one more thing... NEVER! EVER say that Polish language sounds like russian... NEVER!

About history - words "Polish death camp" can literally ends with someone's fist in your face or at least very agressive reaction. This is very important to us, to remember, that we were never cooperating with Nazis, and these were Germans death camps. Also remember, that there were two uprisings in Warsaw during WW2 - Ghetto Uprising in 1943 and Warsaw Uprising in 1944.

The Poles get annoyed when called "Eastern Europeans" because in fact Poland is the geographical centre of Europe and Polish culture, mentality and economy has much more to do with the West than the East. We never asked to be occupied by Russia or USSR, also nowadays the relations between our states are tense and unfriendly, that's why we don't want to be associated with them. However, I understand where's the confusion coming from. Many Westerners still see the former "Iron Curtain" as a division line between the East and the West, and some of them define "Europe" as EU, so from that point of view Poland is indeed "eastern" and they don't mean anything wrong.

One more thing to know when comming to Poland - volume levels! People from the US for us here in Poland seem to be shouting every single word that comes out of their mouths!

Stationed in Germany for many years and have been to Poland many times. Your channel is great bro!!! Thank you

To add to your point on driving etiquette(if you don't cover it in the next part): 1. Pay attention if someone flashes their high beams very briefly going in the opposite direction. That means there's a speed trap ahead, but be careful about doing it yourself, as if police spot you warning others, you will get pulled over and fined. 2. Roundabouts, roundabouts, roundabouts.. there's tons of them, and remember to signal when you're exiting or you will be fined if spotted by police. 3. Watch out for speed cameras. They are announced on road signs, but do pay attention to your speed. 4. Drive to the right side of your lane, and allow others to pass you. On roads with no median (there's very few that have them), pay attention to oncoming vehicles that are passing. If someone gets out of your way to pass, flash your hazard light two or three times or alternate turn signal few times, once you passed them as a thank you signal. 5. If most of your visit will be spent in the city with very little long distance travel, rent the smallest car that comfortably accomodate your needs. Streets are narrow and parking may be iffy. Small car in those cases is a lifesaver. 6. If you're visiting between July and August, be prepared to see plenty of farm equipment (tractors, harvesters, trailers, etc) on the roads moving very slowly. Be patient. 7. Be aware of surroundings and mindful of what's coming up. Signs are very clear and may keep you from accidentally running into opposing lanes while passing at the wrong moment. Also, be mindful of those behind you. The rear view mirror is your friend, and watch your blind spots.

He has not been discussing polish politics !!!!! Impressing. He is a wise American -)!

there's a saying in Poland _"where there's 2 Poles, there's 3 different opinions"._ us Poles love to argue about everything. don't mention politics or religion unless you want a long heated debate that goes nowhere, because everyone is screaming at each other for being wrong.

Regarding the Polish language, Poles really appreciate anyone who tries to learn it, even if you're not good at it. And the difficult part is the grammar, the pronunciation is consistent, much like Japanese for example. Every letter will always sound the same, unlike in English language for instance :)

Speaking Polish goes a long way. It's the only country I've been to where the populace appreciates any bit of Polish language knowledge. I LOVE the encouragement I get from my Polish friends!

I love this kind of videos of your. It just shows me how you persive Poland and marks thous things that are common for me. Good job and keep up good work.

Hey, you did a good job here by informing others about those delicate nuances. I'm delighted. Cheers!

I've been travelling to Poland without knowing anything. And I loved it)

I know some people who have lived in Poland many years and cannot say one sentence in Polish but it's all about your attitude. I met a German guy who spent one semester in Poland and decided he wants to understand people better. After 6 months his Polish is perfect. I was shocked

Great job! As usual. Thank you :)

Hi. As always your videos are wonderful and educational. Thank you. I am looking forward new one soon. Have a good day and all the best to you and yours.

regarding politics topic: there is a saying, that *politic and religious views are like a^se - everybody has their own* ... it's better to avoid those subjects, especially if you combine that with another saying: *"where are two Poles there are three points of view (opinions)"* thanks for another great video 👍💪💪👏👏👏

Since I’m Polish American, there’s a lot of Poles in Cleveland, OH, Queens, NY, Chicago, Illinois, and I can go on. I’m a Polish American from Long Island, NY.

Bardzo dobre wskazówki. Gratulacje :)

Great as always! Good Job Russ!

Great examples Russell, you've got it😁

I really appreciate all your videos. My dream is to visit Poland someday.

Thank you for these type of videos! Just moved to Poland so they are super helpful!

Excellent video. You always have great content and you get through it without pointless filler and dumb jokes. You never waste our time. You're a credit to Baylor and the great state of Texas. Well done.

Russell właśnie uratował nie jedno amerykańskie życie przybywające do Polski 😅 Russell has just saved many American lives coming to Poland

Re: public transit: when I’m there (at least Krakow and Warsaw), I usually buy a tourist card, which allows me to take buses and trams at no additional cost. Also, the card also allows you do get a discount at PKP. They cost (ok , it’s been four years) is about $20 US but it’s worth every penny. Also good for discounts at select museums.

Keep up your great work Russel, thank you for that 🇵🇱🇺🇸

Thanks so much for sharing your tips, really appreciate that.

Saying Poland is in Eastern Europe is like saying Missouri or Kansas is an eastern state.

Wow, my husband was impressed cause he was born and went to the army there and then he came to the USA...during your video he was saying right...he like the gum part..he can't stand very one how pops there gum...great job..keep on going👍👍👍👏👏

As always, really good points :)

Russell, very well presented. You are a pro. Thank you.

Utrzymujemy bardzo dobre relacje ze Stanami i można powiedzieć, że zawiązała się pewna nić przyjaźni aczkolwiek odwiecznymi przyjaciółmi Polski i Polaków są Węgrzy w końcu Polak Węgier dwa bratanki

I love this. You tell the people everything they were tought wrong about Poland. You are literally fixing the wrong writing of the books and everything i can imagine. You are my friend!

Great video as always!! 😃

your videos are so helpful thank u

I’m proud to be Polish American. 🇵🇱🇺🇸

No. 4 Poland these days becomes ‚cashless’ country, almost everywhere you can pay with plastc card, smartphone/smartwatch. ‚Digital banking’ is on high level.

Dziękujemy za przemiłą rekomendację :)

Great job!! Thank you!

Good tips! As a Polish I do agree with all you said :-)

As always, dobra robota...! Best from your friends in LV.....! 🇵🇱🇺🇸

I like your accent. It sounds so clear. I can understand almost everything.

Great episode !!

This is very helpful even for me and I'm from Poland;)

Greetings from a polish- Brazilian americano 🙂

I must say that's all pretty accurate! Well done!

Saved to my "Poland" playlist -only with part two :)

Wait so wallets in the US don't usually have these pouches for coins? It always seemed to me like it was a must-have in all wallets 🤔

I'm a bit surprised you didn't bring up manual gearbox. ;) I suspect it would be wise to explicitly ask for automatic when renting a car (unless obviously someone drives manual in US too).

100% with you on the tram inspectors! I have seen so many people get busted without a ticket. They purposely wait until the tram moves off before 'revealing' themselves, by then it's too late to just jump off before they nab you. Inside I was chuckling to myself because I had the correct ticket.

Good job Dude! Sorry that you had to learn that the hard way😙

Dzięki za ten film!:) Now ist time for a movie "Don't Come to USA (without knowing these 20 things)"

Kto nigdy nie uciekał przed kanarem niech pierwszy skasuje bilet :D

Great advice!

Another excellent videos - truly matches my sentiment here living in Poland. My wife always tells me get your hands out of your pockets - you are not a cowboy in Canada anymore LOL. Looking forward to your next videos. Stay Safe all.

I really like your videos about Poland, I just got Admission in KUL LUBLIN for Master Degree Program, I can't wait to be in Poland Soonest. #I love Poland!

Thanks Russell, you're doing a great job!

Well done!!! Dobra robota!xoxo

Thank you for sharing, keep up the good work friend. Like

I’m a Polish guy, who lives in the US for almost 5 years now. Everything you have mentioned is true. You have no idea how many times I have given a geography/history lecture to my Americans friends just because that said that Poland is a Eastern European country.

Great video. Thanks for clarification on Eastern Europe 👍 any time I hear this in Ireland I explain it, that it's like to say that Ireland is part of UK. Or like Britain claiming Irish sportspeople or actors as their own.

I've just got myself one. Coins what a brilliant invention!

I am thinking of moving to poland. It loo k s beautiful. I am from the usa. Love your video. Alot of helpful hints

So far so good. Waiting for the next episode. BTW Eastern vs Central Europe thing; it is not just stupid ambition. The geographic centre of Europe is in Poland, and not far from the geographic centre of Poland itself. Then, Polish, the most difficult language on the planet, belongs to the West Slavic group.

Musisz nagrywać częściej po polsku! Mówisz bardzo dobrze i to bardzo ciekawe słuchać Cię po polsku! :-) Wróże zwiększenie ilości fanów :-)

U do a great job man 😀

Thanks for your video, I'm soon going to Poland to study veterinary at Wroclaw 👍👍

Central vs Eastern and part of the soviet union are HUGE NO NOs

Hello. I am Polish who live in another country. I agree about everything you said especially about politics. It is a risky topic. Can you make a video about current situation in Poland regardles the pandemy? I just want to know. You make great videos. Stay safe.

Very very very informative

Thank you for #9 👍👏🤩

Exeption about no hands in pockets is of course outside, durring winter. No one care that you put your hands into jacket pockets if weather is freezing. About tickets - there are ticket vendor machines on stops and on board of buses and trams in many cities. Saying that Poland was part of USSR is like saying that Panama or Salvador was part of US. Same as those states we were technically independent, but full of agents of "big brother" ready to stage coup in any sight of political or economic independence...

Russell, you should also do "Yes Yes" program for foreigners. My tips: 1.Try to use some Polish words like "proszę" " dziękuję" even with awful pronounciation. Poles will apreciate it. 2.Try to learn anything about Polish history and geography to show that Poland is interesting for you. Tip for people from USA: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ko%C5%9Bciuszko_Squadron 3.Praise Polish food (some dish you really like: e.g. pierogi, kotlet schabowy etc.) Do not praise dish you don't like, because to can be fed with it by Polish ;-) 4.Take off shoes in Polish house. Host will give you ... slippers

Great review. Good avwreness.

Grettings from Poland

It's going to be great to visit Poland one day .... after people stop panicking over a virus. I was ready to go this year, but my wife's employer said "No international travel".

Sorry bro, but best frend of Poland is Hungary!

Shit, you nailed it. Looking forward for part 2.

Everything said hire is true. Best regards!

Funny thing about coins and change: in Polish law it is the buyer who is obliged to have the right amount of money. According to the law, the shop assistant does not have to have a change for you. Funny as it is, but it is a fact.

i agree about the chewing gum. i find it quite rude/disrespectful when someone is talking to me while chewing a gum cause it feels like if they are not really interested in this conversation.

So true :D My english isn't very good but I think that your film is so helpful for prospective traveller :) We invite to a visit in Poland :D

Well done!

I would never think about a foreigner that they look 'foolish' if they don't get something related to a culture of a foreign country. I hope nobody does. People should be aware that certain things are different across the planet. ;) From the other hand: what I don't get in the U.S.: salesmen or waitresses ask "how are you today" and they don't give a sh*t about the answer. Sometimes they even continue speaking before you utter the first word. This is absolutely crazy. For me, a simple hello would be enough. This is by the way how we greet people in Poland :)

If I'm driving without the ticket, I'm looking at the bus stop just before the bus arrives. If you see 2 guys who stand together, but they get to the bus by different doors, they are kanars for sure

Pozdrowionko ;) Cheers!

good points!

I could say Yes, Good Morning, and my name is in Polish.

I would like to see the opposite themed video - 20 things to know about Americans.

Trafiasz w punkt ze swoimi tekstami.

HI Bardzo dobry filmik ,Trafne ,,spostrzezenia,Czekam na 2 zesc ,Buziaki z Londynu. See you .

This may sound like being a know it all, but it would probably be a good idea not to bring up religion, either. While Poland is a Catholic country, not everyone goes to church every week. I bring this up because I once came across a few UKposts videos of an American woman loudly berating Poles leaving church after Mass and bashing their faith. Not a good idea.

Kanary will catch you especially when you have only one tram line ;)

Myślę że odwalaż kawał dobrej roboty

My husband is Polish. Visiting 8/8/23. I will acclimate fast thanks to him🎉

You're our favorite American. The Poles.

Say 'CENTRAL EUROPE' :) :) I ta mina :D:D

Sharing this to world

Thanks, Russel:)