Czech mythology cites Princess Libuše of the 7th century saying she saw many prophecies from her castle in central Bohemia. One day she had a vision of what was to come of Prague: “I see a vast city, whose glory will touch the stars! I see a place in the middle of a forest where a steep cliff rises above the Vltava River. People will bow to the castle and to the city around it. It will be honored, favored with great repute, and praise will be bestowed upon it by the entire world.”

Her mythical prophecy rings true today; that is just what Prague has become. The history of the land is heard from the locals decrying years of communist rule that tore at the lives of the Czechs. But the abuse felt by the people affected the physical structure of the city less. Dubbed the “city of a thousand stars” for its flickering lights in centuries-old cathedrals and mountainside homes, Prague is a painter’s paradise. The bustling downtown is full of all walks of life and has an array of entertainment, but just walk one street over to a quiet café, or take the convenient and far-stretching underground metro or above-ground trolley to a park for a game of soccer. And if you get lost, no sweat! Many locals and travelers speak English, so if your Czech is rough, that’s no problem. Someone will help if you ask, and they might learn a new English word as you learn a Czech one in the process. With a city of two million people, there’s bound to be someone willing to suggest the metro stop you need or tell you which street vendor sells the best Czech sausage.

THE CZECH CULTURE

Modesty

Czechs are modest people. When a compliment is given to them, they blush and say “No, no no. Your shoes are nice.” It is always a game of downplaying the giver’s compliment. This modesty is reflected in the Czech down-to-earth mentality as well.

Manners

When on a bus or in the metro, it is expected that someone young and able will get up and offer his or her seat to an elderly person. It is expected that a gentleman stand up in order for a woman to sit.

Time

It is expected you will arrive to a meeting, to class, or to dinner at the time you state. There is no dawdling, but neither should there be stress to arrive on time. Czechs stick to a schedule and rarely deviate from it.

Moderation

One of the most fundamental rules of Czech culture is moderation. For example, at first glance, Czechs might seem to drink a lot, but upon a closer look, quite the opposite is true. They do drink; there is no question among beer connoisseurs that the Czech Republic brews some of the best beer in the world. It is plentiful, inexpensive, and enjoyed at all hours of the day. However, Czechs drink with moderation, not in order to get drunk. In fact, the quickest way to lose the respect of your Czech friends and neighbors is to get drunk in public. Keep in mind, the legal drinking age is 18 years old.

How will I improve my Czech?

At first glance, Czechs may seem to be very reserved people, even seeming cold to Westerners. Knowing the history of Prague will help you understand why the stereotype exists. But by taking the chance of leaving your country and coming to theirs, Czechs know the big step you made and are honored you came. The best advice is not to hang out with other English speakers all the time. Though you may “get by” without knowing much Czech, your language classes will deepen your understanding of what you hear, and widen your repertoire of possible responses. Young Czechs are often friends with people from other countries, and through them you can befriend locals and other internationals alike. You have chosen the absolute best way to really learn a language and understand a culture. Enjoy!

Kampa Park: Famous and great-tasting cuisine can be found here at many restaurants dotted along the River. A scene from Mission: Impossible was filmed here.

Franz Kafka Museum: See the life and work of Prague's literary giant.

National Museum: A beautiful, grandiose building full of Czech Republic's relics and history.

Mala Strana: The Small Quarter leading up to the Prague Castle.

Old Town Square: The hustle and bustle of Prague from the 10th to the 20th Century, where the working class traded and bartered goods.

Reduta Jazz Club: Prague's oldest jazz club.

Petrin Hill: Atop a network of eight parks, a good lookout onto the city during the day.

Melnick Chateau: A short jaunt outside of the city, there is a magnificent castle with a restaurant and local winery.

Skiing: With many well-established resorts, skiing through the Bohemian mountains is a joy for all. The most frequented areas for downhill skiing are in the Krkonosÿe (Giant Mountains) in northern Bohemia, where Pec pod Snezkou, Spindlorov Mlyn and Harachov are the main resorts. It is a 3 hour bus ride from the city, and the bus station is accessed from Florenc bus station in downtown Prague.

Here are some Czech words and phrases to help you get by. Many travelers to Prague say they survive just fine on English, as most Czechs know it.

Dobrý den - Good day
Dobré ráno - Good morning
Dobrý večer - Good evening
Dobrou noc - Good night
Ahoj/Čau/Nazdar - Hello / Bye (both mean Hello and Bye, informal)
Na shledanou - Goodbye / See you later (formal)
Děkuji - Thank you
Vítejte - Welcome
Jak se máš - How are you? (familiar/singular)
Jak se máte - How are you? (formal/plural)
Mám se dobře. - I'm fine.
Jsem unavený/á. (male/female) - I'm tired.