Another quiz

Here is a riddle:

I answer a phone and say: 

- "I'm listening, here Ewa.

I'm knocking on the door and I hear:

"Who there?"

I buy a newspaper or beer and I ask for it by saying:

"Please newspaper" or "Please beer"

I want my mother to help me with something. I should be polite so I say:

"Give me that", "Take this", "Don't do this".

Where am I?

Yes, I'm in Poland and yes I know it is a blog about Polish culture and language and that everyone knew that it would be another quiz about Poland... Can we please go to the answers?

When answering a phone in Poland you say: "Słucham" which literally means "I'm listening, but it really expresses that you are all ears and can listen to the person calling you".

"Kto tam" will allow you to check who knocked on your door.

In Poland you need just one word to say : "Can I have ..., please" - "Proszę....  "

So "Proszę gazetę" or "Proszę piwo" is a polite way of asking for a newspaper or a beer.

And finally in Poland putting "please" - "Proszę" at the end or start of sentences will just sound too formal when you talk to your family and friends. We use imperative instead. Saying it with a soft tone of voice makes it a request rather than an order.

"Daj mi to" - give me that, "Weź to" - take this, "Nie rób tego"- don't do this.

See you in class,

Ola

Easter traditions part 4 - Easter Bunny

Dzień dobry,

In a post dated on 7th of March I asked, if Polish children know Easter Bunny.

It's time to face this question now.

NO, they don't.

See you in class,

Ola

Easter ( ? ) traditions part 3: Śmigus-Dyngus

Dzień dobry,

I know that Easter is over now, but Śmigus-Dyngus is older than Easter in Poland. It used to be a part of pagan tradition (turned into Christian after 11th century), or more accurately they used to be, because they were two different festivals: Śmigus and Dyngus. The first one was a part of Spring Festival. Traditionally boys and man were pouring water on unmarried girls and women. The symbol of new life - water was a guarantee of getting married the same year and for sure was a reassurance for the girls that they are the attractive ones. No wonder that some women jumped into the rivers asked politely to do so and some even on purpose poured some water on themselves :-). When pouring water men were also whipping girls' legs with willow branches - another symbol of youth and fertility. This part of Śmigus didn't survive and is now forgotten - I wonder why ;-).

Dyngus on the other hand was celebrated later in spring and its main idea was to give each other little gifts. The only thing left of it is the name. It's not we don't like giving presents - I think we just don't like the idea of thinking what I can give each person next year for the excellent gifts I received this year :-).

See you in class,

Ola