Will the Polish think I'm fat?

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dolphingirlrmv

yes

David P

Hi, I'm an American from San Francisco, and I'm writing this from Kalisz, Poland where I am at the moment (that's between Warsaw and Poznan).

This isn't a tourist town, it's just a normal Polish city. So my comments:

First, you're not fat. Second, people in Poland aren't overly skinny. They're normal. Europeans on average do better than the US because they walk more, but there are plenty of people I would define as slightly chubby.

About the American thing - there's no issue with Americans here. Actually the US and Poland are allies. Some people are a bit peeved about the whole missile defense idea that Bush is pushing here. But nobody is really so intolerant that you would be looked at differently because your American.

Now, about the rudeness factor. I do have a comment there. There's nothing special about being American, but there is a sense in Poland that people don't open up immediately to strangers. I get the feeling that it comes from many years in communism where people were hunted down for being different from the norm. People are just more suspicious of strangers.

With that said, the Polish are extremely hospitable towards people they do allow within their circle. For example, if you are invited to anyone's house in Poland they would bend over backwards to make every accommodation for their guest.

As a foreigner in Poland, do note that not many people here speak english, so don't expect to get around much that way. The running joke here is that anyone who can speak english already went to work in another country. It's only sad that there's something to the joke.

Anyway, when you come, don't be put off by people not smiling at you when pass in the street. And I've never found the cashiers in the stores to be very tolerant of my poor Polish, but don't take that as sentiment against you or against America - it's just the culture as is.

Come expecting to have a good time, and expecting to treat others with the same respect and friendship that you want in return, and you'll get that in return. Come expecting people to look down on you and you'll probably subconsciously make others feel that way too.

There's a lot to see and do in Poland, come and enjoy!

witeczek2002

I can't speak for the Slovaks, but in Poland men tend to prefer girls who, as the saying goes, "have something to breathe with and to sit on". I would rather say, girls size 0 or 2 would be considered skinny. Your size seems pretty normal to me.
It is true that some habits might seem strange to you - like, in Poland we do not address each other by first names until one knows them quite well - and a transfer to first-name terms requires invitation from a superior - the older of the two or the boss, or the lady. But there is an in-between stage: a "Mr." with first name, like "panie Janku", "pani Basiu". And the bear hug also requires a shade more familiarity than in the US. So there might be some misunderstanding, but it is due to ethnical background rather than innate rudeness.

monk_yarik

Yes , you may be classified as a " fat "

But probably you dress much better than Polish slim ladies . They look alike . And be careful about your knowledge or your education , Europeans have much better education .Better do not talk to much . Honesty .

Suggest an avatar name

I am from eastern europe so its kind of the same in my country as well, a size six is not necessarily fat, but you will be considered to be chubby, but yea over there you are only skinny and pretty if you are 0-4...cold hard truth, I am from there and europeans hate american women that is true, no worries tho size 6 isn't that fat

Panda V

That's stupid.
a whole country can't hate you, considering they're, you know, generally all individual thinkers and have different opinions.

my science teacher married a polish guy, and she is definitely not the skinniest prettiest thing out there.

i think it's a stupid concept that they might think badly of you if you're not a freaking beanpole.

also, answer my question if you have time?:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Als3QvxTm5UUNl18cAi8LQ7sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081201172400AADfJo9

Bojan Jankovic

If you see yourself as fat I am sure others will too. You have to respect yourself first if you want others to respect you.

Tash L

relax, think about it. it is impossible that everyone in poland thinks exactly the same way. i know polish people, and they are very nice. i'm australian tho, so i dont understand all your sizing, but i'm sure you're just fine. there will always be intollerant people where ever you travel. as long as you are pleasant and make an effort to communicate at bare min coherency (learn how to say hello etc) then you'll have a great time. most importantly, dont worry about it

brouppasong@rocketmail.com

You are crazy. Polish people love to eat and they are not all skinny. Why say such silly things?

Mike Crapo

they're probably just jealous because your american :P

jojo 12

F THAT! i am polish(and a little fat) they won't think ur fat. my english frend goes there every summer and they don't hate her. My cousins who live in Poland are jealous of americans. ( they are a little poor and don't get that much stuff) have a nice trip!!

marybuko

Are you joking! You must be...because your measurements would be perfect all around the globe. I was visiting my birthplace, Krakow, Poland for 4 months the summer of 2007, and the majority of women there are slender to average weight size. I saw very little obesity there like you do in the states...whether male or female...Americans are fatter. I think the reason for this is that in Poland they don't have as big food surpermarkets like in America. There is so so much food availalble in America that food addiction is really becoming a health hazard. Food addiction can kill just like alcohol addiction, and it's sad that this is happening. The statistics are that about 2/3rd's of the American population is overweight. That's terrible!

Have fun in Poland!

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