This extra plate and empty chair meant something slightly different in different years. At first it was a place for a deceased ancestor, later for a "wanderer", and during the times of partitions, uprisings and wars it was supposed to resemble a family member who fought or served a sentence in prison or in Siberia. Nowadays, it rather has to do with every single person. Very often, if a lonely neighbor lives nearby, he is invited to Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas to you :)
I grew up with Polish Traditions in the US, passed down from my grand- and great-grand-parents on both sides. Mine is the firt generation to not speak much Polish at all, sadly, but we celebrated all the beautiful traditions. We got to open one present on Christmas Eve. We sat down for dinner at the first star, but no presents until midnight...if you could stay awake. Christmas Day was a complete let down to non-Wigilia celebrators. My Dad and my uncles all used to do a group visit to the elders on Christmas Day and sing Polish carols to them. I miss those days! I do notice your dialect is quite different from ours! Or maybe it's just the difficulty of the Polish language, known to drive Americans to madness! lol!
I love your channel.so glad I found it. I went to Poznań, Poland in October to celebrate my bday with my polish bestfriend. Didn't know I was going to fall in love with him.💘❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
That's amazing!! Thank you so much that means a lot. They say that Italy is the country of romance but I think they got it wrong I think it must be Poland! 🤪 Congratulations on your new love and thank you so much for such a nice comment!
Thank you! I will mention that some people also decide to leave the Christmas tree until February 2. The reason is that only on Candlemas Day are trees taken from churches. Merry Christmas!
5:08, a slight correction. Only the Wigilia - and I would rather call it a supper than a dinner because it's eaten when it's already dark is a meat-free sitting. During the following 2 days of Christmas you will find plenty of meat on the table :)
I was going to be in Poland for christmas this year, but I'm struggling with my Visa. As a Brit, I'm applying for the D visa which states you need a "reason" to be in Poland. The choices are work, family or education. I'm working fully remotely for a UK company which has no presence in Poland, so I won't technically be "going to Poland for work." I'm also a remote student to the UK, and won't be "going to Poland for education." I have a girlfriend in Poland that I will be living with, but she isn't "family" per-se. I have no idea what to put as my reason for staying in Poland. Surely being a wealth Brit, bringing my money, paying taxes and having insurance is enough to live there?
Actually living with your girlfriend can be a valid reason. I would suggest using an immigration lawyer for the temporary residency process. I paid about 400£ for my solicitor for that price it covers the whole process including appeals and court if necessary. It's a much better bet than trying to navigate the system yourself. I would suggest taking a quick flight over finding a solicitor and having them start the process for you.
@@anamericaninpoland thanks for the response. When i was over there I found it incredibly difficult to find solicitors that were interested in helping an individual. Most of the ones i found which spoke english, were more interested in helping businesses. Maybe I was looking in the wrong place. I'll have a look at immigration solicitors, thanks.
St Nicolaus is coming on the 6 th of December not a Santa 🙂🙂he is a Roman catholic Saint and his Feast Day in a Roman catholic calendar is at the 6 th of dec 😍😍
Do people take more time off around the Holidays (or in general than Americans)? Also, on one of your previous videos when you interviewing people on the street, it seems English is widely spoken there? Would you be able to get away with only speaking English for the most part?
Hey Franz!! Yes as a general rule people take a few days off around the holidays rather than the American normal day of and after. Yes you can get by with a limited knowledge of the Polish language. When I first moved here I only knew very basic phrases but I do suggest that if you're going to spend a substantial amount of time here to make an effort to learn the language it is a very difficult language but you will progress quickly.
It all depends on what you can afford and what are the needs of your employer. I have enjoyed decades of holidays between 24th and sometimes up to 3rd of January… 25th and 26th is a bank holiday in Poland just as January the 1st so - it’s easy to get a long time out.
I think it's just a difference in how it's explained. In English we say that Santa comes on Christmas Eve while the children are sleeping so it's the same that he comes on the night of the 5th so the children get their treats on the 6th
@ipodman1910 in my family we observe fasting from meat and alcohol until after mass on Christmas Eve. Like I said it might be different from family to family.
@@dziadzioniunio to ciekawe bo znam sporo rodzin inteligenckich u ktorych jest alkohol w wigilie. A ty, cwelu, nawet w temacie wigilijnym znalazłeś powód zeby obrazić krajan. No chyba ze piszesz o swojej rodzinie…
Dude, you're describing your local Polish traditions. Ive never heard about half if them, but then… we have St. Nicholas on the 6th, and on the 24th is another guy, who is dressed in *blue*. This is Poznań and surroundings.
Reprezentujesz "Poznań and surroundings"? od kiedy? Otóż, tradycje opisane przez Autora są także moimi (od kilkunastu pokoleń w Wielkopolsce). Opisał je dość precyzyjnie. Pozdrawiam '@anamericaninpoland' i życzę szczęścia w 2024 !
This extra plate and empty chair meant something slightly different in different years. At first it was a place for a deceased ancestor, later for a "wanderer", and during the times of partitions, uprisings and wars it was supposed to resemble a family member who fought or served a sentence in prison or in Siberia.
Nowadays, it rather has to do with every single person. Very often, if a lonely neighbor lives nearby, he is invited to Christmas Eve.
Merry Christmas to you :)
Very cool. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment! I hope you enjoyed!
I grew up with Polish Traditions in the US, passed down from my grand- and great-grand-parents on both sides. Mine is the firt generation to not speak much Polish at all, sadly, but we celebrated all the beautiful traditions. We got to open one present on Christmas Eve. We sat down for dinner at the first star, but no presents until midnight...if you could stay awake. Christmas Day was a complete let down to non-Wigilia celebrators. My Dad and my uncles all used to do a group visit to the elders on Christmas Day and sing Polish carols to them. I miss those days! I do notice your dialect is quite different from ours! Or maybe it's just the difficulty of the Polish language, known to drive Americans to madness! lol!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching!!
I love your channel.so glad I found it. I went to Poznań, Poland in October to celebrate my bday with my polish bestfriend. Didn't know I was going to fall in love with him.💘❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
That's amazing!! Thank you so much that means a lot. They say that Italy is the country of romance but I think they got it wrong I think it must be Poland! 🤪 Congratulations on your new love and thank you so much for such a nice comment!
It’s cool. Just don’t bring feminist values with you. We don’t want to turn Poland into a s*** hole!
Thank you! I will mention that some people also decide to leave the Christmas tree until February 2. The reason is that only on Candlemas Day are trees taken from churches.
Merry Christmas!
Very interesting! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
5:08, a slight correction. Only the Wigilia - and I would rather call it a supper than a dinner because it's eaten when it's already dark is a meat-free sitting. During the following 2 days of Christmas you will find plenty of meat on the table :)
Thanks much. I guess I wasn't as clear as I should have been. I appreciate you watching I hope you enjoyed!!
We also have all these traditions you talk about, plus singing Christmas carols and plus Midnight Mass :)
Very nice. 😁😁
As a Pole, I think Poland is cool tradition itself!
God less You, brother.
I love Poland and I think it's very cool too!!
Привет ☕️ 🍩 🙋🏼♂️ Прекрасное и красивое видео 🎄☃️🎉🎁🎅🏻❄️🥳
Thank you very much! Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁🎄🎁
@@anamericaninpoland Спасибо большое 🤝🏻 С наступающими праздниками 🎄☃️🎉🎁🎅🏻❄️🥳🙋🏼♂️🫠🤝🏻✌🏻
Merry Christmas😍
Merry Christmas 🎄🎁🎄
6th of dec morning :)
Yes sorry I didn't make that clear that Santa comes the night of the 5 so that on the morning of the 6 you have a treat. 😁
I was going to be in Poland for christmas this year, but I'm struggling with my Visa. As a Brit, I'm applying for the D visa which states you need a "reason" to be in Poland. The choices are work, family or education.
I'm working fully remotely for a UK company which has no presence in Poland, so I won't technically be "going to Poland for work." I'm also a remote student to the UK, and won't be "going to Poland for education." I have a girlfriend in Poland that I will be living with, but she isn't "family" per-se.
I have no idea what to put as my reason for staying in Poland. Surely being a wealth Brit, bringing my money, paying taxes and having insurance is enough to live there?
Actually living with your girlfriend can be a valid reason. I would suggest using an immigration lawyer for the temporary residency process. I paid about 400£ for my solicitor for that price it covers the whole process including appeals and court if necessary. It's a much better bet than trying to navigate the system yourself. I would suggest taking a quick flight over finding a solicitor and having them start the process for you.
@@anamericaninpoland thanks for the response. When i was over there I found it incredibly difficult to find solicitors that were interested in helping an individual. Most of the ones i found which spoke english, were more interested in helping businesses. Maybe I was looking in the wrong place. I'll have a look at immigration solicitors, thanks.
@rugbyf0rlife I can put you in touch with my solicitor in Poznań if you like. Just send me a message on Instagram @anamericaninpoland
St Nicolaus is coming on the 6 th of December not a Santa 🙂🙂he is a Roman catholic Saint and his Feast Day in a Roman catholic calendar is at the 6 th of dec 😍😍
In American culture Santa is another name for Saint Nicholas. They are the same person.
Do people take more time off around the Holidays (or in general than Americans)? Also, on one of your previous videos when you interviewing people on the street, it seems English is widely spoken there? Would you be able to get away with only speaking English for the most part?
Hey Franz!! Yes as a general rule people take a few days off around the holidays rather than the American normal day of and after. Yes you can get by with a limited knowledge of the Polish language. When I first moved here I only knew very basic phrases but I do suggest that if you're going to spend a substantial amount of time here to make an effort to learn the language it is a very difficult language but you will progress quickly.
It all depends on what you can afford and what are the needs of your employer. I have enjoyed decades of holidays between 24th and sometimes up to 3rd of January… 25th and 26th is a bank holiday in Poland just as January the 1st so - it’s easy to get a long time out.
@ipodman1910 thanks for helping out!
there's no meat only on Christmas Eve. On 1st and 2nd day everything is free game
I prefer the 1st and 2nd days 😂😂
Six of December not 5 December
I think it's just a difference in how it's explained. In English we say that Santa comes on Christmas Eve while the children are sleeping so it's the same that he comes on the night of the 5th so the children get their treats on the 6th
@@anamericaninpoland It's Nicola's name day , that's why it's 6th of December. So St. Nicola arrives that day :)
Again, not the three kings ,till almost to the and January
👍👍
Hahaha
No alcohol on Christmas Eve?!?
Are you sure you were celebrating in Poland?
I guess it depends on the household for sure 😀
@@anamericaninpoland I’m pretty sure vodka on the Christmas Eve supper is a cultural norm in Poland…
@ipodman1910 in my family we observe fasting from meat and alcohol until after mass on Christmas Eve. Like I said it might be different from family to family.
Alkohol w Wigilię jest tylko u fajnopolaków.
@@dziadzioniunio to ciekawe bo znam sporo rodzin inteligenckich u ktorych jest alkohol w wigilie. A ty, cwelu, nawet w temacie wigilijnym znalazłeś powód zeby obrazić krajan. No chyba ze piszesz o swojej rodzinie…
To Polska kolęda śpiewana przez dzieci. ua-cam.com/video/-VJr5B5PDdY/v-deo.htmlsi=9n4ybmYyNT_jqX63
Wspaniały! Dziękuję bardzo!
Dude, you're describing your local Polish traditions. Ive never heard about half if them, but then… we have St. Nicholas on the 6th, and on the 24th is another guy, who is dressed in *blue*.
This is Poznań and surroundings.
From my understanding a lot of it depends on regions. Ania is from Poznań and Gwiazdor delivered her presents as well lol
I really appreciate you watching and commenting on all my videos today. I hope you're enjoying them.
pretty much all of them are the general national ones. Which ones you never heard of exactly ?
Reprezentujesz "Poznań and surroundings"? od kiedy?
Otóż, tradycje opisane przez Autora są także moimi (od kilkunastu pokoleń w Wielkopolsce). Opisał je dość precyzyjnie.
Pozdrawiam '@anamericaninpoland' i życzę szczęścia w 2024 !