…that in the Czech Republic, the word “Yes” is pronounced “AW-no” and spelled “Ano”?
Here are a few more little-known facts about the Czech Republic.
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“Karlùv Most" (Charles Bridge) is Prague's most familiar monument. The construction lasted for 45 years and its mortar is said to contain eggs for strength. Cars used the bridge until 1974. Now only special vehicles may drive across it. The Charles Bridge original construction was started in 1357 on: 9th July (9, 7) at 5:31am. Thereby 1 3 5 7 9 7 5 3 1 is meant to symbolize a bridge going up then down. |
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While it's still generally considered good manners to open the door for a woman to allow her to enter a building first, etiquette still dictates a man enters a restaurant ahead of a woman. |
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In very traditional Czech eateries, customers must request a drink before dinner. Servers won't presume to ask. Czechs expect people to eat European style (knife always in right hand, fork in left--no switching). Not doing so is evidence of either being a tourist or a lack of sophistication. |
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A half liter of beer outside Prague City Center costs about 15CZK (US $0.70). In the tourist areas, they are closer to US $2.00. |
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In 2004, 1 in every 2.7 inhabitants owned a car, up from 1 in every 4 in 1989. Skoda is the main auto brand, which is now majority-owned by Volkswagen. |
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One transportation ticket at CZK50 (US $2.00) will allow travel by bus, tram, subway and funicular (a system of transport in which cables attach to a tram-like vehicle on rails to move it up and down a very steep slope). |
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Ten countries are only a one hour flight away. |
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Bank checks do not exist in Czech. All transfers are either cash, physical transfers through banks, post offices or online. |
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The traditional Christmas dish is Carp (freshwater fish), culled freshly on the street if you prefer! |
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Czechs are World Champions at Ice Hockey, and world class at Soccer too. |
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The Czech Republic Flag is Red, White & Blue. It was designed in 1920 for the 1st Czechoslovak State. White (or silver) is Bohemia's traditional color and represents sky. Moravia is represented by red, which also symbolizes blood shed for freedom. Blue, traditional of Slovakia, represents imperiality & sovereignty. In January 1993, Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. Czech Rep. kept the old flag (but the blue triangle no longer represents Slovakia). |
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The word "robot" comes from the Czech word which means "worker." In 1923, Karl Capek, a well-known Czech, science-fiction writer at the time, wrote a futuristic thriller about a nightmarish scenario in which machines have taken over (a la, the "Terminator") and implanted circuitry in humans to make them into mindless zombies willing to serve them as workers or "robots." |
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Mushroom hunting is a Czech National Passion. Every year on St. Václav Day weekend (weekend closest to 28 Sept.), thousands of Czechs go to the forests in search of the special Václavky mushroom. Czechs generally take mushroom hunting as seriously as they do other recognized sports and are extremely competitive fungi finders. |
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In the Czech Republic, punctuality is expected and appreciated. |
| For more information about life in the Czech Republic, click here. | |
