Category: Pub Discussions

Expat, Immigrant, EU Citizen – a quick lesson in terminology

They can be expats in the countries bordering those where their passport is from and as far away as to necessitate a 24-hour flight. And they can emigrate to another country with the intent of setting down roots whether that place is close by or extremely far away, thus making them immigrants. The terms are determined by the desire of the subject and never by the country they came from or the color of their skin.

Coffee and Warm Apple Pies in Nałeczów

. . . we like to package our evils up neatly labeled good and bad, with the bad being really stupid and ugly and the good practically reflecting the light of the angels like a halo. But it’s not like that. Reality is not like that. Objectively speaking, the people with toxic views can still make engaging things. Their movies are fun, their writing is stimulating and their music carries you away. And their restaurants make great food. But the packaging is deceptive, because the message – although smelling of roses – is toxic. 

My Intro to Poland

My relationship with Poland has led me to clearly distinguish between relatives and family. Relatives I’m connected to by blood (due to unfortunate events) whereas my family are the people I choose to have around me and who have chosen me in turn, people I love and am able to trust completely. People who will leave no stone unturned in lifting you up and display no hesitation when it comes to letting you know when you stepped out of line, and then support you all the way through. 

Poland in 10 points – for busy readers and the impatient

As everywhere severely nationalist, populist and xenophobic the darker the skin tone and the farther away from the perceived norms you are, the lower the standing in society. Racial slurs are bandied about as though they were the sign of the cross you make with holy water upon entering a church without even taking on board that more inclusive words exist.

Finland in 10 Points – for busy readers and the impatient 

. . . only the most extreme conservatively religious will bat an eye when it comes to swearing. Even politicians at very classy gatherings have been known to open the meeting with, “we need to get a grip on this ****** situation.” The word used being that part of the female anatomy Finns like to bandy about when it comes to expressing surprise or disgust or any emotion really. It would come as no surprise to anyone in the congregation if it was uttered in church, from the pulpit by the vicar. 

Triptych: Three Thoughts On the Current Political Climate II – The ones who fulfill all your basic needs

I like my villains visibly bad, because it makes it easier to cast them aside. When they are intelligent and well-spoken and if we have discussed ideas earlier and have established some sort of friendly rapport, it makes it that much more enticing to want to dig deeper beneath the surface to try and determine what (could have) made you that way. And if you changed, what was the inciting incident that made you change.

Divorcing Finland – intro

I once witnessed a Finnish friend literally not hear a word of what I was saying when I switched to Finnish even though I was standing right next to her. Her brain simply didn’t allow for the fact that I was addressing her in Finnish, when we had spoken English all this time and sometimes French when she wanted to practice. It was an interesting experience, and definitely opened my eyes to similar reactions around me.

Beneath the Surface of Sauna, Salmiakki and Santa – intro

Like a celebrity, countries are excellent at putting out an image to the world of how they want to be seen. There’s the brazenly rugged terrain or the soft rolling hills, or the vibrant metropolis. No matter how a country decides to brand itself, there is always an element of truth, wishful thinking, a lie…

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