Polish cuisine and social mores are an important component of this country's culture. Enjoying meals with family and friends is more an event that in some other Eastern European countries. Pleasing your guest is a high honor and requirement in Polish homes. Breakfasts are very solid with vegetables and cold cuts of meat. Dinner - usually eaten after returning from work -even more so; only supper is a little more modest. That is with the condition that no guests have been invited. If so, the principle of "what's ours is yours" applies! Potatoes, a meal staple for centuries, is a major element of each meal. Meat also is a mainstay -- cold cuts and sausages mainly -- and is grilled more or less ceremoniously at the country home, in the garden, or on the front lawn.

Polish towns reflect the whole spectrum of European styles. Poland's eastern frontiers marked the boundary of the influences of Western architecture on the continent. Still today, you can see well-preserved Medieval, Gothic and Renaissance towns -- some renown as the most beautiful in Europe.

The most important day in a Polish person's life is his or her "name day," the day of observance for the patron saint after whom the person is named. Poles celebrate their name day at home, sometimes in restaurants, occasionally at work - but these days only after hours.