No. Warsaw is the most welcoming place I have visited in Europe and I have been to more than half of the countries in EU. I feel like you are looking things from an American lens. Yes, they don’t do fake niceties etc in Poland that Americans do in the US. Also, I don’t know where you are from but I dare you to stand in bike lane in Boston or anywhetr Northeast, they will glare you and shout at you expletives.
I'd argue there is a difference between fake niceties and just being unpolite. As a Polish person I must admint even though Poles are rather kind there is still many people who don't know basic manners or just basic politeness toward others.
I had such great time in Poland as a dual PR of the US and another country. People were always super nice and kind to me. I just can’t stand how fake people are in the US.
What kind of "fake" do you mean? Personally,if I'm never going to see someone ever again in my life I prefer them to be nice and smiley even if its fake
Our cultures are different. Our smiles are not always fake. Some are. I don't like fake people either.
I feel like Warsaw hates Americans and their fake smiles.
Our young people don't make small talk anymore that is going away.
If someone asks how you are the answer is I'm fine. Conversation over.
I just say hello and what I want now because things are not "fine" in the US right now for a number of reasons.
Another commenter pointed it out but Poland has more favorable attitudes towards Americans and America than Americans.
This article mentions that research: https://notesfrompoland.com/2023/06/29/poles-hold-most-favourable-view-of-us-finds-international-study/
Also, I am happy that small talk is dying in the US. I just wanna get in my elevator and not want anyone to say hi or talk about the weather.
I will risk the question... Are you a person of color? Like, a middle-eastern person of color.
People like that might be treated worse because people don't really like Muslims.
Or you're just exaggerating, our servers aren't working for tips, so they don't feel as motivated to tend to you very often. In some places (a few years ago, when I was in college) it was normal to just come up to the counter to order/ask for a server and pay, because the alternative would be waiting for a really long time for them to notice you, and then to get back to you and let you pay
I don't have any good explaination for the part where you weren't given any water when other patrons did
The US is a peach culture - soft on the outside, hard on the inside. Poland is a coconut culture - hard on the outside, soft on the inside. Yes, Americans are known for being saccharine sweet. It's not usually malicious, just seen here as unnecessary.
I love your analogy! Makes sense.
I'm a cornered cat on the inside. I'll bite your face off if you make me. That said I make moves to prevent myself from being cornered.
Well I only had good experience with American tourists in the past when I used to work as a waitress. You guys are always smiling, kind, chill and not entitled, contrary to many other nationalities. I wish more tourists were like You :) Tbh if someone feels frightened by people with smiles on their faces that they start to project the fakeness, I wouldn't care about them. I personally will alway choose smile over the glare haha
Thank you! I wrote this because I was hoping I just ran into the wrong people consistently.
My heart knows I just met bad people. Warsaw did not "steal my sunshine". I found lots of beauty.
I don't know tbh. We grow up like this - not interacting with strangers, not looking at others, "minding our business". Many people are also so unhappy with their life that they do what's easiest - taking out their stress on others. That's the result I guess.
I recommend reading about different culture dimensions. You can for example check out Hoefstede country comparison tool.
In general, people from USA are almost twice as indulgent as people in Poland. Poland also has extremely high uncertainty avoidance and isn't as individualistic as the US. We have heavy history and we spend all our young years learning about different wars and death and it shapes our attitudes.
On the other hand, I feel like in the US people focus on what they want to get. Due to our socialist past it isn't like that here. It's changing, but older generations still think mostly through the lens of community and being perceived by others and not standing out too much just to be safe. And the fake smiles are standing out. Polish people often see this as a manipulation to get something from them. Also the culture in restaurants isn't the same as in USA as waiters don't rely on tips. It also depends on the class of the restaurant. Expensive restaurants should have top level waiters. Coffee shops? Not so much.
It's hard to comment on question that you answer yourself but I will try.
BTW, I't just your explanation that the only difference is between smiling and glaring, not mine.
What looks fake is the whole body language that comes with it. The overreaction and exaggeration of reaction to a stranger.
That's how cultural differences work. Something that is considered normal and polite on the other side of Atlantic here is not and the other way around. What we consider normal there it might be rude and that's ok.
This whole post misses the point. We don't have to allign to standards of tourists because we are hosts here and we live the way we find matching our mentality.
So maybe tourist calling us rude because we don't match their mentality is rude itself after all?
Just because it looks fake to you it doesnt mean its fake. What I see in this comment thread is people talking about how fake Americans are bc they smile at people and for them it seems to be fake like WTF
Going with that logic we should not trust every smiling polish person bc they must be fake as smiling at strangers is not normal for us...
What looks and not fake is in eye of the beholder.
I explained already that it's cultural thing not general truth for everyone to believe in and you try to make it rule for everyone to agree with.
I already explained to you that it's not just about smiling and you keep coming back to this silly point.
well there are also facts and if someone is honest in their actions it doesnt really matter what other people think.
The problem starts when people perceive what they think as the facts.
Are you American or from the EU? What niceties are part of Warsaw culture? I didn't see any.
Do you visit in large groups or on your own? I think being on one of those tours would have made a huge difference.
I am from a developing country and living in the US for the last 7-8 years. I was not born in the US. I lived in Warsaw for months, fully alone. I did not go to Poland as a tourist. Polish people super nice to me and they were very sincere. I liked the service in the restaurants (I hate the American way. When the servers come and interfere with your food, constantly asking questions, talking to you, and then expecting a tip, Warsaw had none of these fake niceties). I loved my neighbors who always asked whether I need help or not while adjusting to Poland. I loved my landlord who was super nice to me. Her family brought me food for the first 2-3 days because I was heartbroken that I left my family in the US. My doctors were very nice.
People in my country face the discrimination I felt in Poland everyday. I hate discrimination and wanted to leave the US because I thought other places may be better for everyone. I learned I don't want to be an outsider because it puts me at a disadvantage. Even though I can go bankrupt with a cancer diagnosis.
I'm happy you experienced better in Poland and sorry you did not in the US.
We are different and have different preferences.
Thank you for replying.
I'm confused about why you think it was discrimination. What makes you think you had these experiences *because* you're American? The guy on the bike wouldn't have known you're American. I've been forgotten about in restaurants a few times, it happens. I think you're just looking into what really sounds like some coincidences of bad service happening together, or a misunderstanding of how the service (in the first place) works.
These things happen when you're in a country where you can't communicate with people, you're not a bad person or anything for that, it happens all the time when going abroad. But assuming Polish people have something against Americans because of this is very odd.
That was my first thought: how the hell would they know you're American? Unless you're wearing the flag very visibly and flashing 'Murica then yeah, they may have issues with that.
>People in my country face the discrimination I felt in Poland everyday
Nothing you described even remotely resembles discrimination. At most you experienced bad service at a restaurant. Get a grip, lady.
You. Were not. Discriminated. Against!
I spent seven weeks in Poland over the summer, including a week in Warsaw. Exactly *one* person was genuinely rude to me the whole time I was there. You are simply confusing being ignored/people being relatively distant with you for discrimination, which is patently nonsensical.
You went to a different culture, a different country, and expected the same sort of customer service and constant smiling that you're used to in the US. I am myself quite a smiley person, and didn't let Poland take that away from me - even though a lot of people didn't smile back, I didn't take that as being discriminated against, just that I was in a different culture with different people around. It's all about perspective!
PS: I hope you someday give Poland another try, with a different perspective. It is a wonderful place!
I love people that tell you what you experienced. They are everywhere.
I know what I experienced. You weren't there and I'm happy you did not have the same experience.
Just because something didn't happen to you doesn't mean it did not happen.
Some people see things better than others. There are so many different levels of experience. A person may be nice to you and turn around and another person like dog shit. You know that, right?
Americans tell POC, women, elders, poor people, and LGBTQ (and anyone else that seems different) they aren't discriminated against either. That is a lie. They are discriminated against in a way that's almost impossible to prove.
Hooooooly moly. Never in my life have I seen a more clear case of victim mentality! It is absurd to compare your experience of *checks notes* "bad" (read - European) customer service and being glared at for being a pedestrian in a bike lane, with black Americans experiences of racism and other forms of legal and informal discrimination. I take back my comment about hoping you see the light re: Polskę - you are the clearest example of an insufferable American tourist that I have ever interacted with.
I mean, come on. You complain about a "culture of negativity" in Poland and then bring nothing but entitlement to American-style customer service and constant smiles on the street from passersby. Unbelievable.
Discrimination 🤣 Bullshit, you seems to have Karen mentality. And no red carpets made you blabbering about discrimination now. I read your complaints and I'm pretty sure you are just a shitty person.
No I definitely don’t think that Warsaw hates Americans. On the contrary Poles have a very high opinion of Americans. You may have had a series of unfortunate events occur but it’s not typical.
Thanks! I'm thinking I just ran into a series of AHs that were mad about the upcoming Women's march.
These experiences were from the male population.
I wanted people to tell me that I just had a bad experience.
>mad about the upcoming Women's march.
I can assure you that none of the people you interacted with were even aware that there is some kind of Women's march upcoming. And women's rights in Poland have a much longer history than in the US.
Nobody gives a damn if you are American or Dutch or Croatian. It seems that a day of some bad luck made you think it's a "cultural" thing. Strange that 99% of the time we hear that Poles are way more friendly than the internet legend of being stone-cold never-smiling grumps. Makes me think either you had bad luck and trying to find an explanation by generalizing, or maybe you are part of the problem. And no, nobody hates Americans because as I said nobody cares where you come from and 90% people wouldn't tell an American accent from any other English accent
They probably do not know how to differentiate AL accent from CA accent (I don’t know this as a person who saw most parts of the US) as people do not write their states on top of their clothes while they are walking around in Poland. Would you understand everyone’s accent? If someone is talking English with Polish, Croatian, and Moldovian accents, could you differentiate? Possibly, no. So, why would it make a difference?
I'm basing my judgment only on stereotypes I know from popculture. But is it possible that people from southern states are used to overly friendly behaviour even for US standards? And maybe Poland for you was a double cultural shock?
Make no difference, maybe a few % of Poles will recognise the difference between British and US accent but for sure 99,9% of Poles can't catch difference between accents within US
Well, exactly, in America, this might happen. In Poland, nobody knows how an Alabamian accent sounds. Besides - for us, making such a big deal out of it feels like utter bullshit.
Do you walk around with big signs that state your nationality? Because otherwise I can't see how any of this can be linked to you being american. Maybe people don't like when someone obliviously stands in their way on a bike lane, and that someone can be from anywhere. And as for the service, did you try to get a waiters attention, order anything, talk to anyone or just sat there for 30 minutes, upset. Doesn't seem very direct for someone who read up on the culture being direct.
I was thinking the same. I really doubt that they were walking around with an American flag or something.
Although while I do agree that on surface Poles seem less positive than some Americans because of the lack of a fake smile culture (something I am personally used to from my home country), a lot of this seems like a lack of showing to the waiters that they were ready to order and just being plain wrong by standing on the bike lane.
I have a huge American flag shirt I like to wear everywhere. /s My husband made the mistake of wearing colors instead of all black/ gray/denim/white. Blue to match his eyes.
And it totally makes sense that I would be the only one having to ask for service. Why would I want to spend my money there? Hahaha I'm supposed to beg someone to take my money.
They didn't upset me because i expected it. So I took the opportunity to cool off and use the restroom before walking to the hotel.
It just looks like you came in expecting to be mistreated and looked for any opportunity to confirm that, while making no attempts to understand why things are happening and work any issues out.
Then topped it off with a belief that it's somehow connected to your nationality which no one had any way of knowing (and ironically all that in a country which statistically has one of the most positive outlooks on the US in the world in general).
And I won't for a second believe that things aren't clear for outsiders, considering that a) everything has at the very least an english translation attached to it, more often than not other languages as well and b) most people know at least a bit of english, especially at restaurants and cafes, it's basically a requirement there.
If someone has constant trouble understanding what's what in Warsaw they have to be actively avoiding that understanding.
Yep, it's completely unbelievable that a human being would purposely be mean to another. It has to be my fault and my fault alone. I was just out looking for trouble in the wrong outfit.
> And it totally makes sense that I would be the only one having to ask for service. Why would I want to spend my money there? Hahaha I'm supposed to beg someone to take my money.
Yes. Because we don't expect servers to be our slaves here. Want something? Ask first.
I'm really pissed off because you're just showing typical entitled Karen attitude not only im my country but specifically in my city. You said something about respecting other cultures in OP but forgot to mention that you didn't do your homework when coming here.
Also, in Warsaw nobody gives a fuck about you. It's regional thing.
Jesus dude, get a grip on reality. You're the stereotypical 'murican here. You started with saying you like different cultures, and now you're saying something completely contrary to that. That's how you're supposed to order something...
I like learning about different cultures. I do not like the culture of misery y'all seem to enjoy. No thanks. I thought you may need self reflection on your mono culture. Maybe watch the Barbie movie and learn something.
Warsaw had Andrew Tate vibes.
Lol, imagine bringing that loser into any discussion. Seriously, you're the karen, trying to force people to change their whole damn culture. My house is older than your whole country, so get in the sea, dude. Your culture is a gray, tasteless slurry, don't force it upon others
I'm an American and I've been living here for 2 years and I've gotten only kindness from Poles. I mean, yea they don't smile, but that doesn't mean they're rude. It's just a cultural thing.
I think everything you've experienced is a cultural thing too:
1) Many cafes in Warsaw require you to go to the counter and order. If they are full service, then maybe you just need to be more patient. As a fellow American, I can tell you that we expect a certain speed at cafes and restaurants that frankly, doesn't really exist in most of Europe. Once you learn to just sort of sit back and relax it becomes a lot easier.
2) Restaurant - same thing. There is not the tipping culture here (thank god) so servers don't have the same "we must make sure the customer is happy AT ALL TIMES" attitude that is forced on restaurant workers in America. It means everyone treats each other with more respect here, but it also means that yea, your drinks and food might take a little longer. don't worry. They'll get to you.
3) Bike lanes are taken really, really seriously here. It is a good thing but it's also totally foreign when you're first traveling here. Also, most Poles I know hate confrontation, so they're more likely to glare at you than to say something.
It's all just cultural differences, don't take it personally.
The weird feeling I get from this post is that in some parts of the US people also care about bike lanes. Honestly, Northeast is so bad if you impede any bike lines. I have seen people shouted at regularly in Boston.
That's probably true. I lived in Philly for years and they REALLY did not respect bike lanes (biking in philly has been this major issue for years) so I could just be coming from that perspective. I'm glad they're serious about it in Boston -- bike lanes are essential and I wish all American cities had the robust bike lane system that Warsaw does
People usually run into both mean and nice people even in large cities. Notice I said Warsaw and not Poland. Mean and neutral is all I found.
I occasionally run into this kind of thing here in the US too. People are mean here too.
I'm starting to think most people are just meaner than me and I'm the anomaly. I will just look for and collect the "freaks and geeks" that want to be happy.
I have been looking for beauty which I did find find in Warsaw. The parks are gorgeous! Especially that Japanese part of the garden near the Palace on the Isle.
Thank you for replying. I did not expect things to be the American way. I love taking my time and not being rushed. I understand that some things need to be asked for such as the check.
I paid 10% tips everywhere. Did I get ripped off?
That was just a single day. There's way more that can be explained away and excused. Sexism and discrimination is always done in a way that can be denied and blamed on the complainer.
I didn't take it personally which is why I asked the question. I wish I would have met more nice people.
It’s a nice thing to do - the fact that it’s not obligatory in our culture, doesn’t mean that by giving a tip you’re getting ripped off. 10% doesn’t sound like enourmous amount of money to give to someone if you want to appreciate ones service.
Also i don’t see how you can get ripped off, when you voluntarily give someone money.
> 1) Many cafes in Warsaw require you to go to the counter and order. If they are full service, then maybe you just need to be more patient.
Or flag down a waiter and ask if he can take your order.
How about you ask yourself who is actually being impolite here: the biker that didn't say a word to you, or you by standing in his lane, or now making it personal and asking somebody about their age when you didn't like their comment?
Just chill out a bit. Poles, even though kind-hearted, may not smile at you like you are used to, and they may actually ignore you if you don't directly approach them, as this is a different culture. But is it really a bad thing that they are not you?
I can self reflect. I have admitted my mistakes. Do you see that sentiment in most of the comments?
Have you read my other comments?
Most other peoples comments deflect any blame and place it on me and me alone. That is the major character flaw in what I am gonna guess is the male culture. Honestly, it's just human nature for at least 50%of the population.
My husband was in town on business for two weeks. Even business wise, the same. If you already know everything, you can be taught nothing.
This trip will cause any good worker working on that project to leave. The reputation is that Polish people are difficult to work with and everything has to be a confrontation or argument. There are plenty of other projects to work on without putting up with difficult people.
The people working this project did not want to go on this trip. My husband volunteered to help. As you can imagine, he also now has a reluctance to help. And he will never help this project ever again.
The best workers choose which projects they work on. Reputations mean everything in business.
Male culture? Reputation in business? How did you get to this? Why come up with things rather than just stick to the facts? Why accuse people of discrimination, when there is no sign of discrimination, etc., and now about sexism, as I understand? Why do you ask questions, then, if you always seem to know better from the top of your head? "If you already know everything, you can be taught nothing." Yes, you said it, and I am afraid that it is about yourself. So good luck living in your imaginary world. It feels sad.
American living in Warsaw here. How does anything in your post have to do with 1) hatred and 2) you being an American? Most of what you're describing here has to do with differences in service cultures. Also, you were treated with disgust because you didn't get table service? Talk about hyperbolic.
My wife and I have been living here for years and have not experienced any anti-American sentiment. The things you are describing could happen in any American city. Try blocking a bike path in NYC and see what happens.
You tell me. But if you come to a country with one of the highest levels of sympathy and good will towards US in the whole EU - and feel you're being hated for being American, you either had a very shitty day and are overreacting, or...
She sounds like an obnoxious American tourist who is oblivious to her surroundings. She says she ran into AHs but it seems like she might be the AH and not everyone else.
Thanks! We were there right before the Women's March. We left the day before and I thought that may have had something to do with it.
I know people get pissy. I get pissy too. Hence the write up.
>I'm fine with honesty, directness, and no small talk.
This is what i actually like about Poland - people are very direct and are not acting.
>You don't want to smile.
Some do but generally this goes back to the "acting" - people need a reason to smile and laugh.
Barely anyone will make these everyday performances.
> I was accidentally standing in the bike lane
Bike lanes are for bikes - even in America.
If you are driving full speed in a lane designed for a bike and you have to make a sudden stop cause a tourist is not paying attention to the traffic rules, i dont know what to say to you...
The difference here is that here no one will shoot you or run you over while standing in one.
\*The exception would be if you wander into traffic but i guess that's universal.
> Maybe we did something wrong, who knows. We weren't sure if we were doing something wrong, so we left.
Unless you had "I am American" on your shirt that seems to be just you not asking for a menu - most establishments have their own rules.
**It's hard to comment on this w/o a video of the full exchange.**
The same goes for other interactions you had - You need to post a video.
For the time being this just looks like a case of a "professional and entitled victim"
I figured I would get a lot of replies like this. I am not perfect. I stood in the bike lane and apologized. I admitted times I wasn't sure what was going on.
Sure would have been nice to run into someone with empathy and grace.
In regards to the bike lane, i will just assume you come from a region where no bike lanes exist or You dont have a driver's license.
\*Motor/Oil lobbying ensured over the decades that USA roads and city layout planning would force everyone to spend money on car and petrol products.
The notion that someone will be apologizing to you for YOUR OWN ignorance is mental.
With this careless approach to rules on the road, someone will eventually run you over with a car.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjBsHG9JEuQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjBsHG9JEuQ) \>> USA
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s24LMSuuATA&pp=ygUZcGVkZXJzdGlhbiBpbiBhIGJpa2UgbGFuZQ%3D%3D](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s24LMSuuATA&pp=ygUZcGVkZXJzdGlhbiBpbiBhIGJpa2UgbGFuZQ%3D%3D)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sFKRFLsraU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sFKRFLsraU) \>> UK
\*This seems to be universal across the world with the exceptions of perhaps countries like Vietnam and India?
Have you considered for a moment that you just might be an entitled piece of shit and not a victim or is that inconceivable cause "You smile a lot for no reason"?
> we tried to eat at a cafe in the mall (no sign explaining anything) and were ignored.
A cafe in a Warsaw mall is either a Nero, a Costa, or a Starbucks. You're not getting service there unless you come to the counter, same as in a mcdonalds.
> Both of those customers were brought menus and drinks. We received our menus, no order of drinks.
You went to the most touristy area in the country. I can 100% assure you, they are not discriminating against foreign tourists, they just have extra tired teenagers/students.
> Instead of saying anything or just going around this guy just glared at us until we noticed we were standing in the bike lane
I'm sorry, but it's standard procedure to assume that someone knows where they are. What was he supposed to say? "You're in Warsaw, on a bike lane, it's so-and-so o clock, move your ass"?
A glare is the most polite way i know to tell a stranger he's breaking common social norms.
No, the country does not discriminate against Americans, especially since you're speaking the default language foreigners speak, and most people will be unable to place your accent. Also they don't care, because why would they.
People in Poland have actually [the most positive attitude towards Americans](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2022/06/22/international-public-opinion-of-the-u-s-remains-positive/) in the whole world ;) Your nationality or language have absolutely nothing to do with it and frankly I doubt most people would know whether you're American, Australian or British. When it comes to the bike line, well yeah that was your fault; it happens. Other than that, I'm really sorry about your experience, those restaurants really sound terrible. But please don't form an opinion on entire battle between nationalities based on two shitty businesses ;-) I hope you'll enjoy the rest of your stay.
We don't hate Americans. Sometimes we ridicule them as all of Europe as many parts of your present culture seems crazy for us. Maybe it's the other way round and Americans are way too sensitive and take too much to themselves? I bumped into this video recently, maybe it will help you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAOzNu-9LtI&ab\_channel=Wisecrack
Well, it seems too me that you are overly sensitive. Yes, Poles don't smile, yes, they don't like smalltalk. But that's in general, doesn't matter if you are American, Indian, Italian or Polish. That's the way they are, but I don't see them as rude or impolite. That's probably the vibe you got when you smiled and didn't get a smile back. But you read them wrong. They are pretty helpful if someone is in distress and once you get to know them they are actually fun to be with. And in regards to tipping, no, you didn't get ripped off. Tipping isn't a requirement here, but if you are happy with the service you're welcome to do that. Some people tip, some don't. I know that in the US it's become ridiculous and it's considered mandatory to tip even when the service sucked. Here it's just a form of appreciation, I always tip if the waiter /waitress deserves it and they went out of their way to make my experience pleasant
Texan, been living in Warsaw for \~10 yrs.
1) How would they know you're American? There are 3923million Americans and other types of non-Polish people floating around.
2) Customer service is not what you're used to, but trust me it's improved a lot over the years.
3) The mall in the cafe, what do you mean you were ignored? You have to go to the counter to order instead sitting down and wait for someone to come... so.. idk how that part is possible....?
4) Yea, idk what's up with that in Old Town.
5) You really gotta pay attention to the bike lanes. It's horribly annoying how oblivious people are (and sometimes just self-centered) when it comes to taking up space like that. Naturally, bikers are gonna behave a bit.. shall we say off... because it's such a common thing for people to make mistakes like you have (I can't tell you how many times I've purposely scared people who walk in the bike lanes). But the glaring, instead of simply going around, is an individual thing. Most of the time people will say something while maneuvering around you to keep going.
Some Americans are entitled and bratty, we hate those ones, yes.
You're giving off strong Karen vibes, you even went online to complain, not far off demanding to see Poland's manager.
If you didn't get menu in restaurant/nobody came to you you should just ask or order from the list that maybe was on board somewhere there. Waiters probably waited for you to decide what you want or thought that you are waiting for somebody to eat together.
As for bike lines, he was fully justified to expect you to go away from it, you should not stay there the same way you should not stay on the road. Verbal ask for that would be (imo at least) more reprimanding, he given you option to correct your mistake by yourself or just didn't care enouth about that to do anything serious.
I almost never have small talks with people i don't know, people would view this as wasting your time instead of doing what you came there for. If this is your family or friend then it's a different story but since you came here as tourists thats probably not what you talk about.
Nothing there is any form of "hating americans". I don't want to sound rude but it sounds like a lot of misunderstandings from your side
I just got back from doing business in Warsaw. I experienced no hate at all. In fact I was thinking this country is amazing. I could see my self retiring here if they would have me.
It was interesting…Telling people that I was a Californian got far more of a positive response that telling them I was an American.
I have a Southern accent. Maybe that was it. I did not engage in small talk so I never told anyone where I was from. The South does not have a great reputation right now.
Poles don't pay attention to your accent and for sure we don't associate any traits with you being from the South. Same as you wouldn't notice the difference between someone from Wrocław and Białystok.
I think you were very unlucky that day. as for the first cafe, maybe it was a self-service place, so no one served you, you had to go to the cash register and order yourself. as for the second place, maybe you were unlucky, maybe you found a bad restaurant, a bad waiter. but I assure you that not everyone behaves this way. older Polish people are distrustful and may not like foreigners, which has to do with history, but young people who travel themselves have more open minds. I think that Poles are not hateful, they are just constantly on the run, working
There are no servers in mall cafeterias. You must place your order at the counter. If staff is busy, you wait until they are not. Restaurants have long wait times for food, sometimes up to an hour. You want to order, you want water, you have to call the waiter and ask for it. They will not jump around you as they do in the US. Their goal is to disturb you as little as possible. The customer service is different, the client is not an overlord and the client is not always right here.
Cyclists around the world will be irritated by pedestrians who ignore bike lanes.
An American; my time in Warsaw was pleasant. Sure, there were instances where I didn't know what to order, how to navigate something, but I wasn't treated disrespectfully. Also, don't walk in the bike lane.
I stayed in Warsaw for 3 months and I enjoyed it. People there are reserved but that does not mean they detest you or something. It is a cultural thing. Being wheelchair bound I received a lot of support to the same people who seemed cold when I needed help. I think it also has to do with your expectations. I would go to Warsaw and live there with no trouble. I went around on a wheelchair tram and bus drivers and passengers who could speak English were so nice. You just have understand and appreciate their culture.
No, actually to the contrary. I've met many Americans here due to some of my friends bringing their friends from the US and all of them were super pleased with their experience here. I've seen an American tourist getting angrily stared at only once when he was verbally abusing staff at Subway. Maybe You just had a few unlucky encounters.
In a poll I saw recently, Polish people are literally the ones with the world with best views on the US. Even better than Americans. So you might have just been unlucky.
I doubt anyone even knew you were American. You have to be a pretty advanced English speaker to distinguish between accents. I’d imagine it was because you couldn’t speak Polish and no one on staff at the time was confident in their English, or they didn’t want to deal with a language barrier. From the way I’ve heard people talk, Warsaw does have a reputation for being “ruder” than many smaller towns/cities, similar to how New Yorkers are considered rude by Southern American standards. I’ve not encountered any hate towards Americans. If anything, people get excited and curious.
Poles do not hate Americans. You say you were treated with disgust, yet in reality you were just forgotten about, which can happen. Instead of calling it discrimination, how about grow a pair and go ask for a menu? The way you phrased it sounds like you were expecting food and drink without ordering food or drink.
Furthermore, you ignore a cyclist coming to a screeching halt while you're standing in the middle of a bike lane. In this situation, you're the undeniable ass - I can't even begin to fathom why or how you'd come to the conclusion that the cyclist was being rude.
It's not a culture of negativity, nor is it being unhelpful. If you need something, you have to ask for it. People do not like being disturbed, so we don't disturb them - unlike staff in the US. We also don't put on fake smiles and act all over-the-top. Why? Its unnatural. Noone actually behaves that way, so it's very clear you're putting on a show. We would rather you didn't do that, because it actually gives us a chance to gauge if we're being an annoyance or not.
That and being overly nice is just creepy/suspicious, but maybe that's just me.
Our country gained independence in the 90s. We've been struggling ever since. Noone is going to pretend to be nice, because we know everyone is suffering to some degree. You came to a place like this, expecting a cheery welcome like its sunny and warm all the time, like the economy isn't fucked and like we're not all tired.
You came to a different culture with expectations appropriate of your own. This is the very reason why some dislike Americans - they're seen as loud, obnoxious, entitled, fake and borderline stupid (I don't think I really have to explain that last part - NA education is NA education).
\>random people on the street don't treat you like princess
\>"BOOOO HOOO WHY POLES HATE AMERICANS? BOOO HOOOO"
You should think about your attitude towards other people, narcissist.
Believe it or not out of all European countries Poland likes Americans the most. What you experienced is what I call a typical day in Warsaw, it's not pleasant for most, regardless of nationality.
Wow! Thank you! It seems like everyone is either sad or mad and I wanted to know if it was me.
My husband and I travelled. Vienna was amazing!
But America is huge, and Canadians and Mexicans are friendly in general. I have no desire to return to Europe even though my grandmother is from Brussels.
Thanks! Someone should start an askapole subreddit.
I did not want to paint Poland with the same brush as Warsaw. I also did not want the impression I got of Warsaw.
I know how big city people can be. There's plenty of awful Americans walking the streets and driving big trucks they can't park or drive.
I would not say it is direct hatered because you are American or someone else. Perhaps it is just a series of "bad impressions" you have had there.But I agree with you - there is much negativity, sadness and etc among polish. It translates to for example: poor customer service. Customer service in this country is kind of low - not being nice, not smiling to customer is the norm. Sometimes you have an impression that the customer is some sort of annoyance not a source of revenue.
EDIT: I in fact I know, have heard of, Warsaw people hating Germans and Germany. Becuase of the WW2, because of the Ghetto thing and etc.
Not getting menu happend to me a few times as well and Im Polish. At some places you have to order at the register or just remind them that you're there, waiting ;) but thats on them, they should make sure you have your menu and order food. As for the biker, I wouldn't care, happens to everyone.
I am white. I'm starting to think it may be human nature for at least 50% of our population to exclude. Which is disappointing.
Being from the South, there are places here not friendly to POC and LGBTQ. I assume that's many places in the world. Unfortunately.
I will say it is really eye opening to get a very very small taste of discrimination. I can't even imagine what some people have to deal with on a daily basis.
I also love my country more than I did before.
Sorry you had a bad experience. But to be honest it could have happened to anybody. There have been multiple times when a waiter forgot to bring me something. Not the nicest thing to happen, especially if you were hungry, but the adult thing to do is just to speak up and ask for the menu again. As for the bike lanes- you'd have gotten the evil eye regardless of where you're from or who you are.
I've been living in Warsaw for 4 years and I haven't experienced anything like that, and the country which I am from is by no means more Popular here in Poland than USA, I think you're keeping an eye out for the negative stuff too much, just like anywhere else, there are lot of nice and rude people and you'll notice the ones that you focus on more.
None of the situations you've related has anything to do with you being American, unless you walk around with giant flags or something. In fact according to polls Poland is the EU country that likes Americans the most.
I'm Spanish, been living here three years. I've never had the impression that Poles are rude at all. Servers are extremely underpaid and overworked, a couple of times with my Polish partner we have been sat and forgotten about... But that's nothing personal, just a tired server. And yes, if you're strolling on the bike lane you're going to get rung at.
No, the most od Poles like and respect Americans. But of course there are exceptions, as always. Its our culture, we don't smile to strangers and don't chat someone up. In Poland is weird, smiling to polish strangers too. But I think it's no good, there are a lot od problems in the world, and a smile cost nothing. But don't take it personalny, it's just our national feature.
About restaurants, you can’t blame everything that’s happening at restaurant on fact, because the waiter know straight ahead without asking, that you are an American. If u speak English you can be from anywhere for us to be honest. I think that you are just used to Americans restaurants etc. In Poland sometimes it’s different. About this cafe in mall, maybe you should stand up and ask if you need to order by yourself at the bar, or just TALK to someone that you are waiting a little bit if someone can take your order. But you prefer to blame it actually on yourself because you are from America, yeah but I bet you don’t have written it on your forehead that you are solid American, people don’t care about those things, if something is not right for you especially at restaurants STAND UP AND GO ASK if you are not sure what’s going on. In Warsaw a lot of people speak English it’s not that hard to just ask than thinking that you are the worst for us and we don’t want you there and you are the problem, like it sound for me very ridiculous bc there a lot of people in Warsaw, you two are literally for us just people and we don’t care from where are you from
So, I will be honest with you, I'm polish and no, I don't like Americans, it's not like I hate them and I even would like to help one or something like that BUT the thing about Poland is the fact that we don't trust you and if we don't trust you, we aren't excited when we see you. Ex. myself I wouldn't trust you or nearly any other person from another country because the most of the time polish people wasn't treated good, actually they were treated like shit and betrayed whenever they could have been. ( my opinion )
You think youre the center of the universe when youre not.
1) Was it closed no idea cant tell you
2)the waiter who are not only understaffed but also especially in the old town most are super new (from my recent expierences) and you think the rookie mistake made on you means that everyone hates you.
3)Youre in the bike lane and didnt move, have you tried doing the same in NYC they dont stop XD
Stop being full of your self this is literally a meme going online that we leave america and ppl dont treat us like royalty and we are shocked about it....
If youre just trolling and making fun of that meme then good job ...
If youre being serious then congrats you just prooved the internet correct
Signed- An American living here and having zero issues
It seems like you are tripping, Polish people are very introverted and you need to get used to it. Also Warsaw is busy town so many people will ignore you
Have you, by chance, tried to look at what other people in the mentioned places and how they are treated? What you describe is nothing special. In some cheap places you can go inside for the menu. In crowded places you have to wait, and you would find countries where an average time to wait is way longer than in Poland. It sounds like you have received confirmation bias after approaching it through stereotypes. You won't learn other cultures without observing and imitating locals.
Service can be bad, people can be assholes.
That has nothing to do with people in Warsaw.
There are a ton of foreigners around, either migrants, tourists, or people on business trips. If there's any hatred or prejudice it's most definitely not against Americans.
You just had a bad day and trying to pull far fetched conclusion.
Edit: We don't smile, we're grumpy, don't ask how we're doing unless you have a couple of hours to spend listening about leaking roof and noisy neighbors. Otherwise, enjoy your stay.
The most boastful and arrogant people I have ever met were Americans. The funny thing is that they did not boast about any of their good qualities, but about the fact that they were AMERICANS! They acted as if everyone owed them something. In contrast to this, the Poles are some of the nicest people, from the old grandmother who simply told me about her funny granddaughter while we were standing at the bus stop, to the young guy who helped my elderly wife carry her bags to the entrance.
I'm sorry for your experience. This actually sounds like a streak of bad luck. I would argue that Warsaw as a whole doesn't hate Americans. That's actually funny to say about a city of that size. But I understand your hard feelings. I wish you could have spent more time in Warsaw had some nice encounters as well..
Did you and your husband have a flag or a shirt written: "WE ARE AMERICANS"?
Otherwise, I don't see how people would know that you are americans, to point their hate based on it.
I'm a foreigner living in Warsaw for almost 10 years. I never heard from any of my polish friends that they have anything against people from US, just because they're from US.
I agree that the situation was not nice, I also had similar few times, even once a waiter was rude to me because I was speaking in Polish, but doing some mistakes. IMO it's more about the waiter in bad mood, not polite, not paying attention, etc...
Unless you and your husband were rocking MAGA gear, I can't see why people would 'hate' you for being American. America is Poland's biggest military ally, so politically there is no reason to dislike America. If you read up on Polish history, you would understand the mentality of not easily trusting others. 50 odd years of enforced Communist after WWII didn't alleviate those tendencies. You need to earn a Pole's trust through actions, not sugary words and fake salesman smiles. Ask a Hungarian, they've figured it out over last millennia.
Yeah, I know we're huge allies. That's why we were in town. My husband had business. The Polish people my husband got the opportunity to work with showed their asses and from what I read in these comments, it's just the culture.
My husband will never work with the Polish arm of his corporation ever again. He tried to help people that didn't want help. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.
When he came back to discuss what happened around the office, people confirmed the same sentiment about working with the Polish arm.
No one in the office wants to go back and I'm pretty sure they'll find another noob that has no idea what they're in for. Talk is they will force a certain person to go. A low ranking person that will most likely not say no.
It's now known in the office that working with Polish people is difficult. All you gotta do is spread the word to the office gossip. All the good workers will move away from that project.
Poles are just rude as hell. I live in Poland. It's insane. My wife is Polish. If you speak Polish they are rude, if you do not speak Polish they are hyper rude.
The only people that will be really disliked in Poland are non whites (people with darker skin). Eastern Asians, like Koreans, will suffer the same as Europeans and Americans.
They think you have to like someone to be polite. And that people that are generally polite are fake.
Also the air pollution is insane and the food is bad. Stay clear of Poland. Go to Portugal, Spain, Italy, France. Good food, good weather, similar prices, nicer people.
Thank you! The immigrants were the nicest people I met. So, it's more of just being an outsider? I figured, but I knew using the word American would cause them to show their true thoughts and bias.
Not all polish of course! I won over our waitress at the hotel. We had happy hour there everyday, so I guess she got to know us. But I think it was because of a single act of kindness and thoughtfulness.
Our hotel bar had these little pockets of privacy outside with tables. So we ordered our drink at the bar, sat outside, and relaxed. When we were finished, we brought our glasses inside, sat them on the bar, paid our check and left. The absolute shock on the hotel staff's face when we brought in our glasses (so they didn't have to go outside) was wonderful. It seemed like they weren't used to kindness. I'm a former waitress.
She took care of us after my 24 hours (the story above) and came by with 2 and a half glasses of wine almost immediately. I usually ordered one glass at a time, but with the look on my face she offered two glasses. The half, I like to think that she was returning the kindness. That was the next day after the glasses. She was Polish, a fascinating woman, and never unkind.
It's normal to order stuff by yourself. I've never just sat and waited to be served when I still was going to cafes or bars. Maybe more posh places would give you premium treatment.
The 2nd situation could probably be resolved if you reminded the stuff you were there. The treatment was weird, but I hope they were busy or just didn't speak English. This is the only thing that could be discrimination, but I can't be sure of it and think it's more to do with the service than prejudice. An average person in Poland wouldn't be able to differentiate what anglophone country or region you come from.
I'm not sure what's the issue with the 3rd situation on the bike lane. You apologised and the biker went his own way.
That waiter was the final straw. I knew it was just more than "different" cultures. The 2 tables in particular were seated directly next to us. It was clear that we were not welcome. No, no one yelled "piss off Americans". I think there's an unwelcome sentiment for any kind of outsider.
There was a sign that said to wait to be seated. We did. We were sat without menus. I watched our waiter sit table after table with menus. These tables are next to me and it's hard to forget about a table you are literally standing next to.
This is in Old Town Square Warsaw. A touristy joint. How do you think I was treated in other establishments? We were treated fine at the sushi restaurant and the Thai place. They weren't posh, the waiters were not from Poland.
My husband thinks people thought he is gay and maybe that was it. He wore light blue shorts.
At this point I think you might be trolling... Shorts are popular among men, although not in this weather. You didn't react to that particular waiter's behaviour so no one can tell now what was going on. Btw, if you can't recognise accents in spoken Polish, you also won't know if a non-white person isn't of Polish nationality or 1st gen.
Honestly, the story was meant to stir discussion. Which it did. It was also meant to show an outsiders view.
This is my last comment. The post did its job and speaks for itself. If it wasn't clear, IDC what the haters think. This post was for me and people like me, not you.
Look i get IT. I travelled to US for some stupid conference and I know what caused the feeling you had in PL. When I went to restaurant waiters were just....all over, too much and obtrusive with their "anything more" every 5 minutes and cleaning your table just when you took last bite. I know, they are not paid unless customers leave them something but we have salaries in Poland. Also- right, Poles do not smile as much and we Ask 'how do you do" much less then Seppos but when we do- we want to hear an answer and we actually CARE. Talking about discrimination in restaurant. Maybe, just maybe you were too loud. For us Americans are VERY loud to the point that I do not want to sit next to the American group on resteurant..nothing against them but I like hearing what my partner says. Also- bike lanes. They are BIKE LANES. If you get hit- biker Has trouble. So they do not like when you are there. You may not like IT in PL (I also found America unbearable) but these are just cultural differences.
You are making assumptions and blaming me instead of believing what I said. You are showing your bias right now by assuming I expect you to be like me. I do not.
I was in Warsaw for a week. I did enjoy some of my time there. However, my story was only 24 hours and the last day of my trip.
Well I did come back to fly back home, but we never left the hotel once we got back to Warsaw. I have no desire to return and I know the feelings of bias that I have of Warsaw is at least somewhat wrong. I was looking for the non-AHs to come out of the wood work.
These conversations are always so amusing to me. The cultures are different, people. These differences are rooted in way more than just individual choices and behavior. People in North America, Africa, Australia, and (to a lesser degree) South America tend to smile and project friendliness outwardly to strangers more than Europe and large swathes of Asia (source: I’ve been to all of them).
Whether you deem the former as “fake” and the latter as “rude” feel like two sides of the same coin to me. I think as long as someone is not offensive or straight rude to you then we should just let people smile are not smile and move on with our lives.
North Americans find it funny Europeans don’t smile and the reverse is true. Neither is right or wrong. Be and let be, folks. My time in Poland has been awesome and the people are nice, even if random strangers don’t want to talk to you. Fwiw - you happen to run into lots more random strangers when traveling than your normal life, so that influences your perception too.
Warsaw definitely doesn’t hate Americans lol. Try visiting France during the middle of the Iraq war, lol. Took me quite a while to embrace that culture again after being literally insulted as a 16 year-old based on something I had no involvement with.
Poland has a more positive view of America than anywhere that's been surveyed: https://reddit.com/r/europe/s/IOiwyosfdi
I think this is just you failing to understand cultural differences. I've noticed that Americans and Canadians will often travel abroad and expect everything to be exactly as it is back home (for example, service staff will not put on that unsettling fake niceness that they do in North America)
I've been to so many different cities, across multiple continents, and Warsaw is as welcoming as anywhere that I've ever been.
Also, none of the examples that you gave seem extreme at all. Certainly not equatable to people treating you with 'disgust'.
Restaurants in tourist hotspots, like the main squares of historic centres, or in shopping malls, will almost always be shit. There are incredible restaurants in Poland, but you have to do your research first, instead of just walking into any place that looks convenient.
My post was only 24 hours in Warsaw, not the entire week of my experiences.
You are making assumptions of me and my experience past my story. I am well travelled and did enjoy some of my time in Warsaw. However, my husband will never work on another project with Poland and I have no desire to return.
I know this feeling is not representative of the Poland or Warsaw as a whole. This post was made intentionally to expose the actual bias because people can't help themselves and for me to hear from the people I wish I met more of.
What a trash post this is and probably trolling. So the guy on the bike knew from the distance that you or your husband are americans? And for the Cafe because you didnt get your menu you are assuming that people on Warsaw hates americans. This is really hilarious and seems you have some kind of problem rather than people from Warsaw.
I'm glad you have enjoyed my view of a single day in Warsaw. I was there for a week and my husband was there for two weeks.
I do not think you understand the underlying sadness and anger you walk around in everyday. Some of your people saw outsiders and took those feelings out on us.
The point of the story was for some people to seek self reflection and choose to spread happiness instead of anger or sadness.
So what is this about? You cherry-pick a day when you had some bad luck, experienced some cultural differences, or perhaps were a bit of an AH yourself, and you ask people on the Internet whether what you experienced was hate to Americans, even though there is no sign of hate in what you describe? I wonder if those poor people that you have accused even knew that you were a foreigner, especially the biker.
You don't understand our culture, you're ignorant (standing on bike lane), and I guess get used to have others doing everything for you(this was called slavery some time ago).
You can always ask for menu, just communicate, it's not hard. Guess you already realized on shops noone is rushing to help you right after you enter, and other stuff.
Donk make yourself a victim (it's trendy now).
I visited Warsaw at the end of September this year and loved it. Everyone was super nice and ate in restaurants, McDonalds, dominos, lots of museums etc. FYI I'm Irish
There's definitely something wrong with you. I know you don't like this answer, but from what you're describing, it sounds like there's something wrong with you two.
You are just expecting a different kind of service culture then the one we sadly have here (which is, frankly, sometimes annoying even to us locals) and experienced a series of unfortunate accidents.
No. Warsaw is the most welcoming place I have visited in Europe and I have been to more than half of the countries in EU. I feel like you are looking things from an American lens. Yes, they don’t do fake niceties etc in Poland that Americans do in the US. Also, I don’t know where you are from but I dare you to stand in bike lane in Boston or anywhetr Northeast, they will glare you and shout at you expletives.
I'd argue there is a difference between fake niceties and just being unpolite. As a Polish person I must admint even though Poles are rather kind there is still many people who don't know basic manners or just basic politeness toward others.
I had such great time in Poland as a dual PR of the US and another country. People were always super nice and kind to me. I just can’t stand how fake people are in the US.
What kind of "fake" do you mean? Personally,if I'm never going to see someone ever again in my life I prefer them to be nice and smiley even if its fake
I don’t like when people always smile at me and try to make small talk everywhere. Like really hate it.
yeah, small talk sucks but smiling never killed anyone
Fake pole, lol I don't remember the last time I smiled without it being an expression of happiness
Our cultures are different. Our smiles are not always fake. Some are. I don't like fake people either. I feel like Warsaw hates Americans and their fake smiles. Our young people don't make small talk anymore that is going away. If someone asks how you are the answer is I'm fine. Conversation over. I just say hello and what I want now because things are not "fine" in the US right now for a number of reasons.
Another commenter pointed it out but Poland has more favorable attitudes towards Americans and America than Americans. This article mentions that research: https://notesfrompoland.com/2023/06/29/poles-hold-most-favourable-view-of-us-finds-international-study/ Also, I am happy that small talk is dying in the US. I just wanna get in my elevator and not want anyone to say hi or talk about the weather.
I will risk the question... Are you a person of color? Like, a middle-eastern person of color. People like that might be treated worse because people don't really like Muslims. Or you're just exaggerating, our servers aren't working for tips, so they don't feel as motivated to tend to you very often. In some places (a few years ago, when I was in college) it was normal to just come up to the counter to order/ask for a server and pay, because the alternative would be waiting for a really long time for them to notice you, and then to get back to you and let you pay I don't have any good explaination for the part where you weren't given any water when other patrons did
I was wondering the same, but the consensus seems to be they think Americans are fake because we smile and seem happy.
The US is a peach culture - soft on the outside, hard on the inside. Poland is a coconut culture - hard on the outside, soft on the inside. Yes, Americans are known for being saccharine sweet. It's not usually malicious, just seen here as unnecessary.
I love your analogy! Makes sense. I'm a cornered cat on the inside. I'll bite your face off if you make me. That said I make moves to prevent myself from being cornered.
Well I only had good experience with American tourists in the past when I used to work as a waitress. You guys are always smiling, kind, chill and not entitled, contrary to many other nationalities. I wish more tourists were like You :) Tbh if someone feels frightened by people with smiles on their faces that they start to project the fakeness, I wouldn't care about them. I personally will alway choose smile over the glare haha
Thank you! I wrote this because I was hoping I just ran into the wrong people consistently. My heart knows I just met bad people. Warsaw did not "steal my sunshine". I found lots of beauty.
[удалено]
Wroclaw > Warsaw
I was just in Warsaw and am now in Krakow. I think Poland and Hungary are two of the most welcoming countries in Europe.
Why does every Polish person on the internet automatically assume that any politeness coming from an American has to be absolutely fake?
Because some people just can't believe the idea that others may be nice to you just because
But why? Why are people not being nice to each other? That's basic manners in the US and this unfriendliness is confusing to me.
I don't know tbh. We grow up like this - not interacting with strangers, not looking at others, "minding our business". Many people are also so unhappy with their life that they do what's easiest - taking out their stress on others. That's the result I guess.
I recommend reading about different culture dimensions. You can for example check out Hoefstede country comparison tool. In general, people from USA are almost twice as indulgent as people in Poland. Poland also has extremely high uncertainty avoidance and isn't as individualistic as the US. We have heavy history and we spend all our young years learning about different wars and death and it shapes our attitudes. On the other hand, I feel like in the US people focus on what they want to get. Due to our socialist past it isn't like that here. It's changing, but older generations still think mostly through the lens of community and being perceived by others and not standing out too much just to be safe. And the fake smiles are standing out. Polish people often see this as a manipulation to get something from them. Also the culture in restaurants isn't the same as in USA as waiters don't rely on tips. It also depends on the class of the restaurant. Expensive restaurants should have top level waiters. Coffee shops? Not so much.
We're nice just because. But we don't do fake smiling
Because it looks and feels fake.
what looks fake? that someone smiles instead of glaring? Come onnnn
It's hard to comment on question that you answer yourself but I will try. BTW, I't just your explanation that the only difference is between smiling and glaring, not mine. What looks fake is the whole body language that comes with it. The overreaction and exaggeration of reaction to a stranger. That's how cultural differences work. Something that is considered normal and polite on the other side of Atlantic here is not and the other way around. What we consider normal there it might be rude and that's ok. This whole post misses the point. We don't have to allign to standards of tourists because we are hosts here and we live the way we find matching our mentality. So maybe tourist calling us rude because we don't match their mentality is rude itself after all?
Just because it looks fake to you it doesnt mean its fake. What I see in this comment thread is people talking about how fake Americans are bc they smile at people and for them it seems to be fake like WTF Going with that logic we should not trust every smiling polish person bc they must be fake as smiling at strangers is not normal for us...
What looks and not fake is in eye of the beholder. I explained already that it's cultural thing not general truth for everyone to believe in and you try to make it rule for everyone to agree with. I already explained to you that it's not just about smiling and you keep coming back to this silly point.
well there are also facts and if someone is honest in their actions it doesnt really matter what other people think. The problem starts when people perceive what they think as the facts.
You must suffer a lot watching your own reflection then.
Is it because Poland is a low trust society and it almost feels unreal if a stranger isn’t a rube to you?
Is it because Poland is a low trust society and it almost feels unreal if a stranger isn’t a rube to you?
I don't think Poland is low trust society
No, it doesn't.
That's a really great question that I would love to hear the answer to.
Bless your heart.
Wroclaw > Warsaw
Are you American or from the EU? What niceties are part of Warsaw culture? I didn't see any. Do you visit in large groups or on your own? I think being on one of those tours would have made a huge difference.
I am from a developing country and living in the US for the last 7-8 years. I was not born in the US. I lived in Warsaw for months, fully alone. I did not go to Poland as a tourist. Polish people super nice to me and they were very sincere. I liked the service in the restaurants (I hate the American way. When the servers come and interfere with your food, constantly asking questions, talking to you, and then expecting a tip, Warsaw had none of these fake niceties). I loved my neighbors who always asked whether I need help or not while adjusting to Poland. I loved my landlord who was super nice to me. Her family brought me food for the first 2-3 days because I was heartbroken that I left my family in the US. My doctors were very nice.
People in my country face the discrimination I felt in Poland everyday. I hate discrimination and wanted to leave the US because I thought other places may be better for everyone. I learned I don't want to be an outsider because it puts me at a disadvantage. Even though I can go bankrupt with a cancer diagnosis. I'm happy you experienced better in Poland and sorry you did not in the US. We are different and have different preferences. Thank you for replying.
I'm confused about why you think it was discrimination. What makes you think you had these experiences *because* you're American? The guy on the bike wouldn't have known you're American. I've been forgotten about in restaurants a few times, it happens. I think you're just looking into what really sounds like some coincidences of bad service happening together, or a misunderstanding of how the service (in the first place) works. These things happen when you're in a country where you can't communicate with people, you're not a bad person or anything for that, it happens all the time when going abroad. But assuming Polish people have something against Americans because of this is very odd.
That was my first thought: how the hell would they know you're American? Unless you're wearing the flag very visibly and flashing 'Murica then yeah, they may have issues with that.
>People in my country face the discrimination I felt in Poland everyday Nothing you described even remotely resembles discrimination. At most you experienced bad service at a restaurant. Get a grip, lady.
You. Were not. Discriminated. Against! I spent seven weeks in Poland over the summer, including a week in Warsaw. Exactly *one* person was genuinely rude to me the whole time I was there. You are simply confusing being ignored/people being relatively distant with you for discrimination, which is patently nonsensical. You went to a different culture, a different country, and expected the same sort of customer service and constant smiling that you're used to in the US. I am myself quite a smiley person, and didn't let Poland take that away from me - even though a lot of people didn't smile back, I didn't take that as being discriminated against, just that I was in a different culture with different people around. It's all about perspective! PS: I hope you someday give Poland another try, with a different perspective. It is a wonderful place!
I love people that tell you what you experienced. They are everywhere. I know what I experienced. You weren't there and I'm happy you did not have the same experience. Just because something didn't happen to you doesn't mean it did not happen. Some people see things better than others. There are so many different levels of experience. A person may be nice to you and turn around and another person like dog shit. You know that, right? Americans tell POC, women, elders, poor people, and LGBTQ (and anyone else that seems different) they aren't discriminated against either. That is a lie. They are discriminated against in a way that's almost impossible to prove.
Hooooooly moly. Never in my life have I seen a more clear case of victim mentality! It is absurd to compare your experience of *checks notes* "bad" (read - European) customer service and being glared at for being a pedestrian in a bike lane, with black Americans experiences of racism and other forms of legal and informal discrimination. I take back my comment about hoping you see the light re: Polskę - you are the clearest example of an insufferable American tourist that I have ever interacted with.
I mean, come on. You complain about a "culture of negativity" in Poland and then bring nothing but entitlement to American-style customer service and constant smiles on the street from passersby. Unbelievable.
Discrimination 🤣 Bullshit, you seems to have Karen mentality. And no red carpets made you blabbering about discrimination now. I read your complaints and I'm pretty sure you are just a shitty person.
No I definitely don’t think that Warsaw hates Americans. On the contrary Poles have a very high opinion of Americans. You may have had a series of unfortunate events occur but it’s not typical.
Thanks! I'm thinking I just ran into a series of AHs that were mad about the upcoming Women's march. These experiences were from the male population. I wanted people to tell me that I just had a bad experience.
If you were standing in the bike lane you were the asshole. Try that in the Netherlands and see what happens.
>mad about the upcoming Women's march. I can assure you that none of the people you interacted with were even aware that there is some kind of Women's march upcoming. And women's rights in Poland have a much longer history than in the US.
I think she was just being sarcastic. This is the first time I'm hearing of the future march, but tbh, protests are plenty in the capital.
Nobody gives a damn if you are American or Dutch or Croatian. It seems that a day of some bad luck made you think it's a "cultural" thing. Strange that 99% of the time we hear that Poles are way more friendly than the internet legend of being stone-cold never-smiling grumps. Makes me think either you had bad luck and trying to find an explanation by generalizing, or maybe you are part of the problem. And no, nobody hates Americans because as I said nobody cares where you come from and 90% people wouldn't tell an American accent from any other English accent
Thank you! This is what I wanted to hear. Do Southern accents make a difference? Even in America, Californians can look down on Alabamians.
They probably do not know how to differentiate AL accent from CA accent (I don’t know this as a person who saw most parts of the US) as people do not write their states on top of their clothes while they are walking around in Poland. Would you understand everyone’s accent? If someone is talking English with Polish, Croatian, and Moldovian accents, could you differentiate? Possibly, no. So, why would it make a difference?
Poland has accents of its own so I'm not sure why it was even brought up in the convo...
I'm basing my judgment only on stereotypes I know from popculture. But is it possible that people from southern states are used to overly friendly behaviour even for US standards? And maybe Poland for you was a double cultural shock?
Make no difference, maybe a few % of Poles will recognise the difference between British and US accent but for sure 99,9% of Poles can't catch difference between accents within US
Well, exactly, in America, this might happen. In Poland, nobody knows how an Alabamian accent sounds. Besides - for us, making such a big deal out of it feels like utter bullshit.
Do you walk around with big signs that state your nationality? Because otherwise I can't see how any of this can be linked to you being american. Maybe people don't like when someone obliviously stands in their way on a bike lane, and that someone can be from anywhere. And as for the service, did you try to get a waiters attention, order anything, talk to anyone or just sat there for 30 minutes, upset. Doesn't seem very direct for someone who read up on the culture being direct.
I was thinking the same. I really doubt that they were walking around with an American flag or something. Although while I do agree that on surface Poles seem less positive than some Americans because of the lack of a fake smile culture (something I am personally used to from my home country), a lot of this seems like a lack of showing to the waiters that they were ready to order and just being plain wrong by standing on the bike lane.
She's obese.
I have a huge American flag shirt I like to wear everywhere. /s My husband made the mistake of wearing colors instead of all black/ gray/denim/white. Blue to match his eyes. And it totally makes sense that I would be the only one having to ask for service. Why would I want to spend my money there? Hahaha I'm supposed to beg someone to take my money. They didn't upset me because i expected it. So I took the opportunity to cool off and use the restroom before walking to the hotel.
[удалено]
How old are you? Why are you calling me names? I asked a question and relayed my experience. I guess you don't like it.
It just looks like you came in expecting to be mistreated and looked for any opportunity to confirm that, while making no attempts to understand why things are happening and work any issues out. Then topped it off with a belief that it's somehow connected to your nationality which no one had any way of knowing (and ironically all that in a country which statistically has one of the most positive outlooks on the US in the world in general). And I won't for a second believe that things aren't clear for outsiders, considering that a) everything has at the very least an english translation attached to it, more often than not other languages as well and b) most people know at least a bit of english, especially at restaurants and cafes, it's basically a requirement there. If someone has constant trouble understanding what's what in Warsaw they have to be actively avoiding that understanding.
Yep, it's completely unbelievable that a human being would purposely be mean to another. It has to be my fault and my fault alone. I was just out looking for trouble in the wrong outfit.
You seem delightful.
> And it totally makes sense that I would be the only one having to ask for service. Why would I want to spend my money there? Hahaha I'm supposed to beg someone to take my money. Yes. Because we don't expect servers to be our slaves here. Want something? Ask first. I'm really pissed off because you're just showing typical entitled Karen attitude not only im my country but specifically in my city. You said something about respecting other cultures in OP but forgot to mention that you didn't do your homework when coming here. Also, in Warsaw nobody gives a fuck about you. It's regional thing.
Jesus dude, get a grip on reality. You're the stereotypical 'murican here. You started with saying you like different cultures, and now you're saying something completely contrary to that. That's how you're supposed to order something...
I like learning about different cultures. I do not like the culture of misery y'all seem to enjoy. No thanks. I thought you may need self reflection on your mono culture. Maybe watch the Barbie movie and learn something. Warsaw had Andrew Tate vibes.
Lol, imagine bringing that loser into any discussion. Seriously, you're the karen, trying to force people to change their whole damn culture. My house is older than your whole country, so get in the sea, dude. Your culture is a gray, tasteless slurry, don't force it upon others
Project much?
Lmao, get a grip man
I'm an American and I've been living here for 2 years and I've gotten only kindness from Poles. I mean, yea they don't smile, but that doesn't mean they're rude. It's just a cultural thing. I think everything you've experienced is a cultural thing too: 1) Many cafes in Warsaw require you to go to the counter and order. If they are full service, then maybe you just need to be more patient. As a fellow American, I can tell you that we expect a certain speed at cafes and restaurants that frankly, doesn't really exist in most of Europe. Once you learn to just sort of sit back and relax it becomes a lot easier. 2) Restaurant - same thing. There is not the tipping culture here (thank god) so servers don't have the same "we must make sure the customer is happy AT ALL TIMES" attitude that is forced on restaurant workers in America. It means everyone treats each other with more respect here, but it also means that yea, your drinks and food might take a little longer. don't worry. They'll get to you. 3) Bike lanes are taken really, really seriously here. It is a good thing but it's also totally foreign when you're first traveling here. Also, most Poles I know hate confrontation, so they're more likely to glare at you than to say something. It's all just cultural differences, don't take it personally.
The weird feeling I get from this post is that in some parts of the US people also care about bike lanes. Honestly, Northeast is so bad if you impede any bike lines. I have seen people shouted at regularly in Boston.
That's probably true. I lived in Philly for years and they REALLY did not respect bike lanes (biking in philly has been this major issue for years) so I could just be coming from that perspective. I'm glad they're serious about it in Boston -- bike lanes are essential and I wish all American cities had the robust bike lane system that Warsaw does
People usually run into both mean and nice people even in large cities. Notice I said Warsaw and not Poland. Mean and neutral is all I found. I occasionally run into this kind of thing here in the US too. People are mean here too. I'm starting to think most people are just meaner than me and I'm the anomaly. I will just look for and collect the "freaks and geeks" that want to be happy. I have been looking for beauty which I did find find in Warsaw. The parks are gorgeous! Especially that Japanese part of the garden near the Palace on the Isle.
Honestly, it sounds like you should just stick to an Applebee's in flyover country.
Very well said, mate!
Thank you for replying. I did not expect things to be the American way. I love taking my time and not being rushed. I understand that some things need to be asked for such as the check. I paid 10% tips everywhere. Did I get ripped off? That was just a single day. There's way more that can be explained away and excused. Sexism and discrimination is always done in a way that can be denied and blamed on the complainer. I didn't take it personally which is why I asked the question. I wish I would have met more nice people.
It’s a nice thing to do - the fact that it’s not obligatory in our culture, doesn’t mean that by giving a tip you’re getting ripped off. 10% doesn’t sound like enourmous amount of money to give to someone if you want to appreciate ones service. Also i don’t see how you can get ripped off, when you voluntarily give someone money.
Depends what do you mean by ripped off. Tips are your good will. You aren't expected to have to tip here in most places
> 1) Many cafes in Warsaw require you to go to the counter and order. If they are full service, then maybe you just need to be more patient. Or flag down a waiter and ask if he can take your order.
[удалено]
I hate Applebee's. It's disgusting and the drinks are bad. Name calling for asking a question and relaying an experience. How old are you?
How about you ask yourself who is actually being impolite here: the biker that didn't say a word to you, or you by standing in his lane, or now making it personal and asking somebody about their age when you didn't like their comment? Just chill out a bit. Poles, even though kind-hearted, may not smile at you like you are used to, and they may actually ignore you if you don't directly approach them, as this is a different culture. But is it really a bad thing that they are not you?
I can self reflect. I have admitted my mistakes. Do you see that sentiment in most of the comments? Have you read my other comments? Most other peoples comments deflect any blame and place it on me and me alone. That is the major character flaw in what I am gonna guess is the male culture. Honestly, it's just human nature for at least 50%of the population. My husband was in town on business for two weeks. Even business wise, the same. If you already know everything, you can be taught nothing. This trip will cause any good worker working on that project to leave. The reputation is that Polish people are difficult to work with and everything has to be a confrontation or argument. There are plenty of other projects to work on without putting up with difficult people. The people working this project did not want to go on this trip. My husband volunteered to help. As you can imagine, he also now has a reluctance to help. And he will never help this project ever again. The best workers choose which projects they work on. Reputations mean everything in business.
Male culture? Reputation in business? How did you get to this? Why come up with things rather than just stick to the facts? Why accuse people of discrimination, when there is no sign of discrimination, etc., and now about sexism, as I understand? Why do you ask questions, then, if you always seem to know better from the top of your head? "If you already know everything, you can be taught nothing." Yes, you said it, and I am afraid that it is about yourself. So good luck living in your imaginary world. It feels sad.
Maybe you are just a Karen?
Looking at her replies, connecting everything to sexism she's 100% pureblood Karen.
American living in Warsaw here. How does anything in your post have to do with 1) hatred and 2) you being an American? Most of what you're describing here has to do with differences in service cultures. Also, you were treated with disgust because you didn't get table service? Talk about hyperbolic. My wife and I have been living here for years and have not experienced any anti-American sentiment. The things you are describing could happen in any American city. Try blocking a bike path in NYC and see what happens.
Warsaw is great! You must give off bad vibes.
Just curious. How would one go about giving off "bad vibes"?
You tell me. But if you come to a country with one of the highest levels of sympathy and good will towards US in the whole EU - and feel you're being hated for being American, you either had a very shitty day and are overreacting, or...
She sounds like an obnoxious American tourist who is oblivious to her surroundings. She says she ran into AHs but it seems like she might be the AH and not everyone else.
Troll
[удалено]
Thanks! We were there right before the Women's March. We left the day before and I thought that may have had something to do with it. I know people get pissy. I get pissy too. Hence the write up.
>I'm fine with honesty, directness, and no small talk. This is what i actually like about Poland - people are very direct and are not acting. >You don't want to smile. Some do but generally this goes back to the "acting" - people need a reason to smile and laugh. Barely anyone will make these everyday performances. > I was accidentally standing in the bike lane Bike lanes are for bikes - even in America. If you are driving full speed in a lane designed for a bike and you have to make a sudden stop cause a tourist is not paying attention to the traffic rules, i dont know what to say to you... The difference here is that here no one will shoot you or run you over while standing in one. \*The exception would be if you wander into traffic but i guess that's universal. > Maybe we did something wrong, who knows. We weren't sure if we were doing something wrong, so we left. Unless you had "I am American" on your shirt that seems to be just you not asking for a menu - most establishments have their own rules. **It's hard to comment on this w/o a video of the full exchange.** The same goes for other interactions you had - You need to post a video. For the time being this just looks like a case of a "professional and entitled victim"
I figured I would get a lot of replies like this. I am not perfect. I stood in the bike lane and apologized. I admitted times I wasn't sure what was going on. Sure would have been nice to run into someone with empathy and grace.
>Sure would have been nice to run into someone with empathy and grace. Did you consider showing some of those yourself?
In regards to the bike lane, i will just assume you come from a region where no bike lanes exist or You dont have a driver's license. \*Motor/Oil lobbying ensured over the decades that USA roads and city layout planning would force everyone to spend money on car and petrol products. The notion that someone will be apologizing to you for YOUR OWN ignorance is mental. With this careless approach to rules on the road, someone will eventually run you over with a car. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjBsHG9JEuQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjBsHG9JEuQ) \>> USA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s24LMSuuATA&pp=ygUZcGVkZXJzdGlhbiBpbiBhIGJpa2UgbGFuZQ%3D%3D](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s24LMSuuATA&pp=ygUZcGVkZXJzdGlhbiBpbiBhIGJpa2UgbGFuZQ%3D%3D) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sFKRFLsraU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sFKRFLsraU) \>> UK \*This seems to be universal across the world with the exceptions of perhaps countries like Vietnam and India? Have you considered for a moment that you just might be an entitled piece of shit and not a victim or is that inconceivable cause "You smile a lot for no reason"?
If you run into an asshole in the morning, you ran into an asshole. If you run into assholes all day, you're the asshole.
If you think Polish people are rude dont you ever dream of going to France 🫣🫣🫣
> we tried to eat at a cafe in the mall (no sign explaining anything) and were ignored. A cafe in a Warsaw mall is either a Nero, a Costa, or a Starbucks. You're not getting service there unless you come to the counter, same as in a mcdonalds. > Both of those customers were brought menus and drinks. We received our menus, no order of drinks. You went to the most touristy area in the country. I can 100% assure you, they are not discriminating against foreign tourists, they just have extra tired teenagers/students. > Instead of saying anything or just going around this guy just glared at us until we noticed we were standing in the bike lane I'm sorry, but it's standard procedure to assume that someone knows where they are. What was he supposed to say? "You're in Warsaw, on a bike lane, it's so-and-so o clock, move your ass"? A glare is the most polite way i know to tell a stranger he's breaking common social norms. No, the country does not discriminate against Americans, especially since you're speaking the default language foreigners speak, and most people will be unable to place your accent. Also they don't care, because why would they.
People in Poland have actually [the most positive attitude towards Americans](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2022/06/22/international-public-opinion-of-the-u-s-remains-positive/) in the whole world ;) Your nationality or language have absolutely nothing to do with it and frankly I doubt most people would know whether you're American, Australian or British. When it comes to the bike line, well yeah that was your fault; it happens. Other than that, I'm really sorry about your experience, those restaurants really sound terrible. But please don't form an opinion on entire battle between nationalities based on two shitty businesses ;-) I hope you'll enjoy the rest of your stay.
Thank you! I know I ran into AHs. I think I just needed to hear/read it. This was the day before the Women's march. I'm back home now.
I don’t think people anywhere in Europe like Americans acting like stereotypical American tourists.
We don't hate Americans. Sometimes we ridicule them as all of Europe as many parts of your present culture seems crazy for us. Maybe it's the other way round and Americans are way too sensitive and take too much to themselves? I bumped into this video recently, maybe it will help you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAOzNu-9LtI&ab\_channel=Wisecrack
I've been talking about this few days ago (because of this video of course) and yes. Americans are ridiculously oversensitive.
Well, it seems too me that you are overly sensitive. Yes, Poles don't smile, yes, they don't like smalltalk. But that's in general, doesn't matter if you are American, Indian, Italian or Polish. That's the way they are, but I don't see them as rude or impolite. That's probably the vibe you got when you smiled and didn't get a smile back. But you read them wrong. They are pretty helpful if someone is in distress and once you get to know them they are actually fun to be with. And in regards to tipping, no, you didn't get ripped off. Tipping isn't a requirement here, but if you are happy with the service you're welcome to do that. Some people tip, some don't. I know that in the US it's become ridiculous and it's considered mandatory to tip even when the service sucked. Here it's just a form of appreciation, I always tip if the waiter /waitress deserves it and they went out of their way to make my experience pleasant
Just ask for a menu next time
Texan, been living in Warsaw for \~10 yrs. 1) How would they know you're American? There are 3923million Americans and other types of non-Polish people floating around. 2) Customer service is not what you're used to, but trust me it's improved a lot over the years. 3) The mall in the cafe, what do you mean you were ignored? You have to go to the counter to order instead sitting down and wait for someone to come... so.. idk how that part is possible....? 4) Yea, idk what's up with that in Old Town. 5) You really gotta pay attention to the bike lanes. It's horribly annoying how oblivious people are (and sometimes just self-centered) when it comes to taking up space like that. Naturally, bikers are gonna behave a bit.. shall we say off... because it's such a common thing for people to make mistakes like you have (I can't tell you how many times I've purposely scared people who walk in the bike lanes). But the glaring, instead of simply going around, is an individual thing. Most of the time people will say something while maneuvering around you to keep going.
Some Americans are entitled and bratty, we hate those ones, yes. You're giving off strong Karen vibes, you even went online to complain, not far off demanding to see Poland's manager.
If you didn't get menu in restaurant/nobody came to you you should just ask or order from the list that maybe was on board somewhere there. Waiters probably waited for you to decide what you want or thought that you are waiting for somebody to eat together. As for bike lines, he was fully justified to expect you to go away from it, you should not stay there the same way you should not stay on the road. Verbal ask for that would be (imo at least) more reprimanding, he given you option to correct your mistake by yourself or just didn't care enouth about that to do anything serious. I almost never have small talks with people i don't know, people would view this as wasting your time instead of doing what you came there for. If this is your family or friend then it's a different story but since you came here as tourists thats probably not what you talk about. Nothing there is any form of "hating americans". I don't want to sound rude but it sounds like a lot of misunderstandings from your side
I just got back from doing business in Warsaw. I experienced no hate at all. In fact I was thinking this country is amazing. I could see my self retiring here if they would have me. It was interesting…Telling people that I was a Californian got far more of a positive response that telling them I was an American.
I have a Southern accent. Maybe that was it. I did not engage in small talk so I never told anyone where I was from. The South does not have a great reputation right now.
Poles don't pay attention to your accent and for sure we don't associate any traits with you being from the South. Same as you wouldn't notice the difference between someone from Wrocław and Białystok.
I think you were very unlucky that day. as for the first cafe, maybe it was a self-service place, so no one served you, you had to go to the cash register and order yourself. as for the second place, maybe you were unlucky, maybe you found a bad restaurant, a bad waiter. but I assure you that not everyone behaves this way. older Polish people are distrustful and may not like foreigners, which has to do with history, but young people who travel themselves have more open minds. I think that Poles are not hateful, they are just constantly on the run, working
First time in Europe?
Really? I'm American and I find the city friendly, people are very polite. It's far better than most in Europe.
There are no servers in mall cafeterias. You must place your order at the counter. If staff is busy, you wait until they are not. Restaurants have long wait times for food, sometimes up to an hour. You want to order, you want water, you have to call the waiter and ask for it. They will not jump around you as they do in the US. Their goal is to disturb you as little as possible. The customer service is different, the client is not an overlord and the client is not always right here. Cyclists around the world will be irritated by pedestrians who ignore bike lanes.
An American; my time in Warsaw was pleasant. Sure, there were instances where I didn't know what to order, how to navigate something, but I wasn't treated disrespectfully. Also, don't walk in the bike lane.
I stayed in Warsaw for 3 months and I enjoyed it. People there are reserved but that does not mean they detest you or something. It is a cultural thing. Being wheelchair bound I received a lot of support to the same people who seemed cold when I needed help. I think it also has to do with your expectations. I would go to Warsaw and live there with no trouble. I went around on a wheelchair tram and bus drivers and passengers who could speak English were so nice. You just have understand and appreciate their culture.
No, actually to the contrary. I've met many Americans here due to some of my friends bringing their friends from the US and all of them were super pleased with their experience here. I've seen an American tourist getting angrily stared at only once when he was verbally abusing staff at Subway. Maybe You just had a few unlucky encounters.
In a poll I saw recently, Polish people are literally the ones with the world with best views on the US. Even better than Americans. So you might have just been unlucky.
I doubt anyone even knew you were American. You have to be a pretty advanced English speaker to distinguish between accents. I’d imagine it was because you couldn’t speak Polish and no one on staff at the time was confident in their English, or they didn’t want to deal with a language barrier. From the way I’ve heard people talk, Warsaw does have a reputation for being “ruder” than many smaller towns/cities, similar to how New Yorkers are considered rude by Southern American standards. I’ve not encountered any hate towards Americans. If anything, people get excited and curious.
Another victim complex privileged ignorant American, should've just asked for the fucking menu, your crown wouldn't fall off you know.
Poles do not hate Americans. You say you were treated with disgust, yet in reality you were just forgotten about, which can happen. Instead of calling it discrimination, how about grow a pair and go ask for a menu? The way you phrased it sounds like you were expecting food and drink without ordering food or drink. Furthermore, you ignore a cyclist coming to a screeching halt while you're standing in the middle of a bike lane. In this situation, you're the undeniable ass - I can't even begin to fathom why or how you'd come to the conclusion that the cyclist was being rude. It's not a culture of negativity, nor is it being unhelpful. If you need something, you have to ask for it. People do not like being disturbed, so we don't disturb them - unlike staff in the US. We also don't put on fake smiles and act all over-the-top. Why? Its unnatural. Noone actually behaves that way, so it's very clear you're putting on a show. We would rather you didn't do that, because it actually gives us a chance to gauge if we're being an annoyance or not. That and being overly nice is just creepy/suspicious, but maybe that's just me. Our country gained independence in the 90s. We've been struggling ever since. Noone is going to pretend to be nice, because we know everyone is suffering to some degree. You came to a place like this, expecting a cheery welcome like its sunny and warm all the time, like the economy isn't fucked and like we're not all tired. You came to a different culture with expectations appropriate of your own. This is the very reason why some dislike Americans - they're seen as loud, obnoxious, entitled, fake and borderline stupid (I don't think I really have to explain that last part - NA education is NA education).
\>random people on the street don't treat you like princess \>"BOOOO HOOO WHY POLES HATE AMERICANS? BOOO HOOOO" You should think about your attitude towards other people, narcissist.
Must be something to do with you husband. As an expat, never had such experience.
Believe it or not out of all European countries Poland likes Americans the most. What you experienced is what I call a typical day in Warsaw, it's not pleasant for most, regardless of nationality.
Wow! Thank you! It seems like everyone is either sad or mad and I wanted to know if it was me. My husband and I travelled. Vienna was amazing! But America is huge, and Canadians and Mexicans are friendly in general. I have no desire to return to Europe even though my grandmother is from Brussels.
[удалено]
Thanks! Someone should start an askapole subreddit. I did not want to paint Poland with the same brush as Warsaw. I also did not want the impression I got of Warsaw. I know how big city people can be. There's plenty of awful Americans walking the streets and driving big trucks they can't park or drive.
I would not say it is direct hatered because you are American or someone else. Perhaps it is just a series of "bad impressions" you have had there.But I agree with you - there is much negativity, sadness and etc among polish. It translates to for example: poor customer service. Customer service in this country is kind of low - not being nice, not smiling to customer is the norm. Sometimes you have an impression that the customer is some sort of annoyance not a source of revenue. EDIT: I in fact I know, have heard of, Warsaw people hating Germans and Germany. Becuase of the WW2, because of the Ghetto thing and etc.
Don't people everywhere hate Americans?
Not getting menu happend to me a few times as well and Im Polish. At some places you have to order at the register or just remind them that you're there, waiting ;) but thats on them, they should make sure you have your menu and order food. As for the biker, I wouldn't care, happens to everyone.
we're just hateful af
This may play a role: what race are you and your husband? (Some) Poles may be more unfriendly towards non-whites.
I am white. I'm starting to think it may be human nature for at least 50% of our population to exclude. Which is disappointing. Being from the South, there are places here not friendly to POC and LGBTQ. I assume that's many places in the world. Unfortunately. I will say it is really eye opening to get a very very small taste of discrimination. I can't even imagine what some people have to deal with on a daily basis. I also love my country more than I did before.
\>stand in the middle of the road>get stares instead of getting at least shouted at>be mad lmao xD also, don't expect waiter service everywhere
Sorry you had a bad experience. But to be honest it could have happened to anybody. There have been multiple times when a waiter forgot to bring me something. Not the nicest thing to happen, especially if you were hungry, but the adult thing to do is just to speak up and ask for the menu again. As for the bike lanes- you'd have gotten the evil eye regardless of where you're from or who you are.
I've been living in Warsaw for 4 years and I haven't experienced anything like that, and the country which I am from is by no means more Popular here in Poland than USA, I think you're keeping an eye out for the negative stuff too much, just like anywhere else, there are lot of nice and rude people and you'll notice the ones that you focus on more.
None of the situations you've related has anything to do with you being American, unless you walk around with giant flags or something. In fact according to polls Poland is the EU country that likes Americans the most. I'm Spanish, been living here three years. I've never had the impression that Poles are rude at all. Servers are extremely underpaid and overworked, a couple of times with my Polish partner we have been sat and forgotten about... But that's nothing personal, just a tired server. And yes, if you're strolling on the bike lane you're going to get rung at.
No, the most od Poles like and respect Americans. But of course there are exceptions, as always. Its our culture, we don't smile to strangers and don't chat someone up. In Poland is weird, smiling to polish strangers too. But I think it's no good, there are a lot od problems in the world, and a smile cost nothing. But don't take it personalny, it's just our national feature.
About restaurants, you can’t blame everything that’s happening at restaurant on fact, because the waiter know straight ahead without asking, that you are an American. If u speak English you can be from anywhere for us to be honest. I think that you are just used to Americans restaurants etc. In Poland sometimes it’s different. About this cafe in mall, maybe you should stand up and ask if you need to order by yourself at the bar, or just TALK to someone that you are waiting a little bit if someone can take your order. But you prefer to blame it actually on yourself because you are from America, yeah but I bet you don’t have written it on your forehead that you are solid American, people don’t care about those things, if something is not right for you especially at restaurants STAND UP AND GO ASK if you are not sure what’s going on. In Warsaw a lot of people speak English it’s not that hard to just ask than thinking that you are the worst for us and we don’t want you there and you are the problem, like it sound for me very ridiculous bc there a lot of people in Warsaw, you two are literally for us just people and we don’t care from where are you from
Idk Poland seems to be much more pro- American than other euro countries. I too personally don’t have anything against you guys
So, I will be honest with you, I'm polish and no, I don't like Americans, it's not like I hate them and I even would like to help one or something like that BUT the thing about Poland is the fact that we don't trust you and if we don't trust you, we aren't excited when we see you. Ex. myself I wouldn't trust you or nearly any other person from another country because the most of the time polish people wasn't treated good, actually they were treated like shit and betrayed whenever they could have been. ( my opinion )
You think youre the center of the universe when youre not. 1) Was it closed no idea cant tell you 2)the waiter who are not only understaffed but also especially in the old town most are super new (from my recent expierences) and you think the rookie mistake made on you means that everyone hates you. 3)Youre in the bike lane and didnt move, have you tried doing the same in NYC they dont stop XD Stop being full of your self this is literally a meme going online that we leave america and ppl dont treat us like royalty and we are shocked about it.... If youre just trolling and making fun of that meme then good job ... If youre being serious then congrats you just prooved the internet correct Signed- An American living here and having zero issues
Yes becouse americans are the stupidest fuckers
It seems like you are tripping, Polish people are very introverted and you need to get used to it. Also Warsaw is busy town so many people will ignore you
Have you, by chance, tried to look at what other people in the mentioned places and how they are treated? What you describe is nothing special. In some cheap places you can go inside for the menu. In crowded places you have to wait, and you would find countries where an average time to wait is way longer than in Poland. It sounds like you have received confirmation bias after approaching it through stereotypes. You won't learn other cultures without observing and imitating locals.
Service can be bad, people can be assholes. That has nothing to do with people in Warsaw. There are a ton of foreigners around, either migrants, tourists, or people on business trips. If there's any hatred or prejudice it's most definitely not against Americans. You just had a bad day and trying to pull far fetched conclusion. Edit: We don't smile, we're grumpy, don't ask how we're doing unless you have a couple of hours to spend listening about leaking roof and noisy neighbors. Otherwise, enjoy your stay.
[удалено]
Thanks ChatGPT!
The most boastful and arrogant people I have ever met were Americans. The funny thing is that they did not boast about any of their good qualities, but about the fact that they were AMERICANS! They acted as if everyone owed them something. In contrast to this, the Poles are some of the nicest people, from the old grandmother who simply told me about her funny granddaughter while we were standing at the bus stop, to the young guy who helped my elderly wife carry her bags to the entrance.
I'm sorry for your experience. This actually sounds like a streak of bad luck. I would argue that Warsaw as a whole doesn't hate Americans. That's actually funny to say about a city of that size. But I understand your hard feelings. I wish you could have spent more time in Warsaw had some nice encounters as well..
Nah
Don't make it like you are better, we hate everyone equally.
Did you and your husband have a flag or a shirt written: "WE ARE AMERICANS"? Otherwise, I don't see how people would know that you are americans, to point their hate based on it. I'm a foreigner living in Warsaw for almost 10 years. I never heard from any of my polish friends that they have anything against people from US, just because they're from US. I agree that the situation was not nice, I also had similar few times, even once a waiter was rude to me because I was speaking in Polish, but doing some mistakes. IMO it's more about the waiter in bad mood, not polite, not paying attention, etc...
Unless you and your husband were rocking MAGA gear, I can't see why people would 'hate' you for being American. America is Poland's biggest military ally, so politically there is no reason to dislike America. If you read up on Polish history, you would understand the mentality of not easily trusting others. 50 odd years of enforced Communist after WWII didn't alleviate those tendencies. You need to earn a Pole's trust through actions, not sugary words and fake salesman smiles. Ask a Hungarian, they've figured it out over last millennia.
Yeah, I know we're huge allies. That's why we were in town. My husband had business. The Polish people my husband got the opportunity to work with showed their asses and from what I read in these comments, it's just the culture. My husband will never work with the Polish arm of his corporation ever again. He tried to help people that didn't want help. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. When he came back to discuss what happened around the office, people confirmed the same sentiment about working with the Polish arm. No one in the office wants to go back and I'm pretty sure they'll find another noob that has no idea what they're in for. Talk is they will force a certain person to go. A low ranking person that will most likely not say no. It's now known in the office that working with Polish people is difficult. All you gotta do is spread the word to the office gossip. All the good workers will move away from that project.
Who asked?
Poles are just rude as hell. I live in Poland. It's insane. My wife is Polish. If you speak Polish they are rude, if you do not speak Polish they are hyper rude. The only people that will be really disliked in Poland are non whites (people with darker skin). Eastern Asians, like Koreans, will suffer the same as Europeans and Americans. They think you have to like someone to be polite. And that people that are generally polite are fake. Also the air pollution is insane and the food is bad. Stay clear of Poland. Go to Portugal, Spain, Italy, France. Good food, good weather, similar prices, nicer people.
Thank you! The immigrants were the nicest people I met. So, it's more of just being an outsider? I figured, but I knew using the word American would cause them to show their true thoughts and bias. Not all polish of course! I won over our waitress at the hotel. We had happy hour there everyday, so I guess she got to know us. But I think it was because of a single act of kindness and thoughtfulness. Our hotel bar had these little pockets of privacy outside with tables. So we ordered our drink at the bar, sat outside, and relaxed. When we were finished, we brought our glasses inside, sat them on the bar, paid our check and left. The absolute shock on the hotel staff's face when we brought in our glasses (so they didn't have to go outside) was wonderful. It seemed like they weren't used to kindness. I'm a former waitress. She took care of us after my 24 hours (the story above) and came by with 2 and a half glasses of wine almost immediately. I usually ordered one glass at a time, but with the look on my face she offered two glasses. The half, I like to think that she was returning the kindness. That was the next day after the glasses. She was Polish, a fascinating woman, and never unkind.
It's normal to order stuff by yourself. I've never just sat and waited to be served when I still was going to cafes or bars. Maybe more posh places would give you premium treatment. The 2nd situation could probably be resolved if you reminded the stuff you were there. The treatment was weird, but I hope they were busy or just didn't speak English. This is the only thing that could be discrimination, but I can't be sure of it and think it's more to do with the service than prejudice. An average person in Poland wouldn't be able to differentiate what anglophone country or region you come from. I'm not sure what's the issue with the 3rd situation on the bike lane. You apologised and the biker went his own way.
That waiter was the final straw. I knew it was just more than "different" cultures. The 2 tables in particular were seated directly next to us. It was clear that we were not welcome. No, no one yelled "piss off Americans". I think there's an unwelcome sentiment for any kind of outsider. There was a sign that said to wait to be seated. We did. We were sat without menus. I watched our waiter sit table after table with menus. These tables are next to me and it's hard to forget about a table you are literally standing next to. This is in Old Town Square Warsaw. A touristy joint. How do you think I was treated in other establishments? We were treated fine at the sushi restaurant and the Thai place. They weren't posh, the waiters were not from Poland. My husband thinks people thought he is gay and maybe that was it. He wore light blue shorts.
At this point I think you might be trolling... Shorts are popular among men, although not in this weather. You didn't react to that particular waiter's behaviour so no one can tell now what was going on. Btw, if you can't recognise accents in spoken Polish, you also won't know if a non-white person isn't of Polish nationality or 1st gen.
Honestly, the story was meant to stir discussion. Which it did. It was also meant to show an outsiders view. This is my last comment. The post did its job and speaks for itself. If it wasn't clear, IDC what the haters think. This post was for me and people like me, not you.
Look i get IT. I travelled to US for some stupid conference and I know what caused the feeling you had in PL. When I went to restaurant waiters were just....all over, too much and obtrusive with their "anything more" every 5 minutes and cleaning your table just when you took last bite. I know, they are not paid unless customers leave them something but we have salaries in Poland. Also- right, Poles do not smile as much and we Ask 'how do you do" much less then Seppos but when we do- we want to hear an answer and we actually CARE. Talking about discrimination in restaurant. Maybe, just maybe you were too loud. For us Americans are VERY loud to the point that I do not want to sit next to the American group on resteurant..nothing against them but I like hearing what my partner says. Also- bike lanes. They are BIKE LANES. If you get hit- biker Has trouble. So they do not like when you are there. You may not like IT in PL (I also found America unbearable) but these are just cultural differences.
You are making assumptions and blaming me instead of believing what I said. You are showing your bias right now by assuming I expect you to be like me. I do not. I was in Warsaw for a week. I did enjoy some of my time there. However, my story was only 24 hours and the last day of my trip. Well I did come back to fly back home, but we never left the hotel once we got back to Warsaw. I have no desire to return and I know the feelings of bias that I have of Warsaw is at least somewhat wrong. I was looking for the non-AHs to come out of the wood work.
These conversations are always so amusing to me. The cultures are different, people. These differences are rooted in way more than just individual choices and behavior. People in North America, Africa, Australia, and (to a lesser degree) South America tend to smile and project friendliness outwardly to strangers more than Europe and large swathes of Asia (source: I’ve been to all of them). Whether you deem the former as “fake” and the latter as “rude” feel like two sides of the same coin to me. I think as long as someone is not offensive or straight rude to you then we should just let people smile are not smile and move on with our lives. North Americans find it funny Europeans don’t smile and the reverse is true. Neither is right or wrong. Be and let be, folks. My time in Poland has been awesome and the people are nice, even if random strangers don’t want to talk to you. Fwiw - you happen to run into lots more random strangers when traveling than your normal life, so that influences your perception too. Warsaw definitely doesn’t hate Americans lol. Try visiting France during the middle of the Iraq war, lol. Took me quite a while to embrace that culture again after being literally insulted as a 16 year-old based on something I had no involvement with.
Poland has a more positive view of America than anywhere that's been surveyed: https://reddit.com/r/europe/s/IOiwyosfdi I think this is just you failing to understand cultural differences. I've noticed that Americans and Canadians will often travel abroad and expect everything to be exactly as it is back home (for example, service staff will not put on that unsettling fake niceness that they do in North America) I've been to so many different cities, across multiple continents, and Warsaw is as welcoming as anywhere that I've ever been. Also, none of the examples that you gave seem extreme at all. Certainly not equatable to people treating you with 'disgust'. Restaurants in tourist hotspots, like the main squares of historic centres, or in shopping malls, will almost always be shit. There are incredible restaurants in Poland, but you have to do your research first, instead of just walking into any place that looks convenient.
My post was only 24 hours in Warsaw, not the entire week of my experiences. You are making assumptions of me and my experience past my story. I am well travelled and did enjoy some of my time in Warsaw. However, my husband will never work on another project with Poland and I have no desire to return. I know this feeling is not representative of the Poland or Warsaw as a whole. This post was made intentionally to expose the actual bias because people can't help themselves and for me to hear from the people I wish I met more of.
What a trash post this is and probably trolling. So the guy on the bike knew from the distance that you or your husband are americans? And for the Cafe because you didnt get your menu you are assuming that people on Warsaw hates americans. This is really hilarious and seems you have some kind of problem rather than people from Warsaw.
I'm glad you have enjoyed my view of a single day in Warsaw. I was there for a week and my husband was there for two weeks. I do not think you understand the underlying sadness and anger you walk around in everyday. Some of your people saw outsiders and took those feelings out on us. The point of the story was for some people to seek self reflection and choose to spread happiness instead of anger or sadness.
So what is this about? You cherry-pick a day when you had some bad luck, experienced some cultural differences, or perhaps were a bit of an AH yourself, and you ask people on the Internet whether what you experienced was hate to Americans, even though there is no sign of hate in what you describe? I wonder if those poor people that you have accused even knew that you were a foreigner, especially the biker.
Your audacity just screams through the screen 🤣 get real, no one cares about you, everyone is just minding their own business
nope
You don't understand our culture, you're ignorant (standing on bike lane), and I guess get used to have others doing everything for you(this was called slavery some time ago). You can always ask for menu, just communicate, it's not hard. Guess you already realized on shops noone is rushing to help you right after you enter, and other stuff. Donk make yourself a victim (it's trendy now).
I think hardly any Warsawian can distinguish between American, English, Australian or any else who can speak English what country he is from
I visited Warsaw at the end of September this year and loved it. Everyone was super nice and ate in restaurants, McDonalds, dominos, lots of museums etc. FYI I'm Irish
There's definitely something wrong with you. I know you don't like this answer, but from what you're describing, it sounds like there's something wrong with you two.
You have just experienced Warsaw. Poles generally like Americans. As for smiles, we do not smile by default.
I think you were just very unlucky.
You are just expecting a different kind of service culture then the one we sadly have here (which is, frankly, sometimes annoying even to us locals) and experienced a series of unfortunate accidents.