The Polish people have many holidays. We do not celebrate many of these holidays and some of the ones we do celebrate are celebrated differently here. For example, St. Nicholas is not an oversized man in red, he is a saintly, more dignified figure in Poland. Polish people enjoy rich pastries and fish, especially on holidays. The main foods are bread, pork, sausages, potatoes, apples, and dairy products.
Meaty stews are popular along with hearty beet or cabbage soup and mushrooms.
In rural areas, most people live in small brick or wooden cottages. In the cities, common housing is simple two or three room apartments. Before World War II Poland had been mostly agricultural. After the war, Poland started becoming an industrial nation. When Poland became industrial, many people moved to the city to take jobs as factory workers.