Prague, Czech Republic
Thoughts of a Humble Trainee
Going on a traineeship can be one hell of an experience. And I mean exactly that - it can be a hell, or it can be heaven. It all depends on what you make of it. For me, everything I went through has made it an even better experience, even if it was correcting a misconception I had or learning to drink some godforsaken alcohol that got forced in my face by every Slovak I met. How you take and interpret each thing that happens to you will have a lasting affect on your overall experience. Okay, before I begin to sound like something from Chicken Soup for the Soul, I'll get started.
Going to Czechoslovakia, er, I mean the Czech Republic
Conceptions, misconceptions, oh my! No matter how hard you try, you're gonna have some prejudiced thoughts about where you're going. But that's okay - it's perfectly natural. And it is a whole lot better than to not know anything. I myself read up a bit on the government, knowing how some people might like to grill me being that I'm American. (Amazingly enough, no one ever did.) However, one of the questions I get asked every day (and yes, it does get annoying) is, "So why did you decide to come to the Czech Republic?" The truth is, I really wanted to go to South America, but I'd been to Prague before and had a good time and the job seemed good, so I said, why not? I didn't come because Prague was special; it was just an opportunity. However, you can't tell these people that. They want to hear about the excitement involved in business in Emerging Europe and things like this. These were some of the reasons I came here as well, and they're good reasons.
Before I came, most of the misconceptions I had pertained to the government. I had been under the impression that it had become fully decentralized and democratic, with very little state interference. However, going home from work on my second day I had to wade my way through a crowd of over 100,000 protesting what they felt was censorship on the state-run television station. Of course, they're going through the process of privatizing everything, but there are still a whole lot more state-run organizations than I thought. Hell, Budweiser's state-owned. (Czech Budweiser)
One of the more stupid misconceptions I had was about the workplace. As this is Europe and a rapidly developing country, I pretty much expected the work environment to be the same as back home and other Western countries. However, while I'm sure they've made vast improvements in the last 10 years, they are not anywhere near as productive as one would expect. Things move more slowly, and they're a little inefficient. A lot of natives here dislike foreigners (especially North Americans and Western Europeans) because we come here and get jobs very easily, while the national unemployment rate is pretty high. The main reason for this is business understanding, which, I'm sorry to say, some people just don't quite get. So if a concept that seems fairly straightforward to you like, say, building brand image, is absolutely lost on them, don't get frustrated. That's why you're there, to help them learn as well.
The bottom line is to be prepared to have all of your preconceptions shot down in a split second, and do your best to understand.
All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go. (Or was I?)
Okay, so by now you've studied up a bit about wherever you're going and you know about the weather, common sports and activities, and maybe a bit about the nightlife. I did that too. Now, what would I change if I could repack? Not much. I brought one suitcase and a backpack (a 75-liter pack) along with my bookbag. I packed clothes for all seasons, clothes that I can wear for multiple activities. (That's not hard - if you can't do that, you shouldn't be leaving anywhere anyway). The fact is, I can't tell you what you'll wish you brought - it'll take a few weeks before you really with you'd brought a basketball or your slippers. Try to pack things that you can use every day, and may be vital. For instance, we didn't have a television or a radio in my flat. I had my Discman, but I didn't have speakers (which I wished I'd brought. I had to buy a radio. And books. I didn't bring any (a very stupid idea), but I got lucky. Prague is a very international city, so I can get most of what I want in English - newspapers, magazines, and books. However, in many places that's not the case. That's just what I like to do in my downtime. Remember, you'll have just as much free time as you did back home, so what do you want to do? Try to have those things you can't expect to get here. As well as I did packing, I still didn't think about the ankle braces I'm pining for now. Bottom line - no matter how hard you try, you're won't have everything you'll need.
But I don't like cabbage!
One of the hardest things for me to adjust to wherever I am is foreign food. In my particular case, my body has to adjust and for a few weeks I don't eat much and don't feel that great. After that, I'm fine.
Anyway, if you like cabbage, the Czech Republic is the place for you. I don't particularly care for it, but I eat it when necessary. Eating can be a strong custom in many countries, and people can be very insulted about it. Here, before every meal, they say, "Dobrou chut," which means something like "Bon appetit." They always ask what we say back home. I may be mistaken, but I don't know of anything, unless it's Bon Appetit, and they're shocked by this. Needless to say, it doesn't take much to follow this custom, and you should make every effort to take part in things such as these, especially when invited to someone's home for dinner. However, don't feel inclined to eat whatever is placed before you. The people who invite you to their homes are usually very open, (otherwise they wouldn't have invited a foreigner), and if you explain politely that you dislike cabbage or you're a vegetarian, they'll generally accept this. You may get some strange looks or blunt statements, but most of the time it's not a problem. (However, that's generally speaking - you never know when you'll get someone rude - act accordingly).
People are very much the same with drinking. Here there are two regional liquors - becherovka and slivovice, of which the Czechs are very proud. They're always offered at homes I visit. Everyone will have a shot along with a toast (at least we have "Cheers"). Toasting traditions can be different as well - here you have to clink glasses with everyone while looking them in the eyes. (They say failure to look someone in the eye results in seven years of bad sex, and unfortunately this can't be backdated. So be careful!) If you don't drink and explain this to them, just ask for water or a coke, and that's no problem. However, if you do drink, it is rude to decline their alcohol simply because you don't like it. (Even if you've tried it 100 times, they still think it's the first time for you.)
Wherever you go, be prepared to have to eat things you don't like for survival purposes. Note: Poland is the only country in Europe with a Taco Bell! Lucky bastards!
What's that smell?
Personal hygiene. Unless you grew up in the backwoods, a lot of us take this for granted. Wake up, shower, brush teeth, apply deodorant, and put on clean clothes. This is a typical morning routine for many of us back home. Here, unfortunately, this is not the case. I've often wondered if Degree ran the worst marketing campaign ever and somehow compared deodorant to the Clap and that is why no one wears it, or if Speed Stick decided it would be worthless to enter the market, but either way, a lot of people don't wear it. Okay, you're saying, these are the people doing labor all day that get dirty and don't see the point of getting clean in the morning if they just get dirty at work. But no. Unfortunately for me, sometimes, some people at work (in suits, mind you) have that ever so unpleasant smell about them. However, everything I need as far as cosmetics I can get here. I only shop for the basics - shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc. Most name brands from the States are available as well. This holds true for the entire country, even the smaller cities.
People do dress pretty much the same here as back home, but I'm in Europe. I'm sure this doesn't hold true for lots of places, so ask before you leave what will be required in the workplace. I wear a shirt and tie most every day, as does everyone in my office. But there are also offices that don't require this dress. In everyday life, it's typical Western dress, although we wear more color in our shirts, and they do in their pants. It's an interesting combination, and one I doubt I'll ever pick up.
Nemluvím Èeský! (I don't speak Czech)
One of the more fun aspects is the language. Many of you may go to countries where you speak the language, which is a definite plus. However, if you're going to one in which you can't, don't despair. Things just get more interesting.
I didn't get a dictionary or phrasebook before I came, but it could help some people. A copy of Windows or Office in English could be helpful as well. I've accustomed to my Czech versions, but if I want to do something technical I have to go home, consult my computer, take notes, and do it the next day. It's not a bad way to learn either. I'm picking up the language, with the help of a class, and I hope to be able to speak a little by the time I leave. Typing is different as well - different keyboards. The z is where the y should be, among other things, and I can type cool letters like s and ù and make signs like §.
While most people speak a little English here, if you ask someone on the street something in English, they usually won't answer - they don't want to look stupid speaking bad English. However, I've found that if you try to speak their language (basically showing you are willing to make a fool out of yourself) they're more likely to speak English to help you.
You've gotta be kidding
One of the harder things to get used to here is racism, and their hypocritical viewpoint on Americans with regard to this. Many Czechs are racist. Most of the time this just applies to Gypsies, and in Prague it isn't too bad. However, if you get into smaller cities in less developed countries, you may see it directed at any non-white (these are also typically the people who dislike foreigners as well). They're usually just harmless, idiotic comments, but a Kenyan friend and a Philippine-Canadian friend had a few problems. This is a country that is very ethnocentric - like many small European countries; there is not much diversity. Communism can be blamed for this to a point.
I don't mean to frighten anyone - most people are nice and friendly and have just been brought up with the wrong views (again Communism to a point). Maria and Nasibi (the above mentioned) both have had a wonderful time here and wouldn't give it up for the world. Just be prepared.
Wait a sec - bars don't close at 1:30? I think I'm in heaven.
Okay, most of you know about nightlife in Europe starts and lasts much later than good ol' Missouri. Which, if you're like me, is a damn good thing. Except on the days when you have to be at work in a few hours and you're still at the disco. I've even gone out a few worknights with my boss until 4 or 5. Clubs are pretty much the same here as back home. (Except they like really bad 80s music for some reason) Oh, and there's the PDA factor. If you don't like watching PDAs, you may be in trouble in this part of the world. It's everywhere - subways, the street, clubs.
That's another thing - dating. Here, almost everyone has a boyfriend/girlfriend. I have yet to meet anyone who is just "dating" or "seeing someone". There doesn't seem to be an interim or trial phase here. I was on a second date with a girl, and she told me she was a bad girlfriend (for various reasons), and all I could say was "who said you were my girlfriend?" (which, by the way, was not a good thing to say). But you live and learn - it's a lot of fun.
Bottom of the ninth, bring in the closer
People are people. We're all the same and we're all unique. Every culture is unique, and while there are some bad aspects to each one, each has its good aspects as well, and we can learn from all of them. Remember that.
We all have our different motives for doing a traineeship. For some it may be work, others play. I won't guarantee anything save one thing: if you go into this traineeship with an open mind ready to learn, it will be one hell of an experience.
If you have any more questions for John or would simply like to wish him well, you can e-mail him at john_duckworth@lycos.com.
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