How to Be Polish

Here is a list of to do's to fit into a Polish family:

1. Always come hungry to a Polish person's house.

We will feed you many things! Even if you are not hungry, we will insist that you try one or two things. At the end of the day, you will end up eating anyway, so you might as well be starving.

2. Polish people drink tea religiously.

We love our teas! We will have all the types; from fruit, to black, to green. After dinner, we drink tea. After breakfast, we drink tea. After lunch, we drink tea. Before bed... yes! That's right, we drink tea. Black tea is usually the common favourite, and of course we often add milk to cool down our teas, so they are not piping hot.

3. It is impolite to address someone older by their name.

Often, we say "Mrs" or "Mr." In polish, it is "Pani" for a woman, and "Pan" for a man. However, if polish people are close to each other and not related, you might call them aunt, or "Ciocia" (which is similar to the Canadian culture).

4. When leaving a polish person's house, expect to stand by the door for another conversation

Just because you are leaving does not mean you will. More often then not, you might be standing there for another fifteen to thirty minutes.

5. The photo above and below are the traditional clothing.

Woman wear long braids down to their waist and, if the hair does not reach the length, horses' hair is usually attached for an extension. The men wear baggy pants and hats that look a little funny. The skirts that women wear expand pretty far when twirling and spinning.

Traditional Polish Clothing

6. The Ukrainian Easter eggs are also part of our tradition.

Usually, they are carved from wood and painted with very nice designs. The designs below are very different from the Ukrainian easter eggs. As you can see, there are designs such as flowers or roosters, which are common to use. A lot of polish people have lived or grew up near farms, so the roosters make sense. Another way, which I used to preform as a child, was to make a design and then, after finishing (or before), you would poke holes on either end and blow out the egg white and yolk, so you could still fry the egg and eat it.

Polish Easter eggs

7. Kielbasa is a common polish food.

Without a doubt, you will find Kielbasa in any polish fridge. We also eat it on its own... yum! We sometimes cook it over a fire or in the oven, and it tastes delicious!

8. Vodka!

I'm kidding, that only happens at weddings. We only like tea.

9. Pierogies are also Polish, not only Ukrainian and Russian.

However, Pierogies with cabbage are often referred to as "Russian Pierogies."

10. A lot of Polish last names are difficult to pronounce.

Luckily, I lucked out. For example, a last name could be Wisnewski or Twardzisz. In English, these names get butchered.

11. Ania is one of the most common names in Poland.

Another name is Alexandra, which often is shortened to Ola.

12. Polish people you will notice will wear slippers at home.

It is very uncommon for polish people to not wear slippers. Also, do not be surprised if you are offered a pair to wear while at a Polish person's house.

13. Polish School

That's right, it's a thing. It was held on Saturdays and Friday nights. Yeah, imagine coming home on a Friday night and going to more school. Forget weekend plans, cause you have Polish school. There were days when I would be at school for thirteen hours...

14. Potatoes determine when dinner is ready.

"When is dinner?" "Whenever the potatoes are done."

Dinner revolves around them.

15. Polish parents will tell you constantly:

"Stop slouching, because no one will marry you!"

16. In Poland, you celebrate your name day.

Everyday there will be a few names that are celebrated and it was almost as big a deal as your birthday! That's right, it's like having two birthdays.

17. The word "byc" sounds exactly like "bitch," but "byc" is a word for being.