Tag Archives: Culture
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”…
Tłusty Czwartek – Fat Thursday Posted by Anna on Feb 19, 2009
Today is what seems to be one of the most popular and beloved Polish traditions – Tłusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday). There were lines of people in front of every cake shop and bakery that I passed today in Trójmiasto. Everybody was patiently waiting for their share of pączki. Personally, I’m not a pączki fan. Myself…
Polish Music – Perfect Posted by Anna on Feb 16, 2009
I think it was one of the Michaels who suggested that we should talk about our favorite music. Naturally, I assume he meant Polish music. Hmmm… favorite Polish music… I do have to admit to owning two disco polo CDs, but they’re not exactly what I would call my favorite. So what is? Well, I…
Overhearing Polish Posted by Anna on Jan 24, 2009
My trip to the islands (and I don’t mean the UK and Ireland here, though we did stop in London briefly) was delightful. I didn’t want to come back home. And Mister has started making plans of quitting the life as we know it and starting a new one on the beach in Antigua. Or…
Polish Christmas Eve: Wigilia Posted by Anna on Dec 23, 2008
Tomorrow is Wigilia (Christmas Eve) and it’s one day that most Polish families take very seriously. I said “most” because some celebrate it in a less traditional way – like at an all-inclusive resort in Madeira or Tenerife, for example. But for most Poles, Wigilia means getting together with their extended family, eating huge amounts…
It’s Almost Christmas! Posted by Anna on Dec 21, 2008
How’s your Christmas shopping coming along? I haven’t even started mine, to be honest. And if someone asks me why, I’m going to tell them that I’m turning Greek orthodox this year. Speaking of which, these guys have it so easy – everything is on sale for THEIR xmas. Not fair, so not fair… And…
Friends Will Be Friends Posted by Anna on Dec 15, 2008
Basia’s comment about the whole przyjaciółka/koleżanka/relationship thing made me think. And she’s right, it IS a very nuanced thing, indeed. In English I refer to approximately 1395 people as my “friends.” Yet, when talking to a Pole, about 1390 of those people are not “friends” (przyjaciółki) but “koleżanki/koledzy” or “znajome/znajomi” or “kumpelki/kumple” and so on…