Keeping a low profile

I have learnt over time here that when out and about I should try to be a little reserved. I’m talking in terms of being on public transport. Czechs really don‘t appreciate a loud ‘cizinec’ telling the whole bus/tram metro how important they are! Best to keep it down a bit! Although I’ve had some nice conversations with the natives in English. Mostly where are you from? What do you do? Do you like it here? When I say I’m from London and I love it here. The next words I hear are usually: Really??!!!

I used to say to my wife that we shouldn’t speak English until we get to Budejovicka metro station as people didn’t seem to stare so much from that point on.  Where I live in Haje it was something of a novelty to hear someone speaking English I suppose?   

Transport blues

Now, when it comes to transport etiquette some people have a lot to learn! Queuing is a non-existent concept here.  It always suprises me how tolerant people are towards rude behaviour and the invasion of their personal space in Prague. I’m very interested in human behaviour and often watch out for this on my travels! Just the other day the woman sitting opposite me had the misfortune to have a man stand so close to her, his private parts were almost resting on her arm!! She rolled her eyes a few times and looked pretty sheepish, but didn’t say a word to him. I was hoping she would! He of course was totally oblivious to the whole situation. People also don’t seem to have a problem if others actually push them out of the way to get to where they are going.

And lastly, the smell!........Sometimes it is awful........really. It is really unpleasant to smell someone who hasn’t washed. Although most people seem to be oblivious. My son however (who has ADHD) so very often speaks his mind !! Asks me: Nekdo tady smrdi. Kdo to je tati? And pointing at someone: Je to on tati??!! It can get quite embarassing at times!!!