Business trip in Warsaw on foot and by metro with Warsaw guide
#Guide in Warsaw #Local tour guide in Warszawa #Private tour guide in Warsaw #local guide in Warszawa #tourist guide in Warsaw
We see the same things as on a traditional tourist tour, but the perspective is different
A business trip is a tourist tour of Warsaw, but the perspective is that what we see translates into useful knowledge about economy, mentality and politics. The aim of the tour is to create an understanding of Polish society so that you can talk to a Pole and understand the background of what you hear. This will ease your way in Polish society. Poles share a common heritage of school, film and literature, but there are also big differences in attitudes. After the tour, you’ll hopefully be able to identify attitudes, making it easier to have a constructive conversation.
Practical knowledge, if You want to work in Poland
At the same time, I go through the business structure in Poland and talk about taxes, the legal system and shopping habits. This will hopefully help you ask the right questions when talking to a lawyer, accountant or other professional advisor.
For everyone who wants to know how Poland functions
The tour is intended for people who want to work in Poland, do business here, buy or sell, but also for people who are simply planning to settle in the country. The tour is also open to students, journalists and anyone else interested.
We start at 9.00 am with an hour and a half conversation at your hotel, where you will need to book a meeting room. Here I will give an introductory lecture on “Modern Poland“. You can see the overall programme by clicking on the title, but for this tour we will focus on:
Economic development from 1989 to today, comparison with other EU countries and Poles’ impression of the economic situation.
Emigration from Poland and immigration to Poland over the past 20 years.
Basic values in political views in Poland such as abortion, same-sex civil partnership and sexuality. What attitudes do you encounter.
What language skills to expect in Poland
Trust in others and trust in institutions. What’s the difference between Vestern Europe and Poland.
Salary structure in Poland – minimum salaries, average salaries. What do people expect and how do you assess salary levels.
Taxes – an overview of the tax system for employees, self-employed and companies. I’m not an accountant, so this is just a general overview and I can’t answer in-depth questions.
Poland’s development towards a social state.
And then we head out into the city to find out more.
POLIN – Museum of the History of the Jewish People in Poland – attitudes towards jews today
World War II and how it is perceived in Poland. However, the main topic of conversation will be the attitude of Poland and Poles towards Jews today, but in relation to the past, especially the last 100 years. However, there are many different opinions, so I’ll try to give an overview of what you might encounter. Many would also deny the existence of Polish anti-Semitism, and anti-Semitism does not permeate Polish society today, but it does exist.
We also talk about the view of other peoples. The difference between nationality and ethnicity and how national attitudes influence politics and attitudes.
Depending on the weather, it takes place outside or inside the main hall of the museum (weapons control, so no knives allowed).
A 15-minute stroll takes us past a monument to Siberian displaced persons and a large football stadium. Both are worthy of comment.
Katyn Museum – an outlook on Polish matyrdom
We walk quickly through the museum to get into the right mood. Afterwards, we talk about Russia’s place in Polish consciousness. Here we can also talk about the military and the war in Ukraine. Finally, I’m talking about Poland’s ‘martyrdom’ – it’s an old consciousness that all Poles grow up with, but which is of course reinforced by events like Katyn.
Another 15-minute stroll, where we pass the Chinese embassy, among other things.
The Supreme Court – The judicial system is in a mess, but does it matter?
Here we’re talking about the legal system and rule of law in Poland In particular, we discuss the dualistic system of politically and non-politically appointed judges and the conflicts within the judiciary. And then we discuss whether it matters for business.
Monument to the Warsaw Uprising – Poles live with world War II, every day
World War II has had a decisive influence on the way Poles see the world. The Warsaw Uprising of 1944 has a strong presence in Polish consciousness, although some are also critical. Wow did World War II affect Poland today?
The Military Cathedral – Many Poles go to church, but how does the church influence society?
Here we talk about the influence of religion on Polish society, including the Polish Pope, the politicisation of the church, religious education, the number of churchgoers and bad things for the church. And also what attitudes to religion you will encounter among Poles.
10-minute walk and Metro to the Palace of Culture
Palace of Culture – lunch. Let’s try some nice Polish food
It is now 1 pm. It’s the perfect opportunity for lunch. There is a canteen in the Palace of Culture where they serve traditional Polish dishes, but we can also find a slightly more exclusive place nearby (this needs to be booked in advance if we are more than 7-8 people). During lunch there is free discussion.
After lunch – communism in Poland, Lech Wałęsa and the collapse of communism
Depending on the weather, we are indoors or outdoors. Here we talk about the impact of communism on Poland, the different phases of communism, and the strikes in 1970, 1980 and 1989. What imprint has communism left on Poland and has Poland developed into a liberal society. Here we also discuss the current business structure in Poland, which is characterised by small and medium-sized companies as well as giant companies where the state is a co-owner and has a greater or lesser influence.
Metro to Technical University – banking and financing
Here we talk about company forms, sole proprietorship, starting a business and banking and financing in Poland. We also cover the legal system, payment deadlines, waiting times and what to expect from a lawyer in Poland.
Among other things, we pass the Financial Supervisory Authority and the US Embassy
Lazienki Park in Warsaw – why did Poland dissapear from the map in 1795?
The last king of Poland built this park. Here we talk about Poland’s decline in the 18th century, Russian domination, partitions and the first constitution that tried to reform it all. How do Poles today look at 3. May Constitution of 1791 and the partition of Poland, in other words – the historical awareness of the events from the personal union with Saxony in 1697 to the collapse of Poland in 1795.
Belweder – representative mansion belonging to the presidency and next to the Prime Minister’s Chancery
The current political situation in Poland, which is characterised by the president and government coming from two different political camps. Among other things, this has meant that not many new laws are implemented. Is the political conflict affecting business in Poland?
The statue of Pilsudski – he is, what Atatürk is to the Turks
Poland’s hero of freedom became Supreme Leader when Poland regained its independence in 1918. I talk about the visions of Pilsudski and his political opponent, Dmowski, and how their legacy can still be felt in Polish politics.
Write to me at m@hardenfelt.pl to arrange a guided tour in Warsaw