the biggest thieves in Europe, Germans.

[@homointernetus9733]

Learn polish history . There has been no reason to laugh from few hundred years. In Poland, the weather is also very capricious and is not conducive to positive moods You must deserve for trust of some Pole and some smile .

[@WaxFigure-we3mv]

Poland has no mony and no sun the polish smile is justifiable

[@topalbano]

The country where even customer service staff , gets annoyed when sees a customer. The only place where I have seen 5 start hotel receptionist looking angry during my check-in. Low-level attitudes and communication / soft skills of "potato level"

[@MCADHD-rf5kl]

You will get that kind of service in all ex-communist ex-soviet-bloc countries. It's the legacy of the communist past in those countries where customer service was not at all important. This mentality will die out with the people born and bred in communist times.

[@medorajoe7542]

Visited Poland many times. The young are as pleasant and smiley as any youth any where in the world . But most, say over 40 and they are as miserable as sin. That cohort are also total chancers. Have you ever seen that 40+ age range on a Ryanair flight? Always seeking some kind of cheap advantage like claiming a particular seat they didn’t wish to purchase, claiming its to sit beside their kin, like that’s a reason. Chancers

[@olivka7560]

Yeah he forgot to mention that Polish girls are probably all over him hahah.

[@AL.BUNDY.]

1st!

[@James-yh2pz]

First

[@naldy888ace8]

In every part of the world there is a lot of people they don't like to be smile, And when you smile with them they think you are crazy, For me smiling is showing your self as harmless and friendly, that is the best part to show to them that there is no problem at me at all I just want to be friend with someone. atleast the people know that your not arrogant or something. It's depends how to approach the person especially the women, That is why as a Filipino we are very proud that we are very friendly and smiling person especially to the foreign visitor in our country in the Philippines, I hope one day I found my partner my girlfriend or soon to be my wife a beautiful and loving person European women 🥰✌🙏❤💞

[@dman030]

"in other nationalities they don't have clean houses....."

[@ep9321]

We’re negative AF, and definitely jealous moody types. It’s getting better but eyes don’t lie. Lolol. You know when Polish mom, wife is feeling good, is when they’re moody.

[@ayanaondar7381]

Поляки похожи на русских 😅

[@AKRLUC2012]

I don't think so, there's nothing Russian about Polish people. We're completely from a different World. Most of older Polish people are still Russophobic. If you know what Poland went through thanks to Communist Russians, you would never compare us.

[@candezsimmons2001]

I tired hear them say they are nice because they help Ukrainians. That's tonally deaf, those are your neighbour's and they look like you. When poland was asked to take in Syrians during their refugee crisis they refused. That being said, I like poland. The people are alot nicer than the Eastern European country I lived in, but I dislike how they use the Ukrainians as the reason they are nice.

[@Bernadettafav]

Tak to jest miłe ,gdy sami nie mając za dużo - dajemy ile mamy by komuś pomóc. Ludzie z Ukrainy dostali u nas wszystko za darmo i od rządu i od ludzi prywatnie. To jest miłe i nie mamy powodu tego ukrywać. To twój komentarz pokazuje ignorancję

[@candezsimmons2001]

@@Bernadettafav im from a country with way less and when things happen within my region usually natural disasters. We help and it is difficult because we don't have as much as u guys. No complaints. You are a part of the EU, there are guidelines when it comes to refugees.

[@kku6857]

Poland did not get money from EU to help people from Ukraine. Are we rich? Not for the whole West Europe

[@AKRLUC2012]

Yes, Ukraine were helped , we were once pretty close, until Russians stepped in. In all reality Ukraine and Poland have more similarities. Syrians are Muslims, our religious beliefs clash, and many other practices. It's easier fir Muslims to go to country that has the same beliefs as you. There's about 40 Muslim countries.

[@kku6857]

Saudi Arabia is rich and muslim country so they can take muslims brothers and help them. BTW immigrants from Belarus (the muslims and africans) are very aggresive, they throw stones on our soldiers through border fences. They can go through border control if they are not criminals.