Etiquette Secrets: how to behave in Poland

Each country has its own troubles in terms of etiquette and not to get into an awkward situation, it is better to know in advance all of the features. What are the rules of etiquette is important to observe in Poland that is considered the norm, but for that you can get a fine? Learn from this post.

Poles - proud people, most of them religious (Catholic) and very family. It is widely believed that in Poland do not like Russian and German, which is probably connected with the Soviet Union and World War II. These themes, and especially the Holocaust, it is better not to touch the conversation.

In general, numerous reviews of Russians who visited Poland and moved to assert that there is no racial hatred, they do not noticed, on the contrary, the Poles are friendly enough, the staff is not rude, and if you need something, you always prompt and everything explained.

Yet, the Polish mentality is different from ours, but they also love vodka, afraid of his superiors and inferior to the elderly in the public transportation.

Here are a few rules of etiquette which will help you not to cause blank stares in Poland and not to offend new friends or business partners.

Greetings and basic phrases

The most common greeting phrase in Poland "czesc", which is pronounced as "tshesch". Like us, the Poles have different greetings on the time of day:

«Dzień dobry» ( «Dzhen kind") - a good day

«Dobry wieczór» ( «Vechur kind") - good evening

«Do widzenia» ( «to vidzhenya") - Goodbye

«Dobranoc» ( «dobranots") - good night, good night.

The emphasis is always on the penultimate syllable, however, the pronunciation of words can listen to Google translate. If you do not intend to remain permanently in Poland and learn the language, you can greet the Poles simple and straightforward in everything «hello» world. They are mostly well know the English language, and even foreign films in Polish cinemas are subtitled and not dubbed translation.

As welcome as well, as we have used a handshake, and sometimes - a friendly kiss on the cheek, which actually represent a subtle touch of cheek.

Shake hands can be both men and women, and if you greet mixed company, you first need to say hello to the women. By the way, in Poland there still exists the custom of kissing a woman's hand. Of course, so do not always, but more often than in Russia, where it is generally a relic and something a little strange.

When you call most often will hear the answer «słucham», that is, to "listen" and then politely will introduce themselves, and then say why you are calling.

How to handle the Poles

In Poland remained courteous treatment "pan" and "Pani", which can be added to the name or profession. For example, if you are in a restaurant just gonna call "Waiter!", It would be rude, but if the "pan waiter" normal.

People who have just met, can call each other by name with the addition of "pan", a respectful form - full name and surname and, again, the "pan". When communication becomes less formal, you can use the "pan" with a name or a diminutive form of the name.

Well, between friends, family and the youth of the word "pan" in general may not occur. Like us, young people quickly move on "you," nothing offensive in it, if it's just a friendly chat.

What can, and should not be in public places

In Poland, it is considered polite to open the door to women, to give them a place in the public transport. Also serious for the elderly - they definitely need to give way, otherwise you angry Poles sleeves or very elderly man. However, these rules of etiquette adopted in our country, and if you - bred man, no problem.

The public areas are non-smoking and drinking alcohol - in transport, public gardens and parks, at bus stops, beaches and, of course, on the playground. Moreover, if you do not drink and do not even open a bottle of alcohol, but just carry it in your hands, you can also shtrafanut. Well and drinking on the go will cost you more expensive than just drinking in a public place.

Of course, you can not drive a car drunk, in addition, it applies to bicycles - drunken cyclists also pay fines.

It is important to respect the rules of the road: go through a red light on zebra punishable by a fine 100-200 PLN, is the transition - 50 zlotys, and if you run across the road in the wrong place - 30 PLN. So, if you do not want to go to the crosswalk, it is better to go over the road than walk.

There is another public place where you have to abide by special rules - the church, that is the Catholic church. As mentioned earlier, the Poles, for the most part, very religious. The church can not be photographed, at least with flash for sure - can expel.

In general, the Catholic service differ from the Orthodox: there you can sit, and a priest during the service can even afford a few anecdotes. In general, the Poles often go to church, churches during services never empty, and in the schools and in the buildings of government agencies can be seen the crucifixion.

At the table in the restaurant and at a party

On how to politely calls up the waiter, we have said, is now on the tip. Politely to give a tip of about 10% of the bill, although they immediately switched to some restaurants in the sum.

If you are invited to visit about some of the holiday, do not be surprised that the soup is sure to be on the menu. Any festive meal (unlike Russian holidays) starts with a soup such as borscht or mushroom. By the way, they often do not eat red soup and drink, so that the glass may not drink and soup. You can buy borscht even in the coffee machine.

If you ask to transfer seasoning, remember that "pepper" refers only to black pepper, and chili and other called "paprika".

Poles - quite sincere and open-minded people, so do not be surprised if during a party you can ask frank questions that concern privacy. It's just a desire to establish an open relationship.

After lunch decided to thank not only the hostess as interlocutors for pleasant company. Then you can even send a card of thanks for a wonderful evening, but this, of course, the official.

Alcohol

With regard to alcohol, like vodka and Poles consider it almost a national drink. Some people prefer to drink vodka after the feast, not biting and drinking soda or juice, others - during a party, it all depends on the person's preferences.

If asked to dilute the vodka, juice or soda, all right, it's not considered rude, especially for the ladies. Vodka with apple juice is often called the "pie".

The bars can be ordered fruit beer or a beer with the addition of juice, which is quite decent to drink through a straw. Generally, on the part of spirits, the Poles did not concede Russian, and during the feast is often consumed a huge amount of vodka.

As for the toast, the most common - "health", "For beautiful ladies". To a birthday party and other celebrations associated with a particular person, sing a song «sto lat», that is, wish live 100 years .

Gifts

If you are invited to dinner, you can bring gifts - an excellent option will be wine and flowers. Flowers, by the way, decided to give without packaging.

You can donate anything, and business partners, but without much expensive, not to get into an awkward situation.

Business relationship

Business etiquette in all countries is the same in general. Everywhere appreciate punctuality, honesty and openness. They love it and Poles. It will be glad if you learn a few words in Polish, for example, the welcome, but if you are afraid to distort the words can be in English.

Good practice to exchange business cards - is a necessary part of business etiquette. Inscriptions on the business card can be in English, without translation into Polish, there is nothing to worry about.

Before embarking on a business to be polite to talk a little bit on the space theme, like social life or your work experience - such conversations help to better understand and establish partner mutual sympathy. Just do not choose as the theme of money.

If during business discussions occur long pause in the conversation, there is nothing wrong - like the Poles leisurely discuss business matters. And it is not necessary to fill these pauses additional persuasion, it may seem impolite.

Also, do not be distracted during a meeting on telephone calls, as well as in Russia, it is considered impolite.

Misunderstandings with language

Some Polish words may seem familiar to you, but it is important not to fall into the trap - in spite of the similar sound, they can mean the opposite.

For example, a common Russian name Tanja translates as "cheap", so it is better to mention the full name is Tatiana. Here are a few words that sound alike but mean completely different:

Gloomy "sklep" translates as "shop" if you say «urodliwy», do not be offended, which means "beautiful", and «Grzeczny» - not an indication of the number of your sins, but only "polite."

The word «Korzystny» no indication of self-interest, which means "profitable," but if you will not be asked «Pukac», do not be surprised, it means "do not knock." "Zakaz" translates to "ban", the profession of «Malarz» - is an artist, not a painter, and «Dywan» - carpet.

Well, the last, if you ask how to get to some of the building, you can answer «prosto», and do not be offended, thinking that over you bullied because in Russian it means "straight".

If you have anything to add about the rules of etiquette and communication features in Poland, a huge request to share in the comments.