  Let $G$ be a topological group. We investigate relations between two classes
of "polynomial like" continuous functions on $G$ defined, respectively, by the
conditions (1) $\Delta_h^{n+1}f=0$ for every $h \in G$, and (2)
$\Delta_{h_{n+1}} \Delta_{h_{n}}\cdots \Delta_{h_{1}}f=0$, for every
$h_1,\cdots, h_{n+1} \in G$. It is shown that for many (but not all) groups
these classes coincide. We consider also Montel type versions of the above
conditions - when (1) and (2) hold only for steps $h$ in a generating subset of
$G$. Our approach is based on the study of the counterparts of the discussed
classes for general representations of groups (instead of the regular
representation).
