| Czech Culture Guide

Czech Culture Guide


If you’re planning on traveling to the Czech Republic (and we hope you’ll get the opportunity), there are a few do’s and don’ts, just like any country.

What is considered good etiquette in one country can be totally taboo in another. The Czech Republic is no different.

Here are a few tips and pointers to successfully navigate your stay in the Czech Republic, a Czech culture guide of sorts …

Czech People Are Very Friendly And Polite: And you should be friendly and polite in return. Czechs love visitors and are eager to showcase their beautiful country and its many time honored traditions, especially if the visitors are friendly and polite.

Gift Giving: A gift from your home country is a very good choice. Food or any type of alcoholic beverage is a nice touch. So are flowers, but don’t give chrysanthemums because they’re used to decorate gravesites. You shouldn’t spend more than $25 or so on a gift.

Accepting Gifts: When you are being offered a gift in the Czech Republic, it is considered good manners to politely refuse. Your host will insist you accept, and at that point you should. The same holds true with giving a gift to your host. They will politely refuse and you should politely insist they accept.

Tipping: Tipping isn’t required, but it is considered a nice touch to tip 10%. But be sure to tip using cash. Putting a tip on your credit card is considered rude.

Saying Hello: You should greet people in the Czech Republic by shaking hands. You will often see people greeting one another with a kiss on the cheek, but this custom is usually reserved for friends.

Being Social: Czechs, while somewhat reserved, are a very social people. They love to talk about sports, especially soccer and hockey.

Like any culture, there are certain topics to avoid. Stay away from politics and religion. The Czech Republic has a high percentage of people with no religious beliefs and they are proud of that fact.

On Business: If you’re planning to go to the Czech Republic on business, make your appointments well in advance. A minimum of two weeks is a good idea, three weeks or a month is even better.

When you arrive for your appointment, be punctual. It is considered extremely rude to be late. Conversely, expect to wait a few moments for your host to greet you. This is customary.

Eating and Drinking: Meals are a big part of the Czech culture and they are celebrated and savored. A good greeting to your fellow diners is “dobrou chut”, which loosely translated means “enjoy your meal”. If you are toasting, be sure to maintain eye contact while doing so. The common toasting phrase is “na zdravi” which essentially means “to your health”.

Be sure to praise the food and ask for a second helping, even if you’re full.

Visiting a Home in the Czech Republic: Take off your shoes when entering, but don’t worry. You will be given some type of alternative footwear. Bring a gift for your host/hostess, and don’t stay too late. 9 p.m. or 9:30 is about right.

While there are a few more fine points, following the above will help you fit in beautifully.

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One Response to “Czech Culture Guide”

  1. Luomir Novotny on May 8th, 2010 7:12 pm

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    Lubomir Novotny

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