When I am in Connecticut for work, I stay in Little Poland (New Britain, CT). They refer to each other as Polaks. My nieces exchange student is Polish as well. I heard her use the term Polak dozens of times when they were there with me earlier this month. I never got any sense from her or any of the residents that the word was bad to use.
I understand the flak I get for the 'turdbiscuit' word. This I do not.