Published courtesy of the copyright holder Paul Rak.

Czechs like to be greeted before being asked questions.
You will get a much warmer response and enjoy yourself better if you say Good Day or Hello in Czech before ordering at restaurants or going into shops or even inquiring about services.

Here are just a few phrases:
Good day….. Dobry Den (pronounce Dobree den)
Good evening….Dobry vecer (dobree vecherr)
Thank you…... Dekuju (dyekooyoo)
Please………. Prosim (prosim….soft “o”, not a hard “o”)

When visiting the Teplice Museum:

Ask to have your own private time in the ceramics exhibit…afterward offer your guide a monetary tip…kindly insist she take it…they do not earn a lot.
Do not take photos in the Ceramics exhibit room….you are on video!

When visiting Prague:

Go to Charles Bridge early, it gets busy really fast.

See Alfons Mucha stained glass window in St. Vitus Cathedral

Take one of the English speaking walking tours—there are many different ones--- you can do 2-3 tours in a day….great value for the money

Avoid symphonic concerts or operas unless they are in one of the main concert halls or opera houses—otherwise you will be seeing student performances

1 and 2 gigabyte compact flash for digital cameras is cheap now. Buy some as you will never see so much Art Nouveau anywhere! Take lots of pictures.

When visiting Karlovy Vary:

If taking the horse and buggy ride—negotiate the cost before the ride

Buy a real ceramic mug with the spout and enjoy the hot spring waters

. Book a massage at one of the spas--you will not regret it

. Avoid the Scottish bath therapy in the spa---unless you like being tortured.

Be cautious about antiques, there are some real good fake ceramic/pewter pieces here along the main tourist zones

Avoid money exchange anywhere other than banks; they give a good rate already

Try going to non-tourist restaurants – authentic Czech food there is just as good but far less expensive, take a dictionary so that you can translate the menu

Don’t be surprised if you should get a driving or parking ticket. Just be polite and try to negotiate the ticket lower---tickets are “easy to come by”

Beer is very inexpensive in the Czech Republic, so try every brand they have. It is available at any supermarket and is less expensive than milk. Remember, Czechs discovered the first “clear” beer (Pilsener from Plzen), so you are in the right country for a real treat.

If there is time, visit Karlštejn Castle outside of Prague and park at the base and walk up if you can do a half hour walk. Very, very romantic

Visit Moravsky Krumlov to see Mucha’s Slav Epic. An Art Nouveau experience you will never forget. Practically a religious experience. But check for hours of operation!

Enjoy yourself. Czechs are very courteous, helpful and honest. Rumours to the contrary were only true because people had to survive during Communism.