"Hey guys, what should I title this blog?" How about, "The three people sitting in this room are alcoholics and need to go to AA, except one..."

That title pretty much sums it up. It sums up what every conversation comes back around too. It's like the "your mom" of Prague. If you are losing the witty conversation battle, then you just have to say..."Well, who passed out last night after throwing up because they drank too much?" Victory is yours. Don't be too quick to judge though...there is a lot more to the kids here than meets the eye. So, I promised to post about some of the life experiences I have been having and some of the stuff I am learning about myself, and I don't want to let you guys down. THe last couple weeks have been pretty non-eventful, minus the week my folks were here...and I will post about that as soon as I have some more time. Also, I will try to do another post like this one after I have been home for a week or two, because I here that reverse culture shock is a bigger issue than I thought it would be.

So, first thing I will talk about is what everyone keeps asking me...what is the biggest difference between Prague and the United States? I will try to share a few of the things that have impacted me the most since I have been here. First, and probably the biggest difference, is the people. The Czech people are very reserved. Almost to the point of being outright rude. They don't smile whenever they are out in public, but they maintain as much eye contact as Americans...so it comes across as blatantly staring. They also don't want you to look, speak, or think about their kids or their dogs. It is not ok to smile at or engage with other people's kids, nor is it ok to try and pet their dogs. However, it is important to note that the Czech Republic was under Communist control until about 40 years ago. The average adult still vividly remembers what it was like growing up in a communist school, and being afraid of their own government. One of my teachers postulated that the reason Czechs are a very reserved people is because they are still coming out of their shells...so to speak. They used to live double lives; outside of the comfort of their homes, they had to learn to keep their mouths shut and conform...or at least not publicly dissent. Than at home, they would be able to speak or act as they wanted. Therefore, Czechs have a very rich home life, but out in public they are much more quiet and reserved. Still, it doesn't make it the nicest place I have visited. In fact, I am always HUGELY amazed by how friendly everyone in countries other then the Czech Republic are. I always find myself falling in live with the cities I have visited elsewhere in Europe, mainly because I think that the people are wonderful! I think a lot of that is just being outside of the Czech Republic...had I visited these countries at some other point, I might not have found them as friendly. It is definitely going to take a while for me to adjust back to the overall friendliness of people in the States...I have just grown use to quiet streets where people pass anonymously on their way.

The second thing that was pretty different is how Europeans dress. I know everyone has heard the rumors that people in Europe dress nicer on average than Americans, and I am here to tell you that the rumors are true. Wearing jeans and a t-shirt in public is equivalent to wearing sweats and slippers to meet your friends for the day in the States. I know, most of you are like "what's wrong with that, I do it all the time?" well, I was in the same boat as you. But, remember how I said that Europeans stare a lot, without smiling, well before I realized that's pretty par for the course, I was pretty sure they were judging me in my jeans and t-shirt. So, you do what you have to do to survive...you adapt, and I did. But let me tell you, I am excited about being able to wear flip flops again...oh yeah, didn't I mention that they don't approve of flip flops either, they are too casual. You have to wear "real" sandals. Every time that Europeans go out somewhere, even if it is just to the corner store, they look presentable...always. Men here are also much more fashion forward than men in America...to put it simply...they look good. I am definitely going to miss seeing slacks and vests and jeans that fit. Maybe that's it...their clothes actually fit them. They are not afraid to wear their actual size, even if they are a bit on the small side...they don't over compensate for it. I am going to be angry for weeks after I get back just looking at all of the oversized, baggy clothes that guys where...not ok. I will miss the well-dressed men. However, their hair is an entirely different matter. I am not impressed by the hair here in general. Guys hair is too long, girls hair is too short, and don't even get me started on the colors. I have seen grandmothers with periwinkle afros and I have seen little boys with orange mullets...If you can imagine it, I have seen it. There is even a girl in my theater class who has long, regular hair on one side of her head, and the other side is completely shaved...this includes the eyebrow for that side...gone. I am ready to get back to the good old days of business style hair cuts for men, and regular colors on women.

The third thing that is pretty interesting is the process of "going out to eat." The Czech Republic is very different from America in that it doesn't have "in-between" meal options. There are either pastry shops and the supermarket, or a legitimate sit down meal. No in-between. So you can have a croissant and coffee (or tea, for those of us who don't like coffee) for lunch, of you can have a full meal, complete with two side dishes and an appetizer. So, in order to go "out to eat" you have to be really hungry, otherwise it is kind of a waste of money. But, when you do go out, the experience is also pretty different from that in the States. Generally, when you walk into a restaurant, you will seat yourself. Sometimes you don't even see the staff till they show up with your menus, which they leave at your table without any comment. Then, you order at your leisure. The server is attentive, but there is no pressure to order or eat in a hurry so that other people can take your table. Dinner usually takes about two hours because everything is so relaxed, and we sit for some time after the meal just talking. Mostly, I like that we actually sit around and talk after meals...talking is my favorite. They don't bring the check until you ask for it, and they always express gratitude when you leave a tip. I always fell like I made their day when I leave a tip, because tipping isn't as "required" as it is in the States. You actually tip based on service, and so the service is always good. I didn't even notice how slow-paced meals were here until my parents came to visit. We would sit down to eat, and before everyone was even finished with their meals, my dad would ask for the check. I was actually surprised the first time he did that. I assumed we would sit and talk for a while, and I even told him that we didn't have to leave right away...that it is expected for us to talk for a bit. In fact, the whole week they were here I felt like I ate faster than I usually do. They finally slowed down a bit by the end of the week, but not before I really had the chance to compare the pace of our culture with theirs. Czech culture really does move a a slower pace than American culture. I think part of that is because they rely a lot on public transportation to go places. You can't just hop in a car and make up lost time on the highway...you just have to be late...so being late isn't really as big of a deal as it is in the States. In general, it is less stressful than the States, I think. Maybe not at work, but in restaurants and stores, leisure reigns supreme.

These are just a few common things that I miss about the States: free refills, English as a first language, non-smoking sections in restaurants, driving, outlets that fit my plugs, not having to pay to use the bathroom (yes, it's an issue), paved roads...cobblestones are quaint and all, but paved roads are much easier on the feet, and hugs. I know that hugs seems like a weird one, but in four months, you can't really get to know someone well enough to be on a hug basis...it's sad. This post wasn't as thorough as I would have liked it be, but I feel like I hit the big differences...at least the ones that were the hardest to adjust too. I will make another post soon, because my suite mates and my roommate will probably throttle me if they don't make it into a least one blog...I promised. So, hopefully I will update soon.

Stay tuned!