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The Czechs in a Nutshell
Why do Czech men love sandals and white socks, and why do Czech women practice extramarital sex with greater gusto than women in most other European countries? Did you know that Czech Euroscepticism has its roots in 1620? That Czech society is in reality an undercover matriarchy? Or that some Czechs have names like Hippopotamus, Don't Eat Bread and even Pepa From Hong Kong? When is it crucial not to do as you are told, and should you be happy when somebody gives you a painting of a rhombus? In this manual, foreigners will find light answers to these and many other weighty questions about the Czechs and their fascinating society. It is written by a foreigner who after years in the country has discovered that many things and people are not what they seem at first glance.
- GenresNonfiction
280 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2004
8 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 20, 2014
I'm Czech and I wanted to know what's written there about us. It's well written, funny and most of it is true. You'll learn some things there that can really help you. But - some things are not true. So don't believe everything. For example there aren't any problems between Moravia and Bohemia and people from Bohemia don't hate people from Moravia. I don't remember what else was wrong but some things were. So enjoy it but you don't have to believe everything...
March 20, 2012
This was an interesting book about the Czech Republic, culture, silly stuff as well. Called " A User's Manual for Foreigners". Don't think my average friend would want to read it but if like me you are living in the Czech Republic and/or have Czech friends it's a good read! I borrowed it from a friend here and am thinking of buying it as a sort of quick reference!
It has some history, relationships with common neighbors (Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary) stats on alcoholism, religion (or lack of) details behind their cursing and choice of words :-), the food, heroes, dress, ancient history as well as the years ruled by the Nazi's and the 40 years of dictatorship, etc.
It has some history, relationships with common neighbors (Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary) stats on alcoholism, religion (or lack of) details behind their cursing and choice of words :-), the food, heroes, dress, ancient history as well as the years ruled by the Nazi's and the 40 years of dictatorship, etc.
August 19, 2008
A fascinating and hilarious insight into one of Europe least understood cultures. The only problem is it's alphabetical format make it difficult to read cover to cover - it's better to dip into it a few articles at a time. A shame it hasn't been picked up my a major UK/US publisher...I had to buy my copy in Prague.
August 30, 2017
I don't know if to praise myself or blame the same me for reading a book about a culture in which I currently live, rather than just go outside in a hospoda or meet some local people from whom to catch these cultural understandings.
So, I will blame myself because:
1. the book is outdated when it comes to facts and surveys. I think the most recent ones are from 2004 and a lot of things had happened since then on a national and international level as well. so, I wish to continue with some fact checking about what happened meanwhile.
2. they are some all-encompassing judgments about Czech that I would not want to believe they are true ( i mean, negative aspects like the xenophobism and promiscuous hedonism) until I really seize it. maybe I will not be able to do this cause I will not have the means to conduct a survey about it, but I do not want to have misconceptions and to already have a negative opinion in mind which will bias my future encounters with Czech people.
I will praise myself because:
1. it was a rather long-reading, having in mind that I did not plan on reading it. I came across it at a party and the host recommended it to me, so I just took it home and thus delaying my other readings.
2. I caught a rather good glimpse (even superficial and short) at Czech history and social and political context which is, for me, of great help.
3. I know about national symbols (Jara Cimmrman, Jan Palach, Havel, Svejk, the woman from politics which I liked- Masaryk, Charter 77 (with the philosopher also who helped at writing it), TV Nova (which reminds me of Romania and tv commercial posts from there).
4.It was funny and actually got me laughing a couple of times when it made some associations with other cultures or just jokes.
5.I came to understand a little bit more about Romania also, through the post-communists lenses and Balkanik references, about values and national identity. ( like family, religion, sex, gender - and how we see this thing and how history deeply influenced the cultural evolution).
6.cynism and skepticism as a national feature is something rather peculiar for me. i believe that in Romania case it was the laziness and the laissez-faire.
Glad I read it... i think it came to this,
So, I will blame myself because:
1. the book is outdated when it comes to facts and surveys. I think the most recent ones are from 2004 and a lot of things had happened since then on a national and international level as well. so, I wish to continue with some fact checking about what happened meanwhile.
2. they are some all-encompassing judgments about Czech that I would not want to believe they are true ( i mean, negative aspects like the xenophobism and promiscuous hedonism) until I really seize it. maybe I will not be able to do this cause I will not have the means to conduct a survey about it, but I do not want to have misconceptions and to already have a negative opinion in mind which will bias my future encounters with Czech people.
I will praise myself because:
1. it was a rather long-reading, having in mind that I did not plan on reading it. I came across it at a party and the host recommended it to me, so I just took it home and thus delaying my other readings.
2. I caught a rather good glimpse (even superficial and short) at Czech history and social and political context which is, for me, of great help.
3. I know about national symbols (Jara Cimmrman, Jan Palach, Havel, Svejk, the woman from politics which I liked- Masaryk, Charter 77 (with the philosopher also who helped at writing it), TV Nova (which reminds me of Romania and tv commercial posts from there).
4.It was funny and actually got me laughing a couple of times when it made some associations with other cultures or just jokes.
5.I came to understand a little bit more about Romania also, through the post-communists lenses and Balkanik references, about values and national identity. ( like family, religion, sex, gender - and how we see this thing and how history deeply influenced the cultural evolution).
6.cynism and skepticism as a national feature is something rather peculiar for me. i believe that in Romania case it was the laziness and the laissez-faire.
Glad I read it... i think it came to this,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2020
This book took me longer than I predicted to finish. It is divided for short chapters, each covering one topic (in an alphabetical way) such as alcoholics, Austrians, beer, dogs, Franz Josef, hospodas, Vaclav Klaus, mushrooms, sex, TV Nova and many other topics – it sometimes merely touches the topic and jumps to another.
Therefore I think that my previous read about Czechs “Zrób sobie raj” gave me a better chance to understand Czechs and was a faster, more enjoyable read. Still – it can provide you useful information and it’s worth trying. Keep in mind, that it was published in 2009 so it is a little bit outdated.
Therefore I think that my previous read about Czechs “Zrób sobie raj” gave me a better chance to understand Czechs and was a faster, more enjoyable read. Still – it can provide you useful information and it’s worth trying. Keep in mind, that it was published in 2009 so it is a little bit outdated.
March 20, 2018
As an Australian with Czech heritage, I stumbled on this book when I was vacationing in Prague and purchased it immediately.
It has helped me understand my own background better, with short, easy-to-read synopses on all matter of social and historical subjects, from Alcoholism to Beauty Contests, from Communism, to the Roma people, noting influential Czechs along the way.
I found this book insightful without being too heavy, for anyone wanting to learn more about the Czech people.
It has helped me understand my own background better, with short, easy-to-read synopses on all matter of social and historical subjects, from Alcoholism to Beauty Contests, from Communism, to the Roma people, noting influential Czechs along the way.
I found this book insightful without being too heavy, for anyone wanting to learn more about the Czech people.
January 22, 2018
Some time ago I shared my office with Czech guy, and immediately recognize him from this book especially because of the sarcasm and ability to make laugh from everything. Nice reading which helps to understand the country. Post-soviet people can find many similarities, at least I found a lot.
November 20, 2025
Read during my holiday in Prague and found it funny and enlightening. It's getting a little dated now and the author tends to repeat the same information throughout. However the overall impression I was left with was the Czechs are a contridiction.
September 19, 2018
Wasn't as funny as I thought it would be but parts of it were definitely so true that I was smiling to myself.
October 13, 2022
Really helped to navigate Czechia
January 13, 2014
A little outdated but a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews