Learn a few key phrases
Poles won't expect you to speak fluent Polish. In fact, many speak excellent English, so you don't need to worry too much about the language barrier.
Having said that, it always goes down very well if you at least attempt some of the basics - and for your students, this is a great opportunity to stretch their linguistic muscles. So, here are some of the basics that you might want to learn before your trip.
Good day - dzien dobry (jyen do bri)
Hi – czesc (chesh-tch)
Good evening – dobry wieczór (do bri vyetch or)
Goodnight – dobranoc (do branots)
Goodbye – do widzenia (do vee dze nya)
Cheers – na zdrowie (nah zdroh vee ya)
Enjoy your meal – smacznego (smach neh go)
Can I have the bill? – rachunek propsze (ra hoo nek poh prosh eh)
Yes – tak (tak)
No – nie (nyeah)
Please – prosze (prosh eh)
Thank you – dziekuje (jyen koo ye)
You’re welcome – prosze bardzo (prosh eh bard zoh)
How much is it? – ile to kosztuje? (eel eh toh kost oo yeh)
I don’t understand – nie rozumiem (nyeah roh zoom yem)
Excuse me – przepraszam (pshuh prash am)
I don’t speak Polish – nie mówie po polsku (nyeah moov yeah poh pole skoo)
The correct way to address a Pole is to use Pan (male) or Pani (female), followed by their surname (first names are usually reserved for close friends).
When greeting a Pole, a firm handshake with direct eye contact is the norm. And when saying goodbye, try to avoid doing so in a doorway – it’s thought to bring bad luck.
Eating and drinking
One place where it's really easy to inadvertently cause offence is at the dinner table, so it's worthwhile making sure your students know the basics of Polish dining etiquette.
Firstly, forks should always be held in the left hand, with knives in the right (just like in the UK).
And it's important to keep elbows off the table (but it's fine to rest wrists on the table instead).
To make it clear you've finished eating, just pop the knife and fork parallel to each other at a slight angle on the right of your plate.
If you've not finished but need to put your cutlery down, cross the knife and fork on your plate.
Other things to note
Poland is a very family-centric society, so you may notice parents and families with small children being served ahead of others in a queue.
If entering a church, or any other sacred place, men and boys should remove their hats.
And, although not an etiquette thing, it's worth mentioning that some bathrooms may be marked with a triangle or a circle, rather than with a picture of a man or woman. Just remember, the circle is the ladies’ and the triangle is the men’s. Many public toilets also charge a small fee (often around 2PLN), although those in shopping centres tend to be free to use.
Interested in arranging a school trip to Poland?
Contact us today for further information or to request a tailor-made quote.
