We’ve prepared 5 unique aspects of life in Poland that completely break the mold for people from the CIS. Watch the video or read the description below.
Hello everyone, my name is Stanislav Tsys, this is the onlineteam.me project and our section about Poland. I’ve been living in Poland for 3 years now, and today I want to talk about what impressed me the most in this country. You’ll get a TOP-5 list of things that surprised me, and there’s also a pleasant bonus at the end of the video—make sure to watch it all the way through.
Calm and Engaged People
The first thing that amazed me was how calm and engaged people are in government institutions. And this actually applies to cashiers, queues in supermarkets, and in general to the whole nation. When we submitted documents for our first “karta pobytu” (residence card) and went to the office, there was an elderly woman who calmly explained all the requirements to us.
At that moment, we really felt the overall willingness to help. And indeed, people here are focused on doing everything by the rules, not on bending them or trying to cheat the system. You can feel this calmness everywhere—even when you’re standing in a long queue at the supermarket. No one is nervous, no one is angry, everyone just calmly waits their turn.
People’s Infantilism
Let me try to explain what I mean by “infantilism.” If you imagine a Polish or European person living in our CIS environment, their eyes would pop out from shock at what’s going on in our countries. Starting from bad roads and unfriendly people to low salaries and job issues. As for ambition and comfort zones—Poles feel quite comfortable just staying at home.
It’s actually easier for people from the CIS to start a business in Poland or other European countries than it is for locals. Why? Let me explain. But first, a short story. A Polish friend once asked me, “Guys, why are you always smiling?” And we replied, “We’re from Ukraine. If you had lived in Ukraine and then moved here, you’d be smiling all the time too.”
It’s honestly easier for us to start businesses because we’re hardened by tough experiences. Back home, your business can be taken from you or you might not get the necessary paperwork at all. Many Ukrainians (including myself) started businesses with a negative balance. Here, that’s simply not possible. Businesses here usually start with some capital—grants, subsidies, sponsors, etc. That’s awesome, people. Build your businesses here. Take advantage of this local infantilism.
English Language Skills in Poland
When I first moved to Poland, I barely spoke any Polish. One day, I needed to ask the janitor something, so I spoke to him in English. To my surprise, he replied in quite decent English—on par with my own level. Later, I attended English courses and listened to how Poles spoke.
After three years in Krakow, I can confidently say that most Poles speak English much better than people from Ukraine and the CIS. Why is that? First—because of the culture. They start learning English from kindergarten. Second—it’s the influence of movies. Maybe you didn’t know, but most films in Poland are in English. So people naturally step out of their comfort zone.
Different Pricing Logic
One of the most surprising things is the pricing, especially for transportation. I was shocked to learn that trains here are several times more expensive than other means of transport. And the fact that you can fly from Katowice (a city in Poland) to Paris for just €12 amazed me even more. Especially considering that a train ticket from Krakow to Kyiv costs about €40. But once my girlfriend managed to buy tickets from Warsaw to Brussels for €2. That’s super cool—Europe offers combinations where you can find both very expensive and incredibly cheap travel options.
Fitness and Fast Food
If someone asked me, “How do Polish people live?” — I’d probably say, “At McDonald’s and in the gym.” Just kidding, of course — but still, the fact remains: Polish people really do eat more fast food than we do in Ukraine. And at the same time, they’re a much more athletic nation. A typical Pole might eat burgers and other junk food today, then run dozens of kilometers with friends and family tomorrow.
And then go cycling, too. There’s honestly a lot of infrastructure here built for sports — especially for bikes. Sometimes I even feel a little discriminated against — the bike path is often wider than the pedestrian one.
Secret Points
Those were five points — five things that surprised me. But there are still three secret points I’d like to talk about in person with you.
No Cockroaches
I don’t know where you’ve lived, but I’ve lived in dorms and rented apartments — and we had cockroaches. Friends told me that in Poland, you collect your trash inside the apartment and take it outside to a special container placed at a distance from the building. Back home, things aren’t that organized. I’m not sure why there are more problems with pests in Ukraine, but here — I haven’t seen a single cockroach.
Thick Smog
At least in Krakow. There’s smog here — and that’s probably the most unpleasant part of life in Poland. In the winter of 2016, I even felt it was hard to breathe. If you’re choosing which city to move to, I recommend checking air quality maps first — especially if you have kids.
Polish Credit Programs
I knew interest rates here were much lower. I knew that taking out a loan here is actually beneficial. But I didn’t know how much, or how many options there are.
Here’s an example: someone earning 15,000 UAH in Ukraine can’t take out a mortgage and pay it off on their own due to high interest rates. But in Poland — it’s possible. We actually have a whole video about this: “How to buy an apartment in Poland and move to Krakow with your family.”
There, my friend talks about how he’s buying an apartment over the course of a year. While the apartment is still under construction, he pays a minimal amount (around $50 per month). And he already knows that the apartment will be his. Then, in two weeks after construction is done, he moves in, quickly renovates it, and starts paying the mortgage — which costs him about the same as rent would. I’ve heard that some Poles do this: they buy an apartment, renovate it, rent it out — and after 10–15 years, they end up with a free apartment.
P.S. What surprised you the most in Poland or Europe? If you haven’t been here yet, share your thoughts and questions in the comments — I’ll be happy to share more insights.
