One of the things that drew me to Europe was that in such a small area (comparatively to Australia) you could experience so many different languages, traditions and cultures. To this day it blows my mind.
I distinctly remember one road trip I did from Amsterdam to Mount Blanc. In one day of driving I went through the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and France. It was incredible just seeing and hearing the differences between them.
Cultural differences aren’t necessary a bad thing but they can be challenging all the same. Out of every country I’ve lived and visited Poland by far had the most cultural difference. Here is just a small list!
- There are very few signs in English and in the central metro station – links to all the trams and buses there are NO signs (I have been living here for 7 months and I still have no idea how to get myself around that station.)
- The dairy section in the supermarket is huge, trying to find a normal yoghurt is a nearly impossible tasks. I have accidentally bought a yoghurt drink thinking it was milk, tried sour milk, and so many strange cheeses
- The people who work in supermarkets are not teenagers. When I was in high school we all knew someone who worked in a supermarket. The people serving you will not have a chit chat with you. Although it was similar in other places in Europe I found it more so in Poland.
- In Poland they don’t cook their sausages. They are all smoked. In Australia I grew up with literally, “cooking snags (sausages) on the BBQ”. The first time I was told I could just eat it without it being cooked I thought it was a joke.
- Be prepared that the people you need to speak English too won’t. I remember trying to buy a ticket at a railway station right near the airport, you would think they would speak English… I was so wrong. If you need to buy any ticket not from a machine don’t expect English. If you need to send or receive a package or really just do anything requiring a post office you need to speak Polish. This goes for supermarkets, receptionist (not all but alot).
- Get ready to go into battle when walking around the streets. I’m used to people apologising if they pump into you, if that happens in Poland then its a rare event. It’s not a bad thing just very different and something that took me awhile just to get used too.
- Polish people stare, and aren’t openly emotional people for example they don’t smile at people very often. It often feels like you are being death stared at all the time.
- Queuing is not a thing. I was waiting to hand in some papers for my visa and I can assure you, nobody was waiting in a line. In fact, there was a group of about 12 people huddling by the door, shouting at people as they walked in.
- The culture of drinking is very unique. In Australia drinking is with friends at BBQ, outdoors often beers, ciders and wine. In Poland it’s Vodka. The stereotype really isn’t too far from reality. I have been drinking with families (including grandparents) that will feed you constant shots. As with friends at parties I am gobsmacked at how much vodka they can actually drink.
- Carbs are super important. Carbs will be with every meal. Not just one lot, normally two. For example, you will have a roast, with mashed potato, and normally bread. There are always grains. Maybe its just my family but I can honestly say I have never eaten this amount of carbs in my life.
So fair to say, there are alot of cultural difference. They are not bad at all, but merely different.
Leah Roberts 