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Country Commercial Guides
FY 2000: Czech Republic
CHAPTER IX: BUSINESS CUSTOMS AND TRAVEL
A. Business Customs
When scheduling meetings or events to which Czech business guests are invited, it is best to avoid Friday afternoon (and Friday morning, if possible), as many Czechs have country houses to which they get away as early as possible on Friday. Czechs regard weekends and holidays as near-sacrosanct family time, and they avoid allowing business to intrude on this time.
Czechs appreciate being offered basic refreshments at meetings and will typically offer coffee, tea, water, juice, and cookies when they host business visitors. Business luncheons normally are more leisurely than in the United States; even if dining alone with one business contact, do not expect the lunch to be finished in less than two hours.
Working breakfasts are not common in the Czech Republic. Although the Czechs regard the custom as an amusing American oddity, they also are amenable quite often to attending, as the typical Czech working day starts earlier than in America.
Czechs are more formal in business situations than are Americans. U.S. exporters should expect initial business meetings to be not overly cordial, but serious and matter-of-fact. Unless the Czech business person has had experience dealing with U.S. companies, he or she may appear to be overly reserved during this first meeting. Unlike Americans, Czechs do not smile as a form of non-verbal greeting or social lubricant, but only when they are amused or pleased. Americans should not interpret the infrequency of their smiles as lack of receptivity or unfriendliness.
Titles are important, in both verbal and written address. It is considered good manners to address a Czech by his or her title and surname ("Mr. Novak," "Dr. Novakova") until invited to be on a first name basis. Americans quickly move to first names as a way of establishing connection with each other, but to use a Czech's first name without first being invited to do so would be regarded as rude. Unless a Czech contact is accustomed to dealing with Americans, it usually takes several meetings to establish a sense of rapport with the Czech contact and to develop a more informal and relaxed attitude in communications.
B. Travel Advisories and Visas
There are no outstanding travel advisories warning against travel to the Czech Republic. While the U.S. Embassy was closed for two days in February 1999 due to a specific threat to official U.S. facilities, Americans are not considered to be especially at risk.
Prague and other Czech cities are very safe by U.S. standards, but visitors are encouraged to exercise common sense precautions and be particularly wary of Prague's famously efficient pickpockets. Special caution in this regard is warranted in and around train stations and when boarding and exiting trams. When taking taxis it is recommended to agree on an estimated price with the driver in advance.
C. Holidays
January 1--New Year's Day
(variable)--Easter Monday
May 1--Labor Day
May 8--Liberation Day
July 5--Cyril & Methodius Day
July 6--Jan Hus Day
October 28--Czech National Holiday
December 24--Christmas Eve
December 25--Christmas Day
December 26--St. Stephen's DayAs is the case in much of Europe, it may be more difficult to make business appointments and contacts in the Czech Republic during the month of August and close to major holidays such as Christmas.
D. Workweek: Monday through Friday (40 working hours).
E. Business Infrastructure
The Czech Republic's modern infrastructure supports most types of business activities. The country offers an extensive transport system; strategic geographical position; expanding communications options; wide industrial supply base; skilled, educated, cost-competitive workforce; increasing levels of English language proficiency, especially among younger workers; and absence of major health and safety concerns.
F. Temporary Entry of Goods
Please refer to Chapter VI, Section F.
G. Product Pricing
Please refer to Chapter IV, Section I.
U.S. business travelers are encouraged to obtain a copy of the "Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts: A Guide for Business Representatives" available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402; tel.: (202) 512-1800; fax: (202) 512-2250. Business travelers to the Czech Republic seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy Prague officials should contact the Commercial Section in advance. The Commercial Section can be reached by telephone at +420 2 5753 0663 or by fax at +420 2 5753 1165, 5753, 1168.
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Note* International Copyright, United States Government, 1998 (or other year of first publication). All rights under foreign copyright laws are reserved. All portions of this publication are protected against any type or form of reproduction, communications to the public and the preparation of adaptations, arrangement and alterations outside the United States. U. S. copyright is not asserted under the U.S. Copyright Law, Title17, United States Code.
