Russia's closest European neighbor, Poland became an especially popular pilgrimage destination in the turbulent 90s. Thousands of "shuttle traders" rushed to Warsaw and the border towns, selling, buying and exchanging a wide variety of goods. The first Russian businessmen were hardly interested in the culture of Poland, but modern tourists are happy to pay attention to the architectural and historical sights of its ancient cities and communicate with local residents who have preserved the rich customs of their ancestors.
They are greeted by clothes
Poles are very careful in everyday life and manners, and therefore the first impression upon meeting is the most important. They certainly add the prefix "pan" or "pani", referring to the interlocutor, and not only to the surname, but also to the position. Polish traditions are prescribed to communicate with ladies with unchanging courtesy and respect. They should be allowed to go forward, hold the door for them, give way in transport and give compliments. A foreigner should behave in the same way, so as not to make an unfavorable impression.
Table arrangements
Poles love gatherings at the table and willingly invite guests and friends to their home. Traditional dishes of Polish cuisine are hearty and quite heavy, and therefore it is important to calculate your strength in order to taste and praise the dessert. Residents of Polish cities talk a lot and often about all kinds of diets, and each meal is certainly preceded by a story about another newfangled food system.
Alcohol at the table does happen, but is not required. Most often these are beer or cocktails, but non-alcoholic drinks are much more popular, and tea or coffee is usually offered to the guest right from the door.
Useful little things
- Dress appropriately for the occasion when heading to a theater or museum. Traditions in Poland suggest that such an event is a holiday, and therefore the locals wear beautiful clothes on their way out.
- In Poland, bicycles are becoming more widespread as a means of transportation. When driving a rented car, be attentive to cyclists and, if possible, give them the way.
- Poles are very religious, and therefore, when planning a trip to the country, you should take into account the holiday calendar. During many of them, not only state institutions were closed in Poland, but also museums, banks and shops.
- Do not bring up political topics in conversations with Poles. Many of them are too hot and emotional in discussing issues shaking the historical past, and therefore the conversation can take an undesirable turn.
