From the current Europe Through the Back Door: "Whether you're in a restaurant or traditional beer hall, beer hits your table like a glass of water does in the States. A new serving will automatically appear when the old glass is almost empty. (You must tell the waiter not to bring more.) I'm not a beer drinker and would prefer that beer not be brought to my table. If I can say "No thank you" in Czech, will that take care of it? Second statement is "At restaurants, tourists are routinely served cheaper meals than what they ordered, given a menu with a "personalized" price list, charged extra for things they didn't get, or shortchanged." Do you really feel this is "routine," and what suggestions do you have for limiting these issues? (Of course I can check to be sure that extra items weren't added on to the bill and carefully check the change, but that doesn't solve the first two problems.) We're fairly well-traveled in Europe but have never been to the Czech Republic and I admit that the language barrier and different currency are worrying me a bit.
Posted by
California USA
3958 posts
Your quote about the way beer is served in Prague beer halls and restaurants isn't anything I've ever experienced and I've been to Prague 6 times.
As far as food, restaurants, menu switches and charges, I also try to ask for a menu in Czech even if I'm first offered one in English and I compare the two for selection and prices.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1216 posts
Hi Janet. As far as the language and currency.. You will get used to the currency quickly. And in the tourist areas, restaurants and hotels, many people will speak English. We thoroughly enjoyed Prague and felt comfortable there. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Beer indeed lands on your table like glass of water in the US. But not in restaurants where foreigners go. But it happens in certain pubs in neighborhoods where almost all guests are regulars. Personalized price list and other cheating are mostly things of the past. They realized that reputation is more important. I remember Prague under communism then in nineties and a lot of things changed since then mostly to better.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
Beer came quickly at the recommended restaurant Lokal but also easy enough to wave away. I recall that my waiter spoke English.
Posted by
Edinburgh
2639 posts
that guide must be well out of date ,just does not happen like that nowadays,maybe 20 or more years ago.
Tourist are well catered for and English almost universally spoken.
you will fine service reasonable but nothing like the over the top happy smiling in your face American way and to many americans it can appear rude and surly.
the pubs that just keep serving beer are few and far between now hey only one like you suggest I have been in was in Brno and that was a few years ago.
Tourist get served the same food at the same prices as locals but in cities like Prague locals will not be eating and drinking in any of the tourist areas prices are just too high for that, there are several rip off places in the city and they are all in the tourist area, café bar Trinity at the bottom of Wenseslas Square being a classic.
Currency is pretty easy,at the moment you are getting around 25Kc/$ so use that as a basis, credit and debit cards are widely accepted though use them for the larger costs and not trifle amounts. tip around 10% but only if you are happy with the service, don't leave tips on the table ,just not done, if just having a drink round things up to the nearest 10kc, nobody chases you down the street for not tipping.
Czech republic is a wonderful country but remember it is not the US and things might be done differently from the way you are used to.
personally I would throw your Europe through the back door guide in the bin and get something more up to date.
Posted by
Bern, Switzerland
86 posts
We've been living in Prague for 2-1/2 years, and the only place they bring me beer without my ordering it first is our neighborhood restaurant, where everyone knows me. You don't need to worry about this, I think. There were a few restaurants that used to charge tourists extra, but there was a big crackdown about 6 months ago, and they were all hit with hefty fines (and their names were publicized). So restaurants are being much more honest now! You will be pleasantly surprised by how much better the service is here than guidebooks would lead you to expect, and yes, everyone in the city center speaks excellent English. I hope you have a great trip!
Posted by
Prague, Czech Republic
356 posts
Your guide book sounds to be rather out of date. I suggest that you pick up a copy of the Prague Superguide. It is a neat little guide book that produced in Prague last year. Put together by locals, it is designed for visitors and residents alike. It is now in its second edition and its information is completely up to date. It has some excellent selection of food, drink, culture and shopping tips, and I have made some nice little finds using it. It is a nice design too, so it will look good on your bookcase.
Posted by
OP
Boise, ID, USA
2186 posts
Thanks to all. You've eased my mind and reminded me why I love this forum!
@Mona - Asking for a Czech menu makes perfect sense - thank you for that.
@Marcus - Thanks so much for the Prague guidebook info - I've ordered it!
Posted by
Edinburgh
2639 posts
as to menus . you will find that in many places you will be given an English menu or a menu with Czech and English, even out in the more outlying places they are doing this with menus now.