Did you know that in Poland white polar bears walk the streets in the towns and cities? Did you know that we didn’t have electricity, TV and radio during the communist era? Did you know that Poland is a country in Eastern Europe (despite the Europe ends on Ural Mountains in Russia, and Poland lies in the very middle of Europe)? I didn’t know those facts neither. Moreover I probably spend most of my life in country somewhere else
since I haven’t noticed such things. Those stereotypes are quite common in Ireland and Britain. There is another one I have found today.
Today I went to the local (and probably the biggest in town) bookshop, to gain some information about the Polish books available over there. There was only a few books available, unfortunately some cheap 2nd class stories by authors, completely not popular among Polish community. I have asked for some information about the future plans of expanding the offer for Polish readers. There was a Polish girl - shop assistant, who gave me some answers. Unfortunately, there is no any plans for extend the offer. You probably ask why? She asked shop director the same question. Shop director answered her: we won’t sell more Polish books because Polish people don’t read the books.
What is completely stupid and ridiculous is the fact, that her (shop director) assumption was based on the fact, that Polish people don’t buy English books. It seems that she (shop director) can not understand that people outside Ireland or UK speak different language. Her way of thinking and assuming is very simple and limited - if you don’t read in English then you don’t read at all, so there is no point to offer you books in your own language, or at lest to offer you a second class authors and boring stories.
bookshop class authors communist eastern europe europe ends ireland poland polar bears Polish and Irish Polish Emigration polish books polish community polish girl polish readers shop assistant stereotypes ural mountains






























16 Responses to “Polar bears and stereotypes: Polish people don’t read the books.”