18 Days and Counting!

So after now having lived in the Czech Republic for 18 days, I am definitely an expert on Czech culture...just kidding! I have started to observe a large variety of differences (albeit, many of them minor ones) between American and Czech ways. Here is a sampling: some are more interesting than others!

Manpris everywhere! (capris for men...)

The "rat-tail" or versions thereof are very popular hairstyles.

Mullets (in lesser frequency than Southwest Virginia but more common than America as a whole)

Common: Middle-aged women wearing very tight, white shirts with ill-fitted white bras underneath. Women wearing white underwear and shear clothing in general.

The Erotic City chain (and its graphic window posters) every several blocks

Public transportation in all its glory: trams, buses, AND the metro!

Teachers arrive to class several minutes after the bell.

Students must stand for the teacher when s/he enters the room -- what a great way to show respect!

Always say "Dobrou chut' " to your companions before starting a meal.

Things that are acceptable on public transport: bringing your dog with you, reading Maxim, drinking beer, large public displays of affection, letting your breasts "accidentally" fall out of your dress

Things that are not acceptable on public transport: talking loudly (unless you are a drunk teenager on the late bus), not quickly giving up your seat to an elderly/disabled/pregnant/2-year-old person, not helping a person with a stroller lift it onto the tram.

Czechs and their dogs! There are SO many, and most people let their dogs walk without leashes...and I have yet to see even one run into the street, away from its owner!

House-shoes or slippers -- and I thought this was just something found in Japan! Wear your nice shoes outside, and then change into casual, clean shoes indoors (including in the schools).

"Nice" varies in terms of shoes. Many Czechs' preferred shoe style is birkenstocks/sandals with socks.

Soccer (Football) and hockey are the most popular sports. In Prague, Slavia vs. Sparta is the biggest rivalry. (To me, it seems a bigger deal even than the Cubs vs. White Sox rivalry.)

Czech bus and tram drivers are MUCH nicer than American ones! If they see you running toward the tram, even if you're a good ways off, they will wait for you :)

Peanut butter, good lettuce, and many toiletries are expensive :(

Vanilla extract, chocolate chips, fine flour, canned pureed tomatoes, and my favorite salad dressings can't be found at all :(

There is a juice for almost every fruit! I have discovered that cherry juice and strawberry juice are absolutely delicious!

With the exception of a bagel deli run that is owned by Americans, there are no free refills at any restaurant/pub. Water is not free (you can only get it bottled), and water and beer cost approximately the same amount.

My sit-down, curtain-less, hand-held "shower." 'Nuf said.

Unless there is a large park nearby, no one -- and I mean no one -- exercises outside. I think I have seen a total of three runners outside since I arrived here. Neither does anyone wear athletic clothing outdoors. I think I have seen two girls where t-shirts and spandex, and I'm pretty sure they were American.

Everyone says "Dobry den" (~Good day) to everyone else. They say it when they see a colleague in school, enter a shop or restaurant, or call someone on the phone. It is so polite!

When I enter a store -- particularly clothing stores -- I am not hounded by sales associates who ask me ten million questions about how they can help me. It is great to have some space!

If you want a cart at the grocery store, you have to put in a 10 Kc coin to release it. You get your money back when you return the cart. -- definitely makes for less cart-cluttered stores and parking lots!

----------------
Now playing: Elton John - Tiny Dancer
via FoxyTunes