Archive for March, 2009
Polish Biometric Passports Posted by Anna on Mar 31, 2009
Tomorrow is the first of April and we all know what that means. Prima aprilis! The news will be even more full of bologna than on an ordinary day. Personally, I’m not a fan of April Fools’ Day. As far as I’m concerned, this silly tradition should be abolished. And I’m sure many people share…
Gender and Occupations, continued… Posted by Anna on Mar 28, 2009
Remember when I mentioned that the EU head honchos in Brussels want us to stop using gender specific names for professions? I also said that it was something I agreed with. Wow! I never thought that that particular post would provoke so many emails. Both for and against. But you see, we already have many…
When Polish Diminutives Aren’t Diminutive Posted by Anna on Mar 24, 2009
This is odd, but during the last two weeks two different readers, in two different countries, in two different ways mentioned the issue of Polish diminutives. So, who am I to argue with such a coincidence? And because I don’t want any bad karma hanging over my head (those “sexist” occupation nouns can wait), we…
Vernal Equinox and Old Slavic Traditions – Topienie Marzanny Posted by Anna on Mar 21, 2009
Yesterday was pierwszy dzień wiosny (first day of spring). Or is it today? But only theoretically, because you wouldn’t know it from looking outside. And that’s the problem with spring – it ignores the calendar and shows up when it feels like it (much like Anna she’s supposed to be somewhere at a particular time)…
Brussels Says – Get Rid of “Pani” and “Panna” Posted by Anna on Mar 18, 2009
What is this I’m hearing about the paper pushers in Brussels telling us to not use words such as “Pani” and “Panna”? Or “Madame” and “Mademoiselle”, “Frau” and “Fraulein” and so on… Seriously, does anyone still even bother with those panna/mademoiselle/fraulein forms? The great majority of people I know never even use the word “Panna”…
Confirming Polish Citizenship and Getting Polish ID Card Posted by Anna on Mar 16, 2009
A while back Jennifer asked a question in the comments section. She wanted to know how to get an ID card in Poland. If I understood her situation correctly, Jennifer’s parents are Polish, she was born in the US and has already completed the process of getting her Polish citizenship confirmed and recognized. And she…
Current News in Poland – Professor Religa’s Death Posted by Anna on Mar 14, 2009
If you were in Poland last week, you know there was one bit of sad news that was impossible to miss. The death of professor Zbigniew Religa. Yesterday was his funeral at Powązki Cemetery in Warszawa. This was much talked about, too. Not only because professor Religa was a famous kardiochirurg (heart surgeon), but also…