Culture
- Poles are usually very old fashioned when it comes to gender etiquette. It is common for particularly older men to kiss women’s hand when greeting or saying good bye. But you will not go wrong, when shaking hands.
- Men should not wear hats indoors, especially in churches.
- Greet people with short ‘hello’ or ‘dzien dobry’ (good day) and say good bye ‘do widzenia’. It is common practice to say it when entering or exiting elevators, shops and even drs’ surgeries, so don’t be surprised.
- Smoking is very common in Poland. Since late 2010 smoking indoors is prohibited and allowed only in places with designated areas.
- It is illegal to drink in public places. However, it is often done by people, especially in parks, buses or congested streets.
- You need to pay for use of public toilets (usually 1-2 zloty). There always should be a toilet available in bars and restaurants and they are free for all customers. If you want to use it without ordering food or drinks, ask the waiter first. He wouldn’t mind in most cases, but might charge you as for a public toilet.
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