Bicycles and law
There are no duty to wear helmet even for children, but it is strongly recommended to use it.
Bicycle must be equiped with at least one working brake and fitted with red reflector visible from behind and position lights in front (white or selective yellow, whatever that means) and at the rear (red; rear light may be flashing). All lights must be visible at night from at least 150 meters. A bell or other similar warning device is a must. (Perhaps 95 per cent of bicycles in Poland have no bell nor any similar warning device, and majority has no lights either).
National holidays
- 1 May - National Holiday of people of work
- 3 May - National Holiday of 3rd May - the anniversary of the proclamation of Constitution of 3rd May
- 11 November - Natinal Holiday of Independence - The anniversary of regaining independance by Poland
- 15 August - The Virgin Mary Assumption
- 1 November - All Saints' Day
- 11 November - Natinal Holiday of Independence
- 25 December - Christmas Day
- 26 December - Boxing Day
Uncommon customs
- Some people will ask you to take your shoes off when you come to their home. Others will never let you do this even if you come in mid-winter bringing in all the snow on your boots. Use common sense and follow your host's practices.
- Take off your glove/mitten, stand up, and take your other hand out of your pocket before you shake hands with somebody (this also applies in many other countries).
- Some men kiss (rather than shake) women's hands to greet them or fare them well.
What else?
- Almost all Poles dislike Poland being thought of as a "Holocaust Tourism Country". There's much more to Poland than just former Nazi concentration camps and World War II monuments. Likewise, avoid bringing up Nazi war crimes and the Soviet oppression of Poland; millions of Polish people were killed during these bleak periods - especially the war - and they are painful topics to the often-patriotic and proud Poles.
- Do not say that Polish and Russian languages are similar, like Danish and Norwegian. It's not true, even though they are both Slavic Languages. After all, English and Swedish (both Germanic) are not similar. Also, do not say that Poles would be better off writing Cyrillic (an actual quote).
- Remember Poland is Central European country situated in centre of Europe. It is not good and true to say Eastern Europe, because it comes from communist past, and is associated with Eastern Block.
- You may find, especially in big cities such as Warsaw or Krakow, that people will either be very friendly (around 75%) or can be a little 'grumpy'. You should not take the latter personally; it is merely a of temperament.