First Impressions of Poland

These are my early impressions of Poland after living here for about a week. I talk about the good and the bad, as well as some overlooked things. Enjoy!

Support on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/apd23

Credits:

~Music~
Chocolate Cookie Jam - Anne Jone - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC62kkm-YDckzDJn2Njo72gA

~Videography~
European Coffee Trip - Cupping Tour in Poland - Krakow, Wroclaw & Warsaw | ECT Weekly #063 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1AO5T2n-yk

Kabaret Czwarta Fala - NIEDZIELA BEZ HANDLU- FILM KATASTROFICZNY || Kabaret Czwarta Fala - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eIvpGFmUCE

Viral of TikTok - Smooth Criminal Dance POLAND - Kamil Szpejenkowski - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJr8DN7bpJo

Rollerblade urban session in Krakow, Poland - Rollerblade - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD_taq1ha3M

Traveling as a Vegan in Warsaw, Poland. What I Eat in a Day as a Vegan + Best Vegan Places in Warsaw - Laura Maliszewska - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t5hZHjR3Kc

Beet Salad Recipe - Anita Cooks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVp4Jqr0bsw

~Abridged Script~

After being in Poland for about a week, here are my immediate observations of how it’s different than America. First, let’s start with the good:

5.) Walkability. This is always one of my favorite things when leaving the United States. It seems the rest of the world designs its cities for pedestrians. But in the United States and Canada, cities are designed for cars. I love that in Poland I can easily walk to restaurants, the grocery store, and the city center. In most parts of North America, you need a car to be able to participate in society.

4.) Peacefully quiet. In the United States, it seems you are constantly surrounded by loud noises. There is always construction, car horns, or teenagers blaring loud music. In Poland, it is much more quiet and peaceful. It’s easy to hear the birds chirping or the ambiance of the city.

3.) The architecture. Poland has gorgeous architecture. It feels like you are walking through history as you traverse across the city. You can find a diverse style of buildings that are all within a few kilometers. While most of the buildings were rebuilt after the war, there is still a wide range of architectural styles.

2.) Coffee. I was blown away with how serious Poles are about coffee. Usually, when you think of European countries that love coffee, you think of France or Italy. But I would say Poland loves coffee just as much. There is a lot of attention to the presentation of coffee drinks in Poland that you don’t see in the United States.

1.) Public art. There is a lot of public art in Poznan, the city I’m living in. In most US cities, there are usually just a few public art installations. But Poznan seems to be full of them. It seems every few hundred meters there is another grand piece of art. They range in all types of media and stylings.

Of course, every place has its good and its bad. Here is what I don’t like Poland:

5.) Sunday closures. In Poland, most stores are closed on Sundays. There is a law that restricts Sunday trading. I can understand the meaning behind this, as it ensures that workers get a day off and it makes it easier for families to spend the day together. There are some exceptions for pharmacies, gas stations, cinemas, and restaurants. I just wish the exception included grocery stores. I have more fond childhood memories of going to the grocery store with my mom than going to the gas station.

4.)No jaywalking. In Poland, Jaywalking is very taboo and a ticektable offense. If a cop sees you crossing the street outside of a crosswalk, you’ll probably get a ticket. Additionally, people will wait until the signal says it is okay to cross even if there is no traffic. This is ming blowing from an American perspective. In the US, if there is no traffic, we’ll just cross the street.

3.) No screens. Most of the windows in Poland don’t have bug screens. Since it is in the summer and like most apartments I don’t have air conditioning, I leave the windows open.