Black people sometimes complain that the Czechs are staring at them. This may not be a sign of hostility, but rather curiosity as many Czechs, especially the ones from small villages, have actually never met a black person in their lives. Imagine a white-blond or Asian guy suddenly appearing in a remote village in the middle of African savana. People would stare just as well.
Well honestly, have you ever seen our Czech internet? I highly guarantee Czechs are not one of the most tolerant and open minded people when it goes to other cultures and people. British fine, Spanyards yea, but Czechs tend to be 1/3 open minded mostly young people, 1/3 of who are not racist but they see other ethnicities in a very weird way, 1/3 is openly hostile.
It took me like six months to suppress the urge to look at black people in Metro or the bus, I was so not used to it and the curiosity was surprisingly strong. I was always thinking this could be uncomfortable for the person
In my (strictly czech) opinion it´s pure curiosity. Under communist government Czechoslovakia was from 1948 practically isolated from the free world. Our olny expirience with black people was in 1945, when american army libarated the western part of our land. There was no racism, no hostility in our aproach to black american soldiers, just curiosity. Many Czechs didn´t believe there could be people with realy dark skin. The rumour says the next yrear there was a considerable number of dark coloured babies. After that, our only experience with black people was when Czechoslovaria founded "Universitity fo 17th november" opened for african and asian students. Our students treated foreign students as younger brothers, theay sort of patronized them. Guided them trough the study. And again - no racism, no hostility. The same applied to Vietnamese, invited to study in Czechoslovakia in the 70eth. No hostlility, just some patronizing.. The Roma problem is quite different. With the Roma problem we are where the US were with blacks in the 60th. n Not understanding the problem, lacking a real plan how to deal with it ..... A long way to go.
When I was kid in Liberec, I remember I started at a black person everytime I saw one. Mostly because I saw a black person maybe twice a year at max. I was just curious. When I lived in China in I had the same experience. There were maybe only 10 white ppl in a city of 100 000 so we definitely stood out. People would take pictures of us in a bus, etc. And yeah, I had not idea so many Czech ppl are so racist until a certain demographic started using Facebook. But still, I think 2/3 ppl are chilled. That leaves 1/3 of people with prejudice.
@@ruzzaruzza its only a habit. From when i was small i travelled to Murica, Canada, Sri Lanka. I got used to ppl looking different, i can walk with Indians, Afroamericans and Chinese ppl and have like zero surprise how they look :D
@@Roy-nd1tp Majority of us are not racist (bad apples are everywhere), we don´t have problems with other people who respect our rules and can integrate to our society. We are racist for those, who see racism everywhere. I heard forexample that ID cards in America are racist XD. So we really don´t care about this people. Also we love dark humour so maybe because of it some people can see as racist and bad people. I am glad that you like us. Greetings from Czech Republic.
@@Roy-nd1tp The Bohemian lands were always multicultural. You had many Germans in Cheb and Plzeň (before they were kicked out); even during the medieval age this was the case. Many Poles can also be found in Bohemia, and many Czech People can speak German, such as Albrecht z Valdštejna for instance. It‘s good to know that the Bohemians are open for every culture.
Just for the sake of this comment, I was born in Prague - and the thing about our country is that seeing ONLY Prague is in my opinion one of the mistakes people make when they come here. Because even though we're a small country, people throughout our land are very diverse. Nothing against my fellow Prague citizens, but if you go for example to Morava (Moravia), people there are perhaps a 90 degree turn from what you see in here. Also their accent is somewhat different. But generally they are much more "traditional" and warm and welcoming. The peak of Czech culture can be seen much more over there, as they perform traditional celebrations, they even usually wear traditional clothes... Check the edges of Czech Republic, too, it's worth it. And you can go to wine tastings. :) Loved the video. :)
I somewhat agree, living in Brno, when you sit in a cafe/restaurant they immediately come to you, but regarding friendliness and small talk, I'm finding the locals a little bit cold and difficult to befriend.
@@PetarOnRUclips they probably more scared of you than you are of them. Its pretty unusual to befriend strangers randomly. Its not people being cold, they just probably just dont know what to do
@@matox01tekk Interesting, I actually have a friend that's from around there and told me they still actually do the traditions :) Yeah, I guess it depends.
Hold on. That can be said about basically any smaller city or village in Czech Republic that is not Prague. Moravia is certainly not the peak of the Czech culture. You are diminishing other parts of the Czech republic, because (for example) western Czech Republic (Chodsko) has its own customs and accent too.
This randomely popped up on my feed. Generally I tend to avoid videos about czech people or czech republic from foreigners, but this one was a pleasant surprise. It is so nice, relaxing and was delivered with kindness and a huge portion of tolerance. It was a pleasure to listen to.
@@teatous7444 It was beautiful walking with you on Vyšehrad which i know-and love I Iam born in Prague and your “diagnosis “ on our way of life is spised with love. Thank you. Enjoy and have a good time in beautiful Prag
Even if you never master the Czech language, we always appreciate the affort that goes into learning it. The different accent and imperfection is going to be loved and not hated, because we see the struggle and determination behind.
Yep! People will giggle and have a bit of fun at the person's expense, that's Czech humor for ya - but behind that there's always so much respect. Czechs are well-aware of just how difficult the language is so even a little eagerness to learn a few words and speak is held in a high regard. Even more so coming from native English or German speaking folks, who often take Czechs generally good proficiency in both languages for granted and don't even bother with a dobry den.
Czech stock greeting: Czech A: "Dobrý den!" Czech B: "Dobrý den!" American stock greeting: American A: "Hey, how are you doing? American B: "I'm doing well. How are you doing? American A: "Doing goood." Czech version is shorter and more effective.
I agree totally! Actually some of my English-speaking Czech friends get really impatient with me when I try to open every interaction with the standard American exchange. The Czech way saves time and breath and I've started to realize that I don't miss asking strangers how they're doing dozens of times every day :)
@@skeletonkeysprague21 I don't know about others but I was baffled when I found out the "how are you" exchange is a greeting and NOT an actual question even though it has a structure of a question. Now that I know that I've come to see how odd it sounds in situations when for example a cop in US stops you and would like to say a couple of things to you real quick but is obligated to go through that long greeting process.
@@Greghouse Well, it can be treated purely as a greeting, or as a question that can be answered in as much detail as you want. The choice depends on how well you know the person and how much time you have to talk. It's something that American people learn to calibrate from a very young age, perhaps a bit like the vykat/tykat calibration for Czechs?
I always consider it so fake and dishonest when everyone at the street pretends to be your friend but asks you those questions only because it is considered polite but they actually aren't interested in your reply. It is really weird standard of politeness. Our Etiquette is actually quite complex and many things foreigners often do is considered rude. For example raising hand or shouting to call a waiter in a restaurant. Eye contact should be enough. Also you should pay attention to your surrounding when you travel by public transport. Foreigners like to block doors or passage through vehicle and you have to elbow through them.
Same shock for me when I was in US for the first time... I remember the time in elevator, some guy just told me that phrase - how am I doing... I assumed he really care (like we do in Czech republic), so I started discussion like what I did in the morning, how I miss my girlfriend and this stuff... My colleague just told me, that they expect just to get answer like "good and you?" :D :D. It was quite funny. Btw. I hope you enjoyed our country and nothing bad happened to you :).
Native English speakers are weird, in that some of them really do want to know all of those details and some of them literally don't even expect a response. After years in the US, most Americans just get a "feel" for it. But awkward interactions still happen almost every day. Thanks for your kind thoughts :)
Plus One. I take this as" Dishonest". They really dont care how are you. Its just pretending how "good and nice" I am. Simply you care and ask, or dont care so stf and care about your stuff. Why to pretend something?
@@mach2223 Coz it's the standard polite phrase - one part of a greeting. It can be even more interesting in some other countries. In Barma / Myanmar for example the Burmese language didn't have an equivavalent of Czech "dobry den". They were using a phrase (very funny for a foreigner) "did you already had your rice today?". They had to invent a new phrase suitable for a greeting so they are using "mingalabar" (= be blessed) today when speaking to a foreigner (and to some extent even among local people as this phrase is more and more popular).
I find the Czechs a fascinating people. I've been to Prague many times. Every time I arrive I always find that distance, but by the time I leave I find them to be some of the most interesting people I've met. It helps that I go there to watch puppet shows. And if you want to get inside of the Czechs you could do much worse than go to the absurd puppet shows of Buchty a loutky (Cakes and Puppets) at the Švandovo divadlo or watch a crazy puppet film by Jan Švankmajer. I find that the Czechs have perhaps the most developed sense of black humor of any people I've ever met. And once you've figured that out it opens a lot of doors. Also I find that Czech sounds conspiratorial in its tone. Every language has a color and a rhythm. And the Czech language sounds to me like the language of people who have whispering dark jokes about their masters for years. (And yes I know the history.) American English on the other hand is the exact opposite. It is completely open. We speak strongly, confidently, too loudly, stupidly sometimes, for everyone to hear. Whereas the Czechs are best understood talking in low sarcastic tones and laughing about the Germans, Russians, Austrians, Poles, Americans, etc.
These are incredibly insightful observations, and I agree completely. What you say about Czech humor and language is something I have noticed myself many times, but never been able to articulate so clearly. Thank you!
@@skeletonkeysprague21 In Czech is a sentence: Black humour is like legs - someone has it and someone not. Realy dark and black humour is an essence we are living from. It helps us overcome anything in almost every situation, you could find it in floods or with tornado also. One of the very first jokes with floods was: I am selling a cottage. It has floating floor, water bad, hot and cold water. Possible to see at 12 hours in Tábor, 13 hours in Týn nad Vltavou, 14 hours by Orlik dam... It is pure Czech. It helps us even to stand our politics we hope now we finaly get rid of them.
@@drakulkacz6489 What about the tornado in South Moravia? A day after the catastrophe I have seen the joke: A: Hey, how are you doin? B: Oh, well enough, at least we have roof over our heads. A: Yeah, I know, I have seen it flying around. The blackest raw humour seen on main, the thing that helps Czechs through terrible situations.
There is a pretty simple reason, why there is almost no diversity in the Czech republic in general or in any other Eastern European countries. We never had any ties with Africa, or any other distant foreign countries. We have never colonized or enslaved anyone. Nobody speaks our language. Clashes and wars we had in the past were pretty much only with our neighbours. Also, the Iron Curtain has been doing it's thing for decades. Therefore, we just feel that Africans don't really belong here (but don't confuse it with racism please...). There is a big community of Vietnamese people though, one of the largest in Europe. And I have never heard of anyone having a problem with them. They are usually nice people just minding their business. Also, we have a lot of people from Eastern Europe here. You just won't be able to recognize them :) And the rest - I think you pretty much nailed everything.
@@respectmahauthoritah4918 Uživatelské jméno. Když jsem zakládal tento účet a zkoušel různý jména, správce je stále odmítal přijmout s odůvodněním, že "uživatelské jméno není v pořádku". Nakonec mi došla trpělivost a zkopíroval jsem tedy tu hlášku, která nakonec prošla :) Ale už jsou to léta, možná se to od té doby změnilo.
Most Vietnamese in Czech came from northern Vietnam, the communist part. But more Southern Vietnamese are residing in the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, France etc.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 Not sure if this was mentioned anywhere.... But I suspect it has also strong roots in soviet occupation era, where everyone was potential informant. Even members of your own family or VERY close friends could be ratting on you, so people are suspicious by default. Currently people you are talking to (born in 90's) inherited this "fear" from their own parents.
Yeah, it's considered as invasion of privacy... And reason is language again. In engl. It sounds natural and fine... In Czech, natural response to how are you doing is automatically... Why do you care? 😀😀
As a czech person-I felt you when you talked about the closedmindedness. I am still getting pretty hard time for being an abstinent. My interpretation is that so many people just made the beer, the food and football their own identity and feel personaly attacked when you don’t share their passions.
It's pretty human to build an identity around things like that and to be threatened when someone doesn't share those affinities. I take it for what it is and just try to make connections anyway.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 You know, that was actually one of very few things I did not agree with you. As a czech, I don't like beer, pubs are not my thing either, I literally hate fotbal ... and list goes on ... and I am perfectly fine. I don't feel distance and I don't feel being judged. Of course, sometimes, but you can say that about pretty much anything. In fact, most people I know has similar attitude as I do - do whatever you want, eat (or don't) whatever you want, believe (or don't) in *put any diety here and we are fine. As long as you won't force me to share your point of view. Yes, in such case, we can become hostile pretty quickly. As I like to say: don't make me believe in your god, I will not deny him. This is my way of thinking and according to my experience, it is common here.
Im an abstinent too. I hate beer. I dont go to pubs. Hate football and hockey. Cant stand pork. And im perfectly fine. People around me never tried to force me into any of those things - i jist eat my chicken and drink some water and were good. Its about the social cicles you are in. Me and my bf are both university students, my friends are or were too. Find a thing you share with them and play it on that side.
Exactly my point we might seem cold and distant but we are just not overly dramatic and fake in way. With us what you see is pretty much what you get. Czech people are warm just not immediately.
@@MTT365 been here for 19. I know plenty xD you just kinda need to integrate yourself and not be overly obnoxious. Go to pubs, start doing a social sport. Youll see many cheerfull and warm people
Hi, Brendan, Sir Mac here, the local. I was thinking and wondering about the name of your channel "Skeleton keys"... It is inspired / taken from the game "Grim Dawn", where you craft or obtain the Skeleton key to enter very special and very dangerous locations... Am I correct? 1) Dobrý den thing - totally true. And while in US, the question "How are you?" is almost mandatory starter of the conversation, if in the Czech republic someone asks you "Jak se máš / máte?" he / she wants to really know! So you can tell him / her that you didn't sleep in the night because of your neighbours ... 2) Customer services - Brendan, you made me almost cry on this, because you are the first expat, who appreciates the "resistant approach" of the customer services... 3) Totally true about the Soviet occupation thing... Don't forget there are two universal tongues - music and food :) Those help make you friends... 4) The laughing thing - We are not laughing AT you, we are laughing WITH you... 5) OK, you don't like beer, you don't like sausages... What do you like then? :) Smažený sýr? Lední hokej? And the beer thing - you don't like all kinds of beer? I pretty much doubt it. 6)a) The different colour of skin and other "sensitive" topics - I would say there will be always a different opinions among the Americans and the Czechs about "BLM / MeToo / Racism / Political Corectness"... My personal perspective is that we never had those troubles, or if we did, it never was that huge topic like in the US. And in the US, you cope with it in some way. OK. But it is cultural, historical thing and it can't be spread all over the world the "american way". Those are definitely huge topics to be discussed in many videos for hours ... Because I believe both nations (CZECHS / AMERICANS) are going the right way from the very opposite directions.. 6)b) Our minorities are not the black people, but Roma, Vietnamese, Slovak and Ukrainian ones... And with the black people, which are the residents here, we don't have any trouble with them, if they don't make any troubles... Everything is about BALANCE, RESPECT and some sort of RESILIENCE :) The dog fawns with his tail, it isn't the tail fawning the dog. Minorities will be fully respected until they won't try to constantly damage the majority. But as I said earlier, this is a topic for a deep talk. 7) You are right, you probably will always be in a "foreigner category", but that doesn't mean you will not be or you are not already in someone's heart the most important one. Many Czechs will judge you by who you are. If you are good person. Point. If you know about the dividing people into two groups, the "peaches" and the "coconuts", the Czechs are definitely the coconuts. 8) The czech language... Huuh... I will try to describe it to you so you can see the logic "behind"... English is simple, straightforward language, where no declensions take place. So you have the "SWOMPT" word order. But czech has the declensions, which is some sort of tax / possibility to play with the word order as with some sort of brick-box for the kids. "S" can be almost anywhere it wants to be placed. The same goes with W-O-M-P-T. And the word endings are the way how to separate subject from object or another words... Imagine the hair-dryer. it is like 1st case of any word. And imagine all the addons, you can add to hair dryer to the end, so it makes different creations with your hair. And from 2nd to 7th case of the word, they are like the hair-dryer addons, serving to different purposes. It is the same with the declensions. They are specific addons for specific purpose, for specific usage... The variable word order also helps to emphasize, what you want to be emphasized. And yeah, czech language is very variable with immense word vocabulary... A tons of diminutives... english hasn't that much diminutives... spanish has more, but the czech has immense ammount of diminutives. 9) Till the day before yesterday, I thought we are country without tornados. But it came tornado of the EF4 level... Huh... Very alien, almost very american... But I realized one thing, czech houses are built from firmer materials - bricks, stones, panels... Not like in the US, where the dominant is plaster and wood. 10) If you have any questions, you can find me on Facebook under the name "Ondřej Voců"...
Hi Mac (Ondřej?), I've actually never heard of Grim Dawn, but the concept is similar. A skeleton is a key that has been modified so that it can open a wide range of locks. I've always liked the symbolism of this idea, and it seemed appropriate for a travel/expat channel centered on Prague, so I stuck with it. I mentioned somewhere else that some of my Czech friends get impatient with me asking them how they are all the time, lol. I guess Czech people aren't used to this, but I really mean it sincerely. The customer service thing is great until you really need help ASAP. Then it can be a bit frustrating :) You're absolutely right about music and food, especially music. I'm a musician (it's actually my main occupation and I have another channel for music stuff), and it has opened so many doors for me here. Talk about a "skeleton key"... I actually do enjoy some sour beers, but I don't drink much in general and when I do, I tend to prefer distilled spirits and cocktails. Beer makes me feel sluggish and full, which is the opposite of what I want when I'm trying to party :-D And when it comes to food, I'm a weirdo and a health nut, so most of the Czech cuisine is out of the question, lol. But I do really enjoy a good svičkova or gulaš on a cold winter night. I also love the traditional beef liver dumpling soup (I don't remember the Czech name for it). I've just never liked pork, even bacon, since I was a little kid. Americans also love their sausage and beer, so I'm a weirdo back home too. 😂 Thanks for your thoughts on minorities in ČR. It's a complicated issue and very different from the issues that the USA faces. I'm learning that I have a lot to learn about the topic :) Huh, maybe I brought the tornadoes from the US...Colorado is right next to Kansas, tornado capital of America. But you're right about Czech houses, they feel sturdy and permanent, whereas American houses feel like they could collapse with the next strong breeze. I'll look you up on Facebook! Thanks for contributing so much to the discussion. Cheers.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 OK, I will wait to your reaction on Facebook patiently... :) You are a musician? Which instrument? I used to play the piano and attended small choir for 12 years... By the way, we have something, what you can't find anywhere in the world - 1) ZUŠ - abbreviation for "Základní umělecká škola" (lit. Elementary artistic school), which is usually private (paid) institution for kids, where they can learn how to play various musical instrument, they can learn to draw, dance, sculpture ... 2) Taneční - "Dancing" (dancing classes), like with the ZUŠ, it is private, paid, but the young adults 15 to 20 attend this course to get very basics in dancing and "interacting with the opposite sex". beef liver dumpling soup - hovězí polévka s játrovými knedlíčky. And back to the music topic - I think some czech covers of american songs are better. In the terms of the quality of the singing or the lyrics ... :)
@@skeletonkeysprague21 I can agree with Sir Mac. I just add something: 1) We are like coconuts - that´s truth. Imagine living in times when anybody - even people you think you know - is a secret agent that can order your death. Yes, I am exaggerating just because you could understand it. It was during the war and later during the communist times. Before you open up to someone you had to know that it is safe. This is deep in our roots now - not so much with young people but still. In socialism we had to learn how to read between lines - methaphoricaly and literaly. So many directors made feirytales where they could express their ideas - there is sometimes more for adults than for children. That´s why are Czech people able to watch the fairytale just for fun because there is plenty of humour and wisdom in it. It is very characteristic here. And you can find that we extremely use lines from movies and fairytale - but different kind comparing to Americans. And lines from Czech movies because we know their truth meaning and has the connection. If you want to go deeper into our culture, that is the way. Or start with Švejk. 2) If you ask "How are you", it means that you realy want to know it - and it is common among friends and so on. And after that you will hear any of his/her problems. So if we answer the way it is common here, average American will be taken aback. And because most of the Czech people already know it, if you ask that nowadays, they will be taken aback considering what they ought to answer you - the truth or just "Thanks, I am fine"? That´s why you can almost see the gear in their head turning. :D 3) According to some minorities - we don´t have any problems with people if they are not making problems. We are able to live with a girafe when it acts ok, doesn´t steel our possetion, let us sleep and will be working to maintain itself. See the Vietnamies - they work more than Czech and they have their closed community just to keep their own culture because here is not problem to blend with ours. There is a lot of people from Ukraine and Russia here - but you probably are not yet able to separate them from Czech - a lot of American even don´t recognaze the difference of the language (You probably can because you are learning Czech). 4) I don´t know if you know - there is DreamPrague RUclips channel - the lady is living in Prague teaching English and she also likes that the waitress doesn´t ask her every minute what she wants. And if you find Tady Gavin, it is an American boy with Czech roots (his grandparent came from here), he is learning Czech for a few years nows. He still lives in the USA.
2) Customer services - Brendan, you made me almost cry on this, because you are the first expat, who appreciates the "resistant approach" of the customer services... I would agree on this :D this is what most irritates me in Czech :D
16:45 we actually tend to do "oči pičo" which i wouldnt recommend in a formal situation ofc, but once its with close friends it makes the whole act more fun I'd say.
Nice video. You seem like a nice and genuine person :) I think it's true that Czech people may seem cold and rude at first, while, in fact, they're rather friendly and warm. However, dispite popular belief I don't think that it has as much to do with the four socialist/communist decades in the 20th century. According to my experience, it's rather a Central European "thing". Austrians, for example, spent the second half of the 20th century quite differently, yet somehow they're pretty much the same in this aspect. Despite being a West Slavic nation, Czechs share some of these characteristics with Austrians and Germans, at least in my opinion. I love Vienna, but if someone finds Prague residents cold at first, he might actually find them friendlier after visiting Vienna :D As for "racism" etc.: I understand that from an American (or let's say, London or Paris) perspective, Prague might seem like a much less multicultural city. However, there're tons of Asian (Vietnamese) people living in Prague and in the Czech Republic in general, for example. In fact, as far as I know, Czech Republic has the biggest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam. Also, there're hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, living and working in Czechia. They started as cheap labor workers from the East initially (Czech Republic has approx. three or four times higher GDP per capita than Ukraine), but many of them have gradually learnt the Czech language and found better jobs and opportunities for themselves. So basically, in many aspects the Czech Republic already IS multicultural, only its multiculturalism is different than in the U. S. (or in Great Britain, for instance) because of different history etc. I think this is something that these countries simply don't understand and sometimes it almost feels like they're pushing their opinions upon others. Of course, there're some true racists in every country, including Czechia. But let's be honest, many social problems and racial issues in the U. S. are so heavily covered by political correctness that they can't be discussed openly. It seems to me that we're living in an extremely divided age, almost as if the American/British two party system somehow became a new norm for every other aspect of life. Either we are far-right racists and bigots OR one of those hysterically liberal/multicultural creatures, refusing to see the reality (such as the muslim and African ghettos in cities like London and Paris, existing totally separately from the mainstream society etc.). I honestly believe that some modest "Central European approach" could be very helpful :)
Very interesting points about the central European culture/personality. I haven't spent much time in Germany or Austria, so I assumed it was a uniquely Czech thing. And to be clear, I haven't really found Czech people to be anything other than friendly and approachable. In this video I'm just addressing a stereotype that definitely exists among English-speaking expats in Prague. Regarding my comments about racism, I probably should have been a bit more nuanced in my language. I actually agree with everything you said. The American political spectrum is far too divided and both sides miss the nuanced and complex reality in between. And you are correct about the fact that political correctness in the US prevents many issues from being properly discussed. All that I really meant to say was that coming from America, it's a bit strange to see so few black people living in Prague. No doubt there are valid reasons for that that I simply don't understand. It doesn't mean that Czech people are necessarily racist. It's just something that I've noticed. And the Roma/gypsy topic is something I ought not to have touched at all. It's a situation I don't fully understand and I'm not qualified to say anything about it. But all I really meant to say is that coming from that environment of extreme political correctness in the USA, it's a bit of a culture shock for me to hear the way some Czech people talk about Gypsies. It's just something that I'm not used to. Whether they are right or wrong is not for me to say.
Agree. I'm Dutch and I think the Czech way seems to be a lot like the Dutch way. Also heard a lot of the same stereotypes about the Dutch. I imagine it's some kind of common cultural background (protestantism?) We just don't want to interfere. (Some day to say these things!!)
@@skeletonkeysprague21 Thank you for your reply. I absolutely didn't mean to write that you said anything wrong. On contrary, you were very polite! :) I was just mentioning some general American/Canadian/British views, which have obviously much to do with British colonial history etc. As for the "Central European rudeness", here's one of the videos about Austrians: ruclips.net/video/cgIZnM-lVW8/видео.html And I really do like Austrians, in fact, part of my family is Austrian/Bavarian (there're also many videos and articles about "German rudeness" out there). It's just that you almost never find the same level of politeness here as in the U. S. However, most people are warm and friendly and in a way much less superficial, which is definitely a good thing in the long-term sense :)
@@ivogianfranco1633 I totally agree that the politeness of Czech people is much deeper and more genuine. There's a lot of fake politeness in America and it's very alienating and confusing to grow up in that environment. I'll check out that video, thanks :)
Being a Czech living abroad for a very long time, this was very interesting to me. I feel you have a good understanding of your situation which is key to making some worthwhile connections. In terms of language barriers, Czech is no picnic, but once you figure out that the 1600th century Czech you learn is not the 2021 language you hear people speaking, you will be fine. The good news, modern Czech is simpler. The bad news is, there are no text-books for it. I find the apparent bigotry in terms of race is 'inherited' by many, but felt only by few. People just don't really spend much time and energy thinking about that. Hopefully that will change. The Roma situation as as simple as peace in the middle east. There are no good guys there at this point. I don't know. Good luck.
Thank you! I've been learning Czech mostly from my Czech friends, so I understand what you mean. I've already had the awkward experience of saying something "textbook-correct" in an informal situation and having everyone stare at me like I just stepped out of the 17th century, lol. Thanks for your thoughtful comments about the Roma situation. I'm quickly learning that I should not bring up this topic in videos or in conversation with Czech people. It's a sensitive issue that I frankly don't understand well enough to speak intelligently about. I appreciate your patience :)
What an amazing video! The way you are so observant about Czechs and presenting your thoughts so kindly almost brought me to tears. I think that’s because of how small our country is, we really are not used to foreigners particularly care about our nation. But that could be just my personal experience. Oh and if you speak Czech to us, it is highly appreciated and yes, I too would probably laugh if you messed up some words, but it would not be in a mean way, more like “that sounded funny but omg, what an awesome thing for you to try to speak our hard language” and I would be SO delighted to hear you speak anything, as I am sure anyone else would! Anyway thank you very much for this wonderful video, you seem like such a great guy and I’ll definitely watch more! I hope you find living here as great as possible 🙂
This was so helpful for us to understand your experiences living there during the past year!! You have such an articulate way of expressing your ideas in a thoughtful and intelligent way.
Hi Brendan! Thank you so much for your video. As a Czech woman married to a Canadian and currently living in Canada, I've experienced a great deal of culture shocks you've mentioned here, just from the opposite perspective. I still get slightly annoyed when random people ask me how it's going and my husband likes to make fun of me for it. Growing up, I would always get a little sad coming back home from holidays abroad, as I would miss the "warmth" from strangers. However, living in North America, I can't help but notice how superficial this warmth is. Being used to "coldness", I get excited for a second that the person I'm talking to cares, however I quickly realize that that's often not the case and it almost makes me feel worse. Living abroad makes me appreciate what I've "lost" and I wish Czech people could see things in a different light sometimes and weren't so critical of themselves / their countrymen. There are things we as a nation need to work on, but every nation has its quirks and it doesn't make them better or worse, just different. I think your observations are on point. Czech people are also very blunt, which is what my husband struggles with a little bit whenever we're in Prague. Whenever he's offered something, he likes to say "I'm good, thanks" and I've had to "translate" for him multiple times as people don't understand it means "no". He's getting better at just saying no nowadays though. ;) I hope you don't give up and keep trying to connect with Czechs. They're complicated but generally good people. Also, I wish you can one day overcome the feeling of being an outsider. That is my one fear for my husband (we're considering moving back) but I'm sure if you're open and understanding, people will accept you as one of them eventually :)
Your description of the false American "warmness" is spot on. It can be a very alienating place to live for that reason, especially for open and empathetic people who genuinely love to share and connect with other people. However, after a lifetime of living in the US I gradually learned to calibrate my responses to the stock greetings and interactions, using my intuition to feel out who was sincere and who wasn't. It requires a whole different dimension of social awareness that other languages maybe don't demand, because they more clearly and firmly distinguish between cold, impersonal politeness and genuine, friendly warmth and curiosity. "I'm good, thanks" is the most confusing way to say "no" imaginable, but everyone in America does it. My dad sort of trained this out of me, because he thought it was funny to respond with, "I know you're good, but do you want ________?" I'll never give up as long as I'm living here. The language barrier has proven to be a difficult obstacle in some situations, but even through that I've managed to feel accepted and supported here. Thanks for your thoughts :)
Totally agree with you. Though, living in the UK for 23 years, having UK passport, I still feel I am not really british at all. The superficiality is not as bad here as in the US, but, I still can't read people here if their frienldiness is meant or just social play. I much prefer the Czechs. They are straightforward, but you know exactly what they think of you, no game. I also miss so much the little Czech words or sayings that don't exist in English. It makes the convesations so much richer, depper and funnier.
I think that czechs care more about inviduals than groups. And bevause of this they are able say ugly things about group but have very good friends in that same group. But of course there are also meh people. Every czech person has ritual of accepting strangers and if you are able to make it you are in with full friendness.
That's an interesting point. One valid criticism of the modern American worldview is that it is too focused on group identity at the expense of individual identity. And I agree completely that if you make it past a Czech person's initial barriers, you are welcomed with open arms.
Got to this video through recommended love it. Especially how you point out our culture and mentality, and especially our close-minded mindset. Many people outright judge us as xenophobic racists, but you went deeper especially into history. I do not think you will have problems with integration, especially in Prague where are people more open-minded and used to foreigners. I would just like to explain why we are so distrustful of Romani. The thing is that they are as a minority in Europe since 14th century and they were never integrated into society. This was either because of their nomadic lifestyle or racism from Europeans. Throughout history, they were enslaved or attempted to be assimilated by monarchies, but because of that and their nomadic lifestyle, they became isolated from the general population. But most cruel was the 21st century. Nazi regime sought to exterminate them as a whole and later communist regime resorted to forced sterilization and most importantly forced assimilation into cities. Through their communities, they kept their culture, but as a result, did not adapt to modern systems and standards which were most of the history against them. Romani families have the reputation of thieves, burglars, drug users and pimps. The worst thing is that this mostly comes from personal experience. Comparing them to African Americans is not equal, because their history just is not the same by far. I am not teasing you for this by any means, I just want you to understand.
Thank you for an intelligent and thoughtful response. It definitely helps me understand the situation better. I appreciate you taking the time to patiently explain instead of reacting negatively. Cheers and thanks for commenting :)
I think it would be good to mention that BECAUSE it comes to Czech people from personal experience, that they do not mind black people, as fat as I have seen.
Glad to see, that you are loving your Czech journey :) Politeness and my insights on this very interesting topic? All the English speaking countries = You have to be polite to everybody in any situation regardless if you like the people or not. It's like a blueprint for any kind of social interaction. Also saying "How are you" literally means a way to say HI. But for Czech people "How are you" LITERALLY means, that they want to know, how are you doing and they will ask this ONLY a person they are really close with! So you need to understand, that there is a certain structure in Czech social interactions before diving into how are you's.. First of all, in Czech environment, you are not obligated to be super friendly and over polite with everybody. If you don't like somebody, or for whatever reason don't want to be close with them, it's ok to show it by ignorance. For us, it is NOT RUDE, it is HONEST and STRAIGHTFORWARD. That's how you let them know, you won't be friends. Pretended politeness in not welcomed and viewed like cringe fake thing. Then with people you actually really like and they like you, you start developing honest polite kind relationship and you can start with how are yous (and then listen to that 1 hour story of theirs, because you asked them how are they, because you want to know, because you like them, because you care for them). So it is like a natural selection. You avoid people, that you don't vibe with and you develop very deep relationships with people who are your cup of tea :) That is Czech social interactions in a nushell. I am pretty sure after you'll dive deeper into this, you'll fall in love with how deep, loving and truly caring relationships you can have with Czech people when the fake politeness is put aside, where it belongs. I won't even be surprised if you dump your US passport and stay with us forever :D All the best ;-)
I admire people like you. People who experience that cultural shock and still keep fighting that unbreakable barrier of foreign language, culture,.. I dont think I could handle that. Greetings from Slovakia (brothers of Czech).
The video was so moving that I couldn't help myself but cry... it was describing the Czech nation very clearly, fairly and truly. Thanks for such a moving video, indeed.
(Czech here) - what others consider "Czech politeness" can actually turn into ignoring or straight up passive hostility and, in my opinion, sometimes our country could use some of "sticking nose into other people's lives" attitude - for example when you're clearly in distress in public (troubles with buying tickets, lost someone in the crowd, etc etc), usually (at least in Prague) nobody will approach you to ask if you need help and you're left to run around and ask for help people who clearly don't want to have anything in common with you.
I don't have this experience in Czechia. Though when I asked a stranger standing next to me in New York City where is XY street, he uttered "Don't know" and gave me a very disgusted look :-D Czechs are just generally more introverted, that's all. In reality we are very polite - greeting when entering and exiting a shop, making room for old/pregnant on public transport, not shouting on public transport... If you ask someone for help in 9 cases of 10 they will help you. You just need to make the move first and be polite as well.
I live in Prague all my life (70+). I have a quite different experience. I am always willing to help, to Czechs or foreigners, it does´nt matter. But often before I manage to interfere, there is anohter Czech offering his help. The foreigners seem to underestimate us - they are usually quite surprised, if you offer your help. Sort of suspicious, as I see it.
Well, I once bought older German couple tickets (for a metro) because they came up straight from Airport without having any Czech Crowns. I directed many tourists or Czechs that asked for a street or such. Trying to blame uniquely Czechs for a common social phenomena (bystander effect) sounds super evil to me. Pls no selfhate.
♥♥♥ omg you're such a nice person, thank you for sharing this video. I completely agree with you! I'm Czech and I lived in Japan for studying for a while and I couldn't agree more. Sadly, Czech people IN GENERAL, my friends included, are just sooo close minded. They just think that one way is accurate and when you introduce different ways of view, they laugh at you and just bombard you with their one way of looking at things. And you're the wierd one. Your observations are spot on. :) ♥
Wow! I am impressed! Being from Czechia and living most of my life abroad, I really appreciate that someone can grasp on the essence of the country so accurately and so nicely. Thank you for that!
Hey there! I'm an African American living in the Czech Republic. I've been here since the summer of 2007. There are a handful of blacks here, but mostly from different parts of Africa and Latin countries. When I first arrived I had dreadlocks and boy, talk about staring and looks! I've lived in 3 different cities (Prague, Ostrava, Karlovy Vary) and boy, do I have stories. Let me know if you'd like to connect and hear some.
From those few Czech words, you said during the video it seems your pronunciation is actually pretty good. Oh, and by the way, I'm impressed how accurate and to the point your observations are. Like all of them... An amazing job for the guy who says he hasn't met a lot of people so far due to covid lockdowns :))
This was probably the nicest description of Czechs I've ever seen ;-) And with a heavy heart, I have to admit that the "close mindedness" part was also true, maybe not so much in terms of beer and sausages, but in general, yeah... Hopefully, as I see it, it's getting better and better!
Hello :) I got here through the recommended section, and I have to say I really loved your video. I'm Slovakian, but I've been living in the Czech Republic for almost 7 years now and considering the relationship between our countries, I am not really seen as a foreigner, so I'm speaking more from the local point of view (many things you mentioned more or less match Slovak people, since we share a lot of history). I have to say Czech people are a little bit more close-minded, even compared to Slovaks. But then again, I wouldn't say they are generally racist or hostile. It's just like you said - our parents and grandparents never really had the chance to interact with foreigners, maybe the other Slavic nations which are often of very similar mindset and with similar culture. In my opinion, you can see that this is one of the main reasons for this when you compare the attitude of younger and older people. My generation and all the other generations born after the Velvet Revolution have grown up in a very different environment than our fathers and grandfathers. We've been taught English or German (but mostly english) since the very young age of 6-7, often even earlier. Unlike our parents, we've had access to foreign movies, cartoons, music and other things basically since birth. We are free to travel all over Europe without the need to even show our ID and we can easily get to the rest of the world (if we have the funds that is 😅). Not to mention student exchange programs etc. We've also had access to internet since fairly young age and we had been there and active during the rise of social media, which had opened milliosns of new possibilities. Our parents and their parents have never had the chance to do any of those things. They've been taught censored, propagandist lie presented to them as history. They could get imprisoned and sometimes unfortunately killed if they tried to travel anywhere else than Russia or ex Yugoslavia (and needed a special permit for that too). After 1989 everything changed very quickly and I imagine it must've been very hard to learn how to live in the new world, especially for people who were in their 40s and above at the time. That's why czechs come off as cold or racist. We don't stare, we are curious. We're not racist or hostile (mostly), we're wondering about people, where they came from and why (again, not in a hostile way) and most of the time we' re excited that someone wants to vidíte our country. Older people might be scared, since even though they'd learnt to live in the new culture, they've had propaganda hammered into them since birth, always saying foreigners are big bad and out to kill and exterminate us. So even if they consciously don't believe it, it's still rooted deep in them. Younger people are much more open due to the reasons I mentioned above, and me personally, i always try to be extra nice to black people and other foreigners, since I understand that our culture(s) are very different and it can be hard to navigate and understand. Hopefully that makes their experience and life here a little better. Thank you again for this great video and for your unbiased point of view, I appreciate that you acknowledged the good and the bad in our culture. And let's be honest, no nation is perfect, we all have some good and bad traits, and every individual is different in one way or another. I hope you'll continue to have a great experience here! :) P.S. don't worry about beer. As an Eastern Slovak I very much prefer spirits and liquor, but I've learnt to appreciate beer since living here. I know Czech people that hate beer. And yes they really exist, just no one talks about them q😁
I am czech and I like listen to foreigners talking about czech people and mentality and habits :D I am just 25, so I am not really representative of normal czech guy with belly who likes beer, football and sausages (I really dont and I dont even like people who like these things, cause would say they are primitive) but we got that cynical quirky humor. Asking us how we are doin feel invative - like why do you care? You want to hear "good" to be sure that everything is cool or do you want to start bigger conversation or wanna know something about me? Why you think I wanna you about myself with you? Why I even need to think about this sh*t? :D U got me know! And for me - hearing foraigne speaking czech is funny in a positive way. I truly like to hear it.
As a Czech living in the US. You’re right about people not trying to be rude it’s just different culture as far as treating strangers. Czech people are some of the most hospitable and generous once you get to know someone, especially if you get few drinks with them 😅
It is very interesting to hear what someone from abroad thinks about us. When I lived in the UK, I couldn't get used to having everyone ask you ,, how are you´´. :-) thank you for this nice video.
Overall, I think your observations are spot on! The only thing I wish that foreigners stopped call themselves "expats". When you move to the USA from any country, you are an "immigrant". But if you move FROM US (or UK for that matter), to Prague, you're all of the sudden an "expat". No. You're an immigrant. If only the people moving from the east to the west are called immigrants, it puts a negative connotation to the meaning of that word. And vice versa.
I actually agree with you completely, but I use the word "expat" so that people searching for this keyword will find my videos, simple as that. Totally agree that it's a dumb word and a dumb semantic distinction between white, wealthy "expats" and brown, poorer "immigrants."
@@skeletonkeysprague21 I understand your reasoning. Nobody is searching for immigrants in Prague. 😂 I also didn't mean it against you personally. It's just something that irks me. See, I live in the USA since 1999 and even though I'm US citizen, I'm still an immigrant. I can see we are thinking very similarly. I really like your channel, because even though you lived in ČR relatively short time, your observations and judgment are more precise than some other youytubers who lived there much longer. BTW, I was quite surprised by your czech pronunciation. In such a short time, it's truly an achievement. And I can relate, because when I moved here to the US, I knew very, VERY little English. I wish you luck and have fun in my old country and I hope you won't get disillusioned like I have. 😉
An honest and fair assessment. I have been to Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia (post 1993). The Moravian Czechs are a little more curious about strangers and the Slovaks even more so. They are all hospitable, intelligent and elegant. As an example, I was on a concert tour in Slovakia and my bandmates pointed out some guys at an outdoor cafe and said they looked threatening. I said, let's meet them first, you never know. Turned out these guys spoke elegant Slovak and were personable and witty. You are spot on about the Czech humor being very dry and offbeat. Thanks for an excellent video.
I have been recommended your channel by RUclips, and I am glad to have clicked on the video. It's intriguing to hear what foreigners think of us, and what you have said made a lot of sense. As per the lack of black people, as others have brought up, the minorities in the Czech Republic generally come from different countries: Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Vietnam. Hence, just like you, they often, with the exception of Vietnamese, "look like us" even though they are immigrants. The simple reason for why there are so few black people is that a) unlike Great Britain, France, Belgium, and other western countries, we have never had colonies in Africa (nor anywhere else), and b) unlike the US, we have no experience with black slavery. For these reasons, the sensibilities concerning minorities are fairly different to those in the US, too. We do not have the same experience with systematic oppression of ethnic minorities like the US. Strangely enough, one of the minorities which were treated the worst by Czechs were the Germans in the aftermath of WWII and that was more of a one-off thing rather than a long-lasting process. By the way, it makes me a little sad that you feel you may be always stuck in the foreigner category, no matter how long you live here. I used to live abroad some time ago, and one of the things I appreciated the most about my adoptive homeland was that it made me feel like a local, not like an outsider. I hope you may feel adopted one day by us, too.
That's very interesting, thank you for filling in some gaps in my knowledge about the history of minorities in the Czech Republic. I figured there must be a logical reason for the overwhelming "whiteness" of the Czech population, and you've explained it quite well. Strange to hear that there was such conflict between Germans and Czechs at one time, but I guess that goes to show that skin color is not always the most important factor. I think one day I will feel more like an adopted citizen, if I stay long enough, but I imagine that will take many years and a much deeper knowledge of Czech culture, history, and language. I already feel quite comfortable here, but I wouldn't presume to call myself anything but a foreigner/outsider until I've proved that I can learn the language, at a minimum. In any case thank you for the kind wishes :)
@@skeletonkeysprague21 The reason for the conflict between Czech and Germans was fairly understandable: Germany, under the Nazi leadership, effectively occupied Czechoslovakia between 1938 and 1945, starting with the the German annexation of the Sudetenland (the border regions) in 1938 and continuing with the full-blown invasion of the country in 1939, resulting in the formation of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. The Czechs resisted the German occupation - the most notable act of resistance was the Operation Anthopoid, during which Reinhard Heydrich, the German Protector of Bohemia and Moravia and the man behind the plans for the "Final Solution to the Jewish Question", was assassinated by Czechoslovak soldiers in 1942. (In the aftermath, two Czech towns, Lidice and Ležáky, were razed by Nazis, and all men in Lidice and all men and women in Ležáky were murdered.) Hence, when the war ended in 1945, there was a strong anti-German sentiment in Czechoslovakia, which gave the Government power to enact laws (called the Beneš decrees). These laws led to the deportation of 2.5 million (!) ethnic Germans from Czechoslovakia. Many of those expelled had settled in the country long before the war. Many lost their property in Czechoslovakia and their citizenship was revoked. Some (approximately 20-30k) died during the expulsion due to violence and brutality perpetuated by mobs and public authorities, poor conditions in internment camps, hunger, illness, and suicide. The Beneš decrees are highly controversial even today. I remember that Karel Schwarzenberg, the 2013 presidential candidate, said the decrees would be considered a war crime today (I do agree), which provoked a ton of criticism and may have been of the the reasons for why he lost in the presidential race against Miloš Zeman.
Hi, I very much enjoyed "walking with you" and listening to you talking about "my" people. I appreciate your perspective and it warmed my heart. I've lived in the US for 21 years now. The culture differences are huge and it's hard to explain. But you did great job of it.
Hi, I just discovered your channel. I enjoyed this video from my birth place. There are two things I'd like to say. 1 - You don't need to be a foreigner to be treated like an alien here. I'm treated as one for being a vegetarian and not drinking ;-) 2 - The situation with Roma can't be judged from the American's perspective. Roma people wandered into our lands a few centuries ago and decided to stay. There's no slavery or any other wrong-doing involved.
I really got you in the part about "you just mind your own business, you don't have to explain yourself when walking through a store" MAN. That annoys me so much, I'm from Argentina and you just cannot enter any store without being persecuted and disturbed. Not even mention that in Argentina people kiss each other to greet. I'm moving to Prague very soon cannot wait to join that beautiful country and society. Great video! New sub :)
A smart and OPEN-MINDED young man I’ve just "come across" today and, immediately decided to follow his vlogs. Just a small (definitely not mind-blowing) comment of mine: From my long-time experience, the most essential and decisive rules to differentiate people are their intelligence, culture, philosophy, personal preference and attitude to the world. As for me, this mental kinship means much more than any (German, Czech, English, Polish, American, ...) nationality of the man/woman I am just talking with.
There are some black youtubers who live in Czech and making content about their lives here. All of them (at least those I saw) thing that Czech is great place for them and people are really nice and have no rasist experience. Most of them are from USA and they appreciate that they feel really safe here.
Wishing you only the best, have a good time in place we call home...I like how you see us, how you are able to reflect ... We are happy to have you here... 😊
First of all, thank you for making this video. I really appreciate hearing your point of view about my country and my people and I will definitely use it in the future when foreigners ask me what are Czech people like 😅 As a Czech living abroad myself I hope you’ll encounter lots of hospitality and enjoy your time in our tiny but beautiful country :) All the best! And if you find yourself in Krakow, let me know, I am more than happy to show you around :)
This was honestly the best look i saw so far on the Czech culture, as a Czech living in Prague i can tell that it was on point. I admire you for trying to learn the Czech language as it is a very tricky language, and even if you learn all the textbook stuff its just the first half of it as a LOT of words just have completely different meaning in normal day to day conversation and many slangs are used instead of the literal terms and some words are just traps when said a bit out of context. The Czech humor as you mentioned is very dark and might seem racist but we don't mean it in a bad way, might just be that we don't like being censored and as you said, dark humor helps us through bad times. And for the way that Czechs look at Americans, especially the older generation looks at America as the rescuers from WW2 (rightfully so, but sometimes completely ignoring the part USSR played because we got occupied by them right after that ) and the image we have of America is from big part shaped by TV,Movies,Games and Internet, would honestly be interested in learning about how much of that is true. Would invite you for a beer but i gotta wait a few more months to be able to do that. Also i am sorry for my bad English.
Your English is perfect. Thanks for the kind words and your perspective on the history. I'd love to get a beer when it's possible...I'm planning to make an Instagram page soon, so check back for that and then you can easily contact me personally there :)
@@skeletonkeysprague21 Now you just have to visit the rest of the country like Pilsen, Karlsbad, Böhmisch Budweis, Ostrava and other cities. Just do not dare to set foot in Brno if a life is dear to you. Even the pilots of Air Force One didn't dare to enter the airspace above that city.
Great video! I appreciate the nuanced perspective you've presented. I hope to be moving there in a few months, and it's nice to hear these things from your viewpoint. Cheers
I’ve been living abroad for a long time so I am grateful for anyone making videos about my country. On the other hand, the cold, resentful Czech is still embedded deep inside me and the beginning of the video is the manifestation of the Czech stereotypes about the Americans … “Hi, there is some kind of a hotel I know nothing about (although I could have googled it in a minute) and I am going to take half an hour talking about people that I haven’t really met yet.” But I guess the Czechs are not the target audience anyway and what you say later on in the video is quite spot on…
You are incredibly on point, you even get our sense of humor. The laughing devils will make fun of anything they can and if you get mad, they will make fun of it too :D.
Your voice is incredibly calming! Enjoyed the whole video. 😊 Also I recommend visiting other parts of CZ as well when you get the chance ( This is first video of yours that I stumbled upon so I’m not sure how much you’ve experienced out of our little country.) I recommend Olomouc, since my Alma Mater is located there and obviously my hometown of Český Těšín/Cieszyn. Which is a city located on CZ/PL border. Historically one city, then divided and now thanks to open borders united once again. Czech and Polish (and German) culture is melding in one here, creating something incredible. Aaand I’m blabbing on. Anyway, I’m happy you enjoy it here!
Okey I dont want to start any arguments here, ofc its a complex issue, but the "gypsy" minority situation from outside mide seem like a matter of race and hate towards other races, which on surface level it is people use color based insults and so on, there are other minorities in czech republic that get along just fine, great example would be minority of vietnamese immigrants, who you may hear people make fun of or whatever for their accent or something, but there is no hate or serious harmful intention behind it. The rome minority is such a problem for such a long time because of their culture, in which the concept of ownership doesnt exist, which for individuals who dont care to adapt the czechish culture translates to taking whatever you want whenever you want, aka stealing. You may be tempted to think how they were born poor or how they have no other choise to live, but this isnt the USA and this is nothing like the african american minority situation, in here you get free education up to your 26 year including college degree, full free health care, and you get support money if you are a) unimployed b) having kids c) physically unable to make living for yourself. If you cannot afford to send your kids to school the state will pay for all their needs to go to school, and yet many of them choose to stay unemployed forgoing all of these rights (even though the state finds the job for you if you cant) choose not to send their kids to school even though its illegal, choose to steal for a living. The hate that exists in czech republic has got nothing to do with race, its all about culture and lifestyle and unfortunetely I think it will stay this way for quite the while. I am open to discussion but I truly believe that we have done as much as possible from our side to help every citizen integrate into society, but if thats met with breaking the law its understandable that the people who pay with their taxes for your living would get mad.
Also according to one EU study, gypsies in the Czech Republic have the highest quality of life in the EU. In the western european countries it is not uncommon that gypsies are banned to reside near the city or work there, so they have to constantly move. In Czechia they are provided with free heathcare, accomodation, education and welfare payments.
Man this is amazing video about Czech soul, I am living in the Philippines for 5 years and more I love outside Czechia more I understand what Czech soul really is and you're very accurate....cheers and let me know if you ever come to Palawan island, Philippines
Thank you for the very polite and cultivated characteristics of my nation. I smack my hat :-). (Hats off). I'm from an older generation, I can't speak English. My peers love America very much, our parents experienced US aid in World War II, they saw American soldiers liberating from German Nazism. At the same time they saw Russian soldiers. But the communist coup and other years of lack of freedom came. Czechs can come together at critical moments. For a while. They make fun of official authorities, they don't like extremes. So we live most comfortably on average. Our humor is really sarcastic, ironic and incomprehensible to some foreigners. We like old friendships and sometimes we think about ourselves too much. We are very careful, musical and we are definitely not bad for the most part. Our hopes belong to young people. They have the opportunity for education, languages and travel. We elders were very limited in this by the regime. Therefore, we believe that young Czechs will take the opportunity and our small nation will have another good future.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 Thank you very much for the compliment. I wish you many more great videos for us. And most importantly: good health and a long and satisfied stay in the Czech Republic. Make it your home. And only meet nice and cheerful people. Good luck!
Three facts: 1. Do not ask a Czech person how is he/she doing unless you really wanna know… In our culture we don’t usually ask this kind of question, it is not seen as polite but rather as a means to approach someone; therefore he/she will probably give you a weird look or in the opposite, an honest answer, ie. open up obout his/her problems. 2. Not all Czechs are the same. I belive that the Czechs from the north-west and west, or lets say majority of Bohemians in general, are very much like Austrians and Bavarians… I think they are very honest, straightforward, not very friendly at first glance, reserved… therefore seen as rude sometimes. On the other hand, Moravians are much more welcoming and traditional, more typical «Slavs». Prague is mixed up. 3. The way majority of Czechs look at other ethnicities is simply caused by curiousity as we are still (unfortunately) not familiar with them. The time we were exposed to other ethnic groups is relatively short and therefore people get suprised each time they see an African or Asian person in Czechia… especially, when the start speaking in Czech thats a real miracle that leaves an open mouth. :D
Czech here: you have put the topics very well and well meaning towards us. There is actually very little to add. When you look to history, you only look at the socialistic era. It has influenced our present by widely removing/reducing religion and social differences. But it followed imediatelly a maybe more influential decade, where the country has been ethnically cleaned - quite completely, given the previous situation. The modern Czech history is one of social and national revolution - one that has been implemented. And arguably this national metaproject of equality has succeeded: 1. RELIGION: we eliminated the power of religion, since several generations, atheism is the norm. 2. CLASS: We eliminated the old classes. Although the near 100% state economy has been privatized, causing the social difference grow, they are still relatively small - there is still near to completely egalitarian schools, universitites and health care. 3. ETHNICITY: Ethnical differences have been eliminated. The Germans killed the Jews, we moved the Germans to Germany - and so we remained alone in the country - with the Roma. THE PROBLEM: there are numerous indications that the whole project was wrong. And we still struggle facing the truth. It is difficult for us to see the issue from our tradition, because the tradition rather tells us everything is OK.
Very well put Although, the last point, "the whole project was wrong"... I am not sure how you meant it - there probably isn't a country that wouldn't be living now in positive and negative consequences of past politics, so it depends whether there really is something to chose from :) And I find the social "equality" and irreligiousness as good... Although yes of course, facing the nation's own traditional thinking is an "anthropological issue" :)
Multiculturalism is a nice thing, not nice when you need to live in it. Not that I do, I live in Czechia :) From a sociologial point of view, multiculturism has been proven not to work, asimilation is more effective when it comes to crime rate and overall quality of life of everybody involved. However asimilation is not "IN" theses days... in the West. In eastern Europe we still dare to protect our identity.
I can´t agree with alleged eliminating of religion in Czech nation . Since the Hussite movement we were in opposition to Catholic Church - its pompous unsincere proclamation of Faith, openly disregarded in their everyday practice. The communist domination even aggraveted this alienation. Czechs distrust every authority, eccelsiastical authority including. But they have their faith. Unstructured, internal faith, out of reach of any authority. And that is where God resides. Not in skyreaching churches, gilded statues of saints, endless processions, selfrepeating sermons, but inside of everbody who feels there is more, than his everyday life. Please don´t call Czechs atheists.
You are an extraordinary nice person. My deepest respect. P.S.: you are already a part of our club - more than many other native Czech speakers are. Welcome and enjoy it.
Great analysis of the Czech people, but I would like to point out as a Slovak that the looking in the eyes during "cheersing" isn't about bad luck, that's pure bullshit, it's actually a matter of courtesy and respect. You have to look the person you are "cheersing" with OR shaking hands in the eyes, because you actually MEAN IT, you are acknowledging that person in those unique moments, if you look away it's like you don't care... For example, in the US it's very common for people to shake your hand and look in another direction or just talk to a different person while doing it. To us that's just extremely rude and disrespectful, because that's like the person doesn't give a damn about you - the gesture alone becomes absolutely pointless and hollow.
Great points...yeah, I think the superstitions are just funny and playful ways to reinforce the tradition of being present and connected to the people you’re spending time with. One of the things I love about Czech culture.
As a Czech person, I have to agree unfortunately with all the negatives you mentioned. Also, your Czech pronunciation is very good, one of the best I have heard. Maybe an interesting point to the English and the ability to express yourself in your second language. Sometimes I feel I can express my emotions better in English (also my vocabulary is obviously lacking), I feel a bit disconnect from the language so it feels less personal and embarrassing to say something emotional in English compared to Czech. Anyway thanks for all the nice videos you are making about our country.
Just as you mentioned our language changes and shapes our general mindset a lot. There is a saying "You are as many times a person as many languages you speak." - for example translating Japanese to Czech is quite impossible because it sounds so generously and honestly that Czech person takes it as offense because it sounds just like a strong sarcasm or irony yet it was really meant the kind way.
Very nice and calming video of you walking through the city. Dont worry, every normal czech citizen will be glad to help you out if you need something. We appreciate your effort and excitement. Sorry for my english and btw there are lot of other places to visit in here, that are really worth it.
it can be hostility too. I live in Plzen. Last winter I was on tram with my kid, we were speaking English to each other. Some idiot behind us began to parrot our talk and make threatening gestures. In another instance, an officer at immigration ranted for 15min in Czech and I still don't know why she yelled at me (most likely because my Czech was bad and she didn't speak English). In another instance, a Penny saleswoman yelled at me because she couldn't understand what I wanted (although I said it in Czech and her only problem was in fact the fact that I wasn't local)!
I have also had a few negative experiences that I chose not to highlight because I feel like they have more to do with specific individuals and less to do with the overall character of the Czech people as a whole. The notable thing in my experiences is that there was always some very kind and helpful bystander who stepped in to defuse the situation and help translate, so I always came away with a positive impression of Czech people overall.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 I agree with you. Most people here are nice, but there are some cases in which folks are extremely rude and unwelcoming. I guess my bad luck is I moved to Czech during Covid and most people were grumpy and overreactive because of the epidemic. Nevertheless, in winter I even considered leaving. As summer arrived and things improved, I encounter less of that hostility.
This video gave me great memories of Prague, where I lived in 2018 as a university exchange student. You walked down that awkward flight of stairs by Vysehrad station, and past the apartment I lived in on Krokova. While there, I made an effort to hang out with some local students, in contrast to many exchange people who mostly kept to non-Czechs. I agree with everything you say about the Czech personality. They are truly genuine people with a great sense of humor, with whom I shared many endearing moments. Not going to lie, but suspicion against foreign students is pretty high... but not entirely undeserved due to our tendencies of copious drinking, sometimes obnoxious behavior, our courses being less academically demanding compared to Czech classes, etc. Breaking the ice can be difficult, and sometimes flat-out unsuccessful, but giving it a shot is totally worth it.
I have to say that I m surprised. For a young expat (and American to boot), your approach is surprisingly insightful and in-depth. If you re still around now (in Prague, that is) and feel like grabbing a beer, hit me up. First round s on me.
I really enjoyed your thought process and how you verbalise things in the context. I teach Czech as a foreign language in London and relate to many of the things you are talking about - as an immigrant and also having Czech heritage. Thank you. Hopefully you will continue meeting more wonderful Czechs along the way. Enjoy Prague, I miss it.
I have pierced ears (the biggest thing I've ever worn is some small black or gold studs), and some Czech people have reacted very strangely to this. It took me by surprise the first few times because it's something that's rather commonplace in the US, but I've been asked more than once about my sexual orientation on the basis of my ear piercings alone. 😂 That's part of where my opinion about Czech "close-mindedness" comes from, among other things.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 That's probably because, as I've been told, there was a time where it was very popular among gays to pierce their ears, especially the right ear. I learned this the hard way, when my mom and brother started laughing at me when I pierced my right ear without knowing this. And I was like "Well fuck, guess I'm gay now".
It's not so much different from the Germans, generally open minded and friendly, but little more introverted or reserved then Americans, you need an ice breaker to get in contact.
Love your insightful videos. Refreshing to listen to/read someone clever with loads of common sense talking about my country, mostly in a positive way. Far too many people complain about everything nowadays. Having travelled a bit and taught a lot, I do not take anything for granted and appreciate what my country has to offer, as well as meeting people who are as smart, kind and open-minded as you are. Keep on the hard work, unless you are already overwhelmed. Hope you will stay here for a long time. Looking forward to more from you 🙂.
To be honest. I met people here in my life more rude than nice. So I understandably made that quiet personality when I am rather alone, thinking about stuff, writing book and if I am somehow on party, I am that kind who sits in corner and watches. Still, thank you for going to our country. Make sure to read about History, it is interesting.
Hi man, fantastic video! Being Czech, I can confirm pretty much everything you’ve said, so well done you! :-) I think the thing with our initial reaction to foreigners and black people, as you’ve said, has to do with CZ being isolated for such a long time. And even nowadays, there are not that many black people here, so we are just not used to them. But I don’t believe they are being treated differently. It’s just that the first moment is a little shocker for some Czechs. :-D I don’t know about the thing with 7 years of bad sex. In my 35 years, I’ve never heard that. So either it’s some very rare superstition or your Czech friends were just taking the piss. :-D Anyways locking eyes when giving a toast is very common, and polite thing to do. Same as when you shake hands with someone. Finally, let me compliment you on your “R” pronunciation. It’s perfect! Just like a Czech would pronounce it. Hope you’ll love your stay in the CZ, and best of luck in your future endeavors.
This video made me really happy since I sometimes struggle to share certain aspects of me and my country with my American friends. I shared the video with them and praised you on how much of a good job you did trying to explain and understand why some things might be the way they are. Atop of that I appreciated you walking and showing a bit of the city rather than being stationary in the comfort of your home and that you actually called us out on our weaknesses, instead of just mentioning the easy positive stuff.
Thank you for this interesting video. I've born in Prague in Czechoslovakia. In 2007 I went to London and experienced what you call a cultural shock. Mostly very liberating experience. It took me a while to adjust my sensitivity to "how are you" greeting. I wanted to say: Why do you intrude my privacy, non of your business, leave me alone". But later I realize it works as antidepressant. When you have to say 20 times a day "I am fine, I am ok, Not bad " you train your brain to feel that way.
Nice video. I am Czech living in Pacific and guess you spent in Czech rep. more time than me in last decade:) Maybe you overestimate need to speak czech perfectly. Is known our language is difficult and we do not have expectation that foreigner will master it (like brits often do, usually without having knowledge of any other laguage themselves). We much more appreciate the effort and will to learn. Of course, is much easier speak english and usually people do not mind, while there is foreigner, but effort speak czech is highly appreciated and people will go extra mile to help you understand and to understand you. So no worries.
That's good to hear, thank you for your perspective. I'll just keep slowly learning and hopefully one day I'll feel comfortable with what I've accomplished with the language.
For that "How are you doing?" question, you are 100% correct. It's not that we don't say it at all - we are saying it pretty often actually, but just among family members or good friends, because when u say it as Czech, you REALLY want to know how that person is doing, what's on his mind etc. and u r expecting longer, honest talk. When some stranger asks me this question, it pisses me off, because I know that it's only fake phrase and he don't care at all how I'm doing... so, WTF he asks me in the first place? :) When we don't care about somebody, we just don't care and we don't try to sugarcoat it by shitty fake discussion about nothing. But, if you are a friend, we really care about you. It's just different mindset.
It is a neaningless question that requires a meaningless answer. The answer "Fine" or I'm well" is all that is required. In fact, no one actually wants you actually to respond with an answer in detail.
This was a really interesting video. I’ve never been to Czechia but hope to visit next year. My ancestry is Czech, so I’ve always wanted to visit the villages from where my family immigrated. I admire how you place your observations in context, keeping in mind Czech history. I’ll keep your observations in mind when I visit. Though I’ve often been fine when visiting cultures Americans sometimes find rude. Maybe it’s because I have Czech blood. Ha! I’m rather introverted and quiet so the more formal, clipped European style of greetings and social graces suits me. Thank you for the vid. You delivered your thoughts with great kindness.
Thanks for your view :) I hope you will feel better and without that barrier in the future. For me my fridge is your fridge ;):D And don't worry. I dont like beer and football either.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 you are short time here. Few years ago there were pubs full of cigarette smoke - a tar was ( almost) raining from ceiling. For those, who don't like pubs, there are some quiet tea roooms - čajovny. Karlovy Vary: facebook.com/cajovnauniversal/
I bumped into your channel by an accident. I really like your point of view in many aspects. I am glad that we have here people like you. As I am 47 now, my English is not perfect and because I have no use of English in my daily life, there is not enough human interaction to polish it, I have embraced the fact that I never will speak as good as a native but that is not a big deal since I can express myself roughly.
The nice thing about English is that you can speak it at almost any level and people will be able to understand and communicate with you. Native English speakers are very accustomed to hearing our language spoken by non-native speakers at every level of proficiency, so often we don't even notice if you're making mistakes, we just listen for the meaning you're trying to express and we appreciate the chance to communicate with you :)
Very nice and honest insight bro, appreciate it! As for your opinion on being accepted as a Czech, I think you're quite right, BUT, I've got to know a LOT of people from the US / different none Slavic countries living here for a long time, and I think it is ultimately up to the person and the perspectives of living, not the people around (although it's got a huge effect too ofc) to establish yourself here. With a positive and an open approach on both sides, I believe that Czechia will become more and more open to foreigners wanting to live here, which is going to enrich our culture and the world culture as well :)
Very thoughtful and accurate. Hope your positives far outweighs few negative experiences. I am Czech living in the US and you probably have better opinion about the Czechs than I do. Thanks for the video
Nice video, in many ways you are totally correct. I must say - as a Czech person - I don't like beer, pubs and similar stuff (but I am also no hippie that would only eat greens and drink water) and I must say it does make me bit of an outsider. Like it's harder to connect with locals if you don't embrace the alcohol culture :) I think you can be part of the club if you speak the language well. English connects you on many levels but to connect on a deeper level I totally agree that knowing the language is a key.
Totally agree. I can tell that there's another level of inclusion and acceptance that I'll be able to reach once people don't feel obligated to speak English whenever I'm around. It's a long-term project but I'm working on it.
Black people sometimes complain that the Czechs are staring at them. This may not be a sign of hostility, but rather curiosity as many Czechs, especially the ones from small villages, have actually never met a black person in their lives. Imagine a white-blond or Asian guy suddenly appearing in a remote village in the middle of African savana. People would stare just as well.
Well honestly, have you ever seen our Czech internet? I highly guarantee Czechs are not one of the most tolerant and open minded people when it goes to other cultures and people. British fine, Spanyards yea, but Czechs tend to be 1/3 open minded mostly young people, 1/3 of who are not racist but they see other ethnicities in a very weird way, 1/3 is openly hostile.
It took me like six months to suppress the urge to look at black people in Metro or the bus, I was so not used to it and the curiosity was surprisingly strong. I was always thinking this could be uncomfortable for the person
In my (strictly czech) opinion it´s pure curiosity. Under communist government Czechoslovakia was from 1948 practically isolated from the free world. Our olny expirience with black people was in 1945, when american army libarated the western part of our land. There was no racism, no hostility in our aproach to black american soldiers, just curiosity. Many Czechs didn´t believe there could be people with realy dark skin. The rumour says the next yrear there was a considerable number of dark coloured babies. After that, our only experience with black people was when Czechoslovaria founded "Universitity fo 17th november" opened for african and asian students. Our students treated foreign students as younger brothers, theay sort of patronized them. Guided them trough the study. And again - no racism, no hostility. The same applied to Vietnamese, invited to study in Czechoslovakia in the 70eth. No hostlility, just some patronizing..
The Roma problem is quite different. With the Roma problem we are where the US were with blacks in the 60th. n
Not understanding the problem, lacking a real plan how to deal with it ..... A long way to go.
When I was kid in Liberec, I remember I started at a black person everytime I saw one. Mostly because I saw a black person maybe twice a year at max. I was just curious.
When I lived in China in I had the same experience. There were maybe only 10 white ppl in a city of 100 000 so we definitely stood out. People would take pictures of us in a bus, etc.
And yeah, I had not idea so many Czech ppl are so racist until a certain demographic started using Facebook. But still, I think 2/3 ppl are chilled. That leaves 1/3 of people with prejudice.
@@ruzzaruzza its only a habit. From when i was small i travelled to Murica, Canada, Sri Lanka. I got used to ppl looking different, i can walk with Indians, Afroamericans and Chinese ppl and have like zero surprise how they look :D
When you don't like beer drink Kofola and you are fine :D
Excellent advice :))
ow my teef
Or vinea :)
@@katechaste There are many options :)
Or you could choose to not care that some czechs disagree with the liquid of your choosing :D
It warms my heart to hear someone from abroad talking about my country like this. Thank you
It warms my heart to know that it's appreciated! Thank you for watching!
@@skeletonkeysprague21 Czech people they are so nice full of sense of humour, very sociable. .I don't feel any racist since I'm Asian as Filipino.
@@Roy-nd1tp Majority of us are not racist (bad apples are everywhere), we don´t have problems with other people who respect our rules and can integrate to our society. We are racist for those, who see racism everywhere. I heard forexample that ID cards in America are racist XD. So we really don´t care about this people. Also we love dark humour so maybe because of it some people can see as racist and bad people. I am glad that you like us. Greetings from Czech Republic.
@@Roy-nd1tp The Bohemian lands were always multicultural. You had many Germans in Cheb and Plzeň (before they were kicked out); even during the medieval age this was the case. Many Poles can also be found in Bohemia, and many Czech People can speak German, such as Albrecht z Valdštejna for instance. It‘s good to know that the Bohemians are open for every culture.
@@larochejaquelein3680 almost every ;)
Just for the sake of this comment, I was born in Prague - and the thing about our country is that seeing ONLY Prague is in my opinion one of the mistakes people make when they come here. Because even though we're a small country, people throughout our land are very diverse. Nothing against my fellow Prague citizens, but if you go for example to Morava (Moravia), people there are perhaps a 90 degree turn from what you see in here. Also their accent is somewhat different. But generally they are much more "traditional" and warm and welcoming. The peak of Czech culture can be seen much more over there, as they perform traditional celebrations, they even usually wear traditional clothes... Check the edges of Czech Republic, too, it's worth it. And you can go to wine tastings. :) Loved the video. :)
I somewhat agree, living in Brno, when you sit in a cafe/restaurant they immediately come to you, but regarding friendliness and small talk, I'm finding the locals a little bit cold and difficult to befriend.
@@PetarOnRUclips they probably more scared of you than you are of them. Its pretty unusual to befriend strangers randomly. Its not people being cold, they just probably just dont know what to do
I havent seen traditional clothing here in morava for like 20 years but i suppouse it depends where you go, if you seek it you might find it
@@matox01tekk Interesting, I actually have a friend that's from around there and told me they still actually do the traditions :) Yeah, I guess it depends.
Hold on. That can be said about basically any smaller city or village in Czech Republic that is not Prague. Moravia is certainly not the peak of the Czech culture. You are diminishing other parts of the Czech republic, because (for example) western Czech Republic (Chodsko) has its own customs and accent too.
Someone in czechia doesn´t like beer: "Slavic folk music stops"
actually no, folk music is more typical for moravia and those folks are more into wine.
i wonder what "slavic folk" music means for you.... we are not cultists or something lol
@@Dn0s0 As a Moravian with many moravian friends, we are into Slivovice, not wine.
@@sneezy3233 ano, a taky víte jak pokazit vtip co ?
Yeah, I am a Czech and I do not drink alcohol at all. I should get my citizenship revoked ASAP.
This randomely popped up on my feed. Generally I tend to avoid videos about czech people or czech republic from foreigners, but this one was a pleasant surprise. It is so nice, relaxing and was delivered with kindness and a huge portion of tolerance. It was a pleasure to listen to.
I really appreciate that, thank you so much for the feedback :)
Right? This guy is great.
@@teatous7444 It was beautiful walking with you on Vyšehrad which i know-and love I Iam born in Prague and your “diagnosis “ on our way of life is spised with love. Thank you. Enjoy and have a good time in beautiful Prag
Even if you never master the Czech language, we always appreciate the affort that goes into learning it. The different accent and imperfection is going to be loved and not hated, because we see the struggle and determination behind.
I really appreciate the encouragement, thank you!
So true.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 true we do that
Yep! People will giggle and have a bit of fun at the person's expense, that's Czech humor for ya - but behind that there's always so much respect. Czechs are well-aware of just how difficult the language is so even a little eagerness to learn a few words and speak is held in a high regard. Even more so coming from native English or German speaking folks, who often take Czechs generally good proficiency in both languages for granted and don't even bother with a dobry den.
Is that so ? When I tried speaking Czech all I've got was looks of pure horror like I was massacring their language. So I stopped trying.
Czech stock greeting:
Czech A: "Dobrý den!"
Czech B: "Dobrý den!"
American stock greeting:
American A: "Hey, how are you doing?
American B: "I'm doing well. How are you doing?
American A: "Doing goood."
Czech version is shorter and more effective.
I agree totally! Actually some of my English-speaking Czech friends get really impatient with me when I try to open every interaction with the standard American exchange. The Czech way saves time and breath and I've started to realize that I don't miss asking strangers how they're doing dozens of times every day :)
@@skeletonkeysprague21 I don't know about others but I was baffled when I found out the "how are you" exchange is a greeting and NOT an actual question even though it has a structure of a question. Now that I know that I've come to see how odd it sounds in situations when for example a cop in US stops you and would like to say a couple of things to you real quick but is obligated to go through that long greeting process.
@@Greghouse Well, it can be treated purely as a greeting, or as a question that can be answered in as much detail as you want. The choice depends on how well you know the person and how much time you have to talk. It's something that American people learn to calibrate from a very young age, perhaps a bit like the vykat/tykat calibration for Czechs?
I always consider it so fake and dishonest when everyone at the street pretends to be your friend but asks you those questions only because it is considered polite but they actually aren't interested in your reply. It is really weird standard of politeness. Our Etiquette is actually quite complex and many things foreigners often do is considered rude. For example raising hand or shouting to call a waiter in a restaurant. Eye contact should be enough. Also you should pay attention to your surrounding when you travel by public transport. Foreigners like to block doors or passage through vehicle and you have to elbow through them.
@@qwe5qwe566 I have been guilty of a few of these things in the past! Still learning every day. Thanks for the tips :))
Same shock for me when I was in US for the first time... I remember the time in elevator, some guy just told me that phrase - how am I doing... I assumed he really care (like we do in Czech republic), so I started discussion like what I did in the morning, how I miss my girlfriend and this stuff... My colleague just told me, that they expect just to get answer like "good and you?" :D :D. It was quite funny. Btw. I hope you enjoyed our country and nothing bad happened to you :).
Native English speakers are weird, in that some of them really do want to know all of those details and some of them literally don't even expect a response. After years in the US, most Americans just get a "feel" for it. But awkward interactions still happen almost every day. Thanks for your kind thoughts :)
@@skeletonkeysprague21 That's just so dumb, why would you even ask if you don't want to hear it lol
Plus One. I take this as" Dishonest". They really dont care how are you. Its just pretending how "good and nice" I am. Simply you care and ask, or dont care so stf and care about your stuff. Why to pretend something?
@@mach2223 Coz it's the standard polite phrase - one part of a greeting. It can be even more interesting in some other countries. In Barma / Myanmar for example the Burmese language didn't have an equivavalent of Czech "dobry den". They were using a phrase (very funny for a foreigner) "did you already had your rice today?". They had to invent a new phrase suitable for a greeting so they are using "mingalabar" (= be blessed) today when speaking to a foreigner (and to some extent even among local people as this phrase is more and more popular).
From my experience the proper response to 'how are you doing' in the US is 'great'. They sure don't want to hear that it's your bad hair day. 😁
I find the Czechs a fascinating people. I've been to Prague many times. Every time I arrive I always find that distance, but by the time I leave I find them to be some of the most interesting people I've met. It helps that I go there to watch puppet shows. And if you want to get inside of the Czechs you could do much worse than go to the absurd puppet shows of Buchty a loutky (Cakes and Puppets) at the Švandovo divadlo or watch a crazy puppet film by Jan Švankmajer. I find that the Czechs have perhaps the most developed sense of black humor of any people I've ever met. And once you've figured that out it opens a lot of doors. Also I find that Czech sounds conspiratorial in its tone. Every language has a color and a rhythm. And the Czech language sounds to me like the language of people who have whispering dark jokes about their masters for years. (And yes I know the history.) American English on the other hand is the exact opposite. It is completely open. We speak strongly, confidently, too loudly, stupidly sometimes, for everyone to hear. Whereas the Czechs are best understood talking in low sarcastic tones and laughing about the Germans, Russians, Austrians, Poles, Americans, etc.
These are incredibly insightful observations, and I agree completely. What you say about Czech humor and language is something I have noticed myself many times, but never been able to articulate so clearly. Thank you!
@@skeletonkeysprague21 In Czech is a sentence: Black humour is like legs - someone has it and someone not. Realy dark and black humour is an essence we are living from. It helps us overcome anything in almost every situation, you could find it in floods or with tornado also.
One of the very first jokes with floods was: I am selling a cottage. It has floating floor, water bad, hot and cold water. Possible to see at 12 hours in Tábor, 13 hours in Týn nad Vltavou, 14 hours by Orlik dam...
It is pure Czech. It helps us even to stand our politics we hope now we finaly get rid of them.
@@drakulkacz6489 What about the tornado in South Moravia? A day after the catastrophe I have seen the joke:
A: Hey, how are you doin?
B: Oh, well enough, at least we have roof over our heads.
A: Yeah, I know, I have seen it flying around.
The blackest raw humour seen on main, the thing that helps Czechs through terrible situations.
@@lenkapetrekova6220 That's perfect! 😁
Did you see Rocky by Buchty and Loutky ? :) If not, you should ....
There is a pretty simple reason, why there is almost no diversity in the Czech republic in general or in any other Eastern European countries. We never had any ties with Africa, or any other distant foreign countries. We have never colonized or enslaved anyone. Nobody speaks our language. Clashes and wars we had in the past were pretty much only with our neighbours. Also, the Iron Curtain has been doing it's thing for decades. Therefore, we just feel that Africans don't really belong here (but don't confuse it with racism please...). There is a big community of Vietnamese people though, one of the largest in Europe. And I have never heard of anyone having a problem with them. They are usually nice people just minding their business. Also, we have a lot of people from Eastern Europe here. You just won't be able to recognize them :) And the rest - I think you pretty much nailed everything.
Můžu se jen zeptat, co Není Vpořádku?
@@respectmahauthoritah4918 Uživatelské jméno. Když jsem zakládal tento účet a zkoušel různý jména, správce je stále odmítal přijmout s odůvodněním, že "uživatelské jméno není v pořádku". Nakonec mi došla trpělivost a zkopíroval jsem tedy tu hlášku, která nakonec prošla :) Ale už jsou to léta, možná se to od té doby změnilo.
@@Antierd haha to je dobrý
And also please don't forget another reasons for our ethnic homogenity - the Holocaust and the Expulsion of Czech Germans..
Most Vietnamese in Czech came from northern Vietnam, the communist part. But more Southern Vietnamese are residing in the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, France etc.
If you ask a stranger in Czech republic how is he doing it would be considered as a rude and invasive personal question. Not a greeting :)
I have learned this the hard way a couple of times 😂
@@skeletonkeysprague21 Not sure if this was mentioned anywhere.... But I suspect it has also strong roots in soviet occupation era, where everyone was potential informant. Even members of your own family or VERY close friends could be ratting on you, so people are suspicious by default.
Currently people you are talking to (born in 90's) inherited this "fear" from their own parents.
Yeah, it's considered as invasion of privacy... And reason is language again. In engl. It sounds natural and fine... In Czech, natural response to how are you doing is automatically... Why do you care? 😀😀
I watch a lot of culture shocked Americans on RUclips. This reaction to American small-talk is very common in Europe (Germany, Iceland, Finland etc.)
@@hominidan yes but you dont come up on a random guy in Lidl and ask how hes doing.
As a czech person-I felt you when you talked about the closedmindedness. I am still getting pretty hard time for being an abstinent. My interpretation is that so many people just made the beer, the food and football their own identity and feel personaly attacked when you don’t share their passions.
It's pretty human to build an identity around things like that and to be threatened when someone doesn't share those affinities. I take it for what it is and just try to make connections anyway.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 You know, that was actually one of very few things I did not agree with you. As a czech, I don't like beer, pubs are not my thing either, I literally hate fotbal ... and list goes on ... and I am perfectly fine. I don't feel distance and I don't feel being judged. Of course, sometimes, but you can say that about pretty much anything.
In fact, most people I know has similar attitude as I do - do whatever you want, eat (or don't) whatever you want, believe (or don't) in *put any diety here and we are fine. As long as you won't force me to share your point of view. Yes, in such case, we can become hostile pretty quickly. As I like to say: don't make me believe in your god, I will not deny him. This is my way of thinking and according to my experience, it is common here.
@@OslikusPrime *slavic music stops*
So so true. If you don't drink with them you are not good. Or agree with them.
Im an abstinent too. I hate beer. I dont go to pubs. Hate football and hockey. Cant stand pork. And im perfectly fine. People around me never tried to force me into any of those things - i jist eat my chicken and drink some water and were good. Its about the social cicles you are in. Me and my bf are both university students, my friends are or were too. Find a thing you share with them and play it on that side.
Exactly my point we might seem cold and distant but we are just not overly dramatic and fake in way. With us what you see is pretty much what you get. Czech people are warm just not immediately.
Been here five years. Show me where is the warm people
@@MTT365 been here for 19. I know plenty xD you just kinda need to integrate yourself and not be overly obnoxious. Go to pubs, start doing a social sport. Youll see many cheerfull and warm people
@@MTT365 If everybody seems cold to you maybe it's not them, lol.
Hi, Brendan,
Sir Mac here, the local.
I was thinking and wondering about the name of your channel "Skeleton keys"... It is inspired / taken from the game "Grim Dawn", where you craft or obtain the Skeleton key to enter very special and very dangerous locations... Am I correct?
1) Dobrý den thing - totally true. And while in US, the question "How are you?" is almost mandatory starter of the conversation, if in the Czech republic someone asks you "Jak se máš / máte?" he / she wants to really know! So you can tell him / her that you didn't sleep in the night because of your neighbours ...
2) Customer services - Brendan, you made me almost cry on this, because you are the first expat, who appreciates the "resistant approach" of the customer services...
3) Totally true about the Soviet occupation thing... Don't forget there are two universal tongues - music and food :) Those help make you friends...
4) The laughing thing - We are not laughing AT you, we are laughing WITH you...
5) OK, you don't like beer, you don't like sausages... What do you like then? :) Smažený sýr? Lední hokej? And the beer thing - you don't like all kinds of beer? I pretty much doubt it.
6)a) The different colour of skin and other "sensitive" topics - I would say there will be always a different opinions among the Americans and the Czechs about "BLM / MeToo / Racism / Political Corectness"... My personal perspective is that we never had those troubles, or if we did, it never was that huge topic like in the US. And in the US, you cope with it in some way. OK. But it is cultural, historical thing and it can't be spread all over the world the "american way". Those are definitely huge topics to be discussed in many videos for hours ... Because I believe both nations (CZECHS / AMERICANS) are going the right way from the very opposite directions..
6)b) Our minorities are not the black people, but Roma, Vietnamese, Slovak and Ukrainian ones... And with the black people, which are the residents here, we don't have any trouble with them, if they don't make any troubles... Everything is about BALANCE, RESPECT and some sort of RESILIENCE :) The dog fawns with his tail, it isn't the tail fawning the dog. Minorities will be fully respected until they won't try to constantly damage the majority. But as I said earlier, this is a topic for a deep talk.
7) You are right, you probably will always be in a "foreigner category", but that doesn't mean you will not be or you are not already in someone's heart the most important one. Many Czechs will judge you by who you are. If you are good person. Point.
If you know about the dividing people into two groups, the "peaches" and the "coconuts", the Czechs are definitely the coconuts.
8) The czech language... Huuh... I will try to describe it to you so you can see the logic "behind"... English is simple, straightforward language, where no declensions take place. So you have the "SWOMPT" word order. But czech has the declensions, which is some sort of tax / possibility to play with the word order as with some sort of brick-box for the kids. "S" can be almost anywhere it wants to be placed. The same goes with W-O-M-P-T. And the word endings are the way how to separate subject from object or another words... Imagine the hair-dryer. it is like 1st case of any word. And imagine all the addons, you can add to hair dryer to the end, so it makes different creations with your hair. And from 2nd to 7th case of the word, they are like the hair-dryer addons, serving to different purposes. It is the same with the declensions. They are specific addons for specific purpose, for specific usage...
The variable word order also helps to emphasize, what you want to be emphasized. And yeah, czech language is very variable with immense word vocabulary... A tons of diminutives... english hasn't that much diminutives... spanish has more, but the czech has immense ammount of diminutives.
9) Till the day before yesterday, I thought we are country without tornados. But it came tornado of the EF4 level... Huh... Very alien, almost very american... But I realized one thing, czech houses are built from firmer materials - bricks, stones, panels... Not like in the US, where the dominant is plaster and wood.
10) If you have any questions, you can find me on Facebook under the name "Ondřej Voců"...
Hi Mac (Ondřej?),
I've actually never heard of Grim Dawn, but the concept is similar. A skeleton is a key that has been modified so that it can open a wide range of locks. I've always liked the symbolism of this idea, and it seemed appropriate for a travel/expat channel centered on Prague, so I stuck with it.
I mentioned somewhere else that some of my Czech friends get impatient with me asking them how they are all the time, lol. I guess Czech people aren't used to this, but I really mean it sincerely.
The customer service thing is great until you really need help ASAP. Then it can be a bit frustrating :)
You're absolutely right about music and food, especially music. I'm a musician (it's actually my main occupation and I have another channel for music stuff), and it has opened so many doors for me here. Talk about a "skeleton key"...
I actually do enjoy some sour beers, but I don't drink much in general and when I do, I tend to prefer distilled spirits and cocktails. Beer makes me feel sluggish and full, which is the opposite of what I want when I'm trying to party :-D
And when it comes to food, I'm a weirdo and a health nut, so most of the Czech cuisine is out of the question, lol. But I do really enjoy a good svičkova or gulaš on a cold winter night. I also love the traditional beef liver dumpling soup (I don't remember the Czech name for it). I've just never liked pork, even bacon, since I was a little kid. Americans also love their sausage and beer, so I'm a weirdo back home too. 😂
Thanks for your thoughts on minorities in ČR. It's a complicated issue and very different from the issues that the USA faces. I'm learning that I have a lot to learn about the topic :)
Huh, maybe I brought the tornadoes from the US...Colorado is right next to Kansas, tornado capital of America. But you're right about Czech houses, they feel sturdy and permanent, whereas American houses feel like they could collapse with the next strong breeze.
I'll look you up on Facebook! Thanks for contributing so much to the discussion. Cheers.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 OK, I will wait to your reaction on Facebook patiently... :)
You are a musician? Which instrument? I used to play the piano and attended small choir for 12 years... By the way, we have something, what you can't find anywhere in the world -
1) ZUŠ - abbreviation for "Základní umělecká škola" (lit. Elementary artistic school), which is usually private (paid) institution for kids, where they can learn how to play various musical instrument, they can learn to draw, dance, sculpture ...
2) Taneční - "Dancing" (dancing classes), like with the ZUŠ, it is private, paid, but the young adults 15 to 20 attend this course to get very basics in dancing and "interacting with the opposite sex".
beef liver dumpling soup - hovězí polévka s játrovými knedlíčky.
And back to the music topic - I think some czech covers of american songs are better. In the terms of the quality of the singing or the lyrics ... :)
@@skeletonkeysprague21 I can agree with Sir Mac. I just add something:
1) We are like coconuts - that´s truth. Imagine living in times when anybody - even people you think you know - is a secret agent that can order your death. Yes, I am exaggerating just because you could understand it. It was during the war and later during the communist times. Before you open up to someone you had to know that it is safe. This is deep in our roots now - not so much with young people but still. In socialism we had to learn how to read between lines - methaphoricaly and literaly. So many directors made feirytales where they could express their ideas - there is sometimes more for adults than for children. That´s why are Czech people able to watch the fairytale just for fun because there is plenty of humour and wisdom in it. It is very characteristic here. And you can find that we extremely use lines from movies and fairytale - but different kind comparing to Americans. And lines from Czech movies because we know their truth meaning and has the connection. If you want to go deeper into our culture, that is the way. Or start with Švejk.
2) If you ask "How are you", it means that you realy want to know it - and it is common among friends and so on. And after that you will hear any of his/her problems. So if we answer the way it is common here, average American will be taken aback. And because most of the Czech people already know it, if you ask that nowadays, they will be taken aback considering what they ought to answer you - the truth or just "Thanks, I am fine"? That´s why you can almost see the gear in their head turning. :D
3) According to some minorities - we don´t have any problems with people if they are not making problems. We are able to live with a girafe when it acts ok, doesn´t steel our possetion, let us sleep and will be working to maintain itself. See the Vietnamies - they work more than Czech and they have their closed community just to keep their own culture because here is not problem to blend with ours. There is a lot of people from Ukraine and Russia here - but you probably are not yet able to separate them from Czech - a lot of American even don´t recognaze the difference of the language (You probably can because you are learning Czech).
4) I don´t know if you know - there is DreamPrague RUclips channel - the lady is living in Prague teaching English and she also likes that the waitress doesn´t ask her every minute what she wants. And if you find Tady Gavin, it is an American boy with Czech roots (his grandparent came from here), he is learning Czech for a few years nows. He still lives in the USA.
2) Customer services - Brendan, you made me almost cry on this, because you are the first expat, who appreciates the "resistant approach" of the customer services...
I would agree on this :D this is what most irritates me in Czech :D
16:45 we actually tend to do "oči pičo" which i wouldnt recommend in a formal situation ofc, but once its with close friends it makes the whole act more fun I'd say.
This was one of the first phrases that I learned, on my first night in Prague :)
As a Moravian I've never heard this expression :)
@@slouberiee I live near Brno and hear this all the time :D
I was born in Ostrava and I heard this phrase for the first time when I was 27.
Works well with Police and any government official Who is wasting your time
When you’re a foreigner in CZ and know exactly where he’s walking about.
*insert leonardo di caprio pointing meme*
:-DD
Di caprio is here but not pointing
Nice video. You seem like a nice and genuine person :) I think it's true that Czech people may seem cold and rude at first, while, in fact, they're rather friendly and warm. However, dispite popular belief I don't think that it has as much to do with the four socialist/communist decades in the 20th century. According to my experience, it's rather a Central European "thing". Austrians, for example, spent the second half of the 20th century quite differently, yet somehow they're pretty much the same in this aspect. Despite being a West Slavic nation, Czechs share some of these characteristics with Austrians and Germans, at least in my opinion. I love Vienna, but if someone finds Prague residents cold at first, he might actually find them friendlier after visiting Vienna :D As for "racism" etc.: I understand that from an American (or let's say, London or Paris) perspective, Prague might seem like a much less multicultural city. However, there're tons of Asian (Vietnamese) people living in Prague and in the Czech Republic in general, for example. In fact, as far as I know, Czech Republic has the biggest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam. Also, there're hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, living and working in Czechia. They started as cheap labor workers from the East initially (Czech Republic has approx. three or four times higher GDP per capita than Ukraine), but many of them have gradually learnt the Czech language and found better jobs and opportunities for themselves. So basically, in many aspects the Czech Republic already IS multicultural, only its multiculturalism is different than in the U. S. (or in Great Britain, for instance) because of different history etc. I think this is something that these countries simply don't understand and sometimes it almost feels like they're pushing their opinions upon others. Of course, there're some true racists in every country, including Czechia. But let's be honest, many social problems and racial issues in the U. S. are so heavily covered by political correctness that they can't be discussed openly. It seems to me that we're living in an extremely divided age, almost as if the American/British two party system somehow became a new norm for every other aspect of life. Either we are far-right racists and bigots OR one of those hysterically liberal/multicultural creatures, refusing to see the reality (such as the muslim and African ghettos in cities like London and Paris, existing totally separately from the mainstream society etc.). I honestly believe that some modest "Central European approach" could be very helpful :)
Very interesting points about the central European culture/personality. I haven't spent much time in Germany or Austria, so I assumed it was a uniquely Czech thing. And to be clear, I haven't really found Czech people to be anything other than friendly and approachable. In this video I'm just addressing a stereotype that definitely exists among English-speaking expats in Prague.
Regarding my comments about racism, I probably should have been a bit more nuanced in my language. I actually agree with everything you said. The American political spectrum is far too divided and both sides miss the nuanced and complex reality in between. And you are correct about the fact that political correctness in the US prevents many issues from being properly discussed. All that I really meant to say was that coming from America, it's a bit strange to see so few black people living in Prague. No doubt there are valid reasons for that that I simply don't understand. It doesn't mean that Czech people are necessarily racist. It's just something that I've noticed.
And the Roma/gypsy topic is something I ought not to have touched at all. It's a situation I don't fully understand and I'm not qualified to say anything about it. But all I really meant to say is that coming from that environment of extreme political correctness in the USA, it's a bit of a culture shock for me to hear the way some Czech people talk about Gypsies. It's just something that I'm not used to. Whether they are right or wrong is not for me to say.
Agree. I'm Dutch and I think the Czech way seems to be a lot like the Dutch way. Also heard a lot of the same stereotypes about the Dutch. I imagine it's some kind of common cultural background (protestantism?) We just don't want to interfere.
(Some day to say these things!!)
@@skeletonkeysprague21 Thank you for your reply. I absolutely didn't mean to write that you said anything wrong. On contrary, you were very polite! :) I was just mentioning some general American/Canadian/British views, which have obviously much to do with British colonial history etc. As for the "Central European rudeness", here's one of the videos about Austrians: ruclips.net/video/cgIZnM-lVW8/видео.html And I really do like Austrians, in fact, part of my family is Austrian/Bavarian (there're also many videos and articles about "German rudeness" out there). It's just that you almost never find the same level of politeness here as in the U. S. However, most people are warm and friendly and in a way much less superficial, which is definitely a good thing in the long-term sense :)
@@ivogianfranco1633 I totally agree that the politeness of Czech people is much deeper and more genuine. There's a lot of fake politeness in America and it's very alienating and confusing to grow up in that environment.
I'll check out that video, thanks :)
@@leunisvandewege9651 Dutch people are great! Groeten aan Nederland :)
Being a Czech living abroad for a very long time, this was very interesting to me. I feel you have a good understanding of your situation which is key to making some worthwhile connections.
In terms of language barriers, Czech is no picnic, but once you figure out that the 1600th century Czech you learn is not the 2021 language you hear people speaking, you will be fine. The good news, modern Czech is simpler. The bad news is, there are no text-books for it.
I find the apparent bigotry in terms of race is 'inherited' by many, but felt only by few. People just don't really spend much time and energy thinking about that. Hopefully that will change.
The Roma situation as as simple as peace in the middle east. There are no good guys there at this point. I don't know. Good luck.
Thank you! I've been learning Czech mostly from my Czech friends, so I understand what you mean. I've already had the awkward experience of saying something "textbook-correct" in an informal situation and having everyone stare at me like I just stepped out of the 17th century, lol.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments about the Roma situation. I'm quickly learning that I should not bring up this topic in videos or in conversation with Czech people. It's a sensitive issue that I frankly don't understand well enough to speak intelligently about. I appreciate your patience :)
Titi fatal - on the spot!!! 👍👍👍
One of the best comments under this video that perfectly reflects my thoughts as well.
What an amazing video! The way you are so observant about Czechs and presenting your thoughts so kindly almost brought me to tears. I think that’s because of how small our country is, we really are not used to foreigners particularly care about our nation. But that could be just my personal experience. Oh and if you speak Czech to us, it is highly appreciated and yes, I too would probably laugh if you messed up some words, but it would not be in a mean way, more like “that sounded funny but omg, what an awesome thing for you to try to speak our hard language” and I would be SO delighted to hear you speak anything, as I am sure anyone else would! Anyway thank you very much for this wonderful video, you seem like such a great guy and I’ll definitely watch more! I hope you find living here as great as possible 🙂
This was so helpful for us to understand your experiences living there during the past year!! You have such an articulate way of expressing your ideas in a thoughtful and intelligent way.
Hi Brendan!
Thank you so much for your video. As a Czech woman married to a Canadian and currently living in Canada, I've experienced a great deal of culture shocks you've mentioned here, just from the opposite perspective. I still get slightly annoyed when random people ask me how it's going and my husband likes to make fun of me for it.
Growing up, I would always get a little sad coming back home from holidays abroad, as I would miss the "warmth" from strangers. However, living in North America, I can't help but notice how superficial this warmth is. Being used to "coldness", I get excited for a second that the person I'm talking to cares, however I quickly realize that that's often not the case and it almost makes me feel worse. Living abroad makes me appreciate what I've "lost" and I wish Czech people could see things in a different light sometimes and weren't so critical of themselves / their countrymen. There are things we as a nation need to work on, but every nation has its quirks and it doesn't make them better or worse, just different.
I think your observations are on point. Czech people are also very blunt, which is what my husband struggles with a little bit whenever we're in Prague. Whenever he's offered something, he likes to say "I'm good, thanks" and I've had to "translate" for him multiple times as people don't understand it means "no". He's getting better at just saying no nowadays though. ;)
I hope you don't give up and keep trying to connect with Czechs. They're complicated but generally good people. Also, I wish you can one day overcome the feeling of being an outsider. That is my one fear for my husband (we're considering moving back) but I'm sure if you're open and understanding, people will accept you as one of them eventually :)
Your description of the false American "warmness" is spot on. It can be a very alienating place to live for that reason, especially for open and empathetic people who genuinely love to share and connect with other people. However, after a lifetime of living in the US I gradually learned to calibrate my responses to the stock greetings and interactions, using my intuition to feel out who was sincere and who wasn't. It requires a whole different dimension of social awareness that other languages maybe don't demand, because they more clearly and firmly distinguish between cold, impersonal politeness and genuine, friendly warmth and curiosity.
"I'm good, thanks" is the most confusing way to say "no" imaginable, but everyone in America does it. My dad sort of trained this out of me, because he thought it was funny to respond with, "I know you're good, but do you want ________?"
I'll never give up as long as I'm living here. The language barrier has proven to be a difficult obstacle in some situations, but even through that I've managed to feel accepted and supported here. Thanks for your thoughts :)
Totally agree with you. Though, living in the UK for 23 years, having UK passport, I still feel I am not really british at all. The superficiality is not as bad here as in the US, but, I still can't read people here if their frienldiness is meant or just social play. I much prefer the Czechs. They are straightforward, but you know exactly what they think of you, no game. I also miss so much the little Czech words or sayings that don't exist in English. It makes the convesations so much richer, depper and funnier.
I think that czechs care more about inviduals than groups. And bevause of this they are able say ugly things about group but have very good friends in that same group. But of course there are also meh people. Every czech person has ritual of accepting strangers and if you are able to make it you are in with full friendness.
That's an interesting point. One valid criticism of the modern American worldview is that it is too focused on group identity at the expense of individual identity. And I agree completely that if you make it past a Czech person's initial barriers, you are welcomed with open arms.
Got to this video through recommended love it. Especially how you point out our culture and mentality, and especially our close-minded mindset. Many people outright judge us as xenophobic racists, but you went deeper especially into history. I do not think you will have problems with integration, especially in Prague where are people more open-minded and used to foreigners.
I would just like to explain why we are so distrustful of Romani. The thing is that they are as a minority in Europe since 14th century and they were never integrated into society. This was either because of their nomadic lifestyle or racism from Europeans. Throughout history, they were enslaved or attempted to be assimilated by monarchies, but because of that and their nomadic lifestyle, they became isolated from the general population. But most cruel was the 21st century. Nazi regime sought to exterminate them as a whole and later communist regime resorted to forced sterilization and most importantly forced assimilation into cities. Through their communities, they kept their culture, but as a result, did not adapt to modern systems and standards which were most of the history against them. Romani families have the reputation of thieves, burglars, drug users and pimps. The worst thing is that this mostly comes from personal experience.
Comparing them to African Americans is not equal, because their history just is not the same by far. I am not teasing you for this by any means, I just want you to understand.
Thank you for an intelligent and thoughtful response. It definitely helps me understand the situation better. I appreciate you taking the time to patiently explain instead of reacting negatively. Cheers and thanks for commenting :)
I think it would be good to mention that BECAUSE it comes to Czech people from personal experience, that they do not mind black people, as fat as I have seen.
Glad to see, that you are loving your Czech journey :) Politeness and my insights on this very interesting topic? All the English speaking countries = You have to be polite to everybody in any situation regardless if you like the people or not. It's like a blueprint for any kind of social interaction. Also saying "How are you" literally means a way to say HI. But for Czech people "How are you" LITERALLY means, that they want to know, how are you doing and they will ask this ONLY a person they are really close with! So you need to understand, that there is a certain structure in Czech social interactions before diving into how are you's.. First of all, in Czech environment, you are not obligated to be super friendly and over polite with everybody. If you don't like somebody, or for whatever reason don't want to be close with them, it's ok to show it by ignorance. For us, it is NOT RUDE, it is HONEST and STRAIGHTFORWARD. That's how you let them know, you won't be friends. Pretended politeness in not welcomed and viewed like cringe fake thing. Then with people you actually really like and they like you, you start developing honest polite kind relationship and you can start with how are yous (and then listen to that 1 hour story of theirs, because you asked them how are they, because you want to know, because you like them, because you care for them). So it is like a natural selection. You avoid people, that you don't vibe with and you develop very deep relationships with people who are your cup of tea :) That is Czech social interactions in a nushell. I am pretty sure after you'll dive deeper into this, you'll fall in love with how deep, loving and truly caring relationships you can have with Czech people when the fake politeness is put aside, where it belongs. I won't even be surprised if you dump your US passport and stay with us forever :D All the best ;-)
I am Czech living in the UK last 15 years. It was rather fun watch this video. Pretty spot on observation. Well done.
Glad to hear you liked it!
@@skeletonkeysprague21 absolutely. Enjoy the stay. I miss my home time a lot, but I found a new home here in UK.
I admire people like you. People who experience that cultural shock and still keep fighting that unbreakable barrier of foreign language, culture,.. I dont think I could handle that. Greetings from Slovakia (brothers of Czech).
The video was so moving that I couldn't help myself but cry... it was describing the Czech nation very clearly, fairly and truly. Thanks for such a moving video, indeed.
(Czech here) - what others consider "Czech politeness" can actually turn into ignoring or straight up passive hostility and, in my opinion, sometimes our country could use some of "sticking nose into other people's lives" attitude - for example when you're clearly in distress in public (troubles with buying tickets, lost someone in the crowd, etc etc), usually (at least in Prague) nobody will approach you to ask if you need help and you're left to run around and ask for help people who clearly don't want to have anything in common with you.
Based!
I don't have this experience in Czechia. Though when I asked a stranger standing next to me in New York City where is XY street, he uttered "Don't know" and gave me a very disgusted look :-D Czechs are just generally more introverted, that's all. In reality we are very polite - greeting when entering and exiting a shop, making room for old/pregnant on public transport, not shouting on public transport... If you ask someone for help in 9 cases of 10 they will help you. You just need to make the move first and be polite as well.
I live in Prague all my life (70+). I have a quite different experience. I am always willing to help, to Czechs or foreigners, it does´nt matter. But often before I manage to interfere, there is anohter Czech offering his help. The foreigners seem to underestimate us - they are usually quite surprised, if you offer your help. Sort of suspicious, as I see it.
Well, I once bought older German couple tickets (for a metro) because they came up straight from Airport without having any Czech Crowns. I directed many tourists or Czechs that asked for a street or such. Trying to blame uniquely Czechs for a common social phenomena (bystander effect) sounds super evil to me. Pls no selfhate.
Czech people sound like my kind of people! 🙌 I have always wanted to go there and now I’m even more drawn to it. Thank you for making this video!
♥♥♥ omg you're such a nice person, thank you for sharing this video. I completely agree with you! I'm Czech and I lived in Japan for studying for a while and I couldn't agree more. Sadly, Czech people IN GENERAL, my friends included, are just sooo close minded. They just think that one way is accurate and when you introduce different ways of view, they laugh at you and just bombard you with their one way of looking at things. And you're the wierd one. Your observations are spot on. :) ♥
Wow! I am impressed! Being from Czechia and living most of my life abroad, I really appreciate that someone can grasp on the essence of the country so accurately and so nicely. Thank you for that!
Hey there! I'm an African American living in the Czech Republic. I've been here since the summer of 2007. There are a handful of blacks here, but mostly from different parts of Africa and Latin countries. When I first arrived I had dreadlocks and boy, talk about staring and looks! I've lived in 3 different cities (Prague, Ostrava, Karlovy Vary) and boy, do I have stories. Let me know if you'd like to connect and hear some.
I don't know about Brendan, but I would be really interested.
@@vulgoalias4050 you can email me at tpolk2ndact@gmail.com
Would like to hear more
Man, you are so spot on. Been learning and speaking Czech as a British man for over 15 years. So much of what you say resonates. Subscribed.
So glad to hear it, thanks man!
From those few Czech words, you said during the video it seems your pronunciation is actually pretty good.
Oh, and by the way, I'm impressed how accurate and to the point your observations are. Like all of them... An amazing job for the guy who says he hasn't met a lot of people so far due to covid lockdowns :))
Thank you very much, I appreciate it :)
My thoughts exactly.
This was probably the nicest description of Czechs I've ever seen ;-) And with a heavy heart, I have to admit that the "close mindedness" part was also true, maybe not so much in terms of beer and sausages, but in general, yeah... Hopefully, as I see it, it's getting better and better!
Hello :)
I got here through the recommended section, and I have to say I really loved your video.
I'm Slovakian, but I've been living in the Czech Republic for almost 7 years now and considering the relationship between our countries, I am not really seen as a foreigner, so I'm speaking more from the local point of view (many things you mentioned more or less match Slovak people, since we share a lot of history).
I have to say Czech people are a little bit more close-minded, even compared to Slovaks. But then again, I wouldn't say they are generally racist or hostile. It's just like you said - our parents and grandparents never really had the chance to interact with foreigners, maybe the other Slavic nations which are often of very similar mindset and with similar culture. In my opinion, you can see that this is one of the main reasons for this when you compare the attitude of younger and older people. My generation and all the other generations born after the Velvet Revolution have grown up in a very different environment than our fathers and grandfathers. We've been taught English or German (but mostly english) since the very young age of 6-7, often even earlier. Unlike our parents, we've had access to foreign movies, cartoons, music and other things basically since birth. We are free to travel all over Europe without the need to even show our ID and we can easily get to the rest of the world (if we have the funds that is 😅). Not to mention student exchange programs etc. We've also had access to internet since fairly young age and we had been there and active during the rise of social media, which had opened milliosns of new possibilities.
Our parents and their parents have never had the chance to do any of those things. They've been taught censored, propagandist lie presented to them as history. They could get imprisoned and sometimes unfortunately killed if they tried to travel anywhere else than Russia or ex Yugoslavia (and needed a special permit for that too). After 1989 everything changed very quickly and I imagine it must've been very hard to learn how to live in the new world, especially for people who were in their 40s and above at the time. That's why czechs come off as cold or racist. We don't stare, we are curious. We're not racist or hostile (mostly), we're wondering about people, where they came from and why (again, not in a hostile way) and most of the time we' re excited that someone wants to vidíte our country. Older people might be scared, since even though they'd learnt to live in the new culture, they've had propaganda hammered into them since birth, always saying foreigners are big bad and out to kill and exterminate us. So even if they consciously don't believe it, it's still rooted deep in them.
Younger people are much more open due to the reasons I mentioned above, and me personally, i always try to be extra nice to black people and other foreigners, since I understand that our culture(s) are very different and it can be hard to navigate and understand. Hopefully that makes their experience and life here a little better.
Thank you again for this great video and for your unbiased point of view, I appreciate that you acknowledged the good and the bad in our culture. And let's be honest, no nation is perfect, we all have some good and bad traits, and every individual is different in one way or another. I hope you'll continue to have a great experience here! :)
P.S. don't worry about beer. As an Eastern Slovak I very much prefer spirits and liquor, but I've learnt to appreciate beer since living here. I know Czech people that hate beer. And yes they really exist, just no one talks about them q😁
I am czech and I like listen to foreigners talking about czech people and mentality and habits :D
I am just 25, so I am not really representative of normal czech guy with belly who likes beer, football and sausages (I really dont and I dont even like people who like these things, cause would say they are primitive) but we got that cynical quirky humor.
Asking us how we are doin feel invative - like why do you care? You want to hear "good" to be sure that everything is cool or do you want to start bigger conversation or wanna know something about me? Why you think I wanna you about myself with you? Why I even need to think about this sh*t? :D U got me know!
And for me - hearing foraigne speaking czech is funny in a positive way. I truly like to hear it.
This was great! Please make more of these :)
Thank you so much! I'm working on another one right now, stay tuned :)
As a Czech living in the US. You’re right about people not trying to be rude it’s just different culture as far as treating strangers. Czech people are some of the most hospitable and generous once you get to know someone, especially if you get few drinks with them 😅
It is very interesting to hear what someone from abroad thinks about us. When I lived in the UK, I couldn't get used to having everyone ask you ,, how are you´´. :-) thank you for this nice video.
Thank you!
By the way. You are an excellent speaker. It's joy listening to you.
Overall, I think your observations are spot on! The only thing I wish that foreigners stopped call themselves "expats". When you move to the USA from any country, you are an "immigrant". But if you move FROM US (or UK for that matter), to Prague, you're all of the sudden an "expat".
No. You're an immigrant.
If only the people moving from the east to the west are called immigrants, it puts a negative connotation to the meaning of that word. And vice versa.
I actually agree with you completely, but I use the word "expat" so that people searching for this keyword will find my videos, simple as that. Totally agree that it's a dumb word and a dumb semantic distinction between white, wealthy "expats" and brown, poorer "immigrants."
@@skeletonkeysprague21 I understand your reasoning. Nobody is searching for immigrants in Prague. 😂
I also didn't mean it against you personally. It's just something that irks me. See, I live in the USA since 1999 and even though I'm US citizen, I'm still an immigrant.
I can see we are thinking very similarly. I really like your channel, because even though you lived in ČR relatively short time, your observations and judgment are more precise than some other youytubers who lived there much longer.
BTW, I was quite surprised by your czech pronunciation. In such a short time, it's truly an achievement.
And I can relate, because when I moved here to the US, I knew very, VERY little English.
I wish you luck and have fun in my old country and I hope you won't get disillusioned like I have. 😉
An honest and fair assessment. I have been to Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia (post 1993). The Moravian Czechs are a little more curious about strangers and the Slovaks even more so. They are all hospitable, intelligent and elegant. As an example, I was on a concert tour in Slovakia and my bandmates pointed out some guys at an outdoor cafe and said they looked threatening. I said, let's meet them first, you never know. Turned out these guys spoke elegant Slovak and were personable and witty. You are spot on about the Czech humor being very dry and offbeat. Thanks for an excellent video.
I have been recommended your channel by RUclips, and I am glad to have clicked on the video. It's intriguing to hear what foreigners think of us, and what you have said made a lot of sense.
As per the lack of black people, as others have brought up, the minorities in the Czech Republic generally come from different countries: Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Vietnam. Hence, just like you, they often, with the exception of Vietnamese, "look like us" even though they are immigrants. The simple reason for why there are so few black people is that a) unlike Great Britain, France, Belgium, and other western countries, we have never had colonies in Africa (nor anywhere else), and b) unlike the US, we have no experience with black slavery.
For these reasons, the sensibilities concerning minorities are fairly different to those in the US, too. We do not have the same experience with systematic oppression of ethnic minorities like the US. Strangely enough, one of the minorities which were treated the worst by Czechs were the Germans in the aftermath of WWII and that was more of a one-off thing rather than a long-lasting process.
By the way, it makes me a little sad that you feel you may be always stuck in the foreigner category, no matter how long you live here. I used to live abroad some time ago, and one of the things I appreciated the most about my adoptive homeland was that it made me feel like a local, not like an outsider. I hope you may feel adopted one day by us, too.
That's very interesting, thank you for filling in some gaps in my knowledge about the history of minorities in the Czech Republic. I figured there must be a logical reason for the overwhelming "whiteness" of the Czech population, and you've explained it quite well. Strange to hear that there was such conflict between Germans and Czechs at one time, but I guess that goes to show that skin color is not always the most important factor.
I think one day I will feel more like an adopted citizen, if I stay long enough, but I imagine that will take many years and a much deeper knowledge of Czech culture, history, and language. I already feel quite comfortable here, but I wouldn't presume to call myself anything but a foreigner/outsider until I've proved that I can learn the language, at a minimum. In any case thank you for the kind wishes :)
@@skeletonkeysprague21 The reason for the conflict between Czech and Germans was fairly understandable: Germany, under the Nazi leadership, effectively occupied Czechoslovakia between 1938 and 1945, starting with the the German annexation of the Sudetenland (the border regions) in 1938 and continuing with the full-blown invasion of the country in 1939, resulting in the formation of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. The Czechs resisted the German occupation - the most notable act of resistance was the Operation Anthopoid, during which Reinhard Heydrich, the German Protector of Bohemia and Moravia and the man behind the plans for the "Final Solution to the Jewish Question", was assassinated by Czechoslovak soldiers in 1942. (In the aftermath, two Czech towns, Lidice and Ležáky, were razed by Nazis, and all men in Lidice and all men and women in Ležáky were murdered.)
Hence, when the war ended in 1945, there was a strong anti-German sentiment in Czechoslovakia, which gave the Government power to enact laws (called the Beneš decrees). These laws led to the deportation of 2.5 million (!) ethnic Germans from Czechoslovakia. Many of those expelled had settled in the country long before the war. Many lost their property in Czechoslovakia and their citizenship was revoked. Some (approximately 20-30k) died during the expulsion due to violence and brutality perpetuated by mobs and public authorities, poor conditions in internment camps, hunger, illness, and suicide.
The Beneš decrees are highly controversial even today. I remember that Karel Schwarzenberg, the 2013 presidential candidate, said the decrees would be considered a war crime today (I do agree), which provoked a ton of criticism and may have been of the the reasons for why he lost in the presidential race against Miloš Zeman.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 Nothing here has something to do with a skin tone. Just only with historical experience.
Hi,
I very much enjoyed "walking with you" and listening to you talking about "my" people. I appreciate your perspective and it warmed my heart. I've lived in the US for 21 years now. The culture differences are huge and it's hard to explain. But you did great job of it.
Hi, I just discovered your channel. I enjoyed this video from my birth place. There are two things I'd like to say. 1 - You don't need to be a foreigner to be treated like an alien here. I'm treated as one for being a vegetarian and not drinking ;-) 2 - The situation with Roma can't be judged from the American's perspective. Roma people wandered into our lands a few centuries ago and decided to stay. There's no slavery or any other wrong-doing involved.
My girlfriend is also a non-drinking vegan and she says the same thing. :)
@@skeletonkeysprague21 I second that!
I really got you in the part about "you just mind your own business, you don't have to explain yourself when walking through a store" MAN. That annoys me so much, I'm from Argentina and you just cannot enter any store without being persecuted and disturbed. Not even mention that in Argentina people kiss each other to greet.
I'm moving to Prague very soon cannot wait to join that beautiful country and society. Great video! New sub :)
So beautiful. I just appreciate someone, who really wants to connect and interact and who thinks well of us.
I appreciate your comment, thank you!
A smart and OPEN-MINDED young man I’ve just "come across" today and, immediately decided to follow his vlogs. Just a small (definitely not mind-blowing) comment of mine:
From my long-time experience, the most essential and decisive rules to differentiate people are their intelligence, culture, philosophy, personal preference and attitude to the world. As for me, this mental kinship means much more than any (German, Czech, English, Polish, American, ...) nationality of the man/woman I am just talking with.
Great point. Thanks for your kind words and for following the channel. Hope to see more comments from you in the future. :)
There are some black youtubers who live in Czech and making content about their lives here. All of them (at least those I saw) thing that Czech is great place for them and people are really nice and have no rasist experience. Most of them are from USA and they appreciate that they feel really safe here.
That's interesting to hear, thank you :)
Wishing you only the best, have a good time in place we call home...I like how you see us, how you are able to reflect ... We are happy to have you here... 😊
I think you actually nailed it. You described us pretty good. haha
Thanks :)
First of all, thank you for making this video. I really appreciate hearing your point of view about my country and my people and I will definitely use it in the future when foreigners ask me what are Czech people like 😅
As a Czech living abroad myself I hope you’ll encounter lots of hospitality and enjoy your time in our tiny but beautiful country :)
All the best! And if you find yourself in Krakow, let me know, I am more than happy to show you around :)
This was honestly the best look i saw so far on the Czech culture, as a Czech living in Prague i can tell that it was on point.
I admire you for trying to learn the Czech language as it is a very tricky language, and even if you learn all the textbook stuff its just the first half of it as a LOT of words just have completely different meaning in normal day to day conversation and many slangs are used instead of the literal terms and some words are just traps when said a bit out of context.
The Czech humor as you mentioned is very dark and might seem racist but we don't mean it in a bad way, might just be that we don't like being censored and as you said, dark humor helps us through bad times.
And for the way that Czechs look at Americans, especially the older generation looks at America as the rescuers from WW2 (rightfully so, but sometimes completely ignoring the part USSR played because we got occupied by them right after that ) and the image we have of America is from big part shaped by TV,Movies,Games and Internet, would honestly be interested in learning about how much of that is true.
Would invite you for a beer but i gotta wait a few more months to be able to do that. Also i am sorry for my bad English.
Your English is perfect. Thanks for the kind words and your perspective on the history. I'd love to get a beer when it's possible...I'm planning to make an Instagram page soon, so check back for that and then you can easily contact me personally there :)
@@skeletonkeysprague21 Okay, I'll make sure to be on a look out for that.
bro, I have to say you make us look nicer sometimes than I ever would, but some thing you have spot on!
good job bro!
Thanks :)
Czech humor isnt dry, Its dark.
You’re right. I was struggling to find the right words to describe it. Dark is exactly it :)
@@skeletonkeysprague21 Now you just have to visit the rest of the country like Pilsen, Karlsbad, Böhmisch Budweis, Ostrava and other cities.
Just do not dare to set foot in Brno if a life is dear to you. Even the pilots of Air Force One didn't dare to enter the airspace above that city.
Excellent observations! Definitely in line with what I’ve experienced here also. I’m really enjoying your videos!
Thank you! Glad to hear I’m not totally off the mark.
Great video! I appreciate the nuanced perspective you've presented. I hope to be moving there in a few months, and it's nice to hear these things from your viewpoint. Cheers
Thank you! I hope you do make it to Prague. Hit me up when you get here and I'll show you around a bit :)
I’ve been living abroad for a long time so I am grateful for anyone making videos about my country. On the other hand, the cold, resentful Czech is still embedded deep inside me and the beginning of the video is the manifestation of the Czech stereotypes about the Americans … “Hi, there is some kind of a hotel I know nothing about (although I could have googled it in a minute) and I am going to take half an hour talking about people that I haven’t really met yet.” But I guess the Czechs are not the target audience anyway and what you say later on in the video is quite spot on…
You are incredibly on point, you even get our sense of humor. The laughing devils will make fun of anything they can and if you get mad, they will make fun of it too :D.
That’s why I don’t bother to get offended 😆
Your voice is incredibly calming! Enjoyed the whole video. 😊 Also I recommend visiting other parts of CZ as well when you get the chance ( This is first video of yours that I stumbled upon so I’m not sure how much you’ve experienced out of our little country.) I recommend Olomouc, since my Alma Mater is located there and obviously my hometown of Český Těšín/Cieszyn. Which is a city located on CZ/PL border. Historically one city, then divided and now thanks to open borders united once again. Czech and Polish (and German) culture is melding in one here, creating something incredible. Aaand I’m blabbing on. Anyway, I’m happy you enjoy it here!
Okey I dont want to start any arguments here, ofc its a complex issue, but the "gypsy" minority situation from outside mide seem like a matter of race and hate towards other races, which on surface level it is people use color based insults and so on, there are other minorities in czech republic that get along just fine, great example would be minority of vietnamese immigrants, who you may hear people make fun of or whatever for their accent or something, but there is no hate or serious harmful intention behind it. The rome minority is such a problem for such a long time because of their culture, in which the concept of ownership doesnt exist, which for individuals who dont care to adapt the czechish culture translates to taking whatever you want whenever you want, aka stealing. You may be tempted to think how they were born poor or how they have no other choise to live, but this isnt the USA and this is nothing like the african american minority situation, in here you get free education up to your 26 year including college degree, full free health care, and you get support money if you are a) unimployed b) having kids c) physically unable to make living for yourself. If you cannot afford to send your kids to school the state will pay for all their needs to go to school, and yet many of them choose to stay unemployed forgoing all of these rights (even though the state finds the job for you if you cant) choose not to send their kids to school even though its illegal, choose to steal for a living. The hate that exists in czech republic has got nothing to do with race, its all about culture and lifestyle and unfortunetely I think it will stay this way for quite the while. I am open to discussion but I truly believe that we have done as much as possible from our side to help every citizen integrate into society, but if thats met with breaking the law its understandable that the people who pay with their taxes for your living would get mad.
Also according to one EU study, gypsies in the Czech Republic have the highest quality of life in the EU. In the western european countries it is not uncommon that gypsies are banned to reside near the city or work there, so they have to constantly move. In Czechia they are provided with free heathcare, accomodation, education and welfare payments.
Man this is amazing video about Czech soul, I am living in the Philippines for 5 years and more I love outside Czechia more I understand what Czech soul really is and you're very accurate....cheers and let me know if you ever come to Palawan island, Philippines
Thank you for the very polite and cultivated characteristics of my nation. I smack my hat :-). (Hats off). I'm from an older generation, I can't speak English. My peers love America very much, our parents experienced US aid in World War II, they saw American soldiers liberating from German Nazism. At the same time they saw Russian soldiers. But the communist coup and other years of lack of freedom came. Czechs can come together at critical moments. For a while. They make fun of official authorities, they don't like extremes. So we live most comfortably on average. Our humor is really sarcastic, ironic and incomprehensible to some foreigners. We like old friendships and sometimes we think about ourselves too much. We are very careful, musical and we are definitely not bad for the most part. Our hopes belong to young people. They have the opportunity for education, languages and travel. We elders were very limited in this by the regime. Therefore, we believe that young Czechs will take the opportunity and our small nation will have another good future.
Your English is wonderful!
@@katerinasofie6879 Thank you :-), haha - you are very generous :) :-)
I second what Katie said, your English is great! Very eloquent description of what makes Czech people unique. Thank you for your thoughts.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 Thank you very much for the compliment. I wish you many more great videos for us. And most importantly: good health and a long and satisfied stay in the Czech Republic. Make it your home. And only meet nice and cheerful people. Good luck!
Three facts:
1. Do not ask a Czech person how is he/she doing unless you really wanna know…
In our culture we don’t usually ask this kind of question, it is not seen as polite but rather as a means to approach someone; therefore he/she will probably give you a weird look or in the opposite, an honest answer, ie. open up obout his/her problems.
2. Not all Czechs are the same. I belive that the Czechs from the north-west and west, or lets say majority of Bohemians in general, are very much like Austrians and Bavarians… I think they are very honest, straightforward, not very friendly at first glance, reserved… therefore seen as rude sometimes. On the other hand, Moravians are much more welcoming and traditional, more typical «Slavs». Prague is mixed up.
3. The way majority of Czechs look at other ethnicities is simply caused by curiousity as we are still (unfortunately) not familiar with them. The time we were exposed to other ethnic groups is relatively short and therefore people get suprised each time they see an African or Asian person in Czechia… especially, when the start speaking in Czech thats a real miracle that leaves an open mouth. :D
Czech here: you have put the topics very well and well meaning towards us. There is actually very little to add. When you look to history, you only look at the socialistic era. It has influenced our present by widely removing/reducing religion and social differences. But it followed imediatelly a maybe more influential decade, where the country has been ethnically cleaned - quite completely, given the previous situation. The modern Czech history is one of social and national revolution - one that has been implemented. And arguably this national metaproject of equality has succeeded: 1. RELIGION: we eliminated the power of religion, since several generations, atheism is the norm. 2. CLASS: We eliminated the old classes. Although the near 100% state economy has been privatized, causing the social difference grow, they are still relatively small - there is still near to completely egalitarian schools, universitites and health care. 3. ETHNICITY: Ethnical differences have been eliminated. The Germans killed the Jews, we moved the Germans to Germany - and so we remained alone in the country - with the Roma. THE PROBLEM: there are numerous indications that the whole project was wrong. And we still struggle facing the truth. It is difficult for us to see the issue from our tradition, because the tradition rather tells us everything is OK.
*the Roma + the Vietnamese
Very well put
Although, the last point, "the whole project was wrong"... I am not sure how you meant it - there probably isn't a country that wouldn't be living now in positive and negative consequences of past politics, so it depends whether there really is something to chose from :)
And I find the social "equality" and irreligiousness as good...
Although yes of course, facing the nation's own traditional thinking is an "anthropological issue" :)
Multiculturalism is a nice thing, not nice when you need to live in it. Not that I do, I live in Czechia :) From a sociologial point of view, multiculturism has been proven not to work, asimilation is more effective when it comes to crime rate and overall quality of life of everybody involved. However asimilation is not "IN" theses days... in the West. In eastern Europe we still dare to protect our identity.
I can´t agree with alleged eliminating of religion in Czech nation . Since the Hussite movement we were in opposition to Catholic Church - its pompous unsincere proclamation of Faith, openly disregarded in their everyday practice. The communist domination even aggraveted this alienation. Czechs distrust every authority, eccelsiastical authority including. But they have their faith. Unstructured, internal faith, out of reach of any authority. And that is where God resides. Not in skyreaching churches, gilded statues of saints, endless processions, selfrepeating sermons, but inside of everbody who feels there is more, than his everyday life. Please don´t call Czechs atheists.
@@matejoutrata5766 Czechs are mostly apatheists. ( I am "militant atheist" - :-) )
You are an extraordinary nice person. My deepest respect.
P.S.: you are already a part of our club - more than many other native Czech speakers are. Welcome and enjoy it.
Great analysis of the Czech people, but I would like to point out as a Slovak that the looking in the eyes during "cheersing" isn't about bad luck, that's pure bullshit, it's actually a matter of courtesy and respect. You have to look the person you are "cheersing" with OR shaking hands in the eyes, because you actually MEAN IT, you are acknowledging that person in those unique moments, if you look away it's like you don't care... For example, in the US it's very common for people to shake your hand and look in another direction or just talk to a different person while doing it. To us that's just extremely rude and disrespectful, because that's like the person doesn't give a damn about you - the gesture alone becomes absolutely pointless and hollow.
Great points...yeah, I think the superstitions are just funny and playful ways to reinforce the tradition of being present and connected to the people you’re spending time with. One of the things I love about Czech culture.
As a Czech person, I have to agree unfortunately with all the negatives you mentioned. Also, your Czech pronunciation is very good, one of the best I have heard. Maybe an interesting point to the English and the ability to express yourself in your second language. Sometimes I feel I can express my emotions better in English (also my vocabulary is obviously lacking), I feel a bit disconnect from the language so it feels less personal and embarrassing to say something emotional in English compared to Czech. Anyway thanks for all the nice videos you are making about our country.
*video about czechia from non-czech channel*
Czechs: LETS RAID IT!
Pretty accurate 😂 I’m not complaining, though.
Very intelligent. Great commentary, Very helpful .Thank you
Thank you so much for the feedback!
Just as you mentioned our language changes and shapes our general mindset a lot. There is a saying "You are as many times a person as many languages you speak." - for example translating Japanese to Czech is quite impossible because it sounds so generously and honestly that Czech person takes it as offense because it sounds just like a strong sarcasm or irony yet it was really meant the kind way.
As a Czech guy with international experience I do confirm this review of our little nation :) ... yeah beer and sausage ... do not touch it :D
Very nice and calming video of you walking through the city.
Dont worry, every normal czech citizen will be glad to help you out if you need something. We appreciate your effort and excitement. Sorry for my english and btw there are lot of other places to visit in here, that are really worth it.
Your English is perfect, thank you so much for the comment!
it can be hostility too. I live in Plzen. Last winter I was on tram with my kid, we were speaking English to each other. Some idiot behind us began to parrot our talk and make threatening gestures. In another instance, an officer at immigration ranted for 15min in Czech and I still don't know why she yelled at me (most likely because my Czech was bad and she didn't speak English). In another instance, a Penny saleswoman yelled at me because she couldn't understand what I wanted (although I said it in Czech and her only problem was in fact the fact that I wasn't local)!
I have also had a few negative experiences that I chose not to highlight because I feel like they have more to do with specific individuals and less to do with the overall character of the Czech people as a whole. The notable thing in my experiences is that there was always some very kind and helpful bystander who stepped in to defuse the situation and help translate, so I always came away with a positive impression of Czech people overall.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 I agree with you. Most people here are nice, but there are some cases in which folks are extremely rude and unwelcoming. I guess my bad luck is I moved to Czech during Covid and most people were grumpy and overreactive because of the epidemic. Nevertheless, in winter I even considered leaving. As summer arrived and things improved, I encounter less of that hostility.
This video gave me great memories of Prague, where I lived in 2018 as a university exchange student. You walked down that awkward flight of stairs by Vysehrad station, and past the apartment I lived in on Krokova. While there, I made an effort to hang out with some local students, in contrast to many exchange people who mostly kept to non-Czechs. I agree with everything you say about the Czech personality. They are truly genuine people with a great sense of humor, with whom I shared many endearing moments. Not going to lie, but suspicion against foreign students is pretty high... but not entirely undeserved due to our tendencies of copious drinking, sometimes obnoxious behavior, our courses being less academically demanding compared to Czech classes, etc. Breaking the ice can be difficult, and sometimes flat-out unsuccessful, but giving it a shot is totally worth it.
I have to say that I m surprised. For a young expat (and American to boot), your approach is surprisingly insightful and in-depth. If you re still around now (in Prague, that is) and feel like grabbing a beer, hit me up. First round s on me.
Thank you, will do!
I really enjoyed your thought process and how you verbalise things in the context. I teach Czech as a foreign language in London and relate to many of the things you are talking about - as an immigrant and also having Czech heritage. Thank you. Hopefully you will continue meeting more wonderful Czechs along the way. Enjoy Prague, I miss it.
I have pierced ears (the biggest thing I've ever worn is some small black or gold studs), and some Czech people have reacted very strangely to this. It took me by surprise the first few times because it's something that's rather commonplace in the US, but I've been asked more than once about my sexual orientation on the basis of my ear piercings alone. 😂 That's part of where my opinion about Czech "close-mindedness" comes from, among other things.
@@skeletonkeysprague21 That's probably because, as I've been told, there was a time where it was very popular among gays to pierce their ears, especially the right ear. I learned this the hard way, when my mom and brother started laughing at me when I pierced my right ear without knowing this. And I was like "Well fuck, guess I'm gay now".
It's not so much different from the Germans, generally open minded and friendly, but little more introverted or reserved then Americans, you need an ice breaker to get in contact.
Love your insightful videos. Refreshing to listen to/read someone clever with loads of common sense talking about my country, mostly in a positive way. Far too many people complain about everything nowadays. Having travelled a bit and taught a lot, I do not take anything for granted and appreciate what my country has to offer, as well as meeting people who are as smart, kind and open-minded as you are. Keep on the hard work, unless you are already overwhelmed. Hope you will stay here for a long time. Looking forward to more from you 🙂.
To be honest. I met people here in my life more rude than nice. So I understandably made that quiet personality when I am rather alone, thinking about stuff, writing book and if I am somehow on party, I am that kind who sits in corner and watches. Still, thank you for going to our country. Make sure to read about History, it is interesting.
as a proud czech and Prague local since 1977, you nailed it on so many levels mate
Thank you, glad to hear it rang true for you :)
Hi man, fantastic video! Being Czech, I can confirm pretty much everything you’ve said, so well done you! :-) I think the thing with our initial reaction to foreigners and black people, as you’ve said, has to do with CZ being isolated for such a long time. And even nowadays, there are not that many black people here, so we are just not used to them. But I don’t believe they are being treated differently. It’s just that the first moment is a little shocker for some Czechs. :-D
I don’t know about the thing with 7 years of bad sex. In my 35 years, I’ve never heard that. So either it’s some very rare superstition or your Czech friends were just taking the piss. :-D Anyways locking eyes when giving a toast is very common, and polite thing to do. Same as when you shake hands with someone.
Finally, let me compliment you on your “R” pronunciation. It’s perfect! Just like a Czech would pronounce it.
Hope you’ll love your stay in the CZ, and best of luck in your future endeavors.
This video made me really happy since I sometimes struggle to share certain aspects of me and my country with my American friends. I shared the video with them and praised you on how much of a good job you did trying to explain and understand why some things might be the way they are. Atop of that I appreciated you walking and showing a bit of the city rather than being stationary in the comfort of your home and that you actually called us out on our weaknesses, instead of just mentioning the easy positive stuff.
Thanks for the great feedback. I’m glad I could help you connect a little more with your American friends :)
Thank you for this interesting video. I've born in Prague in Czechoslovakia. In 2007 I went to London and experienced what you call a cultural shock. Mostly very liberating experience. It took me a while to adjust my sensitivity to "how are you" greeting. I wanted to say: Why do you intrude my privacy, non of your business, leave me alone". But later I realize it works as antidepressant. When you have to say 20 times a day "I am fine, I am ok, Not bad " you train your brain to feel that way.
Czech is a charming country and Prague definitely a gem in it⛅️💓🌞
Nice video. I am Czech living in Pacific and guess you spent in Czech rep. more time than me in last decade:) Maybe you overestimate need to speak czech perfectly. Is known our language is difficult and we do not have expectation that foreigner will master it (like brits often do, usually without having knowledge of any other laguage themselves). We much more appreciate the effort and will to learn. Of course, is much easier speak english and usually people do not mind, while there is foreigner, but effort speak czech is highly appreciated and people will go extra mile to help you understand and to understand you. So no worries.
That's good to hear, thank you for your perspective. I'll just keep slowly learning and hopefully one day I'll feel comfortable with what I've accomplished with the language.
Don't let the attitude of the locals bring you down. People here have an inferiority complex. It's an honor to have you.
Great content, keep it up 👍
For that "How are you doing?" question, you are 100% correct. It's not that we don't say it at all - we are saying it pretty often actually, but just among family members or good friends, because when u say it as Czech, you REALLY want to know how that person is doing, what's on his mind etc. and u r expecting longer, honest talk. When some stranger asks me this question, it pisses me off, because I know that it's only fake phrase and he don't care at all how I'm doing... so, WTF he asks me in the first place? :) When we don't care about somebody, we just don't care and we don't try to sugarcoat it by shitty fake discussion about nothing. But, if you are a friend, we really care about you. It's just different mindset.
It is a neaningless question that requires a meaningless answer. The answer "Fine" or I'm well" is all that is required. In fact, no one actually wants you actually to respond with an answer in detail.
This was a really interesting video. I’ve never been to Czechia but hope to visit next year. My ancestry is Czech, so I’ve always wanted to visit the villages from where my family immigrated. I admire how you place your observations in context, keeping in mind Czech history. I’ll keep your observations in mind when I visit. Though I’ve often been fine when visiting cultures Americans sometimes find rude. Maybe it’s because I have Czech blood. Ha! I’m rather introverted and quiet so the more formal, clipped European style of greetings and social graces suits me. Thank you for the vid. You delivered your thoughts with great kindness.
Thanks for your view :) I hope you will feel better and without that barrier in the future.
For me my fridge is your fridge ;):D
And don't worry. I dont like beer and football either.
I appreciate it...and a Czech who doesn't like beer? Where are you hiding? 😂
@@skeletonkeysprague21 I can' t tell :( :D
@@skeletonkeysprague21 you are short time here. Few years ago there were pubs full of cigarette smoke - a tar was ( almost) raining from ceiling. For those, who don't like pubs, there are some quiet tea roooms - čajovny. Karlovy Vary: facebook.com/cajovnauniversal/
lol man ,what a great video.Was heartwarming ,glad youtube recomended this to me.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting :)
I bumped into your channel by an accident. I really like your point of view in many aspects. I am glad that we have here people like you. As I am 47 now, my English is not perfect and because I have no use of English in my daily life, there is not enough human interaction to polish it, I have embraced the fact that I never will speak as good as a native but that is not a big deal since I can express myself roughly.
The nice thing about English is that you can speak it at almost any level and people will be able to understand and communicate with you. Native English speakers are very accustomed to hearing our language spoken by non-native speakers at every level of proficiency, so often we don't even notice if you're making mistakes, we just listen for the meaning you're trying to express and we appreciate the chance to communicate with you :)
Very nice and honest insight bro, appreciate it! As for your opinion on being accepted as a Czech, I think you're quite right, BUT, I've got to know a LOT of people from the US / different none Slavic countries living here for a long time, and I think it is ultimately up to the person and the perspectives of living, not the people around (although it's got a huge effect too ofc) to establish yourself here. With a positive and an open approach on both sides, I believe that Czechia will become more and more open to foreigners wanting to live here, which is going to enrich our culture and the world culture as well :)
16:50 I have never heard of this reason but it explain a lot :-D
:-DD
Very thoughtful and accurate. Hope your positives far outweighs few negative experiences. I am Czech living in the US and you probably have better opinion about the Czechs than I do. Thanks for the video
Thank you. I'd be interested to hear your opinions of American people. What made you move away from ČR?
Nice video, in many ways you are totally correct. I must say - as a Czech person - I don't like beer, pubs and similar stuff (but I am also no hippie that would only eat greens and drink water) and I must say it does make me bit of an outsider. Like it's harder to connect with locals if you don't embrace the alcohol culture :)
I think you can be part of the club if you speak the language well. English connects you on many levels but to connect on a deeper level I totally agree that knowing the language is a key.
Totally agree. I can tell that there's another level of inclusion and acceptance that I'll be able to reach once people don't feel obligated to speak English whenever I'm around. It's a long-term project but I'm working on it.
'I stopped eating out in Houston..sick of being rushed, then pressured for tips, and shoved out the door.'