Cultural Differences Pt. 1

"Now I realize that I will never be content with a sedentary life, I will always be haunted by thoughts of a sun drenched elsewhere." - Isabelle Eberhart

My sun drenched
somewhere

Oh how that quote is far to truthful. If a year ago today you came up to me and said that I would be studying in Europe I would have thought you to be completely insane. But I did it. I'm here... And let me tell you. Boy is it a culture shock!

Pardon the fact that this post isn't as fun as the last few have been. The last month has been a chaos of trying my hardest to not have my entire presence scream, "AMERICA!", every time I walked into a room. My attempts so far have been futile, but I am still determined. So today's blog is going to be all about the cultural differences and just how badly we stick out here.

What Czechs look like.

For a good starting point the last 4-5 days the weather has been gorgeous. 60's-70's during the day maybe dropping to 50 degrees during the night. So naturally like a typical Nebraskan would, I've been wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Well as I have come to find out that is NOT how the Czechs go about life. They all seem to still need their heavy winter coats, long sleeves and jeans. Just incase of frost bite I guess. However this does make it pretty easy to play "Spot the American" when I lose my friends. But you know, while we're on the topic of clothing, I'm not so sure that the fashion of the 1990's or even the 2000's has really passed through here yet. Everyone seems to enjoy frowning in their drab, boring, dull colored clothes. Meanwhile the Americans are walking around in our bright colors and smiling faces.
Moving on from the clothing we can move to the food and pub situation.

Olomouc Train Station

Now in America it's polite to wave at the waiter if you need something. But let's face it the waiter walks by every 30 seconds to see how our food is doing anyhow. Well here in the Czech Republic that's not the case. The waiter comes to take your order, bring you your food, then to take your money. If you need something in between you have to wave the waiter down, which here is not polite to do, or just suck it up. Pick your poison. Another thing which is somewhat taboo here that is just common courtesy in the States is tipping. The waiters here are not working for your tip, and leaving one on the table is not acceptable. So if you waiter did an "exceptional" job i guess would be the right wording, then you just add to the final bill you pay after the meal. More math for you to do in the end I guess.

Staying along the lines of food for a bit... Heads up to those who are thinking of traveling to the Czech. When you order desserts hoping for the sweet delicious cakes or

When the other Americans
leave. We play.

sundaes that you would get back in the US, that is not what you're going to get. There has been far too many times in which i have ordered what seemed to be a delicious dessert all warm and sweet. Just to take a bite and have my meal ruined by a sad bland bite of nothing. Sugar does not seem to be a big thing when baking here, neither does vanilla or cinnamon.

Alright so enough of my sticking out rant. There's still something to mention about the differences of Czech to the States. It would be transportation. Now in the States its not uncommon to have a car and take a 5 minute drive across town right? Or maybe a 3 hour drive to a different city. Well here in the Czech most people do not have cars. At least not the common folk. Most people here either take the Trains, the Buses, the Tram, or they just plain walk,

Find the Americans

No she didn't punch
that sign...

and let me tell you I have done my fair share of walking. Just like our parents used to tell us as kids, I walk uphill both ways to and from school. Let me tell you, my calves are going to be rocks when this trip is over.

Now for class we have to write about the culture changes at least twice, so I'm going to leave this extremely long blog where it is for now and continue it later on.

"Travel isn't always easy. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts and even breaks your heart. But that's okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully you leave something good behind." -Anthony Bourdain