Culture

Czech cuisine has both influenced and been influenced by the cuisines of surrounding countries. Many of the fine cakes and pastries that are popular in Central Europe originated in the Czech lands. Czech cuisine is marked by a strong emphasis on meat dishes. Pork is quite common, and beef and chicken are also popular. Goose, duck, rabbit and wild game are served. Fish is rare, with the occasional exception of fresh trout, and carp, which is served at Christmas.

The Czechs celebrate Christmas beginning with a dinner on December 24. The tables for this dinner can only be set for an even number of guests, because an odd number will bring bad luck. All of the lights in the house must be turned off until the first star comes out, and when it does, the dinner may commence. The first person to leave the table when the meal is finnished will be the first person to die that year- this is why everyone must stand up at the same time.

Easter, or "Velikonoce", meaning "green nights", is a very cheerful and lighthearted holiday in the Czech Republic. Red is a very commonly worn color during this time, because it symbolizes hoy, health, happiness, and new life that comes with spring. Families elaborately decorate Easter eggs together, and a nationwide Easter egg contest is held in Prague and other Czech cities on Easter. Another Easter tradition is the whipping of one's legs with the pomlázka, or pussywillow twigs. Pussywillow twigs are braided and painted with bright colors and then are used by young boys to beat the back of girls legs. This longstanding tradition is thought to bring health and youth to young girls.

Another annual Czech custom is the "Burning of the Witches" (paleni carodejnic), which takes place on the evening of April 30. Huge bonfires are built on the hills in the more rural areas of the Czech Republic and everyone stays out late watching them burn. This stems from an ancient pagan tradition which was thought to symbolize and end to winter and a welcoming to the spring.

Sitting in pubs and drinking lots of Czech beer such as Staropramen, Budvar (The ORIGINAL Budweiser!) and Gambrinus. - Czech people like to have lots of barbecues in the summer. - pointing with the index finger is rude - always take shoes off when entering a house (guests are offered "pantofle" which are house slippers) - in some parts of the Czech Republic, men do not cross their ankles over the knee.

Business Customs

Because Prague is a small, tightly knit city, word-of-mouth reputation is extremely important, and news about you -- good or bad -- will spread quickly. Czechs are more reserved than Americans, and will be nervous about a typical American "let's get down to business" approach. Start slowly by building a few good relationships. Let your new Czech friends introduce you to their contacts, and soon you will have a good business network. An attempt to take the city by storm with a flurry of quick meetings and barrage of e-mails is more likely to arouse suspicion than business. Czechs prefer to get to know you -- to learn about your background and your company, and then, if they are comfortable with you, get down to deal-making around the dessert course, or even at a follow-up meeting. Most Czechs want to build long-term, two-way business relationships, and will be put off by too much emphasis on an immediate sale. Czechs do not smile as a social signal of greeting, as Americans, Britons, and many other Westerners do, but only when they are amused or pleased. This can create a false impression that Czechs are cold or unfriendly. Czechs are a more formal people than are Americans, and a serious demeanor is regarded as a sign of respect for the visitor and the business being transacted.

The business custom is to be punctual - even early - for appointments and engagements. It is best to start arranging meetings several weeks before you visit, as Czechs are reluctant to arrange impromptu meetings at the last minute. Czechs dress more formally than their American counterparts preferring dark business suits and ties, and often vests. While a blazer or sports jacket is sometimes acceptable, Czechs find "American casual" a turn-off. Business partners do not usually call each other by their first names, and Czechs may be offended if their foreign visitors address them by their first names without first being invited to do so. It may take several meetings to establish a sense of rapport and a more relaxed attitude. Czechs are very gracious and will open a meeting with the offer of coffee, tea, water, juice, and cookies when they host business visitors. It is polite to accept at least a glass of water. Coffee and tea will be served in real china cups and juice or water in glass or crystal - never plastic or Styrofoam. Business luncheons normally are more formal and leisurely than in the United States. Even if dining alone with one business contact, expect to order multiple courses and do not expect the lunch to be finished in less than two hours. Rushing through lunch because of the press of business is considered ill mannered. Working breakfasts are not common in the Czech Republic. Although the Czechs regard the custom as an amusing American oddity, they are also very amenable to attending, as an offer of food is considered gracious and the typical Czech working day starts early.

Travel Advisory

The Department of State has issued multiple public announcements since September 11, 2001 cautioning Americans worldwide to maintain a level of vigilance against potential terrorist incidents. All Americans are advised to be continually aware of their surroundings and be alert to suspicious activities or individuals. There are no outstanding travel advisories warning against travel to the Czech Republic. Prague and other Czech cities are very safe by U.S. standards, but visitors are encouraged to exercise common sense precautions and be particularly wary of Prague's famously efficient pickpockets and occasional mugging/violent street crime. Be careful
in and around train stations and when boarding and exiting trams. Taxi drivers, particularly those at train stations and those hailed on the street, are notorious for overcharging; occasionally becoming abusive if exorbitant fares are not paid. We suggest you phone for a taxi (your hotel can advise on honest drivers) or have the hotel arrange transport. If you must hail a taxi on the street, agree on an estimated fare with the driver in advance.

Visa Requirements

U.S. passport holders (not U.S. resident aliens or refugee document holders) may visit the Czech Republic for tourism or business without a visa for 90 days. For this purpose, "business" is defined as consultations, negotiations, etc., but not employment reimbursed from an employer located in the Czech Republic. For stays of longer than 90 days or for purposes other than tourism/business, a new law requires any foreigner to obtain a visa in advance from a Czech Embassy or Consulate. Foreigners are no longer allowed to change their status from tourist to student or worker, or to extend their stay while still in the Czech Republic. Instead, a visa must be obtained from outside the country. The Czech Government expects that visa processing may take two or more
months.

Telecommunications

The Czech telecommunications infrastructure was updated to meet EU requirements before accession, and now is comparable with Western Europe. The Czech Republic leads Central Europe in levels of Web usage in the home and in the workplace, but the low proportion of students with web access at school means the overall internet penetration is lower than in some neighboring countries, such as Hungary. Internet access in Prague and other major cities and towns is easily available. Most Czechs have cell phones, and many have more than one, considering that there are just over 12 million cell phones in the Czech Republic and only 10.2 million people. There is excellent coverage all over the country. Local telephone and mail services are good, reliable and inexpensive. U.S. long distance operators serve Prague through direct access numbers.

Transportation

Visitors will find traveling in the Czech Republic to be much like traveling in Western Europe, except that costs are lower for food and transport, particularly in the off-season (November through April). Basic English is widely spoken in most hotels and restaurants. International hotels and restaurants catering to foreigners accept major credit cards, although smaller hotels and restaurants may not. Currency exchange is widely available, as are local currency (Koruna)-dispensing ATM's, that accept most U.S. bankcards. Please note that the Euro has not yet been adopted in the Czech Republic. Major cities have Western-style hotels, though you may consider reducing costs (and getting more local flavor) by staying in smaller, non-business hotels. Many restaurants offer a wide variety of international cuisines. Prague menus are usually in Czech and English. Tap water is safe. Bottled water is widely available; infants up to one year old should be given special "infant water." In central Prague, visitors will often find walking faster (and more relaxing) than auto travel. The city also has fine, usually quick, public transit to most points. For trips outside Prague, we recommend hiring a car for the day. The domestic train network is extensive but can be slow.

Language

The official language of the Czech Republic is Czech. Czechs have very strong linguistic abilities. Many older Czechs speak Russian, German, or English as second and third languages. Younger Czechs are more likely to speak English. About half of your likely business partners will speak good (or at least basic) English. Older Czechs (especially those living outside Prague) are less likely to have good English language skills. Czech is an extremely difficult language to learn. It is helpful to learn a few basic phrases to get around restaurants, hotels, and airports. For complex business negotiations, English-speaking interpreters are readily available.

Health

Prague has good Western-style medical clinics and English-speaking doctors and dentists. For major operations and complicated illnesses, most Westerners return to the USA or go to nearby Germany or the U.K. We recommend travel insurance sufficient to cover costs of medical evacuation out of the country. Prague and most major outlying cities have pharmacies that stock many Western medicines or that can order specialized prescriptions in 24 hours. U.S. prescription drugs often have different names in Europe. Travelers should carry prescriptions noting generic names. Keep all prescription drugs in original containers to avoid problems with Customs officials. In winter, Prague air pollution can pose problems for those with respiratory conditions.

Business Hours & Holidays

Local time is Eastern Standard Time plus 6 hours. A typical Czech working day is 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with a break for lunch. The workweek is 40 hours (Monday through Friday). When scheduling meetings or events to which Czech business guests are invited, it is best to avoid Friday afternoon (and Friday morning, if possible), as many Czechs have country houses to which they travel as early as possible on Friday. Czechs regard weekends and holidays as near-sacrosanct family time, and they avoid allowing business to intrude on this time. As is the case in much of Europe, it is harder to make business appointments and contacts in the Czech Republic during August and close to major holidays, such as Christmas or Easter week.

Temporary Entry of Materials & Personal Belongings

We are not aware of any difficulties bringing computers, software, exhibition materials or personal belongings into the country.