Polish Winged Hussars?

Hmmm....

Originally posted by Tryskochvost I have an question, may one become hussar now?

Of course it is possible if you only want. By now, there are some 50 'winged' hussar reenactors in Poland and outside Poland (in USA). You might be the firs in Czech Republic .

Thats true ataman but i think that just has to do with the time period PLC wasn't the only area with those troubles i think nearly the whole world did.The further you look back in history the less advancement there is in society and technology thus making a more difficult life.

really?  that´s not so bad, they could speak russian...

I think Poland is becoming too Americanized, turn the T.V on and look how much English is being spoken.

Originally posted by Mastermind Let me guess U.S.A at 10 %

Americans (from USA) - 47 % 

As a turk I have a sympathy against poles but the turkic population is neutral I think. The 1848-9 wars made our nations closer. Joseph Bem one of heroic commanders of the poles migrated to the ottoman empire. Russia and austria wanted him for judgement and the ottomans did not give him even facing the threats of these countries. If I am not wrong he became a muslim( politically I think) and he died in Aleppo. A lot of polish general and officer converted and gave good millitarical examples for the modernising ottoman army

i think Dragoons were better

Evrenosgazi, unfortunately the list I know doesn't include Turks. There are only all neighbors of Poland, some European nations and only 4 nations from outside Europe.

But let me try to put this discussion into a historical context. It might be interesting how Polish preferences were changing since 16th c. 

Now the number 1 of the most liked nations are Italians. It is a colossal change. Italians in 16th c. Poland had a very bad name. They were perceived as a poisoners and assassins.

Number 2 – Czechs. There was some pity for Czechs in 16-17th c. Poland, because Bohemian nobility was oppressed by Hapsburgs. Polish-Czechs relations were the worst between WWI and WWII (it was the effect of territorial quarrels), but since that time Czechs regained somehow liking in Polish eyes. Maybe thanks to Czech animated cartoons (like Krtek, Rumcajs, Sasiedzi/A je to!, Pat a Mat) known by every Polish kid, or maybe thanks to 'The Good Soldier Švejk', 'Jožin z bažin' or Jakub Janda? I have no idea. 

Number 3 – Spaniards. I have an impression that Spain wasn't known too well in 16-17th c. Poland. Polish travelers seldom visited Spain in that time. Spanish conquests in Americas were known in Poland but the Poles (read – Polish nobility) had some mixed feelings about it. Spain was a Catholic country. So was Poland. But Polish nobility was proud that opposite to Spain, Polish Catholic church regained its position (weakened by Protestant Reformation) without oppressions of people. On the other hand Polish nobles had warm feelings to Spanish ones, because they were perceived as a proud people (means similar to Polish nobles).

And other nations

Turks – the Poles were afraid of Ottoman Empire in 16th c.. There was some complex in Polish mentality, after lost battles of Varna 1444 and Mohacs 1526. The priority of Polish diplomacy in 16th c. was to stay in peace with Ottoman Empire. It changed in 17th c. after the battles of Chocim 1621, Chocim 1673 and Vienna 1683. The Poles regained self-confidence. 
Turks in 16-17th c were perceived as a danger for Christianity. But it didn't disturb to copy Turkish fashion, which was very popular in Poland, especially in the second half of 17th c. and in early 18th c. The Poles were (and still are) proud that Poland stopped Ottoman expansion. An average Pole knows 2 battle from Polish history: the battle of Grunwald 1410 and the battle of Vienna 1683.
Anyway, in 18th and especially in 19th c. the Poles realized that Ottoman Empire is a natural Polish ally in wars against Russia. A romantic opinion about Turks finally won in 19th c. Polish liaison to Turks survived until know, but I have an impression that it might change quickly. An average Pole know almost nothing about modern Turkey. Except kebab (liked in Poland), the Poles don't associate Turkey with any other good mark-symbol. It is a colossal step backwards comparing to 17th c. 
Now, we don't have any cultural exchange. There are no Turkish movies or animated cartoons in Polish TV. The Poles don't know Turkish sportsmen, writers, musicians etc. On the other hand a lot of Poles, who visit Germany come back with worse opinion about Turks. Nothing is done to improve opinion about Turks and Turkey in Poland.

Germans – there is an old Polish saying that Germans never were and never will be Polish brothers. It was known already in 16th c. It is known now. Generally Germans had bad opinion in Poland and sometimes this opinion was very bad. But since 2 decades, thanks to a hard work of Polish media (and politicians), thanks to open borders, thanks to a lot of projects etc. Polish opinion about Germans is improving. Now 38% the Poles declare that they like Germans. Only 32% declare that they don't like them. Well, it is not bad :).

Hungarians – the Poles have almost constant feelings to Hungarians. They liked them always and now (48% declare that they like them) even more than in 16-17th c. It is a paradox because an average Pole don't know almost nothing about modern Hungary. But there is some old saying known in our countries ('Pole, Hungarian, two good friends') which seems to dominate our opinions about each other for centuries. 

Are you interested in any other nations?



Edited by ataman - 18-Mar-2009 at 08:20

Originally posted by ataman Originally posted by Roberts How much are Germans, Russians, Ukrainians and Lithuanians liked in Poland?  Germans 38% Russians 30% Ukrainians 34% Lithuanians 41% All these data are for January 2009

Man how about turks