If you have ever wondered how to behave in a Prague as an outsider, you surely thought over some of the following points. Now let’s see what locals say.
Shopping: When entering a store, it’s polite to greet the shopkeeper or sales clerk with a cheerful “Dobry den!”(Good day). When you leave - even if you only stopped in for a second to browse - turn and give everyone a hearty “Na shledanou!” (Goodbye).
Visiting a Private Home: Be ready, that your host likely to ask you taking off your shoes. Czechs hardly wear them indoors. Take it into consideration when choosing your socks, because you will probably show them everyone in the house.
Pub Etiquette: Mostly in Czech pubs you do not need reservation. If there is any free table or chair you are allowed to take it. In case other guest sitting by, you can join their table (using any combination of Czech, English, German, and sign language that works).
Once you order, the beers will keep coming until you say stop, either by asking to pay or, if the situation is desperate, placing a coaster over your glass.
Riding the Tram or Metro: In public transport passengers are really attentive with fellow travellers - always offer your seat to an older woman, a pregnant woman, or any disabled passengers.
Tipping: Tips are usually not included in the price of restaurant meals. On smaller tabs, round up the nearest ten-crown interval. On larger bills, ten percent is considered standard. Don’t leave your tip on the table, instead hand it directly to your server when you pay the bill.
Phrase Book
English knowledge has improved greatly in the past few years and you’re unlikely to have any major language problems. Still, a little Czech is always appreciated and can go a long way.
Ahoj!: Literally “Ahoy!” Though there’s no Bohemian sea, the standard informal way to say hi or hello. Pronounced a-hoy.
Cau!: Informal greeting used for both hello and goodbye. Often doubled up as Cau-Cau! Pronounced Ciao!
Dobry den: Good day. More formal than Ahoj! or Cau! Pronounced DOH-bree DEN.
Dobry vecer: Good evening. Pronounced DOH-bree VECH-er.
Dekuji: Thank you. Hard to pronounce but worth the effort. Pronounced DYEK-oo-yee.
Na shledanou: Goodbye. Often shortened to Na-shle! (Pronounced NAH-skle!) Pronounced NAH-skle-DAH-noh.
Ano: Yes. Usually shortened—confusingly for English speakers—to ‘no. Pronounced AH-no.
Ne: The real word for no. Pronounced NE.
Jedno pivo, prosim: One beer, please. The first thing you say in a pub after Dobry den! Pronounced YED-noh PEE-voh PROH-seem.
Jeste jedno, prosim: Another round, please; the handiest phrase in the dictionary. Pronounced YESHT-ye YED-noh PROH-seem.
Na zdravi!: Cheers! Pronounced nahz-DRAH-vee.
Zaplatit: The check/bill please. Pronounced ZAH-plah-teet.