Business etiquette in the Czech Republic. Etiquette and rules of conduct in the Czech Republic

Ø Czech greetings.

In the Czech Republic, it is customary for people to be introduced to each other, if possible, by mutual acquaintances. Women always present before men, as well as older ones before younger ones. Also in the Czech Republic, it is customary to shake hands both at a meeting and at parting.

Very often, the greeting is strong, with repeated, but short shaking of the hands. But Czech women shake hands much softer, both women and men. In this case, the man must always wait for the woman to extend her hand (an exception may be the case when the woman is the "boss"). Elderly Czechs can depict an “air” kiss on a woman’s hand. For a handshake, a man must take off his gloves, but women may not take them off. It should be borne in mind that when meeting foreigners, Czechs may not smile at all.

Ø Respect for elders.

If you communicate with older people, do not expect fluent English from them, because this language has been taught in Czech schools not so long ago. Most often German is the second language. Discuss all the terms of the negotiations in advance, so that if necessary, seek the help of an interpreter.

Ø Used languages.

Czech is a language from the group of Slavic languages. The Czech language is very similar to Slovak, which is why Slovaks and Czechs understand each other without much difficulty. It is worth knowing that the dialects in Bohemia and Moravia, the largest regions of the Czech Republic, are slightly different.

Ø Hierarchy and ranks

Ranks in the Czech Republic are based on what people have achieved in education. It is believed that the titles to the Czech Republic came from the Austro-Hungarians. Their bureaucracy was simply in love with various titles and ranks. And even in the modern Czech Republic, a system of ranks and titles is preserved, which are paraded on business cards and tablets by specialists with one or more titles in different fields. Even the mailboxes indicate the academic or professional title of its owner.

The most common titles in the Czech Republic are engineer (inzenyr). Means that this specialist received a university education. The common title of master (magistr), approximately equal in value to the title of master, i.e. master, teacher . You can also see such titles as PhDr, speaking of t om that the person passed the doctorate. EUDr states that a person is a Doctor of Laws . MUDr says that the owner of such a business card is a doctor of medicine and a professor, one who has received a doctorate degree and the title of professor.

Ø Appeal to the Czechs.

When addressing a person and naming his title, in the Czech Republic it is customary to first say “pan” or “pani”, and then the title. For example, if the sign says "Master Ani Narova", then the woman should be addressed as "Pani Master Narova", or simply "Pani Master". It is customary to call a director a pan director, and a female doctor is addressed with the words “Mr. Doctor”. Vaclav Klaus - President of the Czech Republic, before his political activities was a professor of economics. The press still sometimes jokingly calls him "Pan Professor". Foreigners, of course, are allowed to slightly deviate from the correct pronunciation of ranks and titles, but in cases where this is necessary, it is better to follow the formalities and take into account all the nuances.

Ø Business meetings.

It is advisable to coordinate personal meetings with business partners from the Czech Republic at least 2 weeks before the meeting itself. Since regular mail is not always a reliable means of communication, it is better to negotiate by e-mail. As in most countries, punctuality is welcomed in the Czech Republic . Negotiations must be specific - feelings have no place in the world of commerce. Factors that can interrupt the conversation should be carefully avoided, such as mobile phone calls. Business negotiations over food in the Czech Republic are preferred to be held at lunchtime. The host pays the bill

Ø Topic for conversation.

It is very important to choose the right topic for conversation. Great topics for small talk are culture and sports. Czechs very often ask their guests how the trip or flight went. The second important topic is the family. It is permissible to talk about politics, but carefully avoiding critical judgments. And never try to compare Czechs and Slovaks. It is better not to raise this topic at all, so as not to get into a mess.

Ø Negotiation.

The negotiation process can become too long and not give positive results if the positions of the parties are initially incorrect. Prepare in advance for the fact that some issues will require a fairly long time to be resolved. An unprepared / poorly prepared participant - especially if it is a counterparty business partner in negotiations - is perceived as frivolous and unpromising. Many Czechs try to avoid responsibility for making decisions, because of which the negotiations will revolve, as they say, around the bush, and the Czechs who lead them will seem evasive to you.

If disagreements between the parties are revealed during the negotiations, then in each such case it is best to try to resolve the contradictions face to face outside of official meetings. Considering how important status is to the Czechs, such a direct confrontation in the face of subordinates and/or colleagues can be so sharp as to derail the entire negotiation process.

Ø Cloth.

The attitude to clothing here is standard for European countries. The Czechs are quite conservative, because a business suit is an indispensable feature of business etiquette, and they will not meet deviations from the norm of understanding. However, teams with a predominance of young people rarely obey this requirement, and in everyday life, few people even remember the suit - convenience is held in high esteem. But cleanliness and tidiness are given tremendous attention, so you need to watch your appearance especially, especially when attending official events.

The folk costume, which has its own in each locality, enjoys the same great honor. A traditional dress will be perceived as very appropriate even just on the city street, not to mention all kinds of holidays.

Ø Modesty.

In the Czech Republic, it is not customary to demonstrate one's wealth, especially if it significantly exceeds the average level. There is a well-known anecdote about the attitude to material well-being in the Czech Republic. In short, it is about the fact that a German and a Frenchman ask a goldfish for a country house, a car and a herd of cattle, because they do not have it. And the Czech asks the fish that the house and car of the Frenchman and the German burn down, and the herd of cattle run away, because the Czech does not have this. It's not just jealousy or greed. Here, most likely, the consciousness of the Czech is at work, that no one should succeed so much as to exceed the level that is considered “normal”.

In the Czech Republic, it is not customary to brag about one's wealth, it is generally considered bad form. But for the Czechs, it's much more common to be shy. You can hear from a Czech that he is in distress, he has a small salary and high expenses much more often. Sometimes it may even seem that the Czechs are competing, trying to overtake each other in their financial difficulties. Although their real well-being is growing every year. Many Czechs believe that the standard of living of foreigners is much higher than that of Czechs. This confidence has affected some service industries. Taxi drivers, by tradition, charge foreigners and those whom they take for foreigners more money for travel than fellow citizens. They believe that foreigners can afford to shell out. Waiters in restaurants try to warm their hands on tourists and foreigners. And this attitude towards foreigners, judging by the polls, is supported by many Czechs.

Ø Tipping culture in the Czech Republic.

In the West, the tipping system has been established for a long time, and it is not customary to break it, at least. Every country has its own culture of tipping. For example, in America it is customary to tip up to 25% of the order amount. At the same time, tips are completely unacceptable in Japan or Australia, where it is considered that quality customer service is the first duty, so additional reward for good work is considered an insult.

In the West, it is customary to leave tips for almost all people from among the staff: bartenders, maids, porters, porters, head waiters. A knowledgeable hotel guest in Europe, for example, will definitely leave 0.5-1 euros on the table every day so that the maid cleans the room with double zeal and changes bed linen and towels more often. According to recent sociological studies, it turned out that most often people leave tips to waiters, taxi drivers and, surprisingly, hairdressers.

Conclusion.

Thus, we got a portrait of a classic Czech. This is a calm, polite and non-conflict person, and with a good sense of humor. Among them there are many very educated and intelligent people who, however, are sometimes quite conservative. If you are invited home to a Czech family, then it will not be out of place to give the hostess a flower. In this country, it is customary to take off your shoes when entering a house. Thanks to the sociability and goodwill of the Czechs, not a single person here will be left without attention and the necessary help. Even ignorance of the language is not an obstacle. Most of the inhabitants of this country are fluent in English. In addition, the Czech language belongs to the Slavic group of languages, which greatly facilitates communication with this friendly people.

Bibliography.

1. "Values ​​and mentality of the Czechs". Material from oPrage.com

2. "Rules of business etiquette in the Czech Republic: how to behave." R.Stache

3. "Czech Republic". Guides with Dmitry Krylov. D. Krylov, T. Yarovinskaya

4. "Business Czech Republic". Vachnadze G.

5. "Prague. Russian view. S.V. Nikolsky

A few practical tips for those who travel to the Czech Republic for the first time.
Perhaps in some ways I will repeat the recommendations of other travelers, so I apologize in advance.
What to take with you
Be sure to take with you travel guides for the Czech Republic and a map of Prague bought in Russia. Although they are not so cheap with us, in the Czech Republic they will cost even more (a small book in broken Russian with a volume of 30 pages can cost from 50 to 130 kroons at the exchange rate against the ruble in August 2005 of 1.25 rubles for 1 kroon ). Yes, and finding a good guidebook on the spot is also not always easy, although they are sold at almost every tourist site, and in many languages, including Russian.
Take an umbrella and sun glasses. The weather this August in Prague was as follows: cloudy in the morning, clear in the afternoon, raining in the evening, or vice versa. In general, as in St. Petersburg.
Take a foot cream (can be for children) - this applies to men too. You have to walk so much that almost everyone has calluses on their feet even in a week.
Women and girls, DO NOT take stilettos! Despite all the advice on the Internet, some of the fair sex from our group walked around Prague and on steep slopes with paving stones leading to various castles, on stilettos. For a few days of such walking, shoes can be ruined once and for all. In summer, it is best to move around in open shoes such as sandals or sahabs.
If you are shooting on film, bring 4-5 or even more films with you. The Czech Republic is so beautiful that you have to “click” your camera to the right and left. The film may not cost much more than in Moscow - 109 crowns for the 200th Kodak for 36 frames. But this is if you know the place. In the center of Prague, we bought a film for 139 kroons, and the seller also tried to shortchange us for 20 kroons. On the Charles Bridge, a Russian-speaking saleswoman even offered the same film for 400 crowns, pleasantly surprised that we considered this price too high.
DO NOT take rubles with you, only on the way back from the airport. It is almost impossible (although possible) to exchange Russian rubles or Ukrainian hryvnias in the Czech Republic. Take euros or dollars. Moreover, according to unverified, however, information, local exchangers do not accept euro coins (at least until these same euros are introduced in the country) - only paper banknotes.
I'm not talking about drugs - it's individual.
Just in case, you can take a blanket so as not to freeze on the bus and plane, but again, this is individual.
Where to change money
DO NOT change money in places such as the vicinity of Charles Bridge, Wenceslas or Old Town Square: when exchanging, for example, 20 euros, you can overpay 150 "extra" kroons. Look for an exchanger with an acceptable rate and you will find it. The most favorable dollar exchange rate when buying kroons, which we saw in the city center, is from 23 to 23.7 kroons per dollar. Perhaps you can find better ones. And pay attention to where the currency purchase rate is indicated, and where the sale rate is indicated. The thing seems to be obvious, but some tourists come across (we got caught once). At airports, of course, it’s better not to change money, but you have to - the exchange rate is unprofitable, but, for example, in the center of Moscow, in my opinion, it is even worse, and a small amount in crowns is needed immediately upon arrival (to go to the toilet or to the museum). If it is on, money can be exchanged at the reception in some hotels.
How and where to buy tickets (rides) for transport?
Tickets are sold at metro stations at cashiers and in vending machines (although not everyone can master handling them), as well as at kiosks with the Trafika sign and even at the reception in hotels (no extra charge). As knowledgeable people correctly advise, it is better to buy rides with a margin, because if you travel by transport at night, there may be problems (rides are not sold on trams). The most common rides are for 14 kroons (a trip by any mode of transport without the right to transfer for 15 minutes) and for 20 - (a trip by any mode of transport with the right to transfer for 60-75 minutes). If the hotel where you will stay is not far from the center, it is better to buy one-time trips. If it is, say, "Kupa" at the Gaie metro station, it is better to buy a weekly pass, which costs about 280 crowns. When you get on the subway or tram, be sure to compost your ride.
During the week I saw controllers only once, they were three young men who stood at the exit of the subway and selectively checked tickets. The controllers could be recognized from afar by the same type of dark clothing.
Where to go besides Prague
The most beaten paths for tourists in the Czech Republic are, of course, Karlovy Vary, the medieval mining town of Kutna Hora, another town of Cesky Krumlov, Hluboka Castle, Karlstejn Castle. The castles of Orlik, Konopiste, Detenice, Nelahozoves, etc. are a little less popular. Usually the most popular places are already included in the package offered by travel agencies. But we came across a tour without visiting Karlstejn, so we went there ourselves. This is a really worthwhile place - the castle was built under Charles IV and was used as an imperial treasury. To get there, you need to buy a round-trip ticket at Glavni nadrazhi (Main Station) or at Smichovsky Station in Prague (it's cheaper). It costs, in my opinion, 58 crowns. We “figured out for three”, received a discount, and as a result, the ticket cost 148 crowns at once for the whole trinity. (By the way, almost everywhere - in museums, on the railway, etc. - there are discounts for groups of several people and for families). A ticket to see half of Karlstejn (the whole castle is divided into two separate routes) was bought on the spot for 120 crowns per person. With some "explanations" in a foreign language, it already costs 200, with a guide - 300. But we just bought a guidebook and went with a group of Czech tourists. It would be possible to wait for the Russian group and join it, but for some reason Russians are rarely taken on excursions to Karlstejn (but in vain). An important point - to view the main part of the castle, you need to reserve tickets in Prague, tickets are no longer sold on the spot. "Reservation" takes place at: st. Sabinova 130 11 Prague 3. To be honest, I don’t know where it is, so I quote their e-mail: [email protected]
In Karlovy Vary, of course, you have to go on your own. Firstly, travel agencies offer a trip there for as much as 35 euros (you can buy an excursion in Prague cheaper), and secondly, when traveling as part of a group, there is almost no time left to explore the city on your own. You need to go from the bus station Florence. A round-trip ticket per person this year cost 260 kroons (only one way - already 150). Please note that there are two bus stations in Vary: buses arrive at one and leave for Prague from another, located at the Dolny nadrazhy railway station. It is located 5-10 minutes walk from the first bus station, near the Ohře river.
Other attractions in the Czech Republic can be seen by getting there from Prague, again from Smichovsky or from the Main Station.
What, where and how much does it cost to eat?
Without pretending to be a connoisseur of Czech cuisine, I can say one thing: their dumplings are a rare muck, and you should try them just to see for yourself. The rest of the dishes, which came mainly from German cuisine, such as all kinds of schnitzels or pork knuckle (in Czech - baked vepsevo knee) are very tasty and satisfying.
If you don't want to be left without pants, when choosing a place for lunch or dinner, go around places like Old Town Square or Hradcany, and before going inside the next "restaurace", read the menus posted on the street. For orientation, you can also look at the prices of beer. For example, 35 or 40 crowns for a half-liter mug is the price for German or Japanese tourists. In fact, the beer costs 18-25 crowns or even less (again, at the prices of this summer season). A remark aside - in stores (Albert and Delvita supermarkets, Lidl discounters, Tesco and Carrefour hypermarkets, etc.), beer usually costs less than in restaurants and bars, BUT - there it has a bitter aftertaste and is often sold warm. (And not FIG to take Czech beer out of the country, you have to drink it in the Czech Republic itself).
Food prices vary greatly depending on the proximity of the restaurant to the city center. For example, a 150-gram portion of meat with salad in establishments in Zizkov (a sleeping area near the center of Prague, where Russian tourists often settle) cost 87-100 kroons, while in the center - around 120-150 or even more. In sleeping areas far from the center, prices are even lower than in Zizkov.
Pay attention to the so-called couverts, so that later you won’t be surprised where the “extra” 20-30 crowns came from in the bill. The fact is that in addition to the main dish, they will take you separately for a side dish (for example, boiled potatoes - brambor jams - or french fries - granola - can cost about 20 kroons, bread - another 7, sauce - 20, etc.). When paying, do not hesitate to check the compliance of the invoice brought by the waiter with the real order. Unfortunately, the cheating of tourists today has become a national sport for the Czechs.
What language to speak?
All the talk that the Czechs know the Russian language well, because they learned it at school, although they have a basis, is not so true. Yes, some Czechs do speak Russian well, but very few. Usually these are people over 40 who often communicate with our compatriots (for example, souvenir sellers in Karlovy Vary). The bulk of them do not understand Russian either belmes, let alone speak it themselves. And some older people talk - they talk, but, like some Balts, they deliberately pretend that they do not understand. Hopes that you can explain yourself in English are not always justified. We also learned English at school, so what? In general, speak slowly and in the language you know best, using gestures as much as possible. Sometimes you can meet Ukrainians working in the tourism sector, then, of course, there are no problems with the language.
Just in case, a few explanations: pan - an appeal to a man, pani - an appeal to a woman, panna - a girl, eat - food, lahudki - delicacies, on the left - a discount, please - sorry, please - please, Accounting - account, colic - how much does it cost, shame - attention, carefully. Good early, good day, good evening, eat one beer, no - I think it's understandable and so. Numerals also sound very similar: three - trshi, eight - osUm, fifty - padesat, a thousand - tisich, etc.

Discussion:

lrzh immyuchgf

2013-04-16 21:27:37 | obpme ash

Natalia, I was going to Prague with a friend. Late August or early September.

tell me who is going to Prague in August

2012-07-06 17:19:22 | Natalia

I had enough for 5 days for 700 euros, I didn’t deny myself anything and it was enough for souvenirs.

2010-09-02 15:38:40 | Anton

Respond who goes to Prague in May. It is very necessary to transport the saddle for the horse for a fee. I have a friend there, if necessary, he will help with the shops and in general.

Changed money in (neighbourhood) Wenceslas Square. :-), ul. Narodni at a pleasant mistress and at a good rate. You can go out along it to the embankment and to the National Theater, looking along the way to a multi-storey supermarket where you can buy souvenirs, and on the lower floor in Tesco you can buy the rest :-) I also want to say that their coffee is even excellent vending machines at filling stations.

If you are going to eat in a restaurant, then for a week you need at least 200 dollars per person. If you eat food bought in the supermarket, then less. By the way, in the archives of this site you can search for the report of one Belarusian who really saved as much as possible in the Czech Republic, for which the participants of this forum pecked him even cleaner than me.
If you live without denying yourself anything, buy souvenirs, etc., then for a week you will need at least 300 euros per person. Of course, it is worth visiting nightclubs, and all sorts of sessions for every taste are constantly held in Prague. Sessions are invited both by advertisements hung everywhere and by barkers, some of whom are Ukrainians.

We are going to Prague by bus from Moscow in October. Tell me, pliz, how much money should I take with me at the minimum? And is it worth visiting nightclubs?

2005-09-01 12:15:17 | Sveta

Gleb, saving should not turn into pettiness and inferiority :)))

2005-08-31 23:46:29 | wicked wit

And I'm talking about the Arabs. They really have a course such as on the plate. One Arab even made surprised eyes when I asked him "how many crowns will I get for 100 bucks", like, why don't you know how to count?

2005-08-31 14:23:46 | yukpun

As for the rate of 24-24.5 kroons per dollar, we also saw exchangers with such a rate. BUT, as a rule, when we approached such exchangers, it turned out that a commission of 10-13-15% is taken there. Let's say you change 100 bucks at a "favorable" rate of 24.5 crowns per dollar and, accordingly, should receive 2450 crowns. At the same time, they take a commission from you, say, 10%, that is, 245 kroons. We subtract them from the initial amount and get 2205 kroons, that is, the real rate is 22.05 kroons per dollar. The figures given by me - 23-23.7 crowns per dollar - this is the real rate. As they say, feel the difference. As for the Arabs, I also heard that their course is really profitable, but I did not personally check it.
You are right about cheap establishments in Hradcany - there are some, but it is difficult to find them without a knowledgeable guide. And then, when we once went into such an institution (“At the King of Brabant”), it turned out that all the places were occupied there.

I want to answer the malicious wit - it's not a shame to save honestly earned money. It's a shame to steal and then demonstratively throw money around, as many nouveaux riches from Russia often do.

Gleb, let me ask you - And when did you rest? You are just a godsend for accounting (I can offer you a job) - your review is replete with "saved" crowns :)))
Tell me, are they allowed on the plane with a blanket and will there be any problems at customs?

2005-08-30 22:44:14 | greedy

Regarding bills in restaurants. We encountered the fact that the waiter simply puts a piece of paper on the table and puts down the price of the ordered dishes and the amount of beer drunk with chopsticks. When calculating, he takes a piece of paper and announces the amount. It is difficult to check this "account", because there are only numbers .

2005-08-30 17:55:21 | Novel

Currency: about "do not change money at Wenceslas and Old Town" - and here and there I changed dollars with the Arabs in August at a rate of 24 to 24.5 crowns per dollar. Restaurants: having taken the Afisha guidebook at work, I knew how to dine for 500-600 rubles for two in Hradchany and anywhere.
Language: for 8 days of stay I saw one individual who did not speak English - a saleswoman in KFC.

The main thing is calmness, smile and politeness.

The feeling of comfort has always been, is and will be one of the most pleasant… The ability to negotiate and navigate in another country with a different language is part of this very comfort. Therefore, when we go on a trip, we usually take a phrase book with us. The Czech Republic is no exception. Despite some similarities, the Czech language is quite complex and differs from Russian in the meaning of most similar words, in the construction of the sentence, and in the pronunciation itself. An interesting fact is that the stress in the Czech word is always on the first vowel, but when you listen to the Czech speech, it will not seem so to you. It's all about the long vowels, which sound stronger than the first stress, at least it seems so. In general, it hardly makes sense to try to learn Czech a week before a trip to Prague or three hours on a plane. But learning a few phrases will not be superfluous at all.

- Good early! Good day! Good evening! Good night!- (I won’t even translate this ...)
- Dequay! Decoy to you! Dekui you mots krat!- Thank you! Thank you! Thank you very much!
- Prominte! (Sorry!)- Sorry! (if you accidentally step on someone’s foot, this apology will be quite enough, while a slightly embarrassed, but friendly smile is very appropriate, but by no means joyful ...)
- Tso shi date? (Tso shi date to piti?)- What do you want? (What will you drink?) - it is with this phrase, as a rule, that all waiters begin, as soon as you sit down at a table ...
- Pane, we ask you for two beers, one velke light and one male black.- Please, two beers, one large light and one small dark (pane - this is how they refer to a man regardless of age), and if you ask for a beer and do not specify whether it is large or small, then do not hesitate - you will get a large one. In Czech, “two beers” will be correct, and in Russian “two beers” ... it’s on such trifles that even the most real spies are pierced :)
- Pani (slachno), please, eat some kava.- One more coffee, please. If at the same time you gesticulate, then show your thumb rather than your index finger, otherwise you risk being misunderstood ... If you are addressing a woman, then say - pani, if you are talking to a girl - sweetly, if you confuse, then do not be surprised, the reaction may be different …
- We ask you two times (three times, four times, drink times, six times...) stake.- Two Coke, please (three Coke, four Coke, five Coke, six Coke...)
- Mate menu in rushtina?- Do you have a menu in Russian?
- Do you speak Russian?- Can we count on you to serve us and tell us everything in Russian? :)))
- Good fuck!- Bon appetit!
- Ano- Yes,
- Ne- No
- Order (ordered)- Ban (forbidden) - I assure you, this is not the funniest Czech-Russian word ...
- A shame!- Attention!
- Sunset- Toilet
- Ovotse- Fruits
- Welcome!- Fine!
- How much do you stand?- How much does it cost?
- We pay (we pay)- The check, please.
- Please, where is the entry?- Tell me, please, where is the toilet? (this is a very necessary phrase in life ...). By the way, there are toilets at every metro station, and the pleasure will cost you 5-10 kroons, in shopping centers it is usually free. Well, if you feel like it, then you can safely go to any nearest cafe (but you will need to quickly figure out where to go next, the toilets here are sometimes disguised, and sometimes locked ...), well, or in the end, offer the bartender any along the way establishments also 10 kroons for visiting the toilet and they will show you the right direction (no matter how many times they offered, they never charged me).
- Happy!- Allow me to pass! (this is not a question “permit me to pass?”, This is essentially a warning, you can say - like a whistle of a steam locomotive ... In transport here in Prague it is generally not customary to ask whether a person gets off at the next stop or not ... Czechs, as a rule, pronounce a whistle phrase and almost immediately they begin to move forward, saying “whoever didn’t hide - I’m not to blame”, and it’s considered good form to hear this phrase, understand and quickly clear the road - for this they usually say “thank you!” ... By the way, you can also safely use this reception both in transport and on the streets of Prague, and in general always when someone interferes with your movement).
- Yizdenka- ticket (for the tram). introductory- ticket (to the museum, zoo). Latanka- Airplane ticket).
- Prishti screensaver…- Next stop…
- On shladenou!- Goodbye!

Here's Czech-Russian to help you toodictionary.

In general, many Czechs who deal with tourists can communicate in Russian, English, German, Italian, and Spanish ... So, try and experiment. The history of the Czech Republic does not yet know a single case of a tourist dying of starvation in Prague due to ignorance of the Czech language ... Everyone agrees. At least in the center of Prague you will be understood almost everywhere in Russian. Smile and in every possible way show a respectful and friendly attitude towards others, the result will not be long in coming.

Your Guide Prague
only spiritual excursions...

It is important to understand how Czechs organize their own social life. To most tourists, the level of formality in standard social situations here would seem difficult and even intimidating, but in this regard it is extremely important to maintain a respectful distance, otherwise there is a risk of incurring displeasure.

As in many other languages, Czech has an official "you" address for a person, but also an informal "you" address. "You" is used to refer to animals, children, close friends or family members, while "you" is used to refer to all other people. For a visitor to the Czech Republic, understanding this difference between pronouns is important - maybe not so much in a linguistic aspect, but in a cultural one.

Here is a relevant example: two elderly women have lived for more than fifty years in neighboring apartments overlooking the same landing. Both of them were witnesses to the change of governments, before their eyes someone's children grew up, brides and grooms met and husbands and wives parted. Both of these women saw each other every day on the landing and near the mailboxes. And how do they greet each other? They address each other as you, adding surnames to the pronoun (for example, Mrs. Nova-kova). And although there is a certain level of familiarity here, these women do not consider themselves friends. They remain only acquaintances. Considering themselves only as such, these women cannot switch to the informal you. Such treatment would seem to them a manifestation of almost rudeness and could lead to mutual insults.

The above is quite applicable to the situation that exists in business life. Most employees who have been working in the same institution for years always address each other with you and their last names. Younger colleagues and those who see each other outside of work can switch to informal you, but it would be very, very strange if such treatment spread beyond a narrow circle of people.

In communication between young people - especially between university students - these rules are less rigid. Few young people, when communicating with each other, will address each other too formally. It is unlikely that they will address one another with the words Pan Janacek or Pani Vrbova, while on the dance floor.

Nevertheless, it is best for a foreign visitor to maintain an official tone when communicating with the Czechs. Of course, it is unlikely that you will address people in the Czech Republic with both you and you. Addressing any person to whom you will be introduced, you will call him by his last name - especially in the official setting of an institution, which is quite consistent with common sense. If someone introduces himself to you, calling himself, for example, simply Yana, you can feel free enough in a conversation to address the interlocutor (interlocutor) simply by name. But not everything here is so simple.

As for the person who will introduce himself to you as "Jana", keep in mind that many Czechs may assume that their full name (their surname) is too difficult for people who speak a different language. In this case, introducing themselves to a foreigner, Czechs can call themselves by pronouncing their own names, for example, in the English way. Because of this, a foreign guest may end up in some room where there will be many people named Jane, George and Peter. For a foreign visitor, this situation can be embarrassing. It is quite permissible for him to ask how this or that name sounds in Czech, but in this case, let this foreigner be ready to pronounce Czech names correctly!

Unfortunately, none of us are born with an innate knowledge of proper table manners. Most of the population, over the years, gets used to the idea that it is customary to hold the fork in the left hand, and the knife in the right. Table etiquette has long and firmly entered the life of a civilized society. In decent houses in the Czech Republic, these rules are also observed, but there are also minor differences that are unusual for a Russian person.

For example, classic Russian table etiquette states that if a piece of cutlery or a piece of food has fallen, you should not break loose and look for it under the table. The waiters or the hosts of the evening will do this for you, after the last guest has left the table. In the Czech Republic, they will also not give a look, but then the guest himself will climb to look for the remains of food and appliances, under the guise, of course.

Soup spoon in typical, most likely, will not lie in the main set on the table. It will be brought along with a plate. The same goes for the fish knife.

Following the traditions of generally accepted table etiquette, it is not customary to clink glasses at the table. But these rules, for obvious reasons, are not respected in friendly companies, neither in Russia nor in the Czech Republic. If you happen to be at the same table with the Czechs, do not be surprised if, after a short toast " Nazdravi "("To your health"), all the "clinking glasses" will try to look into your eyes. So, according to tradition, honest, good intentions towards the audience were expressed at the table. At first, this is very unusual, given that the Russians are looking at the glasses. But gradually, for many, this tradition becomes a habit.

Another unusual thing for us is blowing your nose at the table. According to our accepted etiquette, you can gently wipe your nose, covering your handkerchief with your hand, or go to the restroom. The Czechs do not hesitate to give out roulades worthy of Indian elephants, believing that everything that is natural is not ugly.

The vast majority of Czech couples in a restaurant ask for a separate bill, even if it's a wedding anniversary or International Women's Day (and this holiday is remembered with nostalgia). It is not clear whether this is due to the widespread European emancipation of women or the habit of maintaining a separate budget. In any case, ladies should not flatter themselves about free food or drink. In order to avoid an unpleasant surprise at the end of the dinner, you can discuss the payment of the bill in advance.

Real beer is served with a dripping head of foam. Do not be indignant that the glass is wet and wipe it with a napkin. Usually, the handle of the mug remains dry, and the foam flows onto a special stand (tats / tac) . If you want to please the waiter, prepare this coaster in advance, it usually makes them kinder.

In some establishments, after the second mug of beer, they will pour you another beer without asking if you want it or not. In this case, it is better to immediately indicate how much beer you are going to drink.

Do not forget that in any Czech restaurant they carefully look at how you put cutlery on a plate. Do not be offended if you have not finished your meal yet, but the plate has already been taken away. Most likely, you folded the instruments according to the classical generally accepted pattern at 4:20, that is, if you imagine the plate as a clock face, the fork and knife, acting as hands, indicate exactly this time. In order for the plate not to be carried away, it is enough to put the cutlery crosswise.

Czech spring rolls should be served with a spoon and fork. In this case, the spoon is held with the right hand, cut off and eaten with it. The fork in the left hand serves as an auxiliary device.

Each country has its own, national features of feasts. In Mongolia, a great assessment of the hostess's cooking is a loud burp. In Russia, according to the observation of one of my Czech acquaintances, they eat LONG, with vodka and a snack. In France, it is absolutely decent to collect leftover food from a plate with bread. Some orthodox Asians also eat soup with chopsticks. In any case, the main thing at the table is to remain a decent person, showing respect for neighbors, waiters or hosts of the evening.