[Twixes]

Poland definitely could be a lot better, but these are some odd points.

VAT is higher than in Germany, but lower than in Sweden. Nothing that gets anyone going really. Real estate is quite cheap (dollar to dollar, not exactly for Poles) for a European country, though Warsaw does stand out as the capital.

There isn't anything "bastardized" or "inferior" about either the Polish or Belarusian alphabet, or really any alphabet for that matter. They just come from different backgrounds.

Poland is also largely south of Belarus, including Warsaw being south of Minsk, so not sure about cold or darkness.

[sam_lowry_]

Also, GDP growth rate in Poland was double or triple of GDP growth in Belarus over the last 10 years.

IT has grown even more.

[krageon]

While you've addressed things in a way that I think is fair, to me the most important points are about air pollution and atmosphere. Are they wrong about those as well?