Every country has its own unwritten rules, and the Czech Republic is no exception. When I first arrived, I was surprised by how people behave in shops, on trams, and even in their own homes. Some of these habits feel very formal, while others—like how people blow their noses—can be a bit of a shock! After living here for six years, I now understand the unique logic behind Czech culture.
The Most Important Rule of Czech Culture: “Dobrý Den”
One thing that truly defines Czech culture is the constant use of greetings. You must always say “Dobrý den” (Good day) and “Na shledanou” (Goodbye) to almost everyone. In Prague or other big cities, you don’t say it to every person on the street, but in a small village, it is a requirement. If you don’t say it, people will think you are impolite.
In bigger cities, the rule is simple: say “Dobrý den” when you enter a space and “Na shledanou” when you leave. For example:
- Shops and Pharmacies: Say it to the clerk when you enter and repeat it again at the cash desk.
- Transportation: Always greet the bus driver before you buy a ticket.
- Official Places: In banks or waiting rooms at the doctor, you must greet the people who are already sitting there.
- Elevators: If someone is already in the elevator, you should greet them.
- Phone Calls: You must start every call with a greeting, even if you just spoke to the person recently.
Interestingly, you can say “Dobrý den” with a completely neutral or even grumpy face. In the context of Czech culture, the words are what matters. A fake smile is not necessary and can even seem suspicious!
Social Walls: The “Vy” vs. “Ty” Divide
The Czech language has two ways to say “you”: Vy (formal) and Ty (informal). You should always use Vy until someone explicitly invites you to use Ty. Even if it feels a bit cold or distant, using the formal version is a very important rule of politeness in Czech culture.
Indoor Etiquette: The Shoes
Like many Slavic countries, Czechs never wear outdoor shoes inside a home. It is a social disaster to walk across a living room in your boots! Most hosts will immediately offer you bačkory (guest slippers). Don’t be surprised if they are three sizes too big for you!
Czech Culture: Public Quiet vs. Private Loud
In Czech culture, people value silence in public places like trams, trains, and hallways. Speaking loudly on a phone in a quiet tram is considered very rude. If someone calls me while I am on the metro, I usually say, “I am on the metro, I will call you back later,” and hang up.
However, everything changes in the hospoda (pub). Once Czechs are with friends, they become loud, blunt, and enjoy using dark humor.
The Habit That Might Shock You
The most surprising thing for me was the noise Czechs make when blowing their nose. It is a very loud sound, like a “small elephant.” You can hear this everywhere—even from small children or professional clerks in a bank—and no one reacts.
I asked my Czech friends about this national habit. They explained that it is better to solve the problem once than to listen to someone sniffing and “keeping the liquid in” for an hour. After a long bus trip next to someone who was sniffing the whole time, I finally agreed with them!
