I once simply refused to accompany my husband into the Tesco supermarket and decided to wait for him on one of the benches that line Národní in front of the main entrance. That was a bad idea. I quickly became the target of a homeless bum who proceeded to tell me the story of his life, apparently not minding the lack of any response from my end. He got pretty far because Jeff was stuck at Tesco forever. Now I know not to sit on any of those benches.

My first experience at a retail store was when I went to the Tesco for a few items. I only wanted a 2 bottles of H2O and some ground coffee.

The store was v ery chaotic, as it was around 17:30 on a Friday afternoon. I could barely get down any aisle with the shopping cart “demolition derby” going on there, and when I got to the lines for the check-out, I was about #20 in the shortest line.

I will never forget the looks I got from the frantic, salivating, panting locals with their overflowing shopping carts, as I stood in line with my 2 bottles of water and my small bag of coffee, when I could have gone to a small shop anywhere else and saved the hour of time and aggravation and bruising!

But when I finally got to the “Helga” at the register and handed her the paper, I was due change. And when I naively put my hand out to receive it, “Helga” took my little ducks and literally slammed them into the little dish for che change while giving me a look of utter contempt!

Ha, ha, stupid American me! But a priceless memory nonetheless…

-shemp

I like your blog! I added it to our blog roll.

I am Czech, not American. I was in your shoes for some seven years when I lived in the U.S. It would have been a lot of fun to write a blog about my experiences back then but by the time blogs became the big thing they are now, my husband and I were moving back to the Czech Republic.

There are things I miss about the U.S. (which I really consider my second home, having family and friends there) but for now, I’m happier living in Prague and complaining about the frustrations I run into here.

Your system sounds like a good idea but I don’t see it as a very practical solution to a broad problem. Imagine that everyone who gets cash at an ATM, which normally spits out thousand or two-thousand crown bills, goes to the bank to get change. The lines would be endless!

What about if I get cash at a metro station where there is no bank? What about if I get cash in the evening or on the weekend when the banks are closed? Or in the middle of a work day when the banks are busy and I’d have to stand in line to get my change?

I think it would make more sense if the stores were the ones to make sure they always have change, so they can do business without creating silly little I-don’t-have-change situations for their employees and customers day in and day out. At least the big guys should make an effort. I shouldn’t have to worry about having enough small bills and coins in my wallet when shopping at one of the largest drugstore chains in the country.

Your story is so typical of Czechs: always ready to serve the customer, right??!!!
I really like your website! I have been trying to find similar blogs for a while now and with not much luck. I am a Czech citizen living in the USA (I guess reverse situation of yours) and decided to create my own blog for people like “us”. I would love it if you checked out my blog (which is, topic-wise,somewhat related to yours)! The website address is: www.czechmatediary.com, I also have a “story” category there, except I am writing about experiences of a Czech person living in an American culture ( I hope you find them fun).
Tanja