What's your view on Polish people? (Chicago, Schaumburg: high school, living, move)

[andywire]

Originally Posted by CamilleCat

As a minority, I just want to point out that it is deconstructive to stereotype and pre-judge people based on their nationality or ethnicity. Having an opinion on "polish people" means categorizing many different individuals into a single group and then attributing characteristics to those individuals based on the behavior of the group. People constantly have pre-judgments about me because I'm Asian before they even get to know me. It's not the worst thing in the world, but it's just not a helpful way of relating to others.

Sorry, rant over. Soap box abdicated.

Yes, but sometimes there is evidence to support some stereotypes. For example, I work with a lot of Mexicans, and I have not met one that doesn't speak Spanish. As I would assume, anytime I meet a new one, I assume they speak Spanish, and I have not been wrong in my assumption yet.

[Visvaldis]

For years I lived on Roscoe by Cicero and encountered Polish people every day. They kept their houses in good condition and the neighborhood clean. When going anywhere I preferred walking thru the alleys, all the backyards were individual and some had small vegetable gardens. Getting to know them more than superficially was not easy, it seems they avoid non-Polish people. That's why I seldom went to Polish bars.
The number of Polish delis made food shopping a delight. Many times I bought things to experiment and was never disappointed. The Polish food provided a great alternative to the deli section at Jewel.

[grimace8]

Originally Posted by moskiter

I know there were many "Polish jokes" around not more than 20 years ago in Chicago. The Irish and Italians also had hardships to melt in the society but now Poles are the biggest European minorty in Chicago, even though I don't think they still come here. How Poles are viewed by Americans now?

i've met cool polish individuals, sweet polish individuals, smart ones (the valedictorian of my h.s. was a polish girl), funny ones, genuine ones, angry ones, calculating ones, fake ones. it's all about the individual

[SoxCub Fan]

Originally Posted by moskiter

I know there were many "Polish jokes" around not more than 20 years ago in Chicago. The Irish and Italians also had hardships to melt in the society but now Poles are the biggest European minorty in Chicago, even though I don't think they still come here. How Poles are viewed by Americans now? And how Poland is viewed? Still as a poor 3rd world country? Chicago is the biggest "Polish" city, that's why I'm asking here. Good and bad sides.

Typical Chicagoan....cant think for himself, seeks approval, insecure, and lacks the ability to overcome the local hypnosis. How about you deal with people as individuals and not as some collective to fear and judge. This is the type of person who poisons our city and keeps it filled with racial and cultural divisions. If you would for once remove your people filters you may actually have a more fulfilled life as oppose to one governed by rules and limitations. This is the type of crap I deal with working in the Northwest suburbs (Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows,Arlington Hts)....and Im willing to bet the OP resides in this area. Not trying to come off as offensive (Linicx) but I find this post heavily offensive and ignorant...and it should be used as an opportunity to point out one of the biggest problems this city has. And I say this at the risk of being shunned or ridiculed but I feel compelled to speak out against foolishness. I already have 3 reputations for my brutal honesty so really I could care less.

[Irishtom29]

Get off your high horse Fan, if you want to chide people join the Sisters of Mercy and teach grade school.

I think the purpose of your post is to parade your supposed virtue. When someone tells me how honest they are I figure they aren't.

[SoxCub Fan]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

I think the purpose of your post is to parade your supposed virtue. When someone tells me how honest they are I figure they aren't.

Not exactly, I wholeheartedly and truly despise this type of mindset. I being a minority in this city on a daily basis have been victimized by this same type of limited thinking exhibited by the OP. Especially in the northwest suburbs where the discrimination and racism is on par with the 1960's. Seriously, the people in that sector of the metropolis truly live in some kind of mushroom world of their own. 75% of the people that I have ever had bad interactions with professionally come from this area. They are the main pollutants of our city spreading their douche baggery and cultural ignorance citywide. I mean if I gave you examples of what I've experienced you would think I was making it all up. So yea when I see this type of behavior (such as this ridiculous post) I feel an undying need to call the perpetrator out on it. We are all mature adults and nobody is above being held accountable. My basis is absolute truth and that is-we are all created equal in God's eyes and we are all one race, the human race.....and anything that attempts to refute this is a lie....but I realize that people love lies especially ones that they benefit from. So carry on with your lies and deception, I just hope at the end of the day you can at least admit to yourself the truth about mankind.

[SoxCub Fan]

Originally Posted by grimace8

i've met cool polish individuals, sweet polish individuals, smart ones (the valedictorian of my h.s. was a polish girl), funny ones, genuine ones, angry ones, calculating ones, fake ones. it's all about the individual

^^^^THIS PRETTY MUCH ENDS IT

[ole69]

Originally Posted by SoxCub Fan

I mean if I gave you examples of what I've experienced you would think I was making it all up.

I want to hear some examples! (Not doubting you -- I pretty much agree with you about the burb folks -- I'm just curious)

[Milwaukee City]

Looks like a good view from this website

Polish T-Shirts: Polish pride and modern polish attitude clothing.

[UsesLogic]

Originally Posted by SoxCub Fan

Typical Chicagoan....cant think for himself, seeks approval, insecure, and lacks the ability to overcome the local hypnosis. How about you deal with people as individuals and not as some collective to fear and judge.

Originally Posted by SoxCub Fan

This is the type of crap I deal with working in the Northwest suburbs (Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows,Arlington Hts)....and Im willing to bet the OP resides in this area.

Originally Posted by SoxCub Fan

....Especially in the northwest suburbs where the discrimination and racism is on par with the 1960's. Seriously, the people in that sector of the metropolis truly live in some kind of mushroom world of their own. 75% of the people that I have ever had bad interactions with professionally come from this area. They are the main pollutants of our city spreading their douche baggery and cultural ignorance citywide.

Wait what? We shouldn't be stereotyping people, yet you sit there and stereotype entire sections of the city?



Back on topic, my wife and her family are all 100% Polish. Both parents immigrated right after the fall of the wall in '89. The mother is a self-employed hair dresser who works 10 hour days on her feet. The father is by far the most skilled contractor I have ever met. They are absolutely a blast to be around, lots of food and whiskey, and enjoying the outdoors.

Regarding "club sluts" or "viagra triangle hoes"......Based on my graduating class there are no more Polish girls doing that than any other ethnicity. It is about the individual, but overall I've had nothing but positive interactions wtih Polish people.