posted
Kama, this seems like a propitious time to bring up my theory that Polish jokes were popular in 20th century America because Poland had no natural barriers to invasion, like deserts or defensible mountain passes, and so Poland appeared weak (going back centuries)?
Or maybe I should put more thought into my theory...
Posts: 6316 | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
Verily, of course it's like the rest of Russia! I mean, every city has its unique culture, of course, so it isn't *exactly* like everywhere else in Russia, but still!
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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quote:Kama, this seems like a propitious time to bring up my theory that Polish jokes were popular in 20th century America because Poland had no natural barriers to invasion, like deserts or defensible mountain passes, and so Poland appeared weak (going back centuries)?
I was told once that those jokes came about during a period of increased immigration to America from Poland, and the only experience most Americans had with Polish people was as uneducated, unskilled labor. They saw that these laborers "weren't very bright", at least by their extraordinarily biased standards, and extended that opinion toward all people of Polish extraction. That's just something I heard once, though, so I don't know that it's the confirmed origin.
quote:Verily, of course it's like the rest of Russia! I mean, every city has its unique culture, of course, so it isn't *exactly* like everywhere else in Russia, but still!
You may have missed my point. Deliberately, I suspect.
Posts: 1814 | Registered: Jul 2004
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Okay, first of, I'm afraid there will be people who will think he is a member of a sect. And there will be hostile people. But that's not just Poland, right?
People - well, aside from the stupid ones, they should be friendly. He'll learn Polish, right? They'll love it. There aren't many foreigners learning Polish, and we realize it's difficult to learn, so we will appreciate all efforts to learn it. We like Americans, too
Food - definitely great He'll have to try it all out Lots of fried meat, dumplings, cabbage. We're not the diet-type nation.
Weather - cold in the winter, snow from November - March, hot in the summers (although not as hot as it would get in the south of the US ) Will rain a lot, too.
Things to remember - No air conditioning, no dryers (people will hang their laundry in the bathrooms or outside). In older houses you'll get the gas heating and a there will be a gas oven to heat the water - I hate those.
Good (and cheap) public transport.
Um. I don't know what else. I'll answer any direct questions, though Posts: 5700 | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
Thanks for the response Kama! I don't think he has too many questions, I'll think of more as it gets closer. The mission actually covers the entire country of Poland, he could be anywhere!
He'll be there for Christmas. What should he expect?
Can you buy humongous men's shoes in Poland? (He has huge feet)
Does it get hot enough to go without a coat/jacket? Like sunburn hot in the summer?
He will be learning Polish, so I'm glad that the people will be patient with him.
I'm sure I'll think of more questions soon.
Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
Cecily, has he checked out his mission homepage yet? He can talk to alumni and get advice on what to bring and what not to bring, etc.
Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999
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quote:He'll be there for Christmas. What should he expect?
Snow. :)Other than that, nothing to weird.
quote:Can you buy humongous men's shoes in Poland? (He has huge feet)
Yeah, but you'll have too look for them.
quote:Does it get hot enough to go without a coat/jacket? Like sunburn hot in the summer?
Oh yes. Summers are hot. Prety much the same kind of weather as in the US, though not as hot as in the south, I suppose.
Posts: 5700 | Registered: Feb 2002
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