Why You'll HATE Living In Poland 🇵🇱

[@WheresWes]

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[@moonanoke9872]

As a Polish person, I'm so happy I don't have to practice small talk with people I don't know! I hate it

[@WheresWes]

I can understand that

[@MoAdan28]

I can understand your opinion on small talk. For me I like small talk as long as it’s respectful and technically I’m extroverted so it works in a favour for me. Polish culture is always like a London culture but different and differ from people where small talk is non existent.

[@LMB222]

Jak leci?

[@Keithjames153]

@@LMB222😂😂

[@andyf9560]

I spent most of my life abroad, now living in Asia. I do hate "how are you". I heard thousands of conversations between "westerners" and in 99,999999% of cases the answer is: great, awesome etc. So why are they asking? I know if someone asks me this question they would expect such an answer....

[@boyounglee7234]

As a Korean who has Polish husband, I like Polish being just natural, I don’t feel they are rude. When they ask ‘how are you’ they mean it. ‘How are you’ doesn’t mean ‘Hi’. That’s how I find similar culture to Korean’s. That’s so true that Polish complain more often. 😂

[@revabbyjoovitsky5152]

Israelis are the same. Many like me had Polish parents or grandparents.

[@LeslieRae]

I would probably prefer that, too. I mean, I don’t think it’s genuine at all to smile and greet each other without actually meaning it. To me, that means that, the person asking genuinely means it when they’re asking me how I’m doing and vice versa.

[@internetowihusarze]

Dear Koreans, we are so similar. We feel good with you. Only you do not expect us to behave insincerely. I think we both do not like falsehood.

[@ViciousViscount]

Try smiling while living between Germany and Russia.

[@stillmind5892]

I did and often do. But most of my society quickly reminds me that I should hate life... The reason we are so grumpy is because most people agree that we should be and it's difficult to stay positive when you're judged by everyone... This is the true reason

[@aryansmily3205]

Germany:🗿🍷 Russia:🗿🍷 poland:😭🤡😡

[@normalabbie]

​@@aryansmily3205 the last one is so me lol 😂 🫠🤬🫣🥸👽

[@normalabbie]

Yoooo, that's a BAR 🎵

[@fif5659]

people are a little cold but at least not fake

[@WheresWes]

Agreed 💯

[@-_Blitz_-]

No need to be rude though

[@Aleks96]

​@@-_Blitz_-Not rude but neutral. When someone smiles at you in Poland, you know it's real and not fake.

[@MaciejDomański-y1i]

no one is authentic, dont fool yourself that polish people arent fake

[@jonjonboi3701]

Polish people aren’t cold and rude. Polish people are actually very nice

[@officialrobertcenox]

I’m from Portugal and I’ve been in Poland I just love the fact they don’t go into small talk or fake smiles . Once you give them some caring and making yourself fool in a joke way , you can see that protective barrier gets destroyed and they release their really good personality.

[@xWEPx]

the best explanation i heard for why polish people seem rude to foreigners is the fact we consider it rude to be aproached/interrupted by a stranger without a valid pretext.

[@hanshomesteading1276]

As a foreigner in Poland I consider myself a guest in the country (even I don't need visa here to live), and in public I talk when I am talked to. And when I need something I make the effort to talk Polish. It is exactly how I want to be treated if it were the other way around.

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

​@@hanshomesteading1276fair enough but how do you make friends? In the West I can make friends anywhere, even the grocery store or the bus stop. In Poland it sounds impossible especially if you don't know the language

[@hanshomesteading1276]

@@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p Just let it happen, don't force it. in daily live there are enough funny situations and I am sure as long as you are open to it and you behave like a normal person you will run into the right people to make friends with,

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

@@hanshomesteading1276 right but I thought that idea was that they're not open to talking to strangers and have no interest in talking unless it's for a purpose so spontaneous situations aren't going to do much. It sounds like you have to meet either through work, school, or clubs.

[@N4jss]

@@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p are you sure that they're really friends?

[@s0t0h]

I am from Austria and we also don't like to be "fake friendly" to strangers. Its exhausting for me if people pretend to care. This is not only an eastern european thing, but also a central and northern european thing. To understand these cultural nuances you might want to try watching some european indie-movies or reading some books written for european audiences (not the ones Americans would recommend each other). If a stranger comes up to me and asks me how I am and stuff, I expect them to be from a cult, wanting me to sign a petition or begging for money.

[@malanalan1]

LOL.

[@jwojczulis]

So very true.

[@kafeteriak4556]

True except that Poland is not Eastern Europe. It's Central Europe!

[@jwojczulis]

@@kafeteriak4556 Semantics

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

So how do you make friends?

[@slaviapolandia7541]

When a Pole asks you "How are you?" it's because we actually care and expect a truthful answer. Poles won't fake smile or small talk unless we have a reason. Poles might be "rude" but we are genuine and authentic. But try visiting a polish house and you will learn what polish hospitality is "Gość w dom, Bóg w dom" meaning...we treat our guests as if God entered our home. Polish people will go into debt to host their guests with abundance and respect.

[@arturoveloz7875]

Very true, as a husband of a polish woman and have few polish friends, whenever i entered the house of the in laws or a friends house i was treated like a king

[@bozenas5321]

That doesn’t happen as often as it used to.

[@TheAleksandros]

lmao no, I'm Polish as well. Just cross the border and you'll see the difference. Also you're tripping with this BS about treating guestes 🤣There soooo many much more hospitable countries than Poland will ever be. Travel the world first, then leave silly comments

[@slaviapolandia7541]

@@TheAleksandros przynajmniej w mojej rodzinie tak jest oraz w rodzinach moich znajomych. Jak każdy, dobry obyczaj, ten też prawdopodobnie wymiera i nie jest przekazywany z pokolenia na pokolenie. Ale ja tak się wychowałam. I tak jestem też traktowana przez innych. Pozdrawiam

[@TheAleksandros]

@@slaviapolandia7541 Jeśli się przejedziesz po bałkańskich krajach, jak np. Serbia, Czarnogóra, Macedonia albo nawet znacznie dalej np Wietnam, nierzadko się zdarza, że ludzie oferują nocleg obcej osobie w ramach gościnności - może nie w stolicach i wielkich metropoliach, ale w mniejszych miejscowościach i owszem. Mówię z doświadczenia bo osobiście mi się zdarzały takie rzeczy. Nawet jak pojedziesz do sąsiednich Niemiec - w małych miasteczkach jest normalne, że obce osoby witają się i pozdrawiają na porządku dziennym, gdzie w Polsce jak mówisz komuś "dzień dobry" to polaczki rzucają wzrok jakby chciały Cię zabić xD Zgodzę się poniekąd, że z pokolenia na pokolenie wymiera to trochę wszędzie i ludzie są coraz bardziej zabiegani, ale biorąc ogół rzeczy w kupę Polska nigdy wcześniej ani życzliwym, ani gościnnym krajem nie była - chyba, że myślisz, że imieninki u cioci to jest coś xD

[@Piotr-n8s]

Hi Wes. A lot you describe as rudness is simply from interpreting human interaction through the lenses of your culture. A bit surpsrising for such well travelled person. Politness in Poland requires respect of other people privacy and personal space. Smiling at strangers and small talk is not practiced here as considered intrusive. Also no pestering of customers for more business. If this is new to you, you will feel negative emotions or even hostility but this is just a false interpretation. You need to get used to it if you want to feel well in Poland. Practice Polish face, make fun about it with your frends. This custom is not worse or better than other models of behavior, it is just different.

[@ravenswood118]

Thank you. This would require a mature mindset to understand, which he doesn't seem to have.

[@kikixchannel]

@@ravenswood118 Why did you have to go to respond rudely under a comment that went out of their way to be polite and educational? He's a foreigner in Poland, coming from a different culture, biased towards that culture. One could say that he should 'learn the culture' he's going to, but reality is such that to really learn a culture you have to PARTAKE in that culture. And within that culture, to be taught of it. The commenter you responded to did just that. Try to teach somebody that was not aware of what they misunderstand. You on the other hand are just demeaning the creator of this video for not having the luck of meeting somebody that could have taught him that which he's lacking. So between the two of you, you had proven much more to lack mature mindset. Because a mature person doesn't consider lack of knowledge a slight, but an opportunity to teach.

[@stillmind5892]

Not really... I'm Polish and it has always bothered me how closed we are to meeting new people. It's really a closed-mindedness more than "respect". There is nothing disrespectful about talking with someone as we are one society... yet act as if we are indifferent to another. Many times Polish people help but rarely when you *really* need it like when you're treated unfairly or attacked... this shows me very clearly that it's a fake "respect" and more about "what people think". Many Polish people are simply unfriendly and stuck-up - not taught how to connect positively, many people become arrogant instead of admitting they don't know how to enjoy unexpected situations. Most seem to prefer everything to be the same as always... aka. boring. Many polish people are bad at dealing with unexpected situations and interpret them as hostile, disrespectful etc... tell me: how respectful is it to be told to go to a mental hospital just because you're trying to lighten a situation? Of course not all of them... but our lack of communication I find much more fake than a smile you give someone simply because you wanna have a nice interaction. "Oh we don't do that 'positivity' thing here. Being angry at life and escaping from talking with people by going on Facebook is so much more genuine...". Bullshit. Nobody who is even remotely genuine would purposefully try to ignore others when theyre right in front of you 😂

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

I'm an American and fine with this but then how do you make friends? It seems very lonely

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

​@@kikixchannelI think the problem is that it seems like unless you are Polish it's impossible to fit in and will always be a foreigner.

[@03817]

No one is required to speak English, go to France and try to talk to people in English. Try to learn a local language, it shows respect to the people and the country you're visiting. People don't really smile in Poland. Even when tried they look at me as if I were crazy. Speaking about slavic countries' weather is ridiculous. If 15-22°C is a cold temperature to you, most of the Europe apart from the south, isn't for you - from west to east.

[@dasein1458]

You're saying to it to the guy who wants to learn russian. Apparently in Poland people are required to speak English, meanwhile spreading russian imperialism and adjusting to russian colonialism is ok

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

Here's my question, I'm a Romanian American and want to move to Poland since Romania has become like the West but it seems like no matter what I'll always be viewed as a foreigner. Even Polish people seem to say it's hard to make friends. Is it not worth trying? Id gladly learn the language but itd be silly to do so and not be able to use it

[@N4jss]

@@dasein1458 what do you mean in poland peaople are required to speak english?

[@N4jss]

@@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p stop minding so much about how people would see you... if you like the mindset in a country, have good job opportunities, like the quisine/geography - go live there, as long as you respect the culture and behaviors you'll fit in. secondly - why are you looking for an opinion on if you should go there from strangers? haven't you asked your family and friends? maybe try living there for a few weeks and see if you haven't yet

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

@@N4jss how would my family know about Poland

[@gonzommz1739]

Go to Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria or Slovakia and the people will be the same, all Central European countries have a similar culture and are quite cold when talking to or meeting someone they don't know. Being slavic has nothing to do with it, it's just linguistic term (people in Russia, Ukraine or Belarus are quite friendly, Balkan slavs are one of the most welcoming people in world). However, living together for a thousand years as neighbors has made all the nations of Central Europe quite similar due to culture, religion and history.

[@kurrwa]

well, any post communistic country will have this issue. It's trust issue

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

Romania isn't like this at all even the central European part

[@fractal1133]

Croatia is a very cold culture. My family is from there. Many Russians are the same but I have met a couple who are not. Poles I have met are very similar to croats.

[@internetowihusarze]

I am Polish and I have been living in Germany for 15 years. After such a long time I already know that their smiles are forced, they do what they should, they think differently. Poland however in the level of sincerity is completely different. We Poles do not smile because it is appropriate, when we smile it is because we really like something.

[@hanshomesteading1276]

Dzień dobry!, dutchie here. I travelled the world for like good 20 years and even lived in Asia for a while. Now living in Poland for 2+ years. I believe you are experiencing a culture shock. Polish people can be closed in your first meeting, but open up and are the warmest people ever. Once they know you, they help you and go a long way to do things for you, me and my family have never felt so welcome. Absolutely love the people here, whereas friendliess in the US (in particular) is skin deep. 'Hey how are you' is for Europeans a question, not a greeting. its all about how you treat and approach people. In Rome do like the Romans do, at least make the effort to talk Polish. it will get you a long way. Do widzenia!

[@mikolajbiedrowski1895]

Im polish however I’ve been living in Ireland for a good 11 years now. It is common for people to say “how are you?” As a greeting. Every. Single. Time. Till this day it gets me thinking on it having to remember it’s just how they say hi

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

How do you make friends them

[@Circus1990]

@@AndreiGeorgescu-j9pbe yourself and accept people as they are, have confidence in yourself

[@ukaszs5057]

Poles are not rude, but just neutral. We show only true emotions. We are neutral to people we don't know. And actually we hate this superficiality of Americans for example. They are asking "how are you" but they didn't expect real answer. In Poland you cannot as how are you to people you don't know. This is personal question and answer this question is usually complex and true. If you are doing this it means you are cultural ignorant, so I'm not surprised people are rude to you. You should learn about our culture before coming here. And when comes to language, how not knowing of Polish can be disadvantages in non-english speaking country. You cannot expect everyone speaks englis. Of course all educated people speaks English, but if you want to speak wit everyone you need to learn polish. It's insane saying this is disadvantage - how many Americans speak polish? And finally regarding to visa waiting time. You should know that we have war behind our eastern border and 2 millions of refugees waiting for visas. Beaurocracy is also higher in Germany, France or Italy. Weather, I love Polish weather, I hate extreme hot weather like in south countries so it might be a problem for you but not for everyone.

[@WheresWes]

Definitely ruder than normal. All my friends from other countries say the same thing

[@ukaszs5057]

@@WheresWes its because you don't want to accept the cultural differences. You cannot apply your cultural patterns to our culture which is different, and people behaves in different way. But I understand it can be difficult to switch.. You can not go to another country, different culture, much older than USA and expect that people will behave like americans or Italians or Even Germans which are much more similar, but also very superficial like most Anglo-Saxons. For us for example it could be rude when some one who we don't know is asking "how are you". This is rude, because in our culture it is intimate personal thing. Moreover Americans are not interested in how are you in a fact, this is only superficial question , no one expect true answer. This would be also considered as rude in our culture. Because if you ask, you should be interested in. But we don't say that Americans are rude, because this are just different cultural patterns. And for you it is rude, no we have just different culture. Do you know that when somebody on the street Poland is smiling to strangers, in our culture it is not normal guy, he is considered as mentally ill. Did you know that? Ok, at the times tpical Pole will think "mentally ill" or tourist from west 🤣. Seriously. So how we can smile? I Poland friendship is something really important, not like in US for example. First you need to deserve for friendship, then you can benefit from it. And you know what, I'm proud that we are like this, because we are true, not superficial, this is for m a big value. IMHO when when you want to assess people, rather you should look how they hospitable they are, how helpful they are, how they behave towards their friends, how strong friendship is, how you can rely on people you know. I all of this competition Poles win with Americans or Germans. Italian or Spanish people can be more similar in this field. In Poland we have proverb "don't judge book by its cover". In other words saying this you show that you didn't get to know yet Poles enough well.

[@marekgrabarek1439]

Jak to polish are not rude???A Tusk???

[@ScareyBusey]

Rudeness is subjective. That's one of the key differences between cultures. They might be rude by our American standards, but, as an American who hates small talk, I find it more rude to pretend to care about a stranger you couldn't care less about than to be direct and to the point until you get to know somebody.

[@ravenswood118]

@@WheresWes Maybe they're rude to you because you expect them all to speak English instead of learning their language, while in their country.

[@MoAdan28]

Don’t agree with alcohol in Poland. Like in UK Yh people would vomit a lot when I was at uni and they can’t handle alcohol some of them but the way it’s going on it’s really bad in Uk alcohol, but I’m pretty sure it’s the same in some European countries.

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

Ya no idea what she's talking about. West is famous for girls throwing up everywhere

[@abrahamissac5938]

Sounds like a Country I could live in. I hate it when I’m shopping Workers are force to talk to you so I can tell that enforcement of fake kindness is a irate feeling. I’m am Introvert in heart so people who mind their own business & not mine is peaceful.

[@ricos_road6328]

I always thought the English were the worst at holding their alcohol on my travels through Europe

[@MoAdan28]

Oh yh literally they couldn’t even handle it and then they quit alcohol which then they realised that they went into teetotal. I’m from England and it’s accurate that it is I’ve seen first hand what they capable with and they aren’t capable with anything at all.

[@WheresWes]

Agreed

[@albertkowalski5629]

Krakow is famous for the fact that people from all over Europe come on weekends to party and drink alcohol. I'm not saying that Poles don't drink alcohol, because they do, but there are a lot of weekend tourists from all over Europe in Krakow. Krakow and Poland are still very cheap for tourists, alcohol is much cheaper here than in Germany or the UK. By the way, I agree that weather is not nice especially during winter. Sadly we do not have snow anymore, winter with snow is way better.

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

Why no snow? And fair enough but if he has trouble in a city like that making friends how is he supposed to do that anywhere in Poland

[@albertkowalski5629]

@@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p I don't know. Climate change? Winters in Poland are very rainy nowadays, not snowy.

[@TheFalseShepphard]

​@@albertkowalski5629 That sounds really sad

[@DaDoubleDee]

@@albertkowalski5629 dark and rainy is a very cozy mood though, but when it's near freezing maybe not lol

[@Matty12333]

Polish people were not rude, they are reserved

[@filipbaranowski8999]

I absolutely don't agree with the night life part. I lived in Vancouver, Canada and every Friday night you see people covered in blood after alcohol fueled fights. Everytime I went out clubbing the night ended with a brawl and police shutting the club down. In Poland I live i a city with a lot of nightlife and I never see things like that

[@davidoneill8948]

Hey man you realise you are now polish your complying a lot

[@WheresWes]

hahaha

[@MissusChanandlerBong]

15°C is considered cold to you? 😂 no wonder you struggled...

[@MoAdan28]

@@MissusChanandlerBong oh it’s warm from where I’m at in the uk. Try 0’C and you would see the difference 😂.

[@Pawel_Mrozek]

To be honest, the alcohol thing is probably a bit of an exaggeration. I live in Gdansk, which has a mega tourist center crowded with foreign tourists for whom a weekend getaway is a cheap way to drink to excess, but I haven't noticed ordinary Poles behaving the same way on a daily basis very often. To be honest, in the center of Gdansk at night, Polish is practically a rarity among the clubs, and I know that in Krakow this phenomenon is even stronger.

[@fractal1133]

My family is from former Yugoslavia. So true about the region. The rudeness and distance is so awful.

[@ziodro]

1. I have no idea what places do you guys go and see people vomiting in Poland, but this is not common. Usually the vomiting individuals are Brits and Paddy's who can not handle the alcohol. They usually leave as well a lot of trash everywhere as they are brought up that way. 2. I don't find Polish rude. They mind their privacy and other people personal space. Yes, not everyone speaks English, so is normal that they will not answer to you when you try to engage with them. It's not rude. Its rude to expect that everyone will be at your service cos you say "I'm American! So according to you basically, only those people who speak some English are sympathetic and those who does not, are rude. How convenient. If there would be the same rule applying to you regarding the language , well, you didn't learn Polish for the most simple communication/conversation. Does this makes you automatically rude? 3. Do you want to blend in? Learn basic polish, eat potato and cabbage and kotlet, drozdzowka on your way to work, spend weekend on walking parks or on hillwalking, at summer time go for camping playing guitar at the sunset and eat bunfired sausage and potato after lake swimming. Do all of it and miracle will happen: everything and everybody around you will become super friendly and full of colours. Best of luck!

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

I'm Romanian American and would gladly learn the language but from what I've read is that if Polish people see that you're a foreigner at all, even a little accent, they make fun of you and ignore you

[@Circus1990]

@@AndreiGeorgescu-j9psounds like every other country 😂

[@icequeen.]

From my own expirience and from what I saw around me if you ask us about directions or overall help - we will help you as best as we can. Maybe not with a smile, but still - you will get the help you needed. I, personaly, don't smile to strangers, don't see a reason to smile to them, don't like when strangers bug me on the streets, trying to small talk with me etc. A lot of times I'm busy and have headphones or I'm talking on the phone and foreigners bug me not for help, but to just flirt or small talk. If we didn't give you any signs of interest - it's ok to ask for help, but don't bug people for anything else. We like to know a person a little more and a little better before we call you a friend. And we just like to be honest, so if we don't like something, don't have a time etc - we will tell you right away, which sometimes people take as being rude. We just more open and friendly for the people we know, strangers can always get help, but that's it. No one will be acting like you're their friend on first meeting ;).

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

I agree but how do you make friends then? I'm considering moving there but I don't know what to do. Obviously I'll learn the language but I'm not going to be fluent and will have an accent

[@mastercalabaster9824]

Our culture is overall very introverted. People are supposed to keep to themsleves in public, unless you know someone already, e. g. walking around with a friend - of course you're going to talk and laugh. But when you're walking alone you are supposed to just go about your day and be quiet. Do not smile to strangers!!! Very important. While in the anglo-world and southern Europe smiling is seen as a sign of friendliness, in Central and Centre-Eastern Europe, smiling is a sign of "laughing/having fun".... So smiling at somebody is essentially laughing at them. People will think you are rude if you smile at them with your teeth sticking out. Learn how to do a Polish smile, and if you want to be nice just do that to people, they should respond in kind. If you're asking for directions, just ask for directions and fuck off, don't do small talk, most Poles will get nervous because we do not practice that. We don't even have a word for small talk. The culture changes once you're drinking. It's a 180 degrees shift, people will become loud and extremely open.

[@margaritapagusara7716]

How about the weather in Poland.here in Japan snow time becomes negative zero

[@marvor89]

We have! "Gadka szmatka" but it has rather bad connotation as small talk to us is just dreadfool😆

[@kennethswick4587]

I am baffled by your views. I live here in Kraków as well and I find all of the people extremely friendly and nice. The drunk people are almost exclusively tourists, and usually Brits. They CANNOT handle their alcohol at all. Every time you hear loud drunk behavior behavior it will inevitably be brits, usually on a bachelor's bachelor party.

[@emmanuelmartin1238]

I'm British and I concur.. I always avoid central city areas at the weekends...nightmare. Though the pubs further out of town are the absolute opposite, warm ,welcoming, charming and polite.

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

How do you make friends there? And are the polish actually conservative Christian

[@kennethswick4587]

@@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p like you make friends anywhere. They are very nice and welcoming. I would say that most are Christian but many that I know personally are not religious. Again, a mix like anywhere else.

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

@@kennethswick4587 well in America I can make friends in the grocery store or while waiting for the bus. I'm assuming in Poland that's not really normal. And not really like everywhere. In the middle east nearly everybody is religious. In the West nearly everybody is atheist or agnostic. In the West wmn are having 10+ partners before they're even 22. In the middle east they are virgins until marriage. Pretty big difference

[@KC-nn5wc]

He's racist against whites

[@tymciach5003]

Canadá isn’t friendly, it’s quite the opposite. Nobody talks to each other. You can live on a street for 20 years and only know 3/4 families in Toronto. Canadians don’t even speak English anymore

[@DaDoubleDee]

as a canadian idk wtf you're on about here, only place we don't speak english is rural quebec, and in every country no one knows the homeless on their street unless they try to

[@montgenerejamiemcnelsonson3344]

Ontario and Quebec is unfriendlier than the east coast of Canada imo

[@tymciach5003]

@@DaDoubleDee come to the Toronto area. All you see and hear is Punjabi

[@qdeqa]

As a Polish person- I find Italian/Spanish people really rude. In Poland people are really understanding. They may not seem to be friendly but actually they are super nice. Out culture is about not getting in each other's way. You can freely make mistakes or be unsure of your actions here while in some other countries such as Italy or Greece you have to speak clearly and confidently so people won't get upset at you.

[@melchiorclaromonte4570]

I wanted to point out that you don't know the culture of drinking in pubs in Great Britain, there is always broken glass and vomit around pubs the next day

[@WheresWes]

Oh yeah I meant UK is one of the worst places

[@PGN1967]

I hope you already left Poland. Everyone is different in every country. The difference between Polish people versus certain other countries, Islands, is: We dont commit Robberies, Put a gun to your head, a knife, or other unspeakable things. Once you get to know the culture, you will understand their people. Did you get the pleasure of going to Middle Eastern countries, Sudan, Africa, Jamaica, Venzuala, Yemen, Argentina, Aruba, Gaza would be a fantastic place to go, wonderful people. Wish you the best.

[@WheresWes]

still here, i'm quite happy in Poland

[@BartoszMazur-y6p]

😊

[@lawrencekuhn8279]

This is a joke. Polish are straight forward, not mean or rude. Rules are to be followed. They have their own way of living and going out.

[@chillinJohnny]

Yeah, as a pole I kinda prefer if someone has a problem to tell me that, rather than be smiling, and then happily back stab me

[@rrrado1]

British can handle alcohol better? It's very opposite.

[@WheresWes]

Not what I said

[@ravenswood118]

@@WheresWes It literally is what you said.

[@hanshomesteading1276]

Every time i was in the UK or Australia (Southern hemisphere Brits) there was puke everywhere on Sunday mornings.

[@maksio-c7j]

Well in terms of people being mean in poland from my experience as a polish person I would say we aren't mean we just don't have time or energy to deal with stupid questions like where can I find this or that especially if they expect us ti speak English to them when we are in poland

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

I agree but how do you make friends then? I'm considering moving there but I don't know what to do. Obviously I'll learn the language but I'm not going to be fluent and will have an accent

[@maksio-c7j]

@@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p I think that mostly polish people respect hard work and respect so I thunk learning the language will really give you a good step up and make you stand out, and everything else is just simple but a note would be to never bring up politics as that's the worst way to make a friend in Poland, hope it works out well.

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

@@maksio-c7j do you think I'd have problems because I'm Romanian American? I'm white but I know I'll get called a gypsy. As for politics, part of the reason I want to move from the USA is because I don't like Western progressive politics like feminism and Marxism or hookup culture. I'm also a Christian. Does Poland have similar values?

[@bobbobek2098]

​@@AndreiGeorgescu-j9pfirst patients second if you try you'll make effort and people will appreciate that and try to help you in any way they can

[@Nativgod]

Screw small talk and fake people. I prefer coconuts. Also the vomit part, yeah that happens anywhere there are young college kids.

[@ardonis99]

i dont know you; i dont care - have my own problems and i have stuff to do. i dont have time to fake smile and pretend i care what you had for dinner or whatever. you expect to walk up to randos on the street and just be like "howdy partner"? no - thats weird = you want sth - what do you want form me; get to the point and stop wasting time. Now if we actual friends then its different = im emotionally invested

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

I agree but how do you make friends then? I'm considering moving there but I don't know what to do. Obviously I'll learn the language but I'm not going to be fluent and will have an accent

[@AAaa17219]

I agree, definitely true. I'm Polish, who lived outside of country for 20 years. I pass also America, Switzerland and Belgium, Jordan. Now I'm not really Polish.

[@evanmcclure67]

I think the polish are nice. It's just not as surface level as in lets say the west. Just understand that you're a stranger especially when you first meet someone. In Europe in general for the most part, they tend to be rather cold when first meeting, but that doesn't mean they hate you. It's just that they don't know you and especially if you wanna form a friendship or relationship it'll take time for them to see your true colors. I have a polish friend...well two actually. But I met them in a hostel and they're very well travelled however.

[@WheresWes]

They are kind people but definitely not the most friendly. Being kind and nice and two different things, people are conflating the two

[@MoAdan28]

@@WheresWeswell not your stereotypical American friendly but friendly enough to actually ask for directions and then after that nothing happens so really depends I guess. Polish people can be cold but when you get to know them they can be nice and friendly to you. It just they take longer to warm up and sometimes they don’t either so I wouldn’t really take personally and at least they straight up honest and polite not the fake politeness you get in Uk but you get what I mean.

[@ravenswood118]

@@WheresWes And from what I'm getting, you're nice but not kind.

[@kikixchannel]

@@WheresWes You are also conflating 'friendliness' with 'openness'. Friendship from which the 'friendliness' comes is something earned. Strangers aren't friendly. Strangers can only be open/outgoing or closed. That's what makes them strangers. Polish people certainly are rather closed. However, if you DO have business to interact with them (new people in a workplace, classmates, regulars at some place etc., service workers), then Polish people DO tend to be friendly. Western culture had watered down the concept of a 'friend'. If you consider yourself to have dozens (or more) of 'friends', then by Polish standards, you maybe have a few actual friends. The rest are just associates. Learning this difference will help you greatly with cultures that attach emotional value to 'friendship', like the Poles do, instead of just using it as a less official word for someone with whom you talked with or just work/study together with.

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

I agree but how do you make friends then? I'm considering moving there but I don't know what to do. Obviously I'll learn the language but I'm not going to be fluent and will have an accent

[@Yunit87]

All western countries have lost happiness and peace in their hearts. Me, me, me, me.

[@BeYourselfMan]

Latin southern countries are the friendliest. Always will be.

[@Keithjames153]

Idk man, the American south is pretty friendly.. Everyone makes you feel like a family member

[@fruityfriend]

yah. the problem is brown people.

[@pan_salceson]

Hey! What you're experiencing as a seasonal depression, could actually be just Vitamin D deficiency. As you say, it goes away as soon as the sun shows up. Plus, you've never had a chance to experience it before, so it could really be this. If you plan on staying for one more year, try supplementing vitamin D, it's really cheap (like 15zł a month), and makes a HUGE difference during winter.

[@necro1129]

Great video, just two comments: 1) the bureaucracy issue is one of the reasons you praise the Poland for being homogeneous 2) the majority of the vomiting ones are brits

[@pantarei.]

If you smile to random people they might take it as a kind of flirt. So men would think you are gay, women might think you are trying to hit on them. Being neutral is the best you can do. It's just a cultural thing. You need to understand and get used to it if you want to feel happy in Poland.

[@Nativgod]

Really, a guy would think another man is gay for smiling at them?

[@pantarei.]

@@Nativgod If smiling for no reason - yes.

[@BaRbara-dc3qn]

​@@Nativgod Yes.

[@kcuflaerehte8994]

​@@Nativgodcertified gay

[@rafals5247]

Bien venido en Cracovia!😃 Polish people are usually open and friedly, maybe with some exeptions of course, like everywhere. I'm Polish living in Kraków and I'm naturally kind, nice and friendly. I love having small talk with strangers and tourists who come over to my city, because I like people and I'm curious about them. As regards complaining, it is sometimes necessary. When something troubles you, it's better to spit it out, get it off your chest, because it helps. It is hypocrisy all the time to pretend that always everything is alright. Not being afraid to speak out, being understanding and being a good listener, that is the key to good mental wellbeing:)

[@maciejpiekar]

British and handling alcohol better? Have you been on the streets? There are everywhere drunk British guys screaming etc. no offence ik it was only quick additional inf. But come on mannn don't do us like that😢

[@WheresWes]

lol you misunderstood i said British are worse

[@azerhuseynov449]

I was very happy to hear a word Azerbaijani in this video. Greetings from Baku! 🇦🇿

[@markyt6594]

great video. very accurate

[@drzwiodwanny]

So you like fake smile and 'ho do you do'but the person who asks doesn't give a sheet bout it to real people don't using masks showing they don't care.

[@WheresWes]

Basic manners are what I'm used to. And people not interacting is fine but sometimes Poles can be extra rude

[@kikiv1993]

@@WheresWes I love this Western-centricity where a different approach to life immediately equals a lack of manners. A real lack of manners is being fake like you.

[@ravenswood118]

@@WheresWes My dude, you think you have basic manners but you expect Poles to learn to speak English to accommodate foreigners like you, instead of learning Polish when staying there for an extended period of time. You wouldn't even learn Polish for a Polish partner. Please sit down.

[@artuditu67]

@@WheresWes ...like many other people around the world....and what's wrong with you ? :-) ...just a mirror . Take care.

[@artuditu67]

and f...k small "little" talk

[@BulletProof_Viking]

Then go home. The answer is simple. Why are you there in the first place ?

[@karolbialas6380]

Because he likes many things here in PL too, they are mentioned in different video.

[@somerset006]

The further North you go in Europe, the less friendly the people are. At least on the surface. But once you get to know them really well, it's complete opposite.

[@CrustyCowboy]

Every Polish person that I've met has been nice. Poland would be my first choice

[@KopKrzysz]

Przepraszam, ale jako Polak kompletnie nie rozumiem potrzeby uśmiechania się do obcych na ulicy... Po co mam się szczerzyć jak głupi do sera. :D

[@internetowihusarze]

U nas pomyslalby ktos ze jestes nacpany. Zdecydowanie jest nam blizej do azji oni sa do nas podobni.

[@Rae0811]

I don’t know. Most of these things seem very trivial and not very good reasons to hate living in Poland.

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

Not being able to make friends and not having sun is serious

[@kinga72910]

Jakie języki znają Amerykanie, czy Anglicy oprócz angielskiego? Typowi ignoranci.

[@gonzommz1739]

maybe is time to start to learn polish and stop complaying about polish people english skills

[@WheresWes]

never complained about their english skills, chill

[@p6mkq]

English is essential, dimwit.

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

Id like to learn Polish but from I hear if you even have an accent they don't that you serious

[@niharjani9611]

Don Not Come to Poland Then, Every Country Has Indiviual Characteritsics, by changing them you are fighting with indivual rights of people.

[@LMB222]

November is horrible. So is mid March to mid April. Summers are pretty cool because the place is dry, so it's sunny all the time.

[@olenakoruna5636]

So true!! 100%!

[@Onyks567]

I dont know man but as a polish person i like living here.

[@N4jss]

Hey Wes, Krakow has an unspoken stigma in Poland as the place where many people from abroad come to get drunk (a ,,tourist-filled city''). You should try living in Gdynia for example - much different city, different vibe if you can spare some time maybe try to move there for a month or two - than you'll see how big of a difference there is between those cities

[@nataliakrupinska925]

It's not that deep, the colder the country, the less pleasant people (or more depressed) 😂 I'm from Poland, I actually don't see us less pleasant than f.e. French, English, Czech, German…at least from my experience. As for Ukraine, I assume you had some short time in Ukraine or travelled with Ukrainians (also the situation there is far from normal, so probably they create a great community right now). Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against them, but they themselves are calling us 'too polite', as we always say 'good morning, thank you, goodbye' more frequently than them, I had many experiences with me saying 'Good morning' or 'Goodbye' to an Ukrainian and not hearing the reply 😅 I see Ukrainians as less polite, but I know it's just their culture, it's not personal.

[@livek100]

Wielokrotnie słyszałem opinie ( porównanie Ukraina Polska ) od Ukrainek, Ukrainców i you tuberów którzy zamieszkali w Polsce że ludzie w Polsce są bardziej grzeczni uprzejmi od ich rodaków , to im imponuje chcieli by naśladować itp

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

I agree but how do you make friends then? I'm considering moving there but I don't know what to do. Obviously I'll learn the language but I'm not going to be fluent and will have an accent

[@nataliakrupinska925]

@@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p I mean probably the same as in any other new place, in some places will be easier and in some it will be tougher. Maybe finding a job with Poles and other foreigners might help. Or going to some classes and meetings. I assure you that majority of us don’t make friends on the street or in shops, but at work, parties, fitness/dance/etc. classes, maybe at the gym, concerts etc.

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

@@nataliakrupinska925 I work remotely so my only options are church, classes, and events. That's extremely difficult to actually meet anybody new from that especially after the few week or two. As for clubs, I don't know how it is in Poland but the people and especially wmn you meet in bars and clubs are not somebody you want to really get to know or have relationships with. And I guess that brings me to the other question, is Poland becoming like the West or still traditional? Are feminism and Hookup culture prevalent yet?

[@FrendzeL222]

5:34 Can't more disagree on that. Yeah, the ladies from Ukraine that work in my office are super nice but other than that I get a feeling ukrainian people are very demanding and because of that not nice because "they deserve" everything for no reason... And it didnt happen to me like once or twice. When it first happened to me I was like "yeah, some people are like that everywhere" but later on it was happening more and more often to the point I started thinking it is somehow a "cultural" thing in Ukraine in one way or another cuz so much of them share this trait. Btw don't get me wrong, I support Ukraine but the attitude of people coming from Ukraine to Poland is at the very least unpleasant very often. It's not nice when someone who you are helping is rude to you...

[@WheresWes]

Fair comment, I've heard that from other Poles as well

[@starlette2992]

same feelings here. unfortunately.....

[@Alexander-vp8gc]

Living in the U.S is awful.

[@gsanand86]

Title of Wes's next video: Why I am returning to Colombia again!

[@Dylan-q9l2v]

Poland is Central European. Go to Germany, people will act the same.

[@messmeg7582]

Yezzz I hate small talk and people bodering me during shopping. If you need help or question I will be first to give a hand but forcing me to socialize for sake of feel your time I found rude.

[@michadybczak4862]

We believe that complaining is our national sport, but if you look around the Central Europe, it's more common. Germans also believe they are complaining a lot. However, I believe it is starting to change, but there an art to complain and have fun of it - kinda complaining but also making fun of something or somebody at the same time.

[@cooledcannon]

This is insane, Poland is way more efficient than the West in many things For the weather, go to a solarium and infrared sauna it works wonders

[@oneup12]

0:28 as a Canadian I can say Americans are not friendly at least not as friendly as Canadians

[@heniekpniok]

Interesting. A guy spent 4 months in Poland, doesn't know the language, doesn't understand what people are saying and makes judgement that "people here are ruder then in other countries". Why? Because they don't smile often enough? How did you expirence this above international level rudeness?

[@kasiak1288]

They tried to solve this issue with alkohol in Kraków - we have lots of Brits coming to party - and now you cannot buy alcohol after midnight in the street - shops etc

[@HBFREEWORLD]

From what i just got to know Dominik Tarczyński is doing a fantastic job, by keeping his country safe . I think Poland should show love to him.

[@lech2897]

If you don't like so many things about Poland, go someplace else. Poland will survive without you and you'll be happy.

[@WheresWes]

lol chill I love Poland, but nowhere is perfect

[@karolbialas6380]

This is what he meant that some people are rude. The fact he comments on what is not cool doesnt mean you have to kick him out of PL. Not Wes's fault that he landed in Kraków, the capital of British stag parties. I think Wes should stay and realize that rudeness is first impression and vomiting is mainly Kraków thing

[@lech2897]

@@karolbialas6380 Don't call me rude, don't call me rude! (Wężykiem, wężykiem). They come from God knows where and from the very start they treat Poles as some underdeveloped autochtonous tribe and want to civilize us. So why do they come here in the first place? I hate this patronizing tone of some of them.

[@titiibyel2160]

As a Hungarian I’m not surprised that people find them “rude” because we are the same in Hungary😂 We are not used to the fake smiles and small useless talks with strangers, but maybe it’s just Eastern European thing 🤷🏻‍♀️Anyway I send as much love as I can to my lovely polish mates❤

[@zulikkowalski3547]

I think I'll fit in very well there

[@tombernard4612]

If you want the European vibe and cheap cost of living you should really check out Albania and they also have awesome weather even in the winter compared to Poland ;)) ps.. I'm sure you already know but since you mentioned bureaucracy , Spain and Italy are the worst for delays in government paperwork visas etc...

[@suhciel]

I'm polish but have lived in London for the last 20 years. Poles are different to what you're used to. It's because we've been through a lot of hardship. We are down to earth and don't really care about small talk. Life usually is challenging and we have a very straight approach to It - we get on with It. It can be seen as being rude and I understand it but I prefer that over the fake "how are you" I always hear over here. The thing is, as soon as you befriend someone, most people, at least majority of them are ok.

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

I agree but how do you make friends then? I'm considering moving there but I don't know what to do. Obviously I'll learn the language but I'm not going to be fluent and will have an accent

[@bezimienny5149]

I agree with everything except drinking (I don't see something what was described in the video usually) and second thing that "people in Ukraine are more friendly". They are basically very similar in that matter, in your case they are just happy to see that some foreigner came to their country, in Poland we don't care (anymore) about that because it's something common for us for years. I am sorry there are some things you didn't like here.

[@drdolittle6109]

Oh man I have a plan to go there! But after this video you destroyed that plan😢

[@malanalan1]

Dude, It is not easy to make friends in US either. I have been living in US for 30 years and I could tell you a lot about Americans and their weird behaviors by European standards. One thing I will never get used to how Americans greet each other. Why would you ask a stranger going downhill on a MTB how's it going. LOL. Am I supposed to hit the brakes and have a small talk? It makes no sense. And when it comes to bureaucracy, ask people who applied for green card. Keep coming up with your observations. Interesting and entertaining

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

They're basically just recognizing you. It's not an actual question.

[@figofagonagoitis]

We in Poland have a huge problem with alcohol. With drunk British tourists to be specific.

[@Dudebrush4pwood]

Americans don't want honest, straightforward people who value respect and privacy. we want "Welcome to Costco. I love you."

[@maiup]

Agreed with the weather, I hate it.

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

Can you explain more? I hate hot weather

[@RustyCohle]

Keep keeping it real my man! There are way too many vloggers that lie and claim everywhere is awesome, wonderful etc.

[@DarkSentinel52]

the reason people are "rude" is because they mind their own business i want to be left alone and i dont want people to bother me

[@mariusHGV2]

4:10 them proper kebabs looks amazing!

[@duncanmac2195]

In my travels it's 6 of one and half dozen of another. 6 things you like 6 things that drive you nuts. I crave good weather and cheap but even in Canada you can live somewhere for 2 years and only make a couple of so so friends.

[@revabbyjoovitsky5152]

Everything you describe is also true of where I've lived for over 4 years: Israel. I'm older and I did have a Polish father, maybe it's different, since I am kindof Slavic. Aviva in Akko

[@alex.4936]

polish people just dont like to do small talk, we feel like if theres no reason behind talking to eachother then we shouldnt talk and get in someones businnes. everyone respect eachothers times and goes on with their day

[@pk_berlin]

Actually you described every north european country! Nothing is different here in Germany. Weather, street works, bureaucracy, rudeness 😅

[@GrubyTolek]

How can you be sure that some of these things apply to the whole country, and are not just qualities of Kraków? For example the centre of Kraków is known for being a place where people go to get drunk. So if someone doesn't like alcohol, and they live there... It's like if you hated gambling and lived in Vegas? Also, Kraków is a touristy place. And traditionally it had a lot of English speaking tourists who were very rude and obnoxious. So I don't think it's actually the best place to be as a foreigner. But maybe I'm just biased since I don't like Kraków in general 😅

[@WheresWes]

i ask people in my building and they are from all over the country, usually small cities.

[@GrubyTolek]

​@@WheresWes fair enough, I had the impression that the building is more of an international dorm. I think the reason I disliked Kraków is i felt like a complete outsider (even though I'm Polish). Which is really rough because in Poland social life is based on close, long term friendships. Everyone had those and I didn't. I felt like everybody living in Kraków moved there for university, and has been living there since university, still hanging out with the same group of people. And even if I joined one of these groups I felt like a fifth wheel. For some reason in Warsaw i felt more like I belong there. I think it's because in Warsaw there is more people who moved there for work, after university. So there were more people sharing the same experience, of moving there as adults and not knowing anyone. But maybe it's just cause I know more people in Warsaw. Anyway it's just my experience. I'm not trying to convince anyone. Cheers!

[@Robertino12]

I don't understand what your problem is

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

Making friends

[@Circus1990]

People in Kraków are friendlier?! lol, things must have changed there in the last years. This is my home and I certainly don’t share the same experience.

[@anetakowalczyk5]

Have you been to Toruń? It's a lovely, small city in the middle of Poland :) I think you'll love it, it's a bit like Krakow but smaller and more cosy :)

[@jameeno3]

This is nonsense. Polish are some of the most welcoming people you’ll meet for foreigners

[@kasiak1288]

True, but not if you bother them on a street

[@Johnjohnson-sy7fu]

Id rather honestity than fake interactions

[@MichalKaczorowski]

From the lyrics of Kazik's song "Cztery pokoje": Poles are so aggressive and that's because there is no sun Almost seven months of the year and summer is not hot Only cold and rainy cold and rainy in this place in the middle of Europe Where cars are constantly stolen and the currency is the Polish Zloty Orig: Polacy są tak agresywni a to dlatego że nie ma słońca Nieomal przez siedem miesięcy w roku a lato nie jest gorące Tylko zimno i pada zimno i pada na to miejsce w środku Europy Gdzie ciągle samochody są kradzione a waluta to Polski Złoty ;)

[@KoRbA2310]

03:14 Dude didn't visit Ireland yet if he thinks UK is bad with alcohol LOL

[@WheresWes]

I've been. Guiness from Ireland is undefeated

[@PannaJoanna99]

POLAND IS CENTRAL EUROPE NOT EASTERN EUROPE 🤯🥵

[@ahsanurr4219]

Eastern Europe*

[@djdimo_97official34]

​@@ahsanurr4219No

[@krzysiek.w.]

Seasonal depression is real. I'm born and raised in Gdańsk, and I'm really looking forward to find some place around southern europe to move every winter. Constant lack of sunlight is, I believe, the reason behind people here being cold and grumpy for the first glance. It goes the same with all the northern countries, just look at Finland or Sweden or UK. Native people there have the same attitude. This stereotype sticked only to Poland for some reason.

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

Is that all of Poland? I live in a hot place and I hate it man lol

[@krzysiek.w.]

@@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p Romania I suppose 🙂 Greetings!

[@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p]

@@krzysiek.w. no I live in America, I was born here but I want to move to either Romania or Poland but I can't decide. My cousin tells me Romania is becoming feminist and not traditional but Poland still is. I'm not sure

[@krzysiek.w.]

@@AndreiGeorgescu-j9p Honestly if I were you, I'd gather some cash and move to both countries for few weeks to try to make "normal" living off-season before taking such a big decision. As a foreigner, you most likely should aim at big cities, as in the smaller towns communication and finding a worthy job could potentially be a huge barier. And big cities mean more western influences, so you might get suprised culture-wise if you think what you see on youtube is super accurate :p