MOVING TO POLAND

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KEY FACTS

Official Name: Republic of Poland

Capital City: Warsaw

Official Languages: Polish

Area: 312,683 sq. km/120,725 sq. mi

Population: 38.5 million

Religion: Roman Catholic 90%; Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, other 10%

Currency: Zloty (Zl)

Number of Time Zones: 1

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus 1 hr.; Eastern Standard Time (EST) plus 6 hrs. Daylight Saving Time is observed late March to late September.

Weights and Measures: Metric System

Country Domain: .pl

Country Tel Code: 48 v

AT A GLANCE

Government

Poland is a parliamentary republic. The president has strong executive powers. He nominates the Prime Minister and has the power to dissolve parliament. He can veto legislation and propose his own. The legislative power rests with the Lower House, the Sejm, with 460 members, and the Senat, with 100 members. The Sejm enacts the legislation, approves the appointment of the Prime Minister and appoints members of the Council of Ministers, or cabinet.

Currently, there are two parties which hold most of the legislative seats: Prawo i Sprawiedliwosc (PiS), and Platforma Obywatelska (PO). PiS holds slightly more seats in both the Sejm and the Senat, though it falls short of a majority in either legislative body. In political terms, PiS supports social conservatism with centrist economic stances, while PO is generally regarded as a party of liberal conservatism.

Other opposition parties include Samoobrona RP, Sojusz Lewicy Demokratycznej (SLD), Liga Polskich Rodzin (LPR), and Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe (PSL), all of which have a fair amount of support and hold seats in the legislature.

Lech Aleksander Kaczynski, the president of Poland until his death in a plane crash in April of 2010, was a member of PiS. Bronislaw Komorowski served as acting President from April through July, when he was officially elected to office.

Economics

Poland is addressing the challenges of the change to a free-market economy. Indications are that the drastic reforms of 1990, called “shock therapy,” have succeeded. The Polish economy continues to expand and is considered the strongest of the former Soviet-bloc countries. Poland joined the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in July 1996, NATO in March 1999, and was one of ten nations that joined the European Union (EU) in May, 2004.

Progress, however, has not been without social cost, and many Poles feel excluded from the current boom. Almost one fourth of Poland’s citizens are pensioners, whose pensions have not kept up with inflation. The government is pushing to improve the security of Polish citizens, cool a somewhat overheated economy and reform the pension system. Poland’s unemployment rate is also the highest of any EU nation.

UNDERSTANDING THE PEOPLE

Ethnic makeup

The Poles are Slavic in origin. Poland has a relatively homogeneous ethnic population, compared to other countries in Eastern Europe. Nearly the whole population is Polish 98 percent; the remaining 2 percent are German, Belarussian, and Ukrainian. Poland has escaped much of the ethnic tension that is present in some other Eastern European countries.

The present ethnic homogeneity is a consequence of massive dislocation caused by World War II. First came the Nazi extermination of Polish Jews during the war, followed by massive resettlements of peoples as the boundaries of Poland were redrawn after the war. Some 5.5 million Germans were resettled from Poland to Germany, while millions of Poles were resettled from the former eastern parts of Poland that became part of the Soviet Union.

Cultural traditions

The culture of Poland is marked by an intense nationalism that colors all aspects of life. Centuries of shifting fortunes of power and conquest or of partition and subjugation have bonded the people together in a fervent devotion to the ideal of a free Poland. Pride in their country when it was free and revolts to regain liberty when it was occupied have been constant themes throughout their history.

Poland’s cultural ties with the United States are especially strong. Polish patriots identified with the colonies’ cause in the War of Independence and served in the U.S. military. In the 19th century, millions of Poles emigrated to North America, especially to the industrial cities of the U.S. Midwest.

World War II is not a memory in Poland it is a continual presence; public reminders of the damage and suffering are evident throughout Poland. Roughly 20 percent of its population was killed, and major cities were almost completely destroyed. Memorials to victims have been erected at the Nazi concentration camps, to the victims of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and to the victims of the Warsaw Uprising; along the streets flowers and votive candles honor individuals killed in the brutal occupation of their country.

The Roman Catholic Church and the Polish language are credited with providing a continuing sense of identity for the people. The music of Chopin, the heroic tales of its poets, and the accomplishments of its famous people are still invoked for inspiration today.

The Poles have historically emphasized education the fourth university founded in Europe was Jagiellonian, in Krakow. The population of Poland is among the best educated in Europe, an asset that will prove to be valuable in the future. Education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 7 and 16. More than 30 percent of students go on to higher education. The literacy rate is 99 percent.

Poland is a Central European country. Its culture is an amalgam of old Eastern European customs, behavioral legacies of the communist regime, and modern, or modernizing, Western attitudes. The changeover to a free society and government is still going on. This has at least two effects for expatriates: some problems or behaviors that you saw just a few years ago might no longer be evident, and there is an invigorating sense of energy and new beginnings in the air.

Poland was never as monolithic a state as other communist countries, and its people’s flexibility and adaptability are even more evident now.

Religion

Poland is a predominantly Roman Catholic country, with 95 percent of the population belonging to the church and about 75 percent of the population practicing Catholics. Eastern Orthodox and Protestant religions have a small presence in the country. Freedom of religion is guaranteed.

Patriotic and nationalistic, the Roman Catholic Church in Poland has historically played an important role in the land’s political and cultural life. It continues to be a strong presence, and there is some debate over its current political influence. Attendance at Mass is greater than in any other European nation, and religious holidays are strictly observed.

Language

Polish is the official language of the country. A sizable German-speaking minority resides in the northwest along the Baltic coast and in Silesia. Younger businesspeople, young people seeking business careers, and those who work in the tourist industry often speak English, while older ones speak some German. Although this is changing, it is still true that English is not spoken or understood by the population in general.

Polish is a Slavic language belonging to the West Slavic subgroup; it uses a modified Latin alphabet. In addition, there are letters with accent markings that indicate distinct sounds. Consonants appear to predominate in words. Two letters that appear frequently are w, pronounced like English v, and l with a small slash through it, pronounced like English w.

The Polish language might be said to symbolize the Poles: Slavic (Eastern European) in origin, Latin (Western European) in its alphabet or appearance.

Local attitudes

Toward familyv
Family is very important to the Poles, as is tradition. Families usually live close to each other, and Sundays are the time of large, multigenerational family gatherings. Parents are treated with great respect, and in later years live with their grown children, helping to raise their grandchildren. The idea of retirement homes is very foreign to the Polish way of thinking.

Although both men and women work outside the home, the father is the dominant figure, and women largely bear household responsibilities. Children too are given significant responsibility from an early age.

Poles often extend the concept of family to their workmates. This means that at work they talk about ordinary personal affairs how the children are doing in piano lessons, needing to get an automotive repair done, where they bought their new shoes the kind of chat that serves as social cement. Foreigners who work with Poles will do well to join in these conversations, for the connections that they help forge end up making things run more smoothly at the office.

Toward foreigners

Historically, the Poles have had a good deal of contact with foreigners often through being invaded or occupied. Many Poles, for example, speak Russian or German. Poles are now pro-Western, and in particular are very friendly toward Americans; there has been an historic bond between the two countries, and the government and the people continue to hold the United States in high regard. v
Toward foreign investment

The Polish government welcomes and actively promotes foreign investment from different nationalities, although domestic political factors such as protectionism must be taken into account. Poles are especially anxious to do business with U.S. firms and to obtain U.S. products.

Although Poland continues to attract foreign investment, some obstacles do remain, such as the slow rate of the modernization of Poland’s infrastructure the telephone, road, and banking systems. Many obstacles are starting to lessen, however, as Polish management adapts to the new economy. Intellectual-property protection is still inadequate by Western standards.

Toward women

An Old World mentality toward working women can still be found in the workplace in Poland. By law, men and women enjoy equal rights. Although women in Poland are successful architects, accountants, factory managers, and high-level bureaucrats and are represented in almost every other profession in the workforce, male chauvinism is dying slowly. Women are almost always treated with courtesy and respect doors are held open for them, parcels are carried, and so on, but they may or may not be accepted as equals. Polish Ministry of Labor statistics show that women earn an average of 25 percent less than men.

Women in the Polish Parliament are now focusing on women’s issues such as inequality in the workplace. Over half of recent medical and dental students are women.

Toward hierarchy

The attitude toward hierarchy in Poland is complex, because the transition from communism to democracy is still being made. Rank is important in business and government in Poland, but resentment over inequality, and an emphasis on individual rights and responsibilities, are also in evidence. In the past it was always best to do business with the most senior person, but this too is changing.

Bureaucracy is still encountered in many sectors, especially in government agencies and state-owned companies. Younger workers and those in new enterprises are more flexible. It is probably safest to take some time to get a sense of an organization’s management style before venturing very far. A local agent would be vital to this effort.

Toward work

Although this is beginning to change, the Poles have traditionally considered family and social life to be more important than work. In this they are similar to many other Europeans. This does not mean that they don’t work hard, but neither do they live to work. For example, a Polish worker may leave work early, perhaps to deal with a family issue, more readily than would a North American.

Toward religion

The Poles were unique among communist countries in being able to continue to profess their religion publicly. About 75 percent of Poles consider themselves to be practicing Catholics. With a democratic form of government now, there is an ongoing debate about whether Polish laws remain secular or are changed to reflect Catholic doctrine.

Other important values

The Poles value generosity and expect it to be shown in sharing resources. The mores of Polish society, at least at a higher level, are still basically courtly, that is, a certain romantic generosity is expected a gallantry toward strangers and women. On the other hand, a certain communist-regime type fatalism and assertiveness are still evident; however, things are changing in Poland.

CITIES

Krakow

Krakow, Poland’s only sizable city spared the physical destruction of World War II, is the nation’s cultural and architectural gem. With a history spanning more than 1,000 years, Krakow – the former capital of Poland – is the site where Polish kings first held court and where the Roman Catholic Church originated in Poland. Much of Krakow is still a delightful harmony of Gothic and Renaissance spires and cobblestone streets and squares set on a rocky point overlooking the Vistula/Wisla River. Its choice as the “European Cultural City of the Year” for 2000 underlines its lively emphasis on culture of all kinds.

Krakow is currently the third-largest city in Poland, with a population of just under 800,000.

The Old Market Square, Rynek, marks the center of the city and is the largest medieval square in Europe. It is lined with historic buildings and shops and cafés.

If Warsaw is the political center of Poland, Krakow is its intellectual capital. More than 50,000 students from across Poland study at the prestigious Jagiellonian University. Krakow is also a center of unfettered free enterprise.

The city suffers from poor air quality. Recently, a number of cooperative environmental efforts have begun to reduce air pollution levels.

Some distance west of Krakow lies the town of Oswiecim, known under the Germans as Auschwitz. At the concentration camps built there and at nearby Birkenau, over four million people, including three million Jews, were exterminated by the Nazis during World War II.

Poznan

Poznan, Poland’s fifth largest city in population, is the second most important in terms of business. Halfway between Berlin and Warsaw, its location on the Warta River nurtured business and commerce as far back as the ninth century, when it figured prominently in an active trading route. About 580,000 people call the city home.

Poznan is famous today for its international trade fairs. It is an affluent city with the largest concentration of joint venture companies in Poland and an average annual per capita income twice the Polish average. A number of major international corporations have offices here – IKEA, Nestle, Volkswagen, and Wrigley are a few examples.

Poznan is also a large tourist center. Its religious and secular historical buildings reflect many architectural styles and eras in history – from the Middle Ages to the modern era, blended with Gothic and Baroque. Poznan also has forests and parks that cover nearly 20 percent of its total area. Four lakes in and around the city serve as venues for water sports and recreation for the city’s residents during sultry summers.

Tri-city area (Trojmiasto) – Gdansk, Gdynia, and Sopot

These three cities are spread along the Gdansk Bay of the Baltic Sea, in northern Poland. They are closely linked by the public transportation system, including ferries. In all, over 1 million people live in the tri-city area. These cities tend to be relatively upscale, with a much larger proportion of wealthy citizens than Poland as a whole.

Gdansk

Gdansk is known as the home of the Solidarity movement, which freed Poland from communist rule. Once called Danzig, it has a long and rich history. Like Warsaw, it was largely devastated in World War II, but again like Warsaw, its old section has been lovingly reconstructed. Today it is significant as a port and industrial center, and is home to several universities.

Gdynia

Gdynia is a commercial, fishing, and passenger port, with many institutions oriented to the sea, including the Naval College and Naval Forces Academy.

Sopot

More of a seaside resort than a business city Sopot attracts many tourists. Its beaches suffered greatly from pollution for several decades, but recent environmental cleanup efforts have resulted in the opening of several lovely sandy beaches. It has a long pier and boardwalk on which to enjoy sea views and breezes.

Warsaw

Warsaw, known as Warsawa to the Poles, is Poland’s capital city. About 1.7 million people live in the city, and nearly 3 million reside in the metropolitan area. It is also home to the greatest number of expatriates, and has the most extensive network of services, organizations, and schools aimed at foreigners. In fact, in some cases if the transferred spouse is assigned to another smaller city that is not so convenient for expatriates, the family will take up residence in Warsaw, with the employed spouse returning home to Warsaw only on weekends.

Warsaw is divided by the Vistula or Wisla River, with the city center and historic areas on the west, higher bank, and the Praga housing and industrial sections on the east.

The city suffered massive destruction during World War II. About 85 percent of the 700-year-old city was bombed or razed by the Nazis in retaliation for the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the Warsaw Uprising; it was subsequently rebuilt under communism. The resulting cinderblock buildings dominate the few prewar buildings that escaped destruction. The Palace of Culture and Science is one of the main features of the Warsaw skyline.

A pleasant relief to the shades of gray, however is one of the wonders of the modern world: the city’s Old Town or Stare Miasto. Recreated from photographs, drawings, and paintings the ochre, faded rose, and stained gray buildings surrounding the cobblestone Market Square, Rynek, can easily be mistaken for the historical originals.

Today Warsaw is Poland’s scientific and cultural center. Somewhat overcrowded the city struggles to accommodate its people and the motor traffic on its roads. Local residents are cosmopolitan and fashionably dressed; outdoor cafés are crowded in the summer; flower vendors are along the streets; and street musicians serenade with a variety of styles.

Outside of Warsaw, many suburbs are home to heavy industry, modern buildings, and new housing estates, although there is still considerable open space devoted to small flower and vegetable gardens.

CLIMATE

Poland has a moderate continental climate, influenced along the Baltic coast by maritime weather. The origins of its weather large air masses come from an unusual variety of sources: the Azores, Iceland, northern Asia, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Arctic. Winters are cold and can sometimes be severe. Most of the snow falls from November to March. The summer is short and dry, and can be rather hot. Spring has warm days and chilly nights; autumn is generally crisp and sunny.

Due to its location on the northern latitudes, summer daylight extends late into the evening, while winter darkness arrives mid-afternoon. Poland observes Daylight Savings Time from the end of March to the end of September.

Information provided in association with Living Abroad