From: mk_thisisit
Polish Experiences and Perceptions in Germany
Childhood and Early Emigration
In 1988, the speaker’s family emigrated to Germany, which was part of the last wave of emigration before the fall of the Berlin Wall [01:23:00]. They ended up in Germany and the company was founded there due to established contacts at German universities [01:47:00].
Childhood in Germany as a Pole was perceived as different from expectations, especially after growing up in a calmer communist Poland [02:02:00]. The family started in a “hajm” or refugee camp, which was a former prison where people slept in cells [02:54:00]. Conditions were difficult, with 30 families sharing one bathroom on a single floor [00:18:00]. The environment in these camps was chaotic, with many children “thrown onto the street,” leading to a lot of violence and problems [03:36:00]. This marked a significant change from the “very calm” communist Poland the speaker left behind [03:53:00].
West Berlin smelled “different,” like a delicate plastic or polypropylene, and there were many new smells of various foods and shops [04:05:00].
Discrimination and Experiences of Poles in Germany
The 1990s were described as “tragic” for Poles in Germany [00:08:00]. During this decade, refugee camps were reportedly burning [00:11:00] and there were many skinheads and Nazis [04:53:00]. Poles were often stereotyped as alcoholics, and Polish women were subjected to derogatory comments [04:56:00]. This attitude against Poles made life “not easy” [05:11:00].
However, the speaker believes entrepreneurs have a responsibility to change these perceptions by building bridges and focusing on the future rather than the past [05:45:00]. The “new generation” (Gen Z) in both Germany and Poland is seen as an “open society” that wants to create a new world [06:01:00].
Changing Perceptions Today
Today, German society has “matured” and views Poles in a different light [08:20:00]. Poland’s development and increased international traffic, with Germans visiting Poland, have shown that Poland is no longer the post-communist country it once was [08:32:00]. The image of Poles has changed not only in Germany but “all over the world,” as many specialists and “smart people” from Poland now work abroad [09:06:00].
Germans are not envious of Poland’s strong economic development; rather, they appreciate that Poland “does its own thing” [09:18:00]. Poland’s ability to show its economic development and national development in recent years is something that pleases people globally because “everyone likes success” [10:01:00].
German Economic and Social Characteristics
Perceived Limitations and Decline
There is a “strange feeling” in Germany that it is “not completely free in what they can do” [00:33:00]. This perspective is a “two-sided narrative” or even a “conspiracy theory” that often surfaces in conversations with Germans [09:54:00].
Germans are becoming more humble as their long-standing dominance declines [10:17:00]. They were export champions in 2008 and world champions in football, always seen as the strongest, but “these numbers are gone everywhere” and “everything is starting to fall” [10:26:00]. Even their “world domination of combustion engine cars,” where they were “number one” in quality, is falling [10:37:00].
Societal Shifts and Innovation
As their traditional system falls, Germans are increasingly “looking for a return to values and principles” and moving away from identifying with economic achievements [10:51:00].
Despite these challenges, Germany is still seen positively. It has many “innovative companies” that are “changing the world” [11:26:00]. German youth are considered “very positive” and are developing in the right direction, focusing strongly on principles and values [11:30:00]. Cooperation with German companies is described as “very personal,” as they have learned from their Western and Asian competitors and now seek “openness” and a bit of “chaos” to find quick solutions [11:50:00]. This speed and innovation will help Europe generally be at a higher level of innovation and “survive” [12:25:00].
Technological Debt and Conservatism
Germany is perceived to have a “technological debt,” being “a bit behind the rest of the world” despite its past as an “ultra innovative and technological country” [12:38:00]. This is attributed to a “great conservatism” and the belief that “nothing will change” [13:46:00]. An example given is the initial German skepticism towards Tesla’s electric cars, believing their traditional engines couldn’t be beaten and that charging infrastructure or batteries didn’t exist [13:05:00].
Germans were surprised by the quality of Polish trains and the availability of internet on them during the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine, something “unheard of in Germany” [13:56:00]. At some point, Germany’s development stopped, and now they are “trying to catch up” [14:10:00].
Business Decisions and the Role of Poland
The decision to locate the company in Berlin, rather than Poland, was a business decision, not an emotional one [06:37:00]. The first pilot line for printing light was built in Berlin due to the existing scientific background and the entire team needed for such a process [06:53:00]. Moving the entire team to Poland was considered an “extremely high risk” [07:36:00]. Additionally, since the system is fully automated, employee costs do not significantly impact the decision [07:58:00].
Poland’s Role in Technology and Future
The company has started investing in Poland, with a sales office and plans to develop R&D and production departments directly for customers in Poland [29:32:00]. Future production will depend on market development and customer locations, as regional production is necessary for quick delivery [29:54:00].
The idea for the innovative screen technology was born from the chaos of the 1990s [30:39:00], specifically from a childhood observation of environmental concerns (deforestation, climate change) juxtaposed with the wastefulness of paper catalogs [30:43:00]. The idea for a thin, TV-like sheet of paper that could display content with a remote control was a childhood dream that later connected with OLED technology [31:44:00].
Politics generally does not affect the company’s daily operations, but political decisions regarding funding for companies are important [32:23:00]. Poland made a “very wise decision” in the past to finance VC funds (PFR) and other vehicles to stimulate the capital market [32:38:00]. This allows Polish companies with “crazy ideas” to find capital abroad, as such companies are rare in the West [32:55:00].
Poles are considered more inclined to take risks and achieve what is deemed impossible, which is attributed to their history of fighting for independence despite being off the map [33:09:00]. This “faith” and “romanticism” are seen as vital for the world to become a better place, and Polish politics has created a good environment for this [33:36:00]. The speaker has “always looked at Poland positively” [33:55:00].