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Czech Republic
Culture & Identity
Czech Republic's Personality
The Czech Republic is fairly narcissistic, but
why not? Prague is an architectural masterpiece, the name "Bohemia" is
known throughout the world, and no matter the price or lack of customer service,
tourists, in particular American tourists, can't help
but visit or settle down in their country.
The people of Prague even brush off neighboring Germany,
Poland, Slovakia, and
Austria as almost lesser peoples as they boast about their capital. Fortunately,
this attitude doesn't spread much; the Czechs
in the east, and even just a dozen miles from Prague's suburbs are much more
approachable and modest, although they too blush with pride when you speak of their
country's beauty.
Identity
Czechs identify in multiple ways; the people of
Prague attach themselves with the city, others identify as Bohemian or Moravian,
and still others as Czech. What it means to be any of these is still be defined
though as the country continues its rapid transition from communism to major changes
including growing tourism, joining the European Union, and capitalism.
This page was last updated: February, 2012