5 Things I Learned in 5 Years in Czech Republic
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- This journey officially began 5 years ago when I boarded a flight on 27.8.2013. Upon landing in Prague I felt instantly at home. What a wild 4 months that fall of 2013 was. It was the first time I felt the freedom to be myself. All of us in that CEA program were able to discover who we are and who we wanted to be without the restrictions of the lives we lived prior to coming to Prague. All 100 of us were in a new city surrounded by more people who knew nothing about us than we had ever been in our entire lives. We could be whoever we wanted; I mean for the first night I was British! I met one of my very best friends during this time and a variety of other people who would help shape me into the person I am today. Since this time I have lived and worked at language schools and bilingual primary schools in Ostrava. I taught for one of the biggest language schools in the country in Brno. I spent Christmas in a small village in the Moravskoslezský region. I rode my bike 50km through the night to the top of a mountain. I've learned to cook traditional meals. I can navigate the transportation system in any town. I've had more shots than I can count with friends at their mountain house. I've loved and lost. But most importantly, I've learned that it is better to roam about for a while than to stay in a place that is not my home.
I have finally returned to Prague after many years away. it has changed much since I first arrived, but I am looking forward to the many opportunities that await in this capital city. Let's see where this Prague series takes me :)
Check out these old videos from those first 4 months...
Let Her Go
• Simple as Black&White:...
Mala Skala Adventure
• Video
Ski Jiriho z Podebrad
• Video
![ОРБАН приехал к ПУТИНУ и "отчитался" о поездке в Киев 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0ukDovOWq8/mqdefault.jpg)
As a Czech I tell you that you can pet any dog, as long as you ask the owner first.
Yeah I must agree. The question for approval is very common. I don't like dogs, but the "Můžu si ho pohladit?" question is a common question.
Same here, my dog loves the attention and she asks for it herself, but also she is my baby and I´d prefer if you ask, only do not pick her up.
Yeah, I agree. In 95% you can pet any dog and it is fine. It is great to ask his owner first, but it is not a necessary.
@@justjacobv "..his owner..." All of the female dogs live in Slovakia. The male dogs live in the Czech Republic.
@@gregorychandler8096 Then how am I from Czech Republic and have a female dog?
Finally someone who speaks in a good way about Czech people and our normal life here. Thanks for that ❤️
people don´t do it for a good reason
I dont think, that she speaks bout Czech in a good way and almost all of it r bullshits :/
I'm spanish and I've been living in telč, I'm so in love with Czech Republic. All the people I've known is so warm, the food is amazing, tha cities and the countryside, both, are mesmerising. I've been struggling with the language though, where I live only a few people speak English so I had to learn Czech the hard way only with duolingo helping me haha. Ive learn a lot of things here, I only have love for the czech culture every time I talk about it. You guys made my heart czech ♥️
@@terrordeazucar Nice, iam from Jihlava :D
Really?! On YTB are so many vids from foreigners living in Czech republic and loving it. Most hated about Czech rep. are from Czechs themselves! Mostly little people full of complexes never been in REAL world outside (be a tourist dont show you real world). That is no.1 thing I hate about some Czechs. Czechs have one perfect saying: According by myself, I judge you. Look how messy world outside CR is.
Watch couple of examples foreigners like CR: ua-cam.com/video/yEiRX3-Glrc/v-deo.html, ua-cam.com/video/PLDCM8miFwE/v-deo.html, ua-cam.com/video/40GI_sHCV34/v-deo.html, ua-cam.com/video/0S0EegfEOIE/v-deo.html etc.
You are right in all five points, but most certainly spot on in that last point about laughing. When we laughing, when foreigner is speaking wrong in czech, we do not mean it as an insult. Because we know that our language is hard and we appreciate that you are trying and of course finding it , as you said it, cute :-) Also our English is quite often not entirely comprehensible :-D greetings from Prague!
Like...
I think we (or at least I) actually admire everybody who tries to conquer this keep! I mean "tvrz" as in "Chrám i tvrz" by Pavel Eisner :-)
Thank you for Central Europe :-)
Exactly!
Btw - Ahoj Kájo, tady Bob :)
@@charlesblack9500 je ahoj :-))
The Eastern/Central Europe is not geographical thing but rather how people think and act. We are *clearly* still Eastern Europe despite the geography :)
@@RBullCZ Sorry, but definitely not. The Berlin Wall fell thirty years ago. :)
No, we aren't. We are 'central' both geographically and culturally.
I thought it was a common sense not to pet a stranger dog without permission. You never know how behaved the dog is. It's for yours and the dogs safety.
right. You never know if the dog was abused in its past and will snap at a specific person (for example dogs who were abused by men might lash out at a man when feeling threatened)...
Yes it's cute if a foreigner tries to speak Czech. Especially for someone who was not born and raised in Prague and is not used to see there are people having an interest in our homeland. But there is often warm thoughtfulness present when an only-English speaker is also in a conversation. I have seen many times the whole conversation among Czechs is led in English just because there was just one foreigner present. I don't know if that's practical when you're trying to learn Czech since you don't learn anything.
Regarding the second point, we also divided Czech crown into smaller pieces called "haléř" (similar to penny), so there were 10h, 20h, 50h (obviously 100h equaled 1 CZK), but those were cancelled some time ago for the very reason those became valueless :)
Fun fact for Americans: your word "dollar" comes from medieval German "thaler" - a silver coin from Joachimsthaler, what is now Jáchymov in the Czech Republic.
And the word "thaler" is also the origin of "haléř".
they should do same thing for euro and other currencies, but euro and zloty are the worst. I don't mean cancel all cents, it's not possible, but they should cancel that smallest priceless shits
I pet every dog and I let people pet my dog. It's a good for dog's socialization too. Especially for puppies. But you can tell from the distance if the dog wants to be pet or not.
Yeah, but it's always better to ask the owner first. Cuz maybe the dog would be bappy to be pet, but the owner may not like it. 😏
I used to be a dog owner and I wasn't usually happy from people trying to pet my dog just on the street. Also I did't like to socialize with majority of dog owners on the street or in the park, because having dog is not reason for cheap talk.
What I really don't like, most of the dogs do not behave them selves ( not their fault) , ownes don't have control over them, and jump on me right away. It is my job to come to peopel's hoses and dogs can be really annoying😏 And you must pretend it's fine🤷♂️
I would say that the "don't pet dogs" thing is also about the fact that the owner knows the "personality" of the dog. If the dog doesn't like being petted by strangers it is possible that the dog will bite you or something when you touch it out of sudden and if something like this happens the dog owner can be ordered to put the dog down. So it is also a safety thing. Usually when you see a dog, you just ask the owner if you can pet the dog and if the owner knows the dog doesn't mind strangers around, they will say yes. Just ask the owner and you're good.
You are so sweet :) I am happy to see an expat who actually made Czech rep their home instead of a one year layover.
Thanks for sharing many findings about Czech! I really appriciate to hear rather unbiased opinions of foreigner that lives here in Czech long-term. I mostly agree and I even a few arguable points I can consider valid as its based on long-time experience and not just a week of strolling Charles bridge, Prague castle, clubs, pubs and other turist traps within city center. Cheers!
Hello, may I ask why you decided to move to Czech Republic?
That geography lesson about "Germany" being up north is about 80 years outdated, Ariel. Nowadays it's called Poland and they're kinda sensitive about it. :D :D
Lukáš Duběda haha xD
OMG
omg :D primo na komoru
This is too cute! Im touched! New big fan!
Awesome video Ariel. Totally agree with all 5 points even though I haven’t really made an effort to learn the language.
3 years in the czech republic and i can speak czech language by hearing but now i am in proper lesson
HI Ariel, I think you learned much more than those five things... Five years is a long time, I know what I'm talking about, had an anniversary too. Love from UK
I think it is polite to ask the owner because the dog can be mean an he can bite you... you are being safe if you ask for permission... :-)
Very good and simple video
You have a bit of a Czech accent when speaking English...how long did it take your to become fluent? Thanks...
fluent in english? I guess few years as american :D
She pretends to be an American 😄
@@OlafavonGoeding Actually, she doesn't. She says "We are not in the Eastern Europe!" See? She's one of us! :-D
I love this video! I’m moving to Prague in March and I’m so excited! I’ve been trying to learn some Prague on Duolingo.
Hi Ariel! Good video!
Great video. By the way, you start to have czech accent. :-D
Actually Germany and Austria are considered Central Europe too. As is Poland and Slovakia.
But Germany especially likes to think of itself as better, and hence they try to present themselves as West Europe and still think of Poland and Slovakia as East Europe. But geographically speaking they are all in Central Europe. Austrians are not so snobby and accept they are in Central Europe geographically, yet economically they are more like West Europe.
At least that has been my experience speaking with people from Germany and Austria so far.
Thanks for being positive.
Haha I would like to see you speaking czech
@@PetanPohl co ti je😂😂😂
😅😂 so pravdivé
@@PetanPohl Co ty pane Velký Mikropenis?
Ana Stázie vypadní to je můj stát
Zuzana Richter jsem násranej vy angličaní sem nemáte co chodít
loved coming across your videos, these five things remind me of just how much I miss being there. Looking to go back and teach again. Lemme know if you have any tips for getting into the workforce there!
Hi, I am from Czech Republic and I would like to thank you for the Central Europe thing. And according to the "pet any dog" thing. You can pet any dog, just ask. :)
Little about currency, we had "haléř" before. It´s something like penny for Americans but they decided to stop using it. So when is on your ticket from grocery store decimal price it´s rounded up or down.
I think when paying using a card and also bank transfers still work with haléř
How funny to hear what an American thinks of Czech. She is sweet and far too kind lol. Thanks
Super video :-)
Really can tell that you like it here. You've mentioned that speaking czech is great benefit for foreigners here. It would be nice if you could do video about czech language and show us what you can do... because it's cute indeed :-)
I read your description and saw that you went to Prague with CEA! I'll be interning in Prague this summer through CEA and am super excited :) Any advice you have for the program/my stay there would be greatly appreciated!
Well, the easiest we is to get to know some locals ;).
I like the Czech people they are kind, I wish to go back and live there again 💔
Haha love the video. And yes I moved here and my first mistake was saying Czechoslovakia. Oh man... major mistake. :) but after 6 years my Czech is getting better. It's tough to learn but they love that you are trying at least..
Actually, saying "Czechoslovakia" is not such a big issue (since Czech.Rep. and Slovakia has cordial relationships) as calling us eastern Europe. Ve are VERY sensitive about calling us eastern Europe. And no, it has nothing to do with eastern european countries (really, no offense). It is related to the times, when we were an involuntary part of eastern bloc.
Hello Miss Ariel!!! It's me Claudia from Ostrčilova!!!
*facepalm*
Yes. Some people are just afraid that the dog can bite you or whatever. So at first you need to ask the people if you can touch it, because only they know if it is safe for you and only they can decide. And well trained dog does only what it is allowed by the owner. So you need to start this small talk about the dog before approaching the dog. As a foreigner you can have problems with this small talk so the owner is much more precautions and doesn't allow you to touch to prevent misunderstanding and some bad consequences.
I love all your videos. Thank you. Very informative. Tell me,how do you think a 65 year old would be received? I'd like to do what you're doing..but am older.. I saw your blog about the Dr. visit with your knee. Are the medical systems any good? I'm willing to do all these things,but worry about the age thing. Thank you
How much of an income do you need to life a great lifestyle a year in Czech republic ?
You are mazing,yes we have respect for people try Czech..
I would like to comment on the state of the roads and train tracks... Please keep in mind, that the Czech Republic was part of the former communist block till 1989, so upgrading roads, building freeways and modern train track corridors has only been going on since then. Also the Czech Republic is a country with four seasons, so the winter months with cycles of snowing, melting, freezing, melting, refreezing cause damage to the roads. That said. The main routes are in great shape except parts of the oldest freeway (expressway) number D1 - that is undergoing major reconstruction, so there may be delays there - around the reconstruction sites. When driving somewhere/anywhere outside of Prague by car, please do NOT follow google map routes without thinking, because Google often selects the shortest routes which are then on the worst roads. When driving always consult a normal map - the Czech Republic has freeways that are labeled with the letter D (for "dálnice" = the czech word for freeway) (freeways D1, D2, D3, etc.) and then there are the roads - roads category one (1) are the best, in the best condition and in winter maintained the most; then there are roads category two (2) and three (3) - three being the narrowest and least maintained. I suggest always consulting a map and making sure your route keeps you on freeways and roads category one (1) as much as possible. If you follow these suggestions, then travelling to important sites by car anywhere in the country will go more smoothly. AND as for public transportation - there is a huge plus to the Czech system and that is it's integration… in some places buses and trains wait for each other, when there are delays. Also the websites that have bus-train time tables are integrated, so you can type in from where you want to go and your place of destination and the timetable will list your options by time and the options include bus and train combinations. The same applies to the city public transit app for your smartphone. I have travelled to many cities in Europe but nowhere that I went have I seen such a great integration or such a comprehensive cell phone app. And they are in English and German…. spojeni.dpp.cz/ …… jizdnirady.idnes.cz/autobusy/spojeni/
So true
Hi Ariel I love your videos and want to thankyou for helping me to decide to come there soon. I will try and learn the basics of the language before embarking and look forward to the visit 🙏🏻🌹🇬🇧🇺🇸 (Edit) that’s not my 🐕 dog 😂
Greeting from Indonesia.
Your video suddenly on my youtube list even though I NEVER search anything about Czech at youtube.
And the crazy thing is, I'll move to Prague in July or August this year for work.
So...it was like sign from God to helping me to know some basic rules to live in Czech 😃 And I thank you for your video.
In Indonesia we have common sentences "dimana kaki berpijak disitu langit dijunjung" in roughly translation "where you stand that's where you live"
Means : anywhere you go, you have to behave like a local do. Speak like a local.
That's why I'm learning Czech language from Duolinggo (Google app), and believe me it's not easy 😂 When I move there, I'll take Czech class for sure.
Probably the easiest way is to get some local friends who can help you from start a lot. Not just with language but also with offices etc., how things works here in general. And most difficult thing about czech language ? It's not pronunciation (despite it looks scary), but really insanely complex grammar.
Most Czech people don't care if you pet their dog as long as you ask
I live in Brno since 2010, agree with all 5 points :)happy b-stay in CZ
Czech republic is the heart of Europe
That's Slovakia 🇸🇰❤️ I think there's a sign in Kremnica.
@@MissSlovakia2 If you look at the map you can see czech republic, Poland, Germany, Slovakia and Austria makes up together a heart but czech republic is a heart of the heart
@@lilianalavender785 yes, I checked it out, but it was really close tie between Czechia, Poland and Slovakia on the map. The Guinness World Record book recognize a Girija lake in Lithuania as a heart of Europe. Poland was the first to say, there's a midpoint of Europe in Poland. I think it depends on the point of view.
@@MissSlovakia2 Hi. I think both of us are right
@@lilianalavender785 yes, I would say that too 😊
That thing about paying by cash and that you always have to have cash is not true anymore. You can pay by credit card almost in every shop and restaurant.
How did you learn Czech? Do you have tips? I'm trying to learn. Do a video where you speak Czech!
Do you want any help? I'm from Czech so I guess I can help you
@@tm-ki3nq Nice! I'm in Czech Republic now actually.
nice video
I just stumbled upon your channel. My husband is from Plzeň and I’m American. We live in Seattle. But we are strongly considering moving to Czech so I’ve been searching for expat vlogs. You have done a great job so far and I appreciate your effort!🙂 I would love to see more comparison videos. Also talk about how Czechs are great but not superficial like Americans. I find it very disconcerting when I visit Czech that people don’t smile at you. 😁 We are thinking about the Netherlands as well which I would probably prefer personally but Czech is vastly less expensive. Thoughts on that??
Exactly, I love petting dogs but first I ask the owner....may I touch/stroke/play with your dog?. The answer is usually YES, you can. It is good to ask also because some dogs don´t like strange people and they may react unpleasantly. So the best is to ask the owner who knows his dog.
Absolutely gorgeous :)
My nice Zlín 🖤🔥
You are certainly a fast learner
Thank you for this video. Enjoy czech
Okay but the first thing is just _not_ true I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion...
Have you been in Prerov here are some fellow Americans me as well
I found a TYPO in word currecny !!!
I was intrigued by the money thing. What's so special about our money system? I don't think it's any different from USD for example. 1 USD is 100 cents, and 1 CZK is 100 hallers. But we cancelled physical coins for hallers and they are only virtual now, we have to round up (or down) the price to whole crowns when paying with cash. Is this what's special?
there are some half truth in this video.
Dogs
While some people are touchy about their properties (that includes animals), most of the time it is not a problem. You ask if you can pet that animal not because you want to be polite, but because you do not know how it will react to strangers and last thing you want is being bitten or worse.
I do not understand what that cash mania is coming from. Only problem is if you have something exotic like American express. So if you have Visa or Master Card you are ok. For example even traffic police does have machine that can accept card payments these days. And if ever that tiny shop or bar does not have card reading machine yet (most of the time you will see logos on the door); just ask where is the closest bank machine.
The reason why not to call it Eastern Europe (and neither Slovakia, Poland or Hungary like it), is not that much for geography, but for lets be honest that hint of inferiority in doing so. Calling something Eastern in Europe means, like those behind iron curtain, those that are the dumber European, those with less progress, those that have just left the cave.
You are by all means allowed to ask for certain alternations (leave out ingredient or get double portion of something). There is rarely problem in that unless that item is already in those semi-finished products they have. Can you ask it around lunch time? Of course you can. But be aware that special price might not apply to you and you will be waiting some time to get your food. Just do it nicely and politely with a nice please and you do not need to be shy to explain why (for example having allergies or that being too heavy for you). With that they will understand that you are not just a picky brat, but you have very good reasons to avoid something. Of course different thing is to ask for something that is not on the menu at all (there might be a good reason for it, like they do not have all that is needed to cook it).
Learn Czech, of course this is true, but of course only for people who want to live there long term. Nobody expect from tourist to learn local language (or anything more than hello, thank you and Bye). But think about it, isn't it the same for somebody coming to your country and not speaking your language and living there yet refusing to learn it. Yes that does not sound very polite, does it. So yes that is a very common sense.
btw central europe is also Poland and Slovakia, so no even old cz-slovakia still central europe
Also Austria and Slovenia consider theirselfs as a central European countries.
😎
Hi i am from Czech republic And i am glad fór this video now i know how nice my country is. And as a dog owner you can pet my dog but please ask first because some dogs Are agressive or their owners Are bad people
I don't know when the last time I used 1czk was.
Eastern and Central Europe measure 2 different things.
Eastern and Western Europe was the cold war geo-political divide.
Then you have the geographic north south east and west.
Czech Republic is both Eastern and Central at the same time.
I instinctually have the dog one in my blood. I hate when people say oh go pet the dog, I'm like no! What if that was a kid? It's rude.
That thing with dogs is not true.
At least not outside of Prague.
...at least not in smaller towns x'D
Have you ever heard about wardrobe?
3:57 "Not everyone speaks Czech outside of Prague" orly?
She made a mistake. You never did?
@@wendyd7492 Oh plenty. You never laugh?
I have pet others people dogs and Ithas been totally ok by now, I have been living in Brno for 3 years now.
Will u be a guide there for me ?
what to learn... maybe that traveling in Prag is... impossible
I am Czech and I have always thought people are happy here, when you pet their dogs?! Have I been wrong all that time??? :-D Further, please TRY to alter the order from the menu!! We need to train the service to improve! I am vegetarian and I alter the menu ALL the time and it mostly works. When it doesn't, I know I am at a bad place. And yes, we will laugh at you, when you try to speak Czech. Czech with an American accent sounds hilariously funny, for some reason. But please, don't stop trying :-D
This is helpful to know - I have food sensitivities and a bowel disease, so it's important for me to avoid certain foods.
@@rita2506 In restaurants/cafés in cities, they are usually very willing! In small villages, it tends to be more difficult :-).
I think a one-time experience can influence your overall judgement. Thẻre is one time a Czech lady said in a very rude way “DONT TOUCH HIM!!” When i was just passing by and smile at her dog. But it was a onetime thing and I know that most people are friendly.
@@anpham605 It can happen, sure. But mostly people are happy when you pet their dogs because Czech people truly LOVE treir dogs - and they want everyone else to love them, too. But I live in the city, when all dogs are used to people...
@@anpham605. Yes. Some people are just afraid that the dog can bite you or whatever. So at first you need to ask the people if you can touch it, because only they know if it is safe for you and only they can decide. And well trained dog does only what it is allowed by the owner. So you need to start this small talk about the dog before approaching the dog. As a foreigner you can have problems with this small talk so the owner is much more precautions and doesn't allow you to touch to prevent misunderstanding and some bad consequences.
I'm from Czech Republic🖤
Helo MS ariel! Do you remeber mě alex
Thank you so much for saying that we arent in estern Europe 😁😁😁
not everyone speaks czech outside of Prague? :P But I would say if you speak 5-10 words of the countries language you are going to visit, that makes life 10 times easier for you.
Dont pet the dog. Dogs are cute animals and I love animals. Still petting a strange dog you dont know - especially on the head - is a faux pas. Firstly if its a stray dog in Serbia, turkey or a 3rd country you dont know if it is sick, its mood and if it at likes strangers (so it could bite). Though czech republic has no straying dogs you still dont know its mood and if it likes strangers(so it could bite). And in general dont pet a dog you dont know on its head. You are a stranger and petting on the head in dog language means that you are superior than it is - some dogs might disagree and think you are rude(and might bite). So always ask the owner first, he/she knows their dog.
Im from Czech Republic🇨🇿🇨🇿🇨🇿🇨🇿🇨🇿🇨🇿🇨🇿🇨🇿
Please, May you do czech campionses????
and what you liked with us or what attracted you what goes with us grass does differently
Good points. , if you live somewhere for years, it is bit of ignorrance not to learn at least basics.
Its ok to pet a dog after asking the owner, its first law, but the main is "to let the dog smell your hand" tny.im/kpN before touching him to know you are not threat (really, its nature law and your self-preservation instinct, in CR we have lot of dogs so sometime dog can attack, bite you or worse :-/ ) thanx for central Europe :D
I hate cents and especially polish grosz, it has no price and they still annoying with that. I think our crown is best for that, we have no little coins because our currency is too cheap and we don't need that. :-) We had them ofcourse in the past, but it's 10 years and we really don't want it back.
Hi Gordonova
She may see the ova suffix as sexist . I know several who have dropped it
Well, the czech republic isn't under Germany. It's right next to Germany. Austria is under Germany.
CZ - myslela jsem že budeš mluvit česky
3:58 not everyone speaks English *
Pokud zde žila 5 let, tak se divím, že neříká něco česky. Vždy vypadá tak otráveně a že tu vlastně ty roky byla nešťastná....
It would be more interesting to make video with 5 things you learned IN the CZ, not ABOUT. I mean, like some life lessons.
I live in Czech Republic
1. You can pet any dog, if you ask owner. Its up the dog if it wants to pet with you. And yes, most of us consider them as babies :-)
2. Yes, its true, but its changing rapidly. Banks are winning.
3. True. We were the part of Holy Roman Empire and our kings were even the Emperors of Holy Roman Empire.
4. True.
5. Yes, its more polite. It means even a few words, you dont have to speak fluently. And yes, we have a little different kind of humor, so dont get emberassed if someone will laught.
My dad is czech-ukranian. Canada*.
Touching other people's dogs invites a disobedient dog**. It's just smart dog training. You touching my dog incites disobedience. LOL.
There's this thing about where the Czech Republic is located. If you look at a map, you will acknowledge the sole geographical fact that it's located in the western part of Europe. But if we are to take the historical and political location into account, it's in the east.
Definitely not. This "eastern" history is just 40 years, which in whole history means sooo short episode :)
Hele já jsem Čech a toto není úplně pravda. Pokud jsi nebyla v Praze.
You can pet a dog if the owner Is ok with it
Try to say *cress* in Czech. If you are not from Czech republic so you 100% fail. Only Czech republic has letter _ř_
Ukázka češtiny nebude ? Přece je to roztomilý 😂.
Hah más pravdu yess Ive learned this in 3 years of living here in the czech Republic from America 🇺🇸
you can pet the dogs....
Zajimavy ze se nekdo uci cesky
I love Czech Republic why??? Bcs I am Czech 😂😂 i loveee cz!!!
I going to tell you something do not expect to not come home in Czech republic and don't come home with like 20 pounds