Obama wants to build bridges with Europe, Warsaw – no longer a cheap city to live in and visit, and beauty parlours for pet dogs are gaining in popularity in Poland.
Press reviewed by Michal Kubicki
If the American president was be elected by Europeans, Barack Obama would score a landslide victory. RZECZPOSPOLITA writes in a editorial that this is irrespective of the conclusions that can be drawn on foreign policy issues from his current trip. This is because no matter what Barack Obama says, he is seen by the majority of European as an ‘anti-Bush’, whereas his rival McCain is perceived, at best, as an upgraded version of George Bush and therefore a lesser evil.
GAZETA WYBORCZA expresses the view that no matter who is going to succeed president Bush, it is clear that Washington will no longer singlehandedly take decisions relating to our globe. This is a good sign for the world but also the green light for Europe which won’t be able to claim that global problems are neglected because of Washington’s arrogance, GAZETA WYBORCZA comments.
On the domestic scene, DZIENNIK writes that Warsaw is no longer a cheap city. According to a report by an American consulting company, it has gone up from 67th to 35th place in the list of the most expensive cities in the world. A cup of coffee and a visit to the hairdresser’s are cheaper in Brussels, the cost of living in the Polish capital being higher also than in Luxembourg, Munich and Bratislava. DZIENNIK also writes about the Ministry of Education decision to ensure a six-year-long course of English for all school children in Poland. According to the daily, this is a step in the good direction, but Polish MEP Wojciech Roszkowski told DZIENNIK this is only a half-measure, as in his view all children should be covered by a programme of compulsory English classes from Grade One up to secondary school graduation exam.
Colouring, hair-cutting, body massage and many other things are offered at beauty parlours for pet dogs and cats in Poland. RZECZPOSPOLITA has a story on the growing popularity of such establishments. An owner of one such parlour in the city of Lodz told the daily that what a couple of years ago was treated as something absolutely bizarre, is now becoming a norm. ‘You have to make an appointment three weeks in advance. We offer a wide range of services, including nail tips. But we won’t do anything that causes pain to one’s pet.’ And how about prices? Hair-cutting in a dogs’ parlour costs up to 30 euros. Is it cheaper than elsewhere in Europe? I don’t know.