Five Things that I Hate in Poland (Or things that make me a spoiled American)

Most of the time, I love living in Poland.  However, there are little things that irk me on a regular basis.  These are the things that ensure I'll never permanently live outside of the U.S., much to my mother's joy and happiness.

In no particular order...

1.  BLAZING hot public spaces

Poland's weather is a bit colder than I'm used to in Michigan, but to me the temperature difference is fairly negligible.  The big difference is I walk outside way more in the cold.  So, in order not to freeze to death a good winter coat, hat, gloves, and a nice warm scarf are generally normal parts of my wardrobe.  

These layers are fine, until you step foot in any enclosed space.  Buildings, trains, and trams are literally fiery ovens.  There are two solutions, deal with the cold or wear a really strong deodorant.  However, the lack of proper winter clothing, walking or riding public transportation is always subject to the Babcia Stare, a phenomena I already wrote about.

2.  Extreme lack of mailboxes

The elusive prize

Everyone in my apartment block has an incoming mailbox.  However, in a building of eighty-something flats, there is not a place for outgoing mail.  Nor have I found one of these red boxes on any of my normal walking paths or at the university.  It's as if you can recieve mail, but not send it!  This makes little sense (bez sensu!) seeing as how I can buy tons of stamps at the post office to mail at a later time.  Only to have to go back to the post office to mail the letter because I can't find the Poczta box.

3. Supermarket security guards

 Stemming from #3, this one will always blow my mind.  There are security guards in almost every store in the mall and then the mall has its own security guards.  It's a bit strange having someone stare at you while you're walking in, through, and out of stores, like they automatically assume you're a criminal.  

Security is understandable to some degree, but the guards will often check people's bags as they walk into the store.   Obviously, I did not steal something from the store before I walked in so I'm not sure where they get the justification for going through my personal belongings.  

On a side note, they also have docents in every single room of museums to stare at you while you go through the exhibits.  I really hate that eyes on your back feeling while I'm trying to absorb the art and history of this beautiful country. 

4.   Sandy, snowy sidewalks

From Sweden, but it gets the
 point across!

Now, I understand waiting for the snow to stop before you shovel your sidewalks.  I don't understand throwing sand on top of falling snow before you shovel it.  And the sand isn't sprinkled evenly across the potentially slippery surfaces, it is plopped onto the ground in large piles.  

It gets worse though.  In the end, this leaves a snowy, sandy mess all over the sidewalks.  The snow gets trampled down by people walking and it's mixed in with sand and doesn't look pretty at all.  Problem #1 the sand ruins the prettiness of the snow.  Problem #2 the sand gets on my boots, which walk into my house, which leave sand ALL OVER THE FLOOR.  I'm not really a clean freak by any means, but having sand all over the floor of my apartment is slowly driving me bananas.

5. Customer Service...or lack thereof

The old adage "The customer is always right" is a truly American invention.  In Poland, I've been yelled at by numerous cashiers for only having a 100 or 50 zloty bill.  Understandably having exact change makes their life easier, but when you start getting all huffy about me GIVING YOU MONEY, I get a little offended.  

Or, just yesterday when I bought my new suitcase, a worker literally rolled her eyes at me when I asked what the price of the suitcase I wanted was.  It didn't have a price tag like all the other bags and was the only one of its kind.  She rolled her eyes and told me to take the suitcase to the other side of the store where there was a price scanner.