How to Make Friends in Prague, Czech Republic: A Travel Guide

Some of the best memories that travelers have are those of times when they had a chance to meet some of the local people, spend some time with them and enjoy their company. In many places, this can be difficult, and the Czech Republic is one of those places. There are many reasons for the divide that exists between Czech people and tourists, but it is a divide that can be overcome. Below, I discuss three things a visitor can DO to meet Czech people in Prague.

DO ingratiate yourself in the culture of Czech national sport, specifically football (soccer for you Americans, Canadians, and Australians) and ice hockey. For a small nation of 10 million people, the Czech Republic's national teams in these two sports can compete at a championship level with any nation in the world. And the Czech people take great pride in this fact. So, trust me, the fastest way to earn friends in the Czech Republic is to go to a pub where the Czech National team is playing and to cheer them on!! A real special event is whenever the games are shown on an ultra-big screen in the Old Town Square. Even if you don't like sports, you'll find this event to be not only the highlight of your trip to Prague, but perhaps your life. It's difficult to explain how intoxicating it is to be part of a crowd of thousands watching a screen and reacting to each and every bounce of a football. If there are no games schedule when you are there, just purchase and Czech national jersey and wear it to a pub. When you respect the Czech National team, you're showing respect to the Czech nation. And, believe it or not, Czech people will respond to that. Sports is always a great medium to make friends, it is just especially so in the Czech Republic.

DO spend some time in pubs and make sure you sample the local drinks. Pubs in Czech culture play a different role than they do in America. In the Czech Republic, the pub is a common meeting place for friends and family. That is why, you will notice, that there are no private tables. A pub is a place for joining with people. And of course drinking. Which brings me to the beer. If you want to make Czech friends in a pub, the biggest mistake you can make is to order an imported beer. Aside from the Czech National Football and Hockey teams, the thing Czechs take most pride in is their Czech beer. And with good reason. Historically, Czech lagers are the original lagers, and Czech lager is widely considered the best in the world. In regards to brand names, Pilsner Urquell is the best, Gambrinus is the best value, Staropramen is the second leading selling beer in the Czech Republic, and then, of course, there is the Czech Budweiser Budvar (not to be confused with the Anheuser-Busch product). Krusovice is another major brand, but its quality can be a bit questionable. But please don't hesitate to compliment the quality of the beer. A Czech person will take it as a personal compliment. Ask Czechs about Czech beer, and they'll feel quite free to talk to you for hours on the subject. And then, for the intrepid drinker, try indulging in some of the local liqueurs. There are basically three of them, Becherovka, Fernet Stock, and Slivovice. Many Czechs distill their own Slivovice, and if you show enough interest in it, you just may receive a gift of a little homemade Slivovice. Just for fun, try the Kofola. It's a non-alcoholic beverage, basically, a Czech produced cola drink. To be polite, it's an acquired taste, but you'll come home with a story.

DO take a tour. I'm not talking about one of those bus or antique car tours, but the walking tours. The guides are very knowledgeable and eager to answer any questions you may have about Prague. Getting lost is very easy in Prague, and it's easy to waste a lot of your time trying to find the historic sites on your own. Take a tour first thing , and you'll have a good sense of the city in order to make the most of your own exploring. Also, believe it or not, it's a great way to make a new "friend." The first time I went out on a tour, it included only me and a married couple from Australia. It was more of a double date than a tour. I got her whole story, how she escaped in 1968, wound up in America not speaking a single word of English, and how she returned to Prague after Communism fell. As a general rule, they start in the Old Town Square under the Astronomical clock. The guides are easy to spot, they'll be the ones holding up umbrellas. No reservations are required.