@1:23 @beyond borders NO, considering putting your shoes up where someone else would be sitting is not WEIRD, it's simply rude and UNHYGIENIC. Anywhere in civilised countries, not just in Poland.
Hi James and Sune. I feel like I was pointed by mentioning cultural differences in the comment of the previous video. I am truly sorry if you felt offended by that. I want to clarify I didn’t mean You per se. What I had in mind was that there are for example some part of the world where people travel on the top of the train or on the bus. And they do this because various reasons. I guess you’re right. Word „culture” isn’t the one I should have used. Therefore I AM SINCERELY SORRY. I very much like you guys and what you do. I am grateful for promoting Poland. Best regards. Peace and love.
Hello. Watch a film about the Polish Winged Hussar army. It existed when Poland was a kingdom. In its time it was the most beautiful and best army in the world. Undefeated for over 100 years. The Polish Hussars are the best cavalry in the history of mankind. It defeated the enemy's larger forces many times, even 5 times more. Thanks to them, Poland was the first army in the world to conquer Moscow in 1612 and they ruled there for a year. Later, only Napoleon did it. Hitler failed. In 1683, an army of hussars stopped the march of the Turks near Vienna. You could say that Poles saved Europe, because today everyone would speak Turkish and pray to Allah. When the Swedes joined the army, they wanted to have it written in the contract that they would not fight with the Polish hussars. Another interesting fact is that the Hussar Saber is today recognized by specialists as the best melee weapon in the world. Better than the Japanese katana. The horses they fought on were a specially bred breed. After the partitions of Poland in 1772, Western Europe ordered all horses of this breed to be murdered so that it would never be reborn. Sorry for my english. ua-cam.com/video/HeaQzfE2kHw/v-deo.html
I once met a middle-aged woman on the street. She cried. It turned out that she had been robbed. I took her in, fed her, made her sandwiches for the next day and bought her a place to stay in a hostel. I also gave her a note with information where the consulate of her country was and some money. Many years have passed and I still remember her. So yes, we let strangers into our homes.
We? You meant you. ; ) It's obviously tradition, if you had a good day you might take someone, but I don't think most of the people would take a random person just like that.
@@Bartosh.S Let's not be inhumane, a normal pilgrimage without whippings, etc. In fact, I think they would like it, just like they organize it here every year and they will set off from different cities. Until I checked, Google Maps says that they have about a 5-day walk from Berlin.
Jestem wegetarianką i nie przyjmuję. Po prostu jeśli ktoś chce mi coś dać ma uszanować to kim jestem. Moja siostra np zawsze ma coś dla mnie. Rodzina musi się z tym liczyć nie potrzebuje rarytasów po prostu nie wkładam mięsa do sałatki dla mnie. Mam zawsze mała osobną mała miseczkę gdzie mięsa nie ma. Twoja żona jest głupia że bierze. A to że Twoja matka świadoma że jest wege jej daje sorry bardzo mówi tylko o jej głupocie albo o świadomym wyborem jedzenia wyłącznie dla Ciebie. To już jest chamstwo.
I met English guys who offered/shared food but got angry when I accepted their offer. I was told that the offer was a nice gesture and that they expected me to refuse it. Basically, they wanted to look nice (without actually being nice).
You might be Polish, but for those who don't know - In Poland an offer is an offer, we are real so when you ask "what's up?" you will also hear the truth and not fake "I'm fine".
Dziękuję wam za ten film, Super że staracie się poznać Polskę, Polaków i nasze zwyczaje. Do dziś myślałem że jesteście z Europy Zachodniej , a Wy jesteście z Afryki południowej. Może sami kiedyś będziecie robić też takie filmiki które będą więcej mówiły o nas Polakach, innym narodowością z całego świata. Jest tak zasada że Polak nie poda Ci dłoni jeśli chcesz się z nim przywitać gdy dzieli was próg domu, pokoju itd. to taki przesąd który przynosi pech (śmierć) Pamiętajcie że jak Mężczyzna wchodzi do świątyni zdejmuje nakrycie głowy jeśli je ma , zaś Kobiety nie zdejmują. Gdy wychodzimy z domu Mężczyzna przepuszcza przodem Kobietę i dopiero po niej wychodzi .Podczas jedzenia posiłków jest taka zasada że zdejmujemy nakrycie głowy. Jak mówisz że chcesz się z kimś umówić bądź punktualny. To tylko kilka moich propozycji co warto wiedzieć i jak postępować będąc w Polsce. Chcecie jeszcze lepiej poznać Polskę.....to musicie się wybrać w różne regiony Polski nie tylko do tych największych miast, ale przede wszystkim zwiedzać małe miasteczka i wsie, tam dopiero się przekonacie jak Polacy potrafią być otwarci, gościnni, jak się lubią bawić hahaha . Aha i mam prośbę niech w każdym filmie są Polskie napisy. Pozdrawiam i życzę wam wspaniałego popołudnia i wieczoru, gdziekolwiek w tej chwili jesteście.
In pagan slavic tradition the empty place at the table is actually place for ghosts of forefathers, ancesters etc because in this night souls of dead members of family can go to our world and feast, after christianisation we change context quite good. Many our customs is very old and Church and our ancestors give them new context in very creative way
Yes, that is true ,we will always keep free place for a stranger ( on 24th of December) and have to say ,it happened once in my family someone really came ❤, huge hugs for you both 🤗
about Christmas tradition, I think that on this special day everyone spends time with family/friends, if anyone knocks on this day, they may be lonely or in need of care. that is why we trust that the person asking for shelter, just as he trusts us that he will receive help from us. People are moral, but they have to want to be like that.
One Polish guy made a video test about hospitality in Poland on 24 December, ringing the bell of a random houses and asking people if he can spend a Vigilia with them. Turned out that out of about dozen people only one invited him in. It is now more the tradition than the real thing, it was very different few centuries before. Surely we wouldn't refuse a friend or family on that day.
Hi, about your shoes on the seat and what is allowed and not allowed in Poland. Keeping shoes on public or someone else's items is not allowed. Fact. But also a lot of people do it :) From my perspective it's rather younger people. Let's call them teenagers. At an older age we rather don't do it, it's an expression of personal culture (And I'm not judging yours here now because I absolutely agree that it's a matter of the rules of the community in which one has grown up). As for the comments - I think that up to 30-40 % of the comments on this topic appeared only because there was any reason to write to you :) So that is to say, these some 60% show that it is indeed a different thing in our cultures. Mistakes happen in other countries (I know from myself ;) ) but respect for a culture is shown by whether they are repeated. I like your reaction very much, but don't worry so much about it :) oh it wasn't a big mistake :)
That's true. In this respect, we are like the Japanese. Nothing will annoy a Pole more than someone throwing a cigarette on the sidewalk, and I'm not talking about garbage. In Germany, cleanliness is such a stereotype. Houses are always clean and we take our shoes off unless the owner asks you not to. Be careful about some things or you will be exposed to rudeness. I have been to various countries, including America, and it is indeed different there. It is also bad manners to disturb others. Moreover, you will always receive a friendly welcome.
The custom of leaving an empty place for travelers at the Christmas Eve table is identified with hospitality and means readiness to welcome an unexpected guest. This tradition is also connected with the belief that deceased loved ones also participate in the dinner on Christmas Eve.
You guys are welcome to Poland anytime, it was little mistake . I was surprised by your knowledge of Polish history. Thank you for visiting Poland and come back again😊
I watched your previous video but didn't comment on that. I'm a Pole and lived in the UK for the past 20 years. And I did think it wasn't right to put your feet on the seat. But it happens here as well. One thing my mom thought me is - do you want to seat on it afterwards? - When you give a plate to someone, is it the plate you want to eat from yourself? When you litter, do you do it at home? ... And so on... I was thought that if you want it nice just make it nice yourself. People often forget about it. I like your videos, kindest regards.
Polish "complaining" refers to things that we perceive as something that can be improved. Maybe it's because of striving for perfection. For this reason, politicians in Poland, for example, have a hard life because people do not smile in their faces but demand quick and effective action to improve the situation. People from other countries often perceive it as Poles being rebellious. We don't complain about the weather or similar things that we have no control over because it's not up to us to change them.
@@Skull.man00 Ja i moi znajomi nie narzekamy na rzeczy na które nie ma się wpływu fizycznie . Oczywiście narzekam na takie kraje jak np Chiny , Indie , Rosja , Brazylia i tym podobne kraje że są trucicielami planety ziemia . Narzekam też na zakłamanie UE że nie wprowadzi w życie ceł zaporowych na produkty z tych krajów jeśli nie zobaczymy rzeczywistych przykładów walki ze zmianami klimatu .
Not sure if shoes thing is cultural but for sure it has a lot with respect and cleanliness. As we have carpets at home, imagine washing those on weekly or monthly basis. In trains or buses chairs are never cleaned so Yes... Cleanliness ( and maybe logic as well ). ❤😊
You're very kind. Don't let any comments scare you. We Poles tend to get a little high on our high horses when it comes to protecting traditions. It happens everywhere, really. People who haven't lived other cultures don't always understand that every culture marches to a different drum, and what might be perfectly normal in one place could be seen as out of place somewhere else. It's a two-way street, this cultural understanding. As guests, we do our best to learn the basics, but hosts should understand that picking up every subtle nuance is impossible. Many of our Polish traditions stretch way back in time. Wherever I live, I set an empty plate for Christmas Eve dinner. It's a reminder of stories my grandmother used to tell about wars and hard times, when people traveling could get caught in snowstorms or stranded by a train that never came. Those traditions are like warm blankets, wrapped around our childhood memories. But it's true, Slavs and Latinos have a reputation for being especially welcoming.
If we share food or gift it is just giving you our friendship to you. If you refuse you refuse our friendship. If we know someone who is alone during chrismas we invite them.
1. It is better not to put pressure on the Pole to publicly share his political views 2. It is better not to try to persuade the Pole to understand the Russian power 3. And most importantly - it is better not to question the Pole's honor and not come up with the idea of putting it to a test. Best regards 😉👍
Of the things worth knowing. If someone invites you to their home, bring sweets or flowers to the hostess and alcohol to the host. Generally, in Poland there is a rule that guests should not arrive empty-handed ;) Apart from that, I wish you a lot of fun :)
Depends on context though. If its a no reason tea - usually you dont( do if there is some holiday dedicated to that person), but party - you do, even if its just food and drinks
16:26 This is not entirely true🫤, for example, I am Polish🇵🇱, but I don't drink alcohol, much less vodka🍸, the only alcohol I have ever consumed is in faworki🥜🥐, deep-fried snacks traditionally served in Poznań, and I eat pierogi once a month because I have to. make them myself🥟, because I don't have any grandmother because they are both dead🪦🕯️. my favorite things include; 👨🏻🔧🛠️Working in my workshop and in the field because I am a farmer👨🏻🌾🌽,🚴🏻♂️ I like bicycle trips into the unknown or walking with my dachshund and I like petting and feeding him🐕🦺, I like shooting with a bow or a rifle at the shooting range because I have a firearms permit🏹🎯, I like watching adult films, but that's it by the way, 😏🤤🎞️📼🔞🤫 (...) sometimes I play games, but only when the weather is bad and I don't have the strength to work🤧🎮, I also make wooden models of vehicles and planes because I also enjoy it🛩️✍🏻, for food I like "Pyry z Gzik", i.e. Potatoes with cottage cheese and chives, because I'm from Greater Poland🥔🧀😁, but sometimes I like to eat the classic pork chop with potatoes and dill🍖, for snacking I also like smoked cheese and ham🥓🧀, and to wash it down I like lemonade🍋 or the American specialty "Southern Tea Punch"☕🇺🇸 (but without Wiskey🥃🚫) which gives I have the strength to work even when I'm sick🤧, I also often drink compotes and juices made from various fruits, I like grapes and blueberries the most🫐🍇🧃🫙👌, and this is what my favorite entertainment looks like, thanks for your attention, best regards... 😉
20:52 Yes, I have it too. I can't talk on the radio (take turns). Too many thoughts swirl in my head and then I forget what I had to say.When I talk to my brother, only we understand each other (we speak almost at the same time)😁👍.P.S. Pozdrawiam serdecznie.🇵🇱❤️🇿🇦
10:57 It's mostly done for Christmas, but some do it on other special occasions. It should refer to Bible mostly, like everyone is your sibling and they should feel welcome every time (hospitality). Strangers normally don't come into one's houses, the dinnerware remains empty, but in my family it's mostly taken when on the second day of Christmas our friends visits us, besides family, then they take this place. But anyways it's kinda up to family, not really a strict tradition.
Hey guys a new destination worth visiting is Poznań a capital of GreaterPoland regio. City on a West not far away from Szczecin. Poznan has a freshly renovated old market and city center
Lets see... shoes you already know ;) never throw away bread or, I know some people might debate it, but don't eat it with fork and knife, DON'T wear any hat at restaurant! that's for men, don't litter, you should give your sit to babcias and pregnant women in public transport, when you are going to someones house it's nice to get something for host, sweets or flowers or wine, when receiving a gift you should take it but after some amenities like "oh no, you shouldnt have, no its to much" and so on but you MUST take it, do not disturb church service while visiting, also if it sais "no photos" than "no photos". As Viggo said, say what you really think even if it might sound rude for you, we value the truth. Don't smile without reason, it seems like mockery, and I'm not saying you should be grumpy, just neutral face. Of course smile while talking to someone, just not while walking around. Just be polite. If you do something uppseting, Poles will let you know, for sure. But then if you just say sorry and correct what you did wrong it'll be ok. People know you are foreigners and will try to help you. That's what I can say from the top of my head. I hope you will visit the northern Poland.
I keep my feet on the front seat on the train, but in clean, nice smelling socks, not shoes. After a whole day of travel, my feet burn so much that I can't stand even in the most comfortable shoes. You're on the plane from 5 a.m. Then there's one train at the station after second train. People should also understand that someone can be extremely tired. that the journey for someone can last all day. not only 2 hours like others. it depends on where he started from. I have one word for this EMPATHY❤❤❤
Dziękuję za wszystkie dobre słowa o 🇵🇱! Mój kraj jest dziwny i ciekawy i czasem trudny do zrozumienia. Czasem wydajemy się dziwni i zimni, ale kochamy ludzi i chętnie poznajemy ich punkt widzenia. Dbamy o zasady, bo zbyt często w historii brak zasad powodował nasze kłopoty. Nie musicie nas przepraszać za błędy. Wystarczy, że nie będziecie ich powtarzać 😅 Dziękuję za ten film!
Dodatkowy talerz przy stole symbolizuje puste miejsce, które pozostawił po sobie Jezus; może kiedyś przyjdzie do nas np. w postaci biednego i potrzebującego człowieka, żeby sprawdzić siłę naszej wiary. Dlatego też mamy 12 różnych potraw symbolizujących 12 apostołów. A co do Polaków (moim skromnym zdaniem) to są jak dobry brat lub siostra który/a odda ci serce, ale jeśli zdradzisz, to ci je z kręgosłupem przez tyłek wyciągnie.
HelloI It is important to know that Poland is part of "culture of taking off shoes". In Slavic world it is seen like in Japan - a good habit and in that way you show respect towards the people that invited you. Today many Poles treat it as unnecessary thing but it is still in good manner to ask a host if you should take off your shoes inside the house. And of course inside a train (a bus, a tram, a car) you should not put your legs with the shoes on on the seat!
Vigo’s Dad has a few videos about dos and don'ts in Poland, there will be one mentioning shoes exchange into home slippers, when you are getting inside a house. 😉
11:15 an empty plate on the Christmas Eve table in Poland is for every person who needs rest and something to eat at that moment, but also for the spirits.
Hi great video as always. To answer your "wigilia" question, yes we always have a plate for unexpected guest for example homeless person that is freezing outside, or someone single or just lonely and if that person ever shows up is treated as a pasrt of a family. It's an old but nice traditiom :)
The language thing - there is also many instances of multiple words meaning "the same" thing in other language and other way around, so it takes extra level of understanding that language to be able to tell difference and use them in proper context (simple examples would be Polish "cześć" which can be used as welcome and parting word while in English you would say "hi" and "bye" - and that's example of English words having clear different meaning, while there are many where the difference is subtle - but thanks to ways my brain is working - remembering there are such instances, but not remembering them - I can't recall them right now).
When it comes to leaving the empty seat for a stranger, it's a tradition that is still cultivated, but in my 23 years I never saw someone walking up to a random house for a dinner. Maybe it happend somewhere or it was more popular during communism era, but even tho I never heard of something like that we still leave a set of empty plates for someone. And knowing my grandparents they would let the stranger into their house, and feed them.
Jeśli ktoś cię obdarowuje, to grzecznie jest jeden raz odmówić, a potem przyjąć prezent. Tak samo z jedzeniem. To rodzaj grzecznościowego rytuału Babcia- proszę to dla ciebie. Ja - ależ nie trzeba. Babcia - przygotowałam to dla ciebie. Ja - Dziękuję.
big cudos for bringing an url to the original (fabulous) video. really great thx because for some of non known from me reason - i have didnt folloved their content, even if i should!
10 years ago Poland was different. In 10 years Poland will be different. Changes are so fast here. This also applies to culture, customs and mentality.
Hi guys,I love your yt channel :) I just want to say that ,I watched one of your previous videos "7 things that shocked me in Poland". One of them was a clean transportation :) It's nothing personal,but if the more people start puting a shoes on the seats ,the will be more dirty and no one wants to sit on them :) Especially tourists who make a video about another country they are visiting :) It's more like accurate observation. That's it, there is no great philosophy in it,so don't worry about it too much. I hope you had a nice time in Poland and we invite you to visit us more often :) Have a great day :)
Many Polish people do the same thing (legs on the chairs) but somehow all of a sudden when a foreigner does that, it is a "big deal", dont worry guys, nothing happened, we have 1000 bigger problems with those who don't want to respect our culture ... I could not even believe that you received such comments ...
I answered the question whether I would let a stranger into my house for Christmas Eve. YES. This is how my parents, grandparents and theirs raised me; their grandparents. If you are afraid of strangers and you cannot defend your own home, you are afraid to live. Good given to another random person returns double.
During Christmas Eve we always had the extra plate, it's an old tradition to get the hospitality, keep in mind those who can't be with us because of war, or death. However if anyone shows up at your door this evening you must take care of this person. I remember, as a child, we had a strange man on our Christmas Eve. We never met him before or after. The sad story because we were on the 4th floor we were the only family which opened the door and shared the food and night with him, an old, homeless man. And when this plate was taken my mum said, we need the next extra😅 Then even though when we used this empty place , in order to show the respect for our tradition we still keep the next empty plate🙂
If a stranger arrives at your Christmas Eve supper, you obviously serve them as your guest. We had a few occasions where strangers dropped by. Usually, they were elderly, lonely people without families of their own.
The term "West" does not refer to a geographical location. This term comes from the communist era and applies to all countries outside the communist bloc. Even Japan and Australia were referred to as "the West", even though they are located somewhere completely different.
Apparently (I've read it somewhere), additional seat and plate in as the table originally was for meant for spirits or ghosts of the departed. Christmas is taking place close to the Winter Solstice which was a big holiday in pagan times as well. And this is a lingering part of this old tradition. A place at the table so the spirits do not get angry and ruin your celebration etc. After christian tradition has been established, it lost its meaning and instead a new one was created in it's place. A seat for the 'weary traveler'.
We are loud on the phone because electronics have problems with a lot of Polish sounds (SZ, CZ, Ą, Ę) so we have to be loud and (optional) clear. Now we have a lot more bandwidth and mics got way better but the moment connection gets lousy (or we in loud place), we yell. This is also why Polish movies have terrible sound, you need top of the top equipment to register crystal clear conversations.
As soon as I've noticed your shoes on the seats I went to the comments expecting to see a lot of them mentioning that but I didn't expect 80-90% of them. Don't feel too bad though. In other places it would totally be tolerated. I'm sure that you would see on a daily basis in countries like UK and Ireland, at least that's what I have noticed
I saw the train vid yesterday and today this came! 😅 With your very detailed apology you regained all of our hearts back ❤️😇 I guess it was only such a shock because NO ONE expected this of such well behaved, respecting, and wonderful ppl. When we see this here in Germany it's normally thoughtless, rebellious teenagers, young adults, without a good upbringing, mostly of a different cultural background. In Poland that is like non existent. 😅 I would have never commented on that, even though, I was surprised and don't like it either. The way the Polish reacted, made me learn a lot. More than any 'what not to do in Polska' 😅. May husband is Polish, he is a very calm, undramatic person, but he said he would have gone up to you and asked you to put your feet on the ground. I was surprised again. In Germany we just sigh and walk away. I might have given you an unfriendly look only, when I did tell children and young teenagers, to put their feet down, probably not decent looking adults. I guess it was a good lesson for all of us about Poland, and by your lovely apology you made it all right again, not everyone is capable of doing so. Thank you!❤️
23:21 ZŁOTY pronunciation - we always pronounce Ł the same way letter "w" is pronounced in English words: wait, what, word etc... polish W on the other hand is almost always pronounced like V in English, with one exception.. at the end of a word it may become devoiced and turn into F.. e.g. in words like Wrocław
Jeśli chcecie poznać to wszystko co mówi Vigo to zaprzyjażnijcie się z kimś z Polski , napiszcie gdzie się wybieracie na pewno znajdą się dobrzy rodacy co wam wszystko wyjaśnią od ,, środka,, naprawdę otwieramy się przy bliższym poznaniu .Polska to nie tylko duże miasta a na prowincji też jest super.
1. Well with Babcias there’s a point where you should be assertive, yet it changes as now boomers are becoming Grannies and they’re different from those one born in 40’s-50’s 💜 just to make sure you don’t feel pressed inside to be assertive with „no” when needed 🇵🇱 2. It’s mostly to memorise our ancestors who passed away, it’s very special when on a certain year of Vigil you have missing family member, this is how we memorise that person, on the other hand true it has also this hosting vibe. 3. What we do is that as most of European we keep being nice, but we don’t hit on strangers as we keep our privacy and comfort zone. In this case we are opposite to Chinese who don’t know borders… 4. Yes, we are to the point. 5. Yes, we are opinion-makers and it’s not complain, it’s like something or is white or black 😂 6. Haha, so true with Ring and this is what I fight in China with as Chinese don’t have a sense of border-line 😂 7. Polite interrupt 😂 so true 😂😂 but this is our debating spirit 8. Yes, that sad with prices 🥹 that made me move abroad 😢 With feet it really depends on individuals, there are some pedantic people they are absorbed with clearness obsessively, but on the other spectrum there are people like me who also commit putting feet on chair 😂
Yeah, when you get an invitation to someone's home you DON'T decline food, even if you usually don't eat what the host has on the table. But I think it is not only our culture, and also a statement like: "eat what is on the table and don't tell that you don't like it" is often seen in movies ("Star Gate"1994; "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" 1984). As to the boots / shoes- we wear them only outside, at home, or as someone's guest, we wear home slippers, or go only in socks (depends, really). Sometimes the host will tell you that you don't have to remove your shoes (usually as you enter the house), but the "default mode" is to remove your "outside footwear". So- we don't lie on our beds, sofas, etc. with shoes on (as Americans are prone to do, and we find that strange and just incredulous, because, hello? shoes on your bed? Really??? And then you will sleep there???) I don't recommend to enter random house, it would be just strange. If you would have a valid reason- seeking help- then sure, someone will help you. The exception is the time of Christmas Eve dinner, then there is a high probability that you will be hosted in a stranger's home. Not everyone adheres to this custom, but there are ppl that do. In regards to complaining, we say: "In summer we complain it is too hot, and in winter- too cold". Yeah, that's Poles for you, heh. And- we are straightforward, not only when speaking English, but in Polish too. There are exceptions, ofc. We are loud while speaking on a phone (now cellphone), because 1) the damn things are not reliable, and the sound often comes at the other side "blurry", 2) older generation remembers times when phones wre simple, and you just HAD TO speak loudly for the sound to travel by telephone wire, and be recognasible to your interlocutor... "Złoty" : "Ł" is read like "w" in "water" ;)
Answer to your question - complete strangers maybe not but it is customary to invite for christmas eg. lonely old neighbour. It is very nice for them because they usually fell even more lonely at such time
About being straight to the point. No, its not just language barrier, its just the way of saying things in Poland. If you dont have time to help your friend, just say it, and to be polite, propose when you can actually do it. Just it, you dont have to be sorry about that.
Hello to both of you. I am ALREADY a subscriber (because I wanted to be able to find your channel again) - due to both what I have seen you have for content & your personalities (despite the feet up on the chairs - ahem! 😄 - & I know that was only ONE of you anyways 😉.) I did even put a "like" on this video too. I will be watching your series slowly over a bit of time because: I am a Polish Canadian person & don't know enough about my heritage. I do know some (& it is surprising how I still have a Polish character, despite being raised in a British based, multi-cultural society as Canada is. **Just as a side-note, you would be told about having your feet on the seats in Canada too. 🤔 This is just in case you ever intend on ever visiting here. But now, end of shoes/seats issue. 😅) About this video's content: To the Polish people (& their decendents in other countries 😊), it is VERY important to us that you be reliable AND be honest! I do NOT find this in the British culture that I live in in Canada & have found this with British background Americans either. I don't know about the honesty of the hispanic cultures, but I believe that (as with this video maker that you were watching), hispanic people are not always reliable either. I HAVE found that many people of British background want to (appear) nice. They will use nice words & ask nice questions but don't want to live up to any of it or want to hear any of it from you. One example I will give you - British people will always say "Hi, how are you?" When you ACTUALLY start to tell them how you are - good or bad (but esp. bad) - they don't actually WANT to KNOW. For these British people, it is simply a sentence of being polite. To a Polish person, it is an ACTUAL question! You ask an actual question, you will get an actual answer (unless the situation is a dangerous one - like under Communism for instance.) Even to this day, as a Polish decendent - if someone asks me how I am - I give them THE RESPECT that they are BEING TRUE/HONEST & actually WANT an answer - even if I KNOW that they are British. (Being Polish however, if our situation is bad, we WILL say so, but we will minimise HOW bad it is & ALWAYS end on a positive note, so not to bring anyone down - even if it is simply by saying that things could or have been worse so it is not so bad or you just get through it, etc.) A second example - if you ask someone if they can help you, some British people will say, yes of course, while they are already thinking of an excuse to NOT be there when you have asked for the help or just don't show up, hoping you won't ask about it. A Polish person does NOT do that. They won't try to LOOK nice by saying they will do something when they have no intention of doing so. From a Polish perspective, NOT helping when you said that you would, puts you in an EVEN WORSE situation, because now at the last minute OR when it is too late - you need to try to find someone else. If the person had been honest in the 1st place & said "no" (politely, hopefully), you MAY have been able to get help from someone else in time. (I consider it one of the worst traits that British people, or British-decended people - [not ALL of course] possess.) If a Polish person says that they will do something, they WILL do it. If they don't do so - there had to have been a BIG problem to prevent it ie. they ended up in the hospital or in a car crash & their phone was out of charge to contact you (or someone else to take their place in helping you etc.) Every culture does some things well & some things poorly. That is just life. If we can learn to retain our GOOD habits & change our BAD habits with how another culture does a better job, we would be doing very well as a world. On that note, (many) Polish people still tend to be religious & moral. They believe (& maybe because I am of Polish heritage, I believe it too), that if they see someone NOT behaving in a proper way & NOT saying anything about it - that person WILL CONTINUE to do what is considered bad - either because the person doesn't know it's considered bad (& then HOW can they learn if nobody tells them?) or else they are seeing what they can manage to get away with - before doing more & even worse things (to see how far they can go against society - like a child who is seeing where the boundaries are.) If you DON'T say anything, things get worse. (After studying psychology & just observing the world & societies, it is so obvious that this is true.) Furthermore, that badly behaving person can be setting a bad example to others - that others will then duplicate wherever the person gets observed doing this bad thing that they may do all the time & everywhere. As to South Africans: You are called a "Westerner" because your cultural BACKGROUND is British &/or Dutch - BOTH areas considered "West" AND you are part of the BRITISH Commonwealth - which would again keep some of those British traditions alive in your nation. THAT is the reason. (Australians & Kiwis ALSO get classified as "Westerners" for this reason.) NOW that I have explained the reason - basing it on your cultural background INFLUENCE, I will give my APOLOGY. 😶🌫 If I EVER think that your behaviour is based on this cultural background, I WILL go ahead & say it in this longer way. (This way I will ALSO show that I DO understand that you will ALSO have influences in your national characteristic that are NOT based on British or Dutch, but on African traditions & possibly others as well. I will ALSO [maybe] show that I understand [NOW, as I truly should have all along] that this WOULD be offensive to you. My apologies, apologies, apologies. (I am Canadian after all so I have to do it more than once. 😄) Thank-you for letting us know that it IS offensive to you. Thank-you for a great video with your great reaction. I will be watching more. To the lady in this video (I didn't catch any names yet, sorry 😶🌫), are you ALSO having some Polish heritage in your background? Did I hear you say that? I am not sure if I missed it/or was hearing things?? Have a great day/night (& I DO mean that 😄.)
As a correction. Poles know the Thanksgiving holiday mainly from movies. As for the free place at the table on Christmas Day, it's hard to say how each person would behave. A lot depends on who would come, whether we know that person or not.
If you want to stretch legs, just put something on the seat - like towel or something like that. Also - I understand you are from different cultural background and you are "learning europe". That's fine . I hope all viewers know that. Don't mention it again. Apologies accepted. Topic closed :).
it happens to all of us. I have been to SA in 1982 and also did something of I should noy do. I tried to go by train to Soweto. Been told by security to go away as I could lose my life. I am originally from Wroclaw, my birth town. Now i am living in Sydney. waiting for more . My favoured place was vicinity of market place and Grunwaldzki place, where I did study. Interesting to see is Jewish cemetery on Slezna street . on Klecina, where I was leaving was Europe oldest sugar manufacture. Sobotka, 30km west, is one of the oldest Viking religious places, By the way Wroclaw was established first by Vandals, who later invaded Romans.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our Wroclaw series! and don't forget to like a subscribe for more of our videos!
@1:23 @beyond borders NO, considering putting your shoes up where someone else would be sitting is not WEIRD, it's simply rude and UNHYGIENIC.
Anywhere in civilised countries, not just in Poland.
Hi James and Sune. I feel like I was pointed by mentioning cultural differences in the comment of the previous video.
I am truly sorry if you felt offended by that. I want to clarify I didn’t mean You per se. What I had in mind was that there are for example some part of the world where people travel on the top of the train or on the bus. And they do this because various reasons. I guess you’re right. Word „culture” isn’t the one I should have used. Therefore I AM SINCERELY SORRY. I very much like you guys and what you do. I am grateful for promoting Poland. Best regards. Peace and love.
Hello. Watch a film about the Polish Winged Hussar army. It existed when Poland was a kingdom. In its time it was the most beautiful and best army in the world. Undefeated for over 100 years. The Polish Hussars are the best cavalry in the history of mankind. It defeated the enemy's larger forces many times, even 5 times more. Thanks to them, Poland was the first army in the world to conquer Moscow in 1612 and they ruled there for a year. Later, only Napoleon did it. Hitler failed. In 1683, an army of hussars stopped the march of the Turks near Vienna. You could say that Poles saved Europe, because today everyone would speak Turkish and pray to Allah. When the Swedes joined the army, they wanted to have it written in the contract that they would not fight with the Polish hussars. Another interesting fact is that the Hussar Saber is today recognized by specialists as the best melee weapon in the world. Better than the Japanese katana. The horses they fought on were a specially bred breed. After the partitions of Poland in 1772, Western Europe ordered all horses of this breed to be murdered so that it would never be reborn. Sorry for my english.
ua-cam.com/video/HeaQzfE2kHw/v-deo.html
You guys are super cool,no worries🙃 some ppl are a little too stiff. Hope you like it in Poland 👌
Huge respect for addressing this “shoes on the seat incident” and handling it in very respectful manner.
Kind of weaseling out with everyone was doing that
IT SHOWS GREATNESS IN SEEING A MISTKE AND EXCUSING FOR IT SO DONT BE MORE THAN WHAT " JESUS CHRISTUS WAS TEACHING 🇵🇱✝️✡🇮🇱☦🕎🇵🇱 @@jankowalski6338
@@jankowalski6338 that means that "everyone" also should be reminded about it
@@jedenzet he lied buddy, nobody does that in Poland
I once met a middle-aged woman on the street. She cried. It turned out that she had been robbed. I took her in, fed her, made her sandwiches for the next day and bought her a place to stay in a hostel. I also gave her a note with information where the consulate of her country was and some money. Many years have passed and I still remember her. So yes, we let strangers into our homes.
We? You meant you. ; )
It's obviously tradition, if you had a good day you might take someone, but I don't think most of the people would take a random person just like that.
Apology accepted. You can enter Poland again 👍
😂
Not so fast, a pilgrimage to Jasna Góra for purification is recommended😁
@@mroczny_kruk 😅😅
@@mroczny_kruk without shoes obviously.
@@Bartosh.S Let's not be inhumane, a normal pilgrimage without whippings, etc. In fact, I think they would like it, just like they organize it here every year and they will set off from different cities. Until I checked, Google Maps says that they have about a 5-day walk from Berlin.
Don’t take everything personal . Only people who don’t do anything don’t make mistakes. So take it easy. Some mistakes can happened.
I'd argue doing nothing is sometimes a mistake too. Everyone does mistakes and its part of life really as you say.
Babcia thing. My wife is vegetarian for 28 years but never rejected chicken soup from babcia...😂😂 I always had a laugh of that..😊
hehehe
Jestem wegetarianką i nie przyjmuję. Po prostu jeśli ktoś chce mi coś dać ma uszanować to kim jestem. Moja siostra np zawsze ma coś dla mnie. Rodzina musi się z tym liczyć nie potrzebuje rarytasów po prostu nie wkładam mięsa do sałatki dla mnie. Mam zawsze mała osobną mała miseczkę gdzie mięsa nie ma. Twoja żona jest głupia że bierze. A to że Twoja matka świadoma że jest wege jej daje sorry bardzo mówi tylko o jej głupocie albo o świadomym wyborem jedzenia wyłącznie dla Ciebie. To już jest chamstwo.
@@hmm-technikOrganizacjiReklamya tu co takie chamskie zachowanie, człowieku wstyd za ciebie.
@@hmm-technikOrganizacjiReklamy Jedynym chamem tutaj jesteś ty
@@hmm-technikOrganizacjiReklamy weź KONIECZNIE coś na uspokojenie. Nie obrażaj ludzi, którzy myślą inaczej niż ty.
I met English guys who offered/shared food but got angry when I accepted their offer. I was told that the offer was a nice gesture and that they expected me to refuse it. Basically, they wanted to look nice (without actually being nice).
that's some backwards thinking from them
You might be Polish, but for those who don't know - In Poland an offer is an offer, we are real so when you ask "what's up?" you will also hear the truth and not fake "I'm fine".
@@AnnaMaledonPictureBookAuthor
all depends who's asking
And who's answering
But, indeed
We are usually honest about what's happening
Dziękuję wam za ten film, Super że staracie się poznać Polskę, Polaków i nasze zwyczaje. Do dziś myślałem że jesteście z Europy Zachodniej , a Wy jesteście z Afryki południowej. Może sami kiedyś będziecie robić też takie filmiki które będą więcej mówiły o nas Polakach, innym narodowością z całego świata. Jest tak zasada że Polak nie poda Ci dłoni jeśli chcesz się z nim przywitać gdy dzieli was próg domu, pokoju itd. to taki przesąd który przynosi pech (śmierć) Pamiętajcie że jak Mężczyzna wchodzi do świątyni zdejmuje nakrycie głowy jeśli je ma , zaś Kobiety nie zdejmują. Gdy wychodzimy z domu Mężczyzna przepuszcza przodem Kobietę i dopiero po niej wychodzi .Podczas jedzenia posiłków jest taka zasada że zdejmujemy nakrycie głowy. Jak mówisz że chcesz się z kimś umówić bądź punktualny. To tylko kilka moich propozycji co warto wiedzieć i jak postępować będąc w Polsce. Chcecie jeszcze lepiej poznać Polskę.....to musicie się wybrać w różne regiony Polski nie tylko do tych największych miast, ale przede wszystkim zwiedzać małe miasteczka i wsie, tam dopiero się przekonacie jak Polacy potrafią być otwarci, gościnni, jak się lubią bawić hahaha . Aha i mam prośbę niech w każdym filmie są Polskie napisy. Pozdrawiam i życzę wam wspaniałego popołudnia i wieczoru, gdziekolwiek w tej chwili jesteście.
now write this in english, cause it's an english vid
I believe there is no problem for anyone to use Google translate
In pagan slavic tradition the empty place at the table is actually place for ghosts of forefathers, ancesters etc because in this night souls of dead members of family can go to our world and feast, after christianisation we change context quite good. Many our customs is very old and Church and our ancestors give them new context in very creative way
Yes, that is true ,we will always keep free place for a stranger ( on 24th of December) and have to say ,it happened once in my family someone really came ❤, huge hugs for you both 🤗
Apology accepted❤️ You two are awesome!💞
I had such a case. He knocked on the door and we invited him to Christmas Eve.
about Christmas tradition, I think that on this special day everyone spends time with family/friends, if anyone knocks on this day, they may be lonely or in need of care. that is why we trust that the person asking for shelter, just as he trusts us that he will receive help from us. People are moral, but they have to want to be like that.
One Polish guy made a video test about hospitality in Poland on 24 December, ringing the bell of a random houses and asking people if he can spend a Vigilia with them. Turned out that out of about dozen people only one invited him in. It is now more the tradition than the real thing, it was very different few centuries before. Surely we wouldn't refuse a friend or family on that day.
Hi, about your shoes on the seat and what is allowed and not allowed in Poland. Keeping shoes on public or someone else's items is not allowed. Fact. But also a lot of people do it :) From my perspective it's rather younger people. Let's call them teenagers. At an older age we rather don't do it, it's an expression of personal culture (And I'm not judging yours here now because I absolutely agree that it's a matter of the rules of the community in which one has grown up). As for the comments - I think that up to 30-40 % of the comments on this topic appeared only because there was any reason to write to you :) So that is to say, these some 60% show that it is indeed a different thing in our cultures. Mistakes happen in other countries (I know from myself ;) ) but respect for a culture is shown by whether they are repeated. I like your reaction very much, but don't worry so much about it :) oh it wasn't a big mistake :)
As Polish I love your work❤ Visit us again!
That's true. In this respect, we are like the Japanese. Nothing will annoy a Pole more than someone throwing a cigarette on the sidewalk, and I'm not talking about garbage. In Germany, cleanliness is such a stereotype. Houses are always clean and we take our shoes off unless the owner asks you not to. Be careful about some things or you will be exposed to rudeness. I have been to various countries, including America, and it is indeed different there. It is also bad manners to disturb others. Moreover, you will always receive a friendly welcome.
The custom of leaving an empty place for travelers at the Christmas Eve table is identified with hospitality and means readiness to welcome an unexpected guest. This tradition is also connected with the belief that deceased loved ones also participate in the dinner on Christmas Eve.
Let's admit it's tradition only. Nobody is really expecting anyone and I doubt that people would be happy to host a stranger in times like today.
Exciting content, thank you! All so true! I’ll be back later for the rest of the comments😊
You guys are welcome to Poland anytime, it was little mistake . I was surprised by your knowledge of Polish history. Thank you for visiting Poland and come back again😊
Dear Sir, those shoes in the train compartment were your spontaneous reflex to relax You were probably tired from the trip
I watched your previous video but didn't comment on that. I'm a Pole and lived in the UK for the past 20 years. And I did think it wasn't right to put your feet on the seat. But it happens here as well.
One thing my mom thought me is - do you want to seat on it afterwards? - When you give a plate to someone, is it the plate you want to eat from yourself? When you litter, do you do it at home? ... And so on...
I was thought that if you want it nice just make it nice yourself. People often forget about it.
I like your videos, kindest regards.
Polish "complaining" refers to things that we perceive as something that can be improved. Maybe it's because of striving for perfection. For this reason, politicians in Poland, for example, have a hard life because people do not smile in their faces but demand quick and effective action to improve the situation. People from other countries often perceive it as Poles being rebellious. We don't complain about the weather or similar things that we have no control over because it's not up to us to change them.
Jak większość kogo znam narzeka ciągle na pogodę. Nieważne czy zimno, ciepło, czy pada
@@Skull.man00 Ja i moi znajomi nie narzekamy na rzeczy na które nie ma się wpływu fizycznie . Oczywiście narzekam na takie kraje jak np Chiny , Indie , Rosja , Brazylia i tym podobne kraje że są trucicielami planety ziemia . Narzekam też na zakłamanie UE że nie wprowadzi w życie ceł zaporowych na produkty z tych krajów jeśli nie zobaczymy rzeczywistych przykładów walki ze zmianami klimatu .
@@Skull.man00 Eeee to tylko stwierdzenie nie narzekanie .😄
You guys do it very good videos and respect for this enjoy in poland 💪😎🇵🇱😃
Not sure if shoes thing is cultural but for sure it has a lot with respect and cleanliness. As we have carpets at home, imagine washing those on weekly or monthly basis. In trains or buses chairs are never cleaned so Yes... Cleanliness ( and maybe logic as well ). ❤😊
Sharing food, make the people better
Życze wam wszystkiego dobrego 🖐️
I'm closing the topic of shoes. It's very nice of you to apologize. We are waiting for all new films from Poland and beyond.
Haha również zwróciłem uwagę na wyciągnięte nogi w pociągu😉. Pozdrawiam was😀
You're very kind. Don't let any comments scare you. We Poles tend to get a little high on our high horses when it comes to protecting traditions. It happens everywhere, really. People who haven't lived other cultures don't always understand that every culture marches to a different drum, and what might be perfectly normal in one place could be seen as out of place somewhere else. It's a two-way street, this cultural understanding. As guests, we do our best to learn the basics, but hosts should understand that picking up every subtle nuance is impossible. Many of our Polish traditions stretch way back in time. Wherever I live, I set an empty plate for Christmas Eve dinner. It's a reminder of stories my grandmother used to tell about wars and hard times, when people traveling could get caught in snowstorms or stranded by a train that never came. Those traditions are like warm blankets, wrapped around our childhood memories. But it's true, Slavs and Latinos have a reputation for being especially welcoming.
You're very nice and natural, don't change. Greetings!
If we share food or gift it is just giving you our friendship to you. If you refuse you refuse our friendship.
If we know someone who is alone during chrismas we invite them.
1. It is better not to put pressure on the Pole to publicly share his political views 2. It is better not to try to persuade the Pole to understand the Russian power 3. And most importantly - it is better not to question the Pole's honor and not come up with the idea of putting it to a test. Best regards 😉👍
Of the things worth knowing. If someone invites you to their home, bring sweets or flowers to the hostess and alcohol to the host. Generally, in Poland there is a rule that guests should not arrive empty-handed ;) Apart from that, I wish you a lot of fun :)
Depends on context though. If its a no reason tea - usually you dont( do if there is some holiday dedicated to that person), but party - you do, even if its just food and drinks
16:26 This is not entirely true🫤, for example, I am Polish🇵🇱, but I don't drink alcohol, much less vodka🍸, the only alcohol I have ever consumed is in faworki🥜🥐, deep-fried snacks traditionally served in Poznań, and I eat pierogi once a month because I have to. make them myself🥟, because I don't have any grandmother because they are both dead🪦🕯️. my favorite things include; 👨🏻🔧🛠️Working in my workshop and in the field because I am a farmer👨🏻🌾🌽,🚴🏻♂️ I like bicycle trips into the unknown or walking with my dachshund and I like petting and feeding him🐕🦺, I like shooting with a bow or a rifle at the shooting range because I have a firearms permit🏹🎯, I like watching adult films, but that's it by the way, 😏🤤🎞️📼🔞🤫 (...) sometimes I play games, but only when the weather is bad and I don't have the strength to work🤧🎮, I also make wooden models of vehicles and planes because I also enjoy it🛩️✍🏻, for food I like "Pyry z Gzik", i.e. Potatoes with cottage cheese and chives, because I'm from Greater Poland🥔🧀😁, but sometimes I like to eat the classic pork chop with potatoes and dill🍖, for snacking I also like smoked cheese and ham🥓🧀, and to wash it down I like lemonade🍋 or the American specialty "Southern Tea Punch"☕🇺🇸 (but without Wiskey🥃🚫) which gives I have the strength to work even when I'm sick🤧, I also often drink compotes and juices made from various fruits, I like grapes and blueberries the most🫐🍇🧃🫙👌, and this is what my favorite entertainment looks like, thanks for your attention, best regards... 😉
20:52 Yes, I have it too. I can't talk on the radio (take turns). Too many thoughts swirl in my head and then I forget what I had to say.When I talk to my brother, only we understand each other (we speak almost at the same time)😁👍.P.S. Pozdrawiam serdecznie.🇵🇱❤️🇿🇦
ok. Dziewczyna jest już nasza.No prawie Polka. Kolega wymaga trochę czasu
10:57 It's mostly done for Christmas, but some do it on other special occasions. It should refer to Bible mostly, like everyone is your sibling and they should feel welcome every time (hospitality). Strangers normally don't come into one's houses, the dinnerware remains empty, but in my family it's mostly taken when on the second day of Christmas our friends visits us, besides family, then they take this place. But anyways it's kinda up to family, not really a strict tradition.
I really like You.Sometimes i think You are Polish with good english accent😂.Can't wait long for next video.Best wishes from Poland for You two 😘👊
Hey guys a new destination worth visiting is Poznań a capital of GreaterPoland regio. City on a West not far away from Szczecin. Poznan has a freshly renovated old market and city center
Lets see... shoes you already know ;) never throw away bread or, I know some people might debate it, but don't eat it with fork and knife, DON'T wear any hat at restaurant! that's for men, don't litter, you should give your sit to babcias and pregnant women in public transport, when you are going to someones house it's nice to get something for host, sweets or flowers or wine, when receiving a gift you should take it but after some amenities like "oh no, you shouldnt have, no its to much" and so on but you MUST take it, do not disturb church service while visiting, also if it sais "no photos" than "no photos". As Viggo said, say what you really think even if it might sound rude for you, we value the truth. Don't smile without reason, it seems like mockery, and I'm not saying you should be grumpy, just neutral face. Of course smile while talking to someone, just not while walking around. Just be polite. If you do something uppseting, Poles will let you know, for sure. But then if you just say sorry and correct what you did wrong it'll be ok. People know you are foreigners and will try to help you. That's what I can say from the top of my head. I hope you will visit the northern Poland.
I keep my feet on the front seat on the train, but in clean, nice smelling socks, not shoes. After a whole day of travel, my feet burn so much that I can't stand even in the most comfortable shoes. You're on the plane from 5 a.m. Then there's one train at the station after second train. People should also understand that someone can be extremely tired. that the journey for someone can last all day. not only 2 hours like others. it depends on where he started from. I have one word for this EMPATHY❤❤❤
Great video!
Dziękuję za wszystkie dobre słowa o 🇵🇱! Mój kraj jest dziwny i ciekawy i czasem trudny do zrozumienia. Czasem wydajemy się dziwni i zimni, ale kochamy ludzi i chętnie poznajemy ich punkt widzenia. Dbamy o zasady, bo zbyt często w historii brak zasad powodował nasze kłopoty. Nie musicie nas przepraszać za błędy. Wystarczy, że nie będziecie ich powtarzać 😅 Dziękuję za ten film!
Dodatkowy talerz przy stole symbolizuje puste miejsce, które pozostawił po sobie Jezus; może kiedyś przyjdzie do nas np. w postaci biednego i potrzebującego człowieka, żeby sprawdzić siłę naszej wiary. Dlatego też mamy 12 różnych potraw symbolizujących 12 apostołów. A co do Polaków (moim skromnym zdaniem) to są jak dobry brat lub siostra który/a odda ci serce, ale jeśli zdradzisz, to ci je z kręgosłupem przez tyłek wyciągnie.
HelloI It is important to know that Poland is part of "culture of taking off shoes". In Slavic world it is seen like in Japan - a good habit and in that way you show respect towards the people that invited you. Today many Poles treat it as unnecessary thing but it is still in good manner to ask a host if you should take off your shoes inside the house.
And of course inside a train (a bus, a tram, a car) you should not put your legs with the shoes on on the seat!
without shoes either I think in public its a bad thing to do. Unless you have your own blanket to throw there first
Vigo’s Dad has a few videos about dos and don'ts in Poland, there will be one mentioning shoes exchange into home slippers, when you are getting inside a house. 😉
1. The plate is for someone hungry/someone close to family who can't be there. 2. If someone come we invite the person. It is a beautiful tradition.
11:15 an empty plate on the Christmas Eve table in Poland is for every person who needs rest and something to eat at that moment, but also for the spirits.
Hi great video as always. To answer your "wigilia" question, yes we always have a plate for unexpected guest for example homeless person that is freezing outside, or someone single or just lonely and if that person ever shows up is treated as a pasrt of a family. It's an old but nice traditiom :)
Never heard about someone actually going for it though. At least when there is peace
tradition in Poland for centuries that there is always a free place for a wanderer who has no family and is alone in the world
The language thing - there is also many instances of multiple words meaning "the same" thing in other language and other way around, so it takes extra level of understanding that language to be able to tell difference and use them in proper context (simple examples would be Polish "cześć" which can be used as welcome and parting word while in English you would say "hi" and "bye" - and that's example of English words having clear different meaning, while there are many where the difference is subtle - but thanks to ways my brain is working - remembering there are such instances, but not remembering them - I can't recall them right now).
1:20 I thought exactly the same thing while watching last video. :DD
When it comes to leaving the empty seat for a stranger, it's a tradition that is still cultivated, but in my 23 years I never saw someone walking up to a random house for a dinner. Maybe it happend somewhere or it was more popular during communism era, but even tho I never heard of something like that we still leave a set of empty plates for someone. And knowing my grandparents they would let the stranger into their house, and feed them.
I mean if someone is in dire situation youd do it anyways, Christmas or not. But I dont think anyone does it.
Jeśli ktoś cię obdarowuje, to grzecznie jest jeden raz odmówić, a potem przyjąć prezent. Tak samo z jedzeniem. To rodzaj grzecznościowego rytuału
Babcia- proszę to dla ciebie.
Ja - ależ nie trzeba.
Babcia - przygotowałam to dla ciebie.
Ja - Dziękuję.
exactly !
Bo z babcią i tak sie nie wygra, zawsze się trzeba poddać.
Dziękuję za wideo reakcji! ;)
Bardzo dobrze pani wymawia polskie słowa! 👏👍 Może to z powodu pani pochodzenia?... 😉
[11:08] "Wigilia" is Polish for Christmas dinner, celebrated on the evening of December 24.
big cudos for bringing an url to the original (fabulous) video. really great thx because for some of non known from me reason - i have didnt folloved their content, even if i should!
It's all good, we all makes mistakes but being able to say sorry is much appreciated.
10 years ago Poland was different. In 10 years Poland will be different. Changes are so fast here. This also applies to culture, customs and mentality.
@SmilingShadow-jl5tr Englishmen though... I heard they dont take off shoes as often.
Hi guys,I love your yt channel :) I just want to say that ,I watched one of your previous videos "7 things that shocked me in Poland". One of them was a clean transportation :) It's nothing personal,but if the more people start puting a shoes on the seats ,the will be more dirty and no one wants to sit on them :) Especially tourists who make a video about another country they are visiting :) It's more like accurate observation. That's it, there is no great philosophy in it,so don't worry about it too much. I hope you had a nice time in Poland and we invite you to visit us more often :) Have a great day :)
Many Polish people do the same thing (legs on the chairs) but somehow all of a sudden when a foreigner does that, it is a "big deal", dont worry guys, nothing happened, we have 1000 bigger problems with those who don't want to respect our culture ... I could not even believe that you received such comments ...
I answered the question whether I would let a stranger into my house for Christmas Eve. YES. This is how my parents, grandparents and theirs raised me; their grandparents. If you are afraid of strangers and you cannot defend your own home, you are afraid to live. Good given to another random person returns double.
During Christmas Eve we always had the extra plate, it's an old tradition to get the hospitality, keep in mind those who can't be with us because of war, or death. However if anyone shows up at your door this evening you must take care of this person.
I remember, as a child, we had a strange man on our Christmas Eve. We never met him before or after. The sad story because we were on the 4th floor we were the only family which opened the door and shared the food and night with him, an old, homeless man.
And when this plate was taken my mum said, we need the next extra😅
Then even though when we used this empty place , in order to show the respect for our tradition we still keep the next empty plate🙂
If a stranger arrives at your Christmas Eve supper, you obviously serve them as your guest. We had a few occasions where strangers dropped by. Usually, they were elderly, lonely people without families of their own.
As other comments say, Poland is Central Europe, not "Eastern Europe".
The term "West" does not refer to a geographical location. This term comes from the communist era and applies to all countries outside the communist bloc. Even Japan and Australia were referred to as "the West", even though they are located somewhere completely different.
It depends on where you live. From England, Japan and Australia could hardly ever be reffered to as 'the West.'
It's more like saying "western culture" than the location itself.
The open dish was at the beginning for ghost of our ancestors, it's very old , before christnianity tradition.
Yes you can appear at any house and be asked to join the table during Christmas Eve
you asked who can sit with us at the Christmas Eve table, often it's a family member or an old friend we miss. although this is not normal or common
Siema! Welcome to Poland.
One more thing to NOT to do in Poland - don't throw your rubbish around you. Unfortunately it happens a lot in Ireland, where I live.
Apparently (I've read it somewhere), additional seat and plate in as the table originally was for meant for spirits or ghosts of the departed. Christmas is taking place close to the Winter Solstice which was a big holiday in pagan times as well. And this is a lingering part of this old tradition. A place at the table so the spirits do not get angry and ruin your celebration etc.
After christian tradition has been established, it lost its meaning and instead a new one was created in it's place. A seat for the 'weary traveler'.
Guest at home, God at home :)
We are loud on the phone because electronics have problems with a lot of Polish sounds (SZ, CZ, Ą, Ę) so we have to be loud and (optional) clear. Now we have a lot more bandwidth and mics got way better but the moment connection gets lousy (or we in loud place), we yell.
This is also why Polish movies have terrible sound, you need top of the top equipment to register crystal clear conversations.
Don't worry so much, it is not that big mistake.
👏👏👏 siema 👍👍👍🇵🇱🇪🇺
As soon as I've noticed your shoes on the seats I went to the comments expecting to see a lot of them mentioning that but I didn't expect 80-90% of them.
Don't feel too bad though. In other places it would totally be tolerated. I'm sure that you would see on a daily basis in countries like UK and Ireland, at least that's what I have noticed
I am not sure how it is nowadays but as far I as remember wearing a hat, cap etc. by men indoor was also considered rude in Poland ;)
To clarify, the empty seat for a stranger at the dinner table is only a custom at Christmas Eve. This is not practiced outside of the holidays.
We Poles are very tolerant and there is nothing to be afraid of, but to keep your shoes on the seat SHAME SHAME SHAME
hahaha I'm kidding 😂
I saw the train vid yesterday and today this came! 😅 With your very detailed apology you regained all of our hearts back ❤️😇
I guess it was only such a shock because NO ONE expected this of such well behaved, respecting, and wonderful ppl. When we see this here in Germany it's normally thoughtless, rebellious teenagers, young adults, without a good upbringing, mostly of a different cultural background. In Poland that is like non existent. 😅
I would have never commented on that, even though, I was surprised and don't like it either. The way the Polish reacted, made me learn a lot. More than any 'what not to do in Polska' 😅.
May husband is Polish, he is a very calm, undramatic person, but he said he would have gone up to you and asked you to put your feet on the ground. I was surprised again. In Germany we just sigh and walk away. I might have given you an unfriendly look only, when I did tell children and young teenagers, to put their feet down, probably not decent looking adults. I guess it was a good lesson for all of us about Poland, and by your lovely apology you made it all right again, not everyone is capable of doing so. Thank you!❤️
23:21 ZŁOTY pronunciation - we always pronounce Ł the same way letter "w" is pronounced in English words: wait, what, word etc... polish W on the other hand is almost always pronounced like V in English, with one exception.. at the end of a word it may become devoiced and turn into F.. e.g. in words like Wrocław
:) Pozdrawiam z Krakowa
Jeśli chcecie poznać to wszystko co mówi Vigo to zaprzyjażnijcie się z kimś z Polski , napiszcie gdzie się wybieracie na pewno znajdą się dobrzy rodacy co wam wszystko wyjaśnią od ,, środka,, naprawdę otwieramy się przy bliższym poznaniu .Polska to nie tylko duże miasta a na prowincji też jest super.
1. Well with Babcias there’s a point where you should be assertive, yet it changes as now boomers are becoming Grannies and they’re different from those one born in 40’s-50’s 💜 just to make sure you don’t feel pressed inside to be assertive with „no” when needed 🇵🇱
2. It’s mostly to memorise our ancestors who passed away, it’s very special when on a certain year of Vigil you have missing family member, this is how we memorise that person, on the other hand true it has also this hosting vibe.
3. What we do is that as most of European we keep being nice, but we don’t hit on strangers as we keep our privacy and comfort zone. In this case we are opposite to Chinese who don’t know borders…
4. Yes, we are to the point.
5. Yes, we are opinion-makers and it’s not complain, it’s like something or is white or black 😂
6. Haha, so true with Ring and this is what I fight in China with as Chinese don’t have a sense of border-line 😂
7. Polite interrupt 😂 so true 😂😂 but this is our debating spirit
8. Yes, that sad with prices 🥹 that made me move abroad 😢
With feet it really depends on individuals, there are some pedantic people they are absorbed with clearness obsessively, but on the other spectrum there are people like me who also commit putting feet on chair 😂
We do love debating. Even with people we completely disagree with.
Jesteście wspaniali ❤ ale muszę przyznać masz inteligentną i piękna żonę :) Jakby polka :P
Yeah, when you get an invitation to someone's home you DON'T decline food, even if you usually don't eat what the host has on the table.
But I think it is not only our culture, and also a statement like: "eat what is on the table and don't tell that you don't like it" is often seen in movies ("Star Gate"1994; "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" 1984).
As to the boots / shoes- we wear them only outside, at home, or as someone's guest, we wear home slippers, or go only in socks (depends, really). Sometimes the host will tell you that you don't have to remove your shoes (usually as you enter the house), but the "default mode" is to remove your "outside footwear".
So- we don't lie on our beds, sofas, etc. with shoes on (as Americans are prone to do, and we find that strange and just incredulous, because, hello? shoes on your bed? Really??? And then you will sleep there???)
I don't recommend to enter random house, it would be just strange. If you would have a valid reason- seeking help- then sure, someone will help you. The exception is the time of Christmas Eve dinner, then there is a high probability that you will be hosted in a stranger's home. Not everyone adheres to this custom, but there are ppl that do.
In regards to complaining, we say: "In summer we complain it is too hot, and in winter- too cold". Yeah, that's Poles for you, heh.
And- we are straightforward, not only when speaking English, but in Polish too. There are exceptions, ofc.
We are loud while speaking on a phone (now cellphone), because 1) the damn things are not reliable, and the sound often comes at the other side "blurry", 2) older generation remembers times when phones wre simple, and you just HAD TO speak loudly for the sound to travel by telephone wire, and be recognasible to your interlocutor...
"Złoty" : "Ł" is read like "w" in "water" ;)
Like we say in Poland it happens :D . Shoes on chair , or telling is here cheep is big no no no haha :) yep it is true 😂
Answer to your question - complete strangers maybe not but it is customary to invite for christmas eg. lonely old neighbour. It is very nice for them because they usually fell even more lonely at such time
You're forgiven about those shoes. Just dont do it again :)
About being straight to the point. No, its not just language barrier, its just the way of saying things in Poland. If you dont have time to help your friend, just say it, and to be polite, propose when you can actually do it. Just it, you dont have to be sorry about that.
Hello to both of you.
I am ALREADY a subscriber (because I wanted to be able to find your channel again) - due to both what I have seen you have for content & your personalities (despite the feet up on the chairs - ahem! 😄 - & I know that was only ONE of you anyways 😉.) I did even put a "like" on this video too. I will be watching your series slowly over a bit of time because:
I am a Polish Canadian person & don't know enough about my heritage. I do know some (& it is surprising how I still have a Polish character, despite being raised in a British based, multi-cultural society as Canada is. **Just as a side-note, you would be told about having your feet on the seats in Canada too. 🤔 This is just in case you ever intend on ever visiting here. But now, end of shoes/seats issue. 😅)
About this video's content:
To the Polish people (& their decendents in other countries 😊), it is VERY important to us that you be reliable AND be honest! I do NOT find this in the British culture that I live in in Canada & have found this with British background Americans either. I don't know about the honesty of the hispanic cultures, but I believe that (as with this video maker that you were watching), hispanic people are not always reliable either.
I HAVE found that many people of British background want to (appear) nice. They will use nice words & ask nice questions but don't want to live up to any of it or want to hear any of it from you.
One example I will give you - British people will always say "Hi, how are you?" When you ACTUALLY start to tell them how you are - good or bad (but esp. bad) - they don't actually WANT to KNOW. For these British people, it is simply a sentence of being polite. To a Polish person, it is an ACTUAL question! You ask an actual question, you will get an actual answer (unless the situation is a dangerous one - like under Communism for instance.) Even to this day, as a Polish decendent - if someone asks me how I am - I give them THE RESPECT that they are BEING TRUE/HONEST & actually WANT an answer - even if I KNOW that they are British. (Being Polish however, if our situation is bad, we WILL say so, but we will minimise HOW bad it is & ALWAYS end on a positive note, so not to bring anyone down - even if it is simply by saying that things could or have been worse so it is not so bad or you just get through it, etc.)
A second example - if you ask someone if they can help you, some British people will say, yes of course, while they are already thinking of an excuse to NOT be there when you have asked for the help or just don't show up, hoping you won't ask about it. A Polish person does NOT do that. They won't try to LOOK nice by saying they will do something when they have no intention of doing so. From a Polish perspective, NOT helping when you said that you would, puts you in an EVEN WORSE situation, because now at the last minute OR when it is too late - you need to try to find someone else. If the person had been honest in the 1st place & said "no" (politely, hopefully), you MAY have been able to get help from someone else in time. (I consider it one of the worst traits that British people, or British-decended people - [not ALL of course] possess.) If a Polish person says that they will do something, they WILL do it. If they don't do so - there had to have been a BIG problem to prevent it ie. they ended up in the hospital or in a car crash & their phone was out of charge to contact you (or someone else to take their place in helping you etc.)
Every culture does some things well & some things poorly. That is just life. If we can learn to retain our GOOD habits & change our BAD habits with how another culture does a better job, we would be doing very well as a world.
On that note, (many) Polish people still tend to be religious & moral. They believe (& maybe because I am of Polish heritage, I believe it too), that if they see someone NOT behaving in a proper way & NOT saying anything about it - that person WILL CONTINUE to do what is considered bad - either because the person doesn't know it's considered bad (& then HOW can they learn if nobody tells them?) or else they are seeing what they can manage to get away with - before doing more & even worse things (to see how far they can go against society - like a child who is seeing where the boundaries are.) If you DON'T say anything, things get worse.
(After studying psychology & just observing the world & societies, it is so obvious that this is true.)
Furthermore, that badly behaving person can be setting a bad example to others - that others will then duplicate wherever the person gets observed doing this bad thing that they may do all the time & everywhere.
As to South Africans: You are called a "Westerner" because your cultural BACKGROUND is British &/or Dutch - BOTH areas considered "West" AND you are part of the BRITISH Commonwealth - which would again keep some of those British traditions alive in your nation. THAT is the reason. (Australians & Kiwis ALSO get classified as "Westerners" for this reason.)
NOW that I have explained the reason - basing it on your cultural background INFLUENCE, I will give my APOLOGY. 😶🌫
If I EVER think that your behaviour is based on this cultural background, I WILL go ahead & say it in this longer way. (This way I will ALSO show that I DO understand that you will ALSO have influences in your national characteristic that are NOT based on British or Dutch, but on African traditions & possibly others as well. I will ALSO [maybe] show that I understand [NOW, as I truly should have all along] that this WOULD be offensive to you.
My apologies, apologies, apologies. (I am Canadian after all so I have to do it more than once. 😄) Thank-you for letting us know that it IS offensive to you.
Thank-you for a great video with your great reaction. I will be watching more.
To the lady in this video (I didn't catch any names yet, sorry 😶🌫), are you ALSO having some Polish heritage in your background? Did I hear you say that? I am not sure if I missed it/or was hearing things??
Have a great day/night (& I DO mean that 😄.)
You are great.Apology accepted. ;-)
As a correction. Poles know the Thanksgiving holiday mainly from movies. As for the free place at the table on Christmas Day, it's hard to say how each person would behave. A lot depends on who would come, whether we know that person or not.
If you want to stretch legs, just put something on the seat - like towel or something like that. Also - I understand you are from different cultural background and you are "learning europe". That's fine . I hope all viewers know that. Don't mention it again. Apologies accepted. Topic closed :).
have you watched "Slice of Matt" video from Poland? when he visited his grandparents?? recommend
18:30 love this moment :P
it happens to all of us. I have been to SA in 1982 and also did something of I should noy do. I tried to go by train to Soweto. Been told by security to go away as I could lose my life. I am originally from Wroclaw, my birth town. Now i am living in Sydney. waiting for more . My favoured place was vicinity of market place and Grunwaldzki place, where I did study. Interesting to see is Jewish cemetery on Slezna street . on Klecina, where I was leaving was Europe oldest sugar manufacture. Sobotka, 30km west, is one of the oldest Viking religious places, By the way Wroclaw was established first by Vandals, who later invaded Romans.
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