Czech Republic: Culture and Society

Czech Republic culture has held true through centuries of change. Whether it be government changes, war or protest, the hearts of Czechs have held fast to their values, traditions and interests. Czechs are private people until they get to know you. They are formal and reserved. Once you develop a personal relationship Czechs open up a bit, but they are never overly emotional. Although always polite, they seldom move to a first-name basis with people outside their extended family or very close friends. Czechs tend not to acknowledge people whom they do not know as they walk along the street or ride the train. Czech Republic culture is filled with arts and cultural events. Czechs are mad about football (soccer) and hockey. The national teams for both sports are well respected worldwide and always have a huge following locally. The national pastime of Czech Republic is Mushroom Picking. Czechs hunt the forests for free mushrooms every year. Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption in the world. Czech beer is like water to many citizens - it's just a basic way of life. Prague has hundreds of pubs and places to have a drink. From a beer in the morning to wine at dinner, Czechs like to drink.

 

Family Values

Family is a key element of Czech Republic culture and is generally placed ahead of work. The family is the centre of the social structure and obligation to the family is a person's first priority. Traditional families are quite the norm with mothers cooking and raising the children while fathers work. It's common to see fathers pushing strollers on the weekend giving mom a break. Czechs prize forward thinking, logical, practical, and efficient. Careful planning, in both one's business and personal life, provides a sense of security. Rules and regulations allow people to know what is expected and to plan their life accordingly. Extended Czech families are fascinating. They have an incredible range of experiences. For example, many grandparents have stories of war and very hard times while their children grew up solely behind the Iron Curtain. Meanwhile, younger generations have experienced only capitalism and free speech. Children are generally well-behaved and taught to respect elders. And, their desires aren't always first and foremost. Czechs like to celebrate holidays together and Sunday lunch is a family affair. Employers are generally sympathetic to family needs. You will see more fathers at school events than in other countries for sure. Many mothers stay at home with children until they are 3 years old.

 

Lifestyle and Etiquette

Czechs are fairly conservative by nature. Maybe it's the long history of struggles, but Czechs know how to save, reuse and harvest. Czechs are very formal people. The tendency toward formal behaviour is strengthened by the tradition of using titles. The use of someone's first name is limited to older family members addressing younger ones and to very good friends. It usually takes daily contact over a number of years before people are on a first-name basis. Also, compared to many Western countries, Czech Republic has a more balanced work and play relationship. Czechs love their leisure time and take full advantage of time away from work. Holidays are well planned and parks are well used. Czechs stand at arm's length from each other unless they are conveying information that should not be overheard. Like other Europeans, Czechs do not show as much consideration as one finds in Britain or in smaller cities in the United States when several people are boarding a streetcar, bus, or train or waiting to be served in a store. Their tendency to get ahead of others may reflect the experience of the socialist years, when people had to stand in lines for scarce goods. Czech culture is a cottage culture. Many families have small cottages that they visit whenever possible. Prague can feel especially deserted on weekends in the summer. Czechs love the outdoors. From gardening at their cottages to cross-country skiing, Czech Republic culture is marked by outdoor activities. People enjoy dining out in Prague. Many social gatherings are in restaurants or around the table at home. Despite the many churches in Prague, the majority of people don't attend church. Non-believers are the majority after a long bout of Communism. Czechs have a dark sense of humour. They love to make fun of themselves and the government.

 

Etiquette and Customs

We can't discuss Czech Republic culture without at least mentioning etiquette. Czechs value well-mannered folks and love a behaved child. And, older people in particular will openly frown on "strange" behaviour. The number one custom just might be a social greeting. Children are taught from an early age to say "Dobrý den" to most everyone except friends and families. If you visit Czech Republic, it's a great idea to learn at least this one phrase. It's not expected from foreigners but highly appreciated. Initial greetings are formal and reserved. Most greetings include a handshake, direct eye contact, and the appropriate greeting for the time of day. Wait to be invited before using someone's first name or an informal greeting, as these are all signs of friendship. The offer to move to the informal is generally offered by the woman, the older person, or the person of higher status. Moving to the informal without an invitation insults the person and may be viewed as an attempt to humiliate them.

 

Dining Etiquette and Table Manners

If you are invited to dinner, bring a box of good quality chocolates, or flowers for the hostess or a bottle of wine or good brandy for the host. In general, you should be cautious about giving flowers, since people over the age of 35 often see flowers as having a romantic connotation. While visiting a Czech's house remember the following things. Arrive on time. Remove your shoes. Expect to be treated with great honour and respect. Dress modestly and well. Do not discuss business. Czechs separate their business and personal lives. Table manners are rather formal in Czech Republic. Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a particular seat. Table manners are Continental - the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. Do not begin eating until the hostess starts. Unless the meal is formal, the napkin remains folded next to the plate. At formal meals, the napkin is unfolded and put on your lap. The oldest woman or honoured guest is generally served first. Always refuse second helpings the first time they are offered. Wait for the hostess to insist. Compliment the meal while you are eating. This allows the hostess to discuss the food and the preparation. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate.

 

Here are some general cultural norms:

1. It's also customary to give up your seat on the metro or tram to an older person or a small child or pregnant women. For gentlemanly reasons, older men, unless they are very frail, will not take a woman’s seat. But be careful for whom you stand up: you risk insulting a woman if you offer her your seat before she feels she needs it. Czech Republic culture is definitely of the Respect Your Elders type.

2. If you visit someone's home or even an office of some kind, you are generally expected to take off your shoes. Many homes will even have slippers for you.

3. Tipping in the Czech Republic is commonly expected of foreign visitors.  Foreign visitors are expected to tip at least 10%.

4. In the Czech Republic, it is considered good manners for the man to enter a restaurant or bar before the woman does. This ostensibly keeps her from being eyeballed by the men inside, and allows the man to deal with clearing a path and finding a table.

5. When entering a shop of any kind, you should greet the salesperson by saying, Dobrý den (Good day) if it is before the late afternoon. After six o’clock in the evening, it is customary to say Dobrý večer (Good evening) instead. When exiting the shop, always say Na shledanou (Goodbye). Many people will do the same when entering and leaving a doctor’s office, train compartment, or elevator. You should also greet your neighbours at your home or office  with the appropriate phrase.