"Poland is cheap. The women are beautiful. And dating is easy for Western guys." I've heard this countless times from different people online. But after spending a month in Poland, mainly in Warsaw, exploring the city, meeting locals, interviewing and talking to women, I have a different perspective.

First of all, I had an amazing time in Warsaw, Poland. Great city, fantastic restaurants, great nightlife, safe, clean (cleanest city in Europe IMO) and plenty of attractive women.

But there's something I want to make very clear:

If you think your American/ Western passport, Western income or foreign accent will automatically make you successful with Polish women, you're totally mislead and in for a rude awakening. In fact, you might have even less dating success than back home. Let me explain everything you need to know in this brief.

1. Polish Women Aren't What You Expect

One of the first things I noticed was how reserved people can appear. Every morning when I walked through my apartment building to go for a walk I tried to say hello to someone and 90% of the time nobody even acknowledged me. No smile. No small talk. Nothing. Coming from countries like Brazil, where people are generally more expressive, that can feel pretty cold. Even in Germany, people usually say “good morning” to each other, even random strangers.

But here's the funny part. I met some of those same people in a bar later in the evening, and suddenly they were laughing, talking, and opening up. It's almost like you were meeting completely different people!

I noticed something similar when approaching women. Many Polish women I met were initially reserved. They weren't necessarily going to give you a big smile or immediately engage in conversation. You have to know how to break the ice and make them feel comfortable. Some women also prefer dating Polish men. They already share the language, culture and social expectations. Some of them would never think about dating a foreigner. I talked to one very hot girl and after warming up with her she said that she might consider dating a foreigner but he will need to speak fluently Polish and actually live there. So being a foreigner isn't automatically an advantage.

But there are still enough women that are curious and open to date foreigners once you establish a genuine connection, so with these women, the experience can be completely different. I met women who were warm, feminine, intelligent and genuinely enjoyable to spend time with. The humour is pretty funny, too. The key is understanding that you have to earn that connection rather than expect it.

And here's a small tip: Learn a few words of Polish. Even basic phrases can make a difference. Ones that worked for me every time: Dzień dobry, jesteś piękna. Which means: Good day, you are beautiful. I know that’s direct and sounds a bit cheesy as it comes across as an over-the-top pickup line and it actually is if you say it in English to them. But in Polish? Somehow the girls love it and it works as a perfect ice breaker. It also shows that you’re putting in some effort to learn the local language and are not just one of these “passport pros” that is coming through for only a few days. Most Polish women hat these type of guys.

2. Why Cold Approaching Can Be Difficult During The Day

Warsaw has plenty of beautiful women walking around. But not every location is equally good for meeting them. In certain central areas, I personally saw guys approaching women repeatedly. And some of those approaches were painful to watch. Awkward body language. Poor timing. No social awareness.

One woman even told me about dating boot camps where men allegedly filmed approaches using hidden cameras. It made national news and sparked a huge controversy. Stories like that help explain why some women are uncomfortable being approached by strangers there. If a woman has already experienced several unpleasant approaches, why would she be excited when another random guy stops her? That's why your approach matters more than ever.

My advice? Don't spend your entire day approaching women on the same busy tourist streets especially in the city center. This counts for Warsaw and Krakow. Other Polish cities might be still easier. So, especially for Warsaw, explore different neighborhoods, cafés, parks, restaurants and social venues. Approach naturally (situational), read her reaction and know when to move on. Very important, don’t chase after her for blocks. Good thing, you don't need some magical pickup line. You can use a simple opener like my language opener or just say: “Hey, just wanted to say hello, my name is…” If you say that with confidence, social awareness, and the ability to have an interesting conversation, you will have a great experience. And don't interpret every reserved reaction as a challenge to overcome. Sometimes she's simply not interested.

3. Don't Forget About Ukrainian Women

Another interesting aspect of dating in Warsaw is the large Ukrainian community. Ukrainians were already living in Poland before the war and many more arrived then. During my stay, I met and saw plenty of attractive Ukrainian women as well. There are a lot of new bars and restaurants that were opened by Ukrainian people and there I saw a ton of beautiful women. Insane women to men ratios in favor of the men obviously. There was this one girl Iryna that I approached in a rooftop bar. She was really receptive and down to earth, told me a lot about Ukraine and almost convinced me to join her to go there for a weekend. At the end of the evening she asked: “Why haven’t you invited me yet to come home with you?” If Ukrainian girls like you, they show their intentions pretty quickly. By the way, they love other ethnicities than white. For Polish women that’s totally different, basically the opposite as I explained earlier. So, many seemed more open to getting to know foreigners than the Polish women I met. Of course, that still depends entirely on the individual to some degree too.

What makes Warsaw interesting is the international mix. You have Polish women, Ukrainian women, expats, international students and professionals from different backgrounds. And you don't have to limit yourself to dating apps or approaching women on the street. Warsaw has excellent rooftop bars, stylish restaurants, cafés and social venues where conversations can happen much more naturally.

4. Is Poland Really That Cheap?

Here's another myth worth challenging. People still talk about Poland as if you can live like a king for a few hundred euros. Maybe that was possible years ago. But today's Warsaw is a different story. For example, I paid around €1,100 per month for my apartment in a good location but only a studio. If you want a modern apartment in a desirable neighborhood, don't expect everything to be ridiculously inexpensive.

The same applies to dating. A nice restaurant, cocktails at a rooftop bar or a proper evening out can quickly add up. Yes, Poland is generally cheaper than Germany or many major American cities. But in the nicer areas of Warsaw, I often felt like I was paying prices comparable to Western Europe or even more expensive. I usually don’t go on dinner dates but I go on a lot of dessert dates and I can tell you that the desserts in Polands are more expensive than in other countries I have been too. And if you're going on multiple dates every week, those costs can matter.

My advice is simple and that’s not only about saving money, I’m pretty sure you are someone ambitious with a good income but: Don't try to impress women by spending money. A good first date doesn't require an expensive restaurant. A relaxed coffee, a drink at a nice bar or a walk somewhere interesting is often enough, even a simple activity will work. You're there to find out whether you actually enjoy each other's company, not to finance someone's lifestyle. By doing that, you automatically also filter out all the “bad” apples.

5. Watch Out for These Dating Traps

Like in many major tourist cities, you also need to use common sense. There are women who genuinely want to meet someone. And there are women who see foreigners as an opportunity to get free drinks, expensive dinners or money. One particular scam to be aware of involves an attractive woman (or sometimes they are 2 or 3 in a group) approaching a foreign man and suggesting a specific bar or club. He follows her, orders some drinks and suddenly receives an outrageous bill. If that happens to you, you better pay the bill and take the losses. This isn't unique to Poland, but it's something visitors should know about.

So here's my rule: Be the man who has a plan. If you're arranging a date, suggest a place you know, make a reservation if necessary and communicate clearly. For example: "Let's meet Thursday at 7. I know a nice cocktail bar near the center." That's much better than endlessly texting: "Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? Whatever you prefer." One thing the women in Poland hate the most? Yes, if a man asks them to many questions. Being decisive doesn't mean controlling everything. It means taking initiative while making sure she's comfortable and interested. In my experience, most women in Poland appreciate a man who knows what he wants and can make decisions.

6. So, Is Dating in Poland Worth It?

Absolutely. But only if you approach it with the right mindset. Poland isn't some magical dating destination where women will throw themselves at you because you're American, British or German. If you struggle to talk to women at home, those problems will probably follow you abroad. And if your dating profile is terrible, moving to Warsaw won't magically fix it.

Here's what I'd focus on before going: Improve your social skills. Learn how to approach, communicate, flirt and build attraction with women naturally. Upgrade your dating and instagram profile. Show that you're well-dressed, socially active, confident and living an interesting life. Understand the local culture. Learn some Polish, explore beyond tourist areas and don't expect everyone to behave like women back home. Take initiative. Plan dates, communicate clearly and show that you know what you want. Filter properly. Look for genuine interest, reciprocity and consistency instead of chasing every attractive woman. Because ultimately, your dating skills matter far more than your passport. And that's true whether you're dating in Poland, Thailand, Colombia, or back home.

Want More Dating Insights From Poland?

While I was in Poland, I also sat down with a British writer who has firsthand experience with the local dating scene. We discussed Polish women, dating culture, and what foreign men should understand before trying to date in Poland. If you're considering visiting Poland for dating, I highly recommend watching our conversation. Watch My Interview: Dating in Poland, A British Man's Perspective.

See you in the next edition,

Julian