The Polish character

A Pole is on one hand the heir to a rich history, tradition and culturally ingrained vices and virtues, but on the other hand a great individualist. A Pole doesn’t try to be original – a Pole is original!

Poles show their dissatisfaction when conversation turns to politics. Then they start to complain and get angry. A Pole is always frustrated because the government or the system is not as it should be. A Pole would most happily see him or herself on the parliamentary rostrum, but only for a short while, because all in all politics is an unrewarding subject.

The Polish character is a mixture of hospitality, light-heartedness, noble tradition and a frequently unjustified sense of inferiority. Poles, particularly the young, have an ever increasing desire to acquire knowledge, and they certainly place great emphasis on education.

But something still remains of the traditional culture of the Polish nobility. This can be seen, for example, in Poles’ very well-developed individualism, broadly altruistic nature, extravagant generosity and special – often blunt – sense of humour. A Pole also attaches great importance to his honour and dignity. Sometimes he may be over-excitable and display reckless behaviour. All this makes the Poles extremely colourful characters. You are unlikely to get bored when you spend time with a Pole. For Poles love to talk about themselves, about their family, about their dreams, and about... Poland. But at the same time they are always ready to listen. If there is also a well-laden table and fine company, a Pole will be in his element, infecting others with his inherent optimism and eternal hope that, even if things are not too good at the moment, someday they undoubtedly will be.