National characteristics of the Poles are a reflection of the difficult history of the nation, which had a huge, and not always a positive influence on their attitudes and behavior. But some of those attitudes were also inherited from their ancestors.
Professor Wojciech Roszkowski, a historian, illuded to the historical factors affecting the national character of the Poles lack of state absolutism in the Commonwealth, the weakness of the bourgeoisie, downfall of a noble culture in the 18th century, the loss of statehood, the tradition of unsuccessful struggle for independence in the 19th century, the rapid advancement of civilization of the peasantry and the absurdities and contradictions of the People’s Republic of Poland.
Noblemen: coffin portraits, 17th century
Long lack of the statehood, defeats of national uprisings in the 19th century and tragedies of World War II and postwar times have created in the Poles a sense of injustice and a tendency to martyrdom.
Much could be said about the negative impact of the socialist state on the awareness of Poles. The socialist state was a creation, which gave them work, salary and housing, and cared of – at least in official propaganda – the basic needs of its citizens. On the other hand it was unfamiliar; controlling citizens and not rewarding them for their real merit but in its sole discretion (they learned that success in life depends not on work, but on the position and privileges). This is why Poles no longer felt responsible for the country and place of their residence. Treating the state as an alien creature, on whose problems you do not have any effect, led to a loss of interest in social problems, which is evidenced by the low level of participation in the elections after 1989, also at the local level. The voter turnout never exceeds 50% in Poland, except for the elections in 2007 (53.9 %), when young Poles ran to the polls in order to remove the government of Jarosław Kaczyński from the Law and Justice party (Prawo i Sprawiedliwosc, PiS). This is confirmed by the results of recent sociological research “Social Diagnosis 2011”, which shows that Poles are primarily focused on their own affairs and their own family, and for 20 % (!) it does not matter whether they live in a democratic society or not.
A positive legacy of the period of socialism is that living in a state of permanent economic crisis, Poles have learned resourcefulness, and many of them are perceived abroad as employees who can handle themselves well in all circumstances. When proper conditions occurred at the end of People’s Republic of Poland, people actively began to build capitalism from the ground up, literally, from the street trade.
Satirical portrait of Poles in a “Cabaret of Olga Lipinska” (TV)
Psychological portrait of the Polish people
Psychological portrait of the Poles is a portrait rich in colors and shades, those dark as well. According to Professor Eugene Brzezicki, a psychiatrist, Poles have a skirtotymic type of personality, characterized by short-lived enthusiasm, gesture and fantasy, bravery, selflessness, perseverance and patience in difficult situations, but carelessness and recklessness in the periods of success. Another psychologist, Professor Kazimierz Dabrowski, set up his own catalog of pros and cons of a typical Pole. The disadvantages include excessive emotional excitability, suspicion and distrust, frivolity, superficiality, susceptibility to external impressions (gesture, a smile, a way of being), a tendency to extreme individuality and protests, poor organizational abilities, lack of proper self-esteem, a tendency to express opinion based on emotions and not on a rationally thought-out facts. The advantages are: a tendency to romanticism and spirituality, courage, heroism, gentleness, no cruelty, fidelity, keeping of commitments, a deep sense of freedom, self independence and individuality, as well as large capacities in various fields.
In everyday life this advantages and disadvantages combine with each other, which do not always give the best results. Examples:
- the pursuit of freedom is strong during its absence, but gained already freedom is not always used properly (the struggle for an independency at the time of the People’s Republic of Poland, the lack of involvement in public affairs after 1989)
- mobilization in need, but then the lack of cooperation, disputes and divisions (for example, the division of the former “Solidarity” and the hostile attitude of some activists to the former leader Lech Walesa)
- longing for the rule of law while accepting that law-breaking behavior.
Religiousness
For the average foreigner a very distinct feature of the Polish nature is religiousness. But even in this area it can be seen that there are a lot of drawbacks. As noted by sociologist Edmund Lewandowski, Polish religiosity is “intellectually shallow, selective, bigoted, and morally ineffective. (…) The most respected is the morality of the Church (participation in practice), weakly conscious morality strictly religious (evangelical ideals) and variously accepted morality of natural (associated with the Ten Commandments).
Pilgrimage to Czestochowa 2010; regional dress – Łowicz
According to the Father Jozef Tischner, Poland is dominated by “not so much religious faith, as religious hope.” An interesting view on this issue has been expressed by some American professor, who said that “Poland is a country of believers, but practicing rather in the name of love for the national tradition.” And it seems to be true because faith in Poland is rather handed down from generation to generation than the result of a deep personal reflection and identification with its dogmas. The best proof is a dismissive attitude of Poles to the precepts of religion such as the obligation to participate in weekly Mass, sexual abstinence before marriage and banning divorce and use of contraceptives. (Read also: Sacrum contra profanum).
Two Polands
Despite these universal features it can be easily noted that the Poles are deeply divided in terms of mentality, what is perfectly illustrated by maps of political choices. And once again the dramatic history of this country – partitions and post-war migrations – plays a huge role in it. As it is clear from these maps, the division of the Poland into the conservative parts (eastern and southern Poland) and liberal (western and northern Poland) precisely coincides with the borders of the old partitions.
parliament elections 2007
orange colour – votes for liberal party Platforma Obywatelska (Civic Platform).
blue colour – votes for conservative party Prawo i Sprawiedliwość (Law and Justice).
orange colour – votes for liberal candidate Bronislaw Komorowski (PO).
blue colour – votes for conservative candidate Jaroslaw Kaczyński (PiS)
Poland A
Poles from the north-western areas, so called Poland A, embracing economically well-developed lands formerly belonging to Germany (Lower Silesia, Pomerania), are the population of immigrants, mostly repatriates from territories lost by Poland after World War II in the East, as well as forced laborers in Germany, soldiers from the West, people who came from the overcrowded central Poland – now obviously their descendants. And every mobility favors liberal views, because it means openness to the world, vulnerability to any news and adoption cultural patterns on a higher level of civilization. The western and northern Poles are therefore less dependent on the opinion of the local environment, and despite their traditionally Polish (but weaker) religiousness the Catholic Church has much weaker impact on them. Not without significance for the attitude and mentality of the population living in Poland A for ages (Wielkopolska – Great Poland) was prolonged contact with the culture of Protestant Prussia and her approach to life. The result is a greater openness and economic activity, not passively waiting for any favors from the state (formerly a tsar) or God as it is typical for Poland B.
Poland B
The areas of eastern and southern Poland, so called Poland B, poorer, underinvested (invaders did not develop any industry here), formerly belonging to the Russian empire. This is where the conservative right wing party (PiS) wins, referring to the romantic model of patriotism, based on the sanctity of the symbols and emotions. A lack of any mobility (80 % of the population has lived there for generations) favors the preservation of traditional systems, aversion to any changes, a deep distrust of the outside world (which is not very interesting) and respect for the opinion of neighbors and a priest, who is often a guide in social and political matters. Religion is very important element influencing the political views and behavior.
Map of the votes in parliamentary elections in 2015 shows however that the current political preferences of Poles do not reflect any more traditional division into an eastern and a western Poland.
yellow – liberal PO / blue – conservative PiS
Read also: Poles – choices (January 2018)
Political differences are responsible of the existence of two Polands, hating each other. The first one (consisting majority of educated people and those from large cities) are pro-European Union, prodemocracy, the rule of law (defense of the Constitutional Court) and liberal values.
The second Poland (supporter of the party PiS – lower educated people, mostly residents of the villages and small towns) is characterized by: a deep conservatism and traditionalism, attachment to religion, willingness to accept authoritarianism, Catholic-national patriotism and extreme distrust of other countries, particularly Germany and Russia, accused of plotting against Poland (they deeply believe in the theory of the assassination of President Lech Kaczynski in Smolensk, April 10th, 2010, by Russians).
Proponents of the theory of the assassination of Smolensk
Poles anno domini 2011
The most recent portrait of the Poles brings a sociological study entitled “Social Diagnosis 2011” (organized every two years), which is carried out by Professor Janusz Czapiński from Warsaw University. Most surprising in the current crisis, although showing a constant trend, outcome of this study shows very high (up to 80 %) level of satisfaction with the life conditions. This puts into question the traditional Polish lamentation, which makes the Pole answering to the question “what’s up?” with “the old poverty”. It is confirmed, however, the typical focus on a strictly personal matters.
The condition of the average Pole’s happiness is good health (63.7%), a successful marriage (53.2%) and children (47.2 %). Values of higher order are valued less: only 3% to the conditions of a successful life includes freedom, 4.5 % – education, 4 % – friendship.
- The image of a modern Polish woman is very conservative. For the average Polish lady the most important values are family, children and religion. Work, friends and money are valued less than in men’s case. (Read also: Polish ladies, Polish ladies 2)
- Poles wanting to be educated – the percentage of people with higher education is 24 %. Poland also takes second place in the world in terms of the number of 19-year-olds who go to study (80 %).
- Another tendency is a declining interest in religion – only 42.7 % of Poles declared participation in masses 4 or more times a month (1992 – 55.7%).
- Every 6th student wants to emigrate from Poland.
In a case of a young Pole liberal attitudes still mingle with conservative ones.
Although he is opened to the world and has no compulsion toward the West (like his parents), knows foreign languages, he also supports the old-fashioned hierarchical structures of society.
Do you fancy a Pole?
In the light of the above data, one might ask whether Poles are likeable people. It is true that the title of the article is “Poles. A self-portrait” but it is worth quoting a few reviews of people whose life was anyhow connected with Poland.
Beketa Bojan: I like how the Poles keep their tradition, which was not destroyed by either Germany or communism.
Leib Fogelman: [I like the Poles] For independence, individuality and creativity. Had to add more discipline, the Poles would have a complete basis for the creation of capitalism.
Szabolcs Estenyi: I think the Polish role in the changes in Europe is very beautiful, with great admiration and satisfaction of looking at the emergence of new structures, changing for the better reality.
Kevin Aiston: But most important is that when you have a Polish friend, this is a friend for life and death.
(Opinions quoted above come from: Bronislaw Tumilowicz: Za co Polak da się lubić?, „Przegląd”).
It is impossible not to appreciate the superb use of great opportunity given to Poland by access to the European Union. The breadth and scale of this opportunity are clearly visible for everybody visiting Poland today, which contradicts some popular belief that Poles cannot build anything, and that the organizational talents do not belong to this nation’s greatest strengths.
Read also: Poles protest, A letter to a Dutchman, Young Poles – awakening
Renata Głuszek
Published: June 2012 / update: January – March 2016
(In the text above are used some ideas from the following articles: Bronisław Tumiłowicz: „ Za co Polak da się lubić?”; Wojciech Roszkowski: „Jacy jesteśmy, kim być chcemy?”; Edmund Lewandowski: „Oto Polak” ; Mariusz Janicki, Wiesław Władyka: „Na żółto i na niebiesko”; Diagnoza społeczna 2011).
Books about foreigners meeting Poland:
- “Shortcuts to Poland” by Laura Klos-Sokol
- “Poland through foreign eyes” by Georg van der Weyden
- “A Country in the Moon: Travels in Search of the Heart of Poland” by Michael Moran
Photo: Wikipedia, TVP, Katarzyna Olczak, Renata Głuszek, public domain
Sorry, but there is a lot of mainipulation in this article. It is based mainly on left propaganda (Gazeta Wyborcza, POlityka, Newsweek etc.). In fact so called „Poland A” and „Poland B” were created by left-„liberal” media. Same to the (almost racist) stereotypes of the voters ( PiS voters: poor, stupid, uneducated etc. PO voters: rich, smart, educated ). They are false, for example Lubusz, Masuria and Middle Pomerania are among the poorest regions of Poland and they are very pro-PO.
I do not want to talk about religion or Smolensk catastrophe, but I will add two historical notes:
1)In the west, south and north parst of your „Poland A” you have large areas gained from Germany after WW2 (Pomerania, Lubusz , Lower Silesia and the larger part of Upper Silesia). Before WW2 most of this area was not populated by Poles. It was true German clay for years and after war populated by (mostly) Poles from Kresy (former Russian (mainly) and Austrian partition ). People who live there were resettled from the East.
They have NOTHING to do with Germany or German Empire !
Remember, the former Polish lands east of the Curzon Line were much poorer areas than anywhere else in Poland, even before the war
Nowdays many emigrants from Kresy live also in the Greater Poland. In the prewar Polish part of Upper Silesia Silesians are minority now, emigrants are majority !
Again these people never knew Germany or German Empire !
They behave in different way that people from rest of country. I think that was caused by cutting of roots by these people. Such a people are always easiest to brainwash.
2)„The areas of eastern and southern Poland, so called Poland B, poorer, underinvested (invaders did not develop any industry here), formerly belonging to the Russian empire.”
– You are wrong:
a)the terrains of Poland that belonged to Russia were one of the most industrialised parts of the Russian Empire. Bear in mind that the Russia itself wasn’t very industrial.
b) southern Poland, Galicia (Galicja) (southern part of your „Poland B”) did not belong to to the Russian empire ! It was Austrian partition. Austrian partition was the most democratic and liberal. Polish people had even autonomy there ! Today Galicia is a bastion of Polish right-wing.
Dear Andy, I think that some of your allegations come from misunderstanding of my article. Describing Poland A I have not stated that immigrants had direct contact with Germans. They have had however direct contact with a more developed civilization – I mean the houses with toilets and so on – watch “Boża podszewka II” to understand. Besides – migration always develops culturally and economically, and socially. What concerns Upper Silesia – it is true that there is much immigrants (I am one of them) but Silesian people has not perished yet (I know many of them 🙂 ) strong Silesian traditions have survived and still influence this part of Poland. Eastern Poland maybe was more developed industrially than the rest of Russia but it was still a region of rather rural character. See this:
“Pięć wschodnich województw naszego kraju nadal dzieli dystans do innych regionów pod względem uprzemysłowienia, rozwoju infrastruktury, tak ważnej dla atrakcyjności i przyciągania inwestorów, w efekcie – pod względem poziomu bezrobocia i średniej zamożności. Są zarazem odstępstwa od tej “reguły”; choćby przemysł spożywczy, w tym szczególnie mleczarski, czy lotniczy – to domena “wschodu” Polski.”
https://www.wnp.pl/artykuly/polska-wschodnia-rozpoczyna-pogon-za-liderami,305241_0_0__0.html
What concerns Galicia – you are right.
What concerns manipulations of GW, Polityka or Newsweek – do you prefer TVP maybe?
Dear Renata,
1)You have the idealistic vision of Recovered Territories probably taken from propaganda of Polish People’s Republic: poor Kresy and quite rich Recovered Territories. To some degree it could be true in 1939, but not in 1945-48. First – large parts of Recovered Territories like Masuria and Central Pomerania were also typical rural areas (in fact some of the poorest in prewar Germany).
The Soviet forces engaged in particularly extensive plunder in the former eastern territories of Germany that were to be transferred to Poland. Recovered Territories were looted of anything valuable. Soviets were sending to Russia complete factories (!), power stations, natural resources, train infrastructure, even rails (!). Not to mention about individual looting of Soviet soldiers.
So these emigrants had contact mainly with empty German houses and factories. Buildings or streets can not change someone mentally.
2)After WW2 Silesians had nothing to say in Upper Silesia. Silesians were treated by communist regime as third-class citizens and in their own land and contemptuously called “Hanysy”. All the important positions were taken by emigrants (particularly Polish and Jewish communists from Dąbrowa Basin and Kresy). Silesians were also intensely polonized. Not to mention about such a postwar „attractions” like deportations of Silesians for slave labour in Soviet mines (several tens of thousands died in Soviet Russia) and labour camps (like Zgoda with psychopath Salomon Morel). The communists and Poles in their service demolished Silesian identity. That’s why so many Silesians left Polish People’s Republic for West Germany.
There was nothing like „silesination”, because no Pole wanted to be third-class citizen. The impact of Silesian minority on Polish majority was rather minimal. Silesians are pro-right-wing, according to your theory these emigrants also should be pro-right-wing. But they are not. It is cleary clearly visible on election maps.
BTW: Silesians had REAL contact with the Germans that lasted more than 500 years. They were (and still are) conservative and very religious. It doesn’t fit your theory at all.
I don’t even want to talk about “Wyborcza”. In fact I prefer anything to “GW”, “Polityka” and their stuff (“Jasnogród” vs.”Ciemnogród”, Polska A vs. Polska B, “Ludzie honoru” vs. “Ludzie chorzy z nienawiści” etc.)
Regards
Dear Andy,
I will not argue with you much coz there is a lot of truth in your statement.
1. If civilization is inside the people – it is truth that eastern immigrants could not meet it when settled the empty houses. But compare western farms with big barns and farms in the east of Poland you can have the idea what I ment. OK.
2. The situation of Silesian people is well described. I have lived in Upper Silesia for over 50 years and I know it well, regretting that for some politicians they are still a hidden pro-German option. For sure they had contact with Germans – have a denyed it? They are also conservative and religious. In my plans is writing a story of the Upper Silesia which requires special attention.
3. The last statement can be discussed. There is a lot of people sick of hate and dark minded in Poland. And “Polityka” will be mine magazine, sorry.
Maybe the article requires a new look, I will consider it.
Regards