Mistakes that Visitors Make While Visiting Prague, Czech Republic

When visiting the Czech city of Prague, interacting with the locals can be a little frustrating. You not only have linguistic and cultural differences to overcome, there are unseen barriers. And it is these barriers that usually prove to torment the visitor. Here, I have provided you with three things you should NOT do and why.

Do NOT parade around Prague wearing one of those t-shirts or jackets with the letters CCCP emblazoned upon them. Yes, they are commonly sold to tourists in Prague, but please for one minute don’t think that it is Czech or that the Czech people somehow feel a nostalgia for the former Soviet Union. Yes, it may be difficult for a Westerner to fully appreciate the enmity that the Czech people have for Russia and the Russian people. But I will tell you right now, the Czech people hate the Russian people. And please understand that almost every single living Czech has either been directly victimized by the Soviet Union or has had a family member victimized by the Soviet Union. Czechs will sell you the t-shirt because it’s their job. But, personally, I would fear for my personal safety wearing such a t-shirt or jacket while walking the streets of Prague at night. If you must buy a CCCP shirt, just keep it in your luggage till you get home.

Do NOT try to speak Czech. I don’t care what those feel-good tourist guidebooks say. Their writers don’t know what their talking about. When I went to I went to Montreal and tried speaking French, the French-Canadians considered my attempts at speaking French a compliment, a sign of respect to their heritage; and they helped me by correcting my pronunciation and explaining my grammar mistakes. But that’s Montreal, and it’s certainly not Prague. The Czech people have no interest in exporting their culture; it is their culture, and if you’re not Czech, you’re not entitled to it. This is basically their attitude. Unlike English speakers, who tend to be tolerant when speaking with non-native speakers, Czechs are largely very intolerant when speaking with non-native Czech speakers. Personally, just one of many examples, I used the wrong preposition when speaking Czech in a shop, and the shop person looked at me like I had kicked her cat! And everybody else within earshot was clearly scandalized. As a visiting non-native speaker, if you’re intent on learning a little Czech during your visit, I do have some advice. Speak to Czech people in English first. Then try some of your tour guide book Czech. Or better yet, simply ask them to translate words and phrases for you. I have yet to find a guide book that accurately explains the proper method of ordering a beer. It’s Dam si pivo, prosim. (pronounced: DAHM see pivoh, PROH-seem). Literally, it means, “I’ll have a beer, please.” At the end of the day, the best way to learn a little Czech is to engage Czechs in English first and then to ask them “how do you say this in Czech?” If you establish a relationship in English, they will teach you a little Czech if ask. And they’ll even teach some of the naughty words.

Do NOT trust strangers that approach you on the street. I can NOT stress this enough! These are NOT people looking for new friends! They’re looking for new victims. Czech people are naturally not very open to new people. You have to make some kind of emotional investment in order for them to open up to you. So when somebody just comes up to you on the street, please know that Czechs don’t do that. Not the honest ones, any way. Pickpockets in Prague are as numerous as they are skilled. Many times, they work in teams; one will ask you for a cigarette and/or a light and then engage you in friendly conversation, while another that you’ve never seen will be taking your wallet and phone. Other times, they will approach people and offer directions to those who appear lost. But the result is the same. These people are part of an organized crime syndicate, and they are highly skilled at what they do. Do NOT become one of their victims.