My first and daily contact with Czech people since the beginning was through rugby as I am rugby player. The rugby club and school, where I was studying English were the only places where I was in direct contact with Czech culture.
Cultural Differences
As a foreigner I found it easier to make friends among other people in the same situation I was, mostly students, all from different nationalities and backgrounds. Daily tasks such as going to the supermarket, charging my mobile phone, were difficult, as most of the people I came across, in this kind of places did not speak English. The difficulties were not just based on communication but also through cultural and social differences. The society here has different patterns of behaviour compared with those where I come from. For example, making noise while cleaning their nose, belching, breaking wind and urinating in public places. At the beginning, to be honest, I was shocked by this, as it would be unacceptable in my country but after living here for one year and a half I am not surprised any more.
After school I always have time for a walk around Prague and I always use public transport. It is very good quality, frequently on time and take me everywhere I want to go. By now I already manage myself easily around the city as I know how to have a basic conversation in Czech, which facilitates my life a lot.
Beer, transport, and curiosities
One of the things that I appreciate a lot in Czech Republic is the beer. I believe it is the best beer in the world compared with others I have tried. I specially enjoy drinking it after my rugby matches, it is tradition among rugby players, helps us to relax and forget the pain from the match.
One thing that I find really curious about Prague is the fact that during the weekend the city gets emptier at daytime, especially on Sundays. This situation doesn’t happen in my hometown Tbilisi as during the weekends all the streets are full of people from morning to evening.
Honestly I believe that one of the main explanations why young people from here are so different from the ones in Georgia is the fact that we get married in very young age over there and I believe it has great impact in our society. I was really surprised to come across a wedding party in a restaurant with only about 23 guests. The weddings in Georgia usually have lots of guests, normally minimum a hundred people and in some cases can last for one week, especially in the countryside. Even the way we celebrate our weddings is different from here.
As my studies have not finished I believe I will remain in this city for a longer period of time. In the future I am sure that I will come across many other differences and curiosities about living in Prague.