It’s the Little Things, Really
You know, we’re not so different, those central europeans and us ‘mericans. The big things are mostly the same, but it’s the little things, those tiny, insignificant, little nothings. That’s the good stuff. It’s also the stuff that drives me CRAZY. So, in no particular order of what drives me the craziest, here are some of those little differences i see every day in prague.
EVERY SINGLE CZECH PERSON HAS A DOG. Yes, yes, i know, americans love dogs too! But not like this. Even though Prague is not a very big city (about 1 million peeps, give or take oh you know, immigrants, students, etc…) it is urban. You know, people living close together, apartments, no yards, etc, etc. But everyone, i mean EVERYONE, has a dog! And somehow it seems so very czech. Little ones, big ones, skinny ones, fat ones, they’re everywhere! And i love dogs, you know this, they are so cute and cuddly and nomnomnom,
Annie B - my fave lil doggie
Bitty aka Killa B attacking michael vick
but here’s where it gets tricky: there is dog poop everywhere. EVERYWHERE. I’m not talking about in the grass or in dog parks, i’m talking all up and down the sidewalk. WTF??? I mean, i think there is a law you have to pick up for dog’s poop, but nobody does it. (kinda i guess how people know marijuana is illegal but they don’t care so they just smoke it on the corner anyways.) Now, i haven’t stepped in any dog poop, yet. But i know it’s coming. I just know it is. Kind of like how i have that feeling that i just know i’m gonna get hit by a car or a tram one of these days. let’s just hope it’s a car and not a tram…
Speaking of getting hit by a car, these CZECH DRIVERS ARE CRAZY! They will zip around corners like it’s a racetrack, and accelerate and screech to a halt like somebody’s after them. It’s all normal routine here! But the entire city is also “pedestrian friendly,” meaning, cars have to stop for you at the crosswalk, even if there’s no light. Trouble is, you never can tell if they are stopping or not. Also, sidewalks are fair game. Need more room to park? There’s the sidewalk! Need more room to turn around? There’s the sidewalk! Need more room to drive? There’s the sidewalk! Can you see how being worried about getting hit by a car is not so irrational?
Just one word: COATCHECK. Or is that 2 words? Evs, it’s something that is all around europe (and i guess big cities in the US) that is unpleasantly not present in good ole North Carolina. Also coat racks at your cozier, smaller places. To me, it is just brilliant. One of those small things that makes all the difference in the world. Is it really really really cold outside? And thus, hot as mess inside? What do i do with this enormous coat now that i’m burning up? COATCHECK! Ding ding ding! Now get with it NC! I’m tired of having my coat draped awkwardly on the back of my chair (and then the floor) OR trying to find a place to hide so it won’t get stolen while i’m getting my party on.
TAM. That’s push, not pull. I don’t know why this is, but most doors here push in and do not pull out. It has made for a couple awkward moments where I pull perhaps a little too hard on a door that’s meant to be pushed, which then slingshots me back into the door, welcoming me into the store, restaurant, pub, etc in quite a non elegant fashion. BUT, i think by now i have finally now conditioned myself to push, and not pull.
And there are thousands, i mean thousands more things i could talk about, but they’ll have to wait. I’ll just have to make this an ongoing installment to the blog.
Till next time, Na Zdravi!
awwwww i love those pups! and i’m looking forward to spending some quality time with miss annie b.
those little things are great. my favorite in italy was the inviting “ciao ciao!” anytime you entered a shop/cafe/etc. and when it was “ciao bellaaaa” in a sweet, non-creepy kind of way it was an even more adorable little thing.
i like this as an ongoing installment. keep it coming.
Doors in historic buildings enter inward. it is only a recent change [thank you ADA/fire code] that doors open towards the outside.
If there were a fire and everyone were crowded around the door, opening it inwards upon your exit would be, well, not good. I think it is a typically American adoption, but also may be that way bc we have many fewer historic buildings that would have been grandfathered into the idea.
Also, you may recall Foundation in dt has a door that opens inward – they can do it bc the place only holds something like 64 people at max capacity.
Hope that helps! I have to think about it the way people make an L on their hands for L/R every time I’m some place remotely historic. Of course, they get you when the door goes both ways. Jerks.
Miss you!! Loving the blog!
A
hahaha wow ashton. that was a lot of information. thank you! and i miss you too!
and em, i do love that people are more friendly in shops. except here it’s, dobry den!!! or in the super tourist districts the occasional ooooooh čau američanka, in a definite creepy way…. (and yes, that čau is the czech version of ciao…)