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Social Profile
Food & Drink: Food is often based on Austro-Hungarian dishes; (Wiener) Schnitzel and pork are very popular. Specialities include bramborak, a delicacy of a potato pancake filled with garlic and herbs, and Prague ham. Meat dishes are mostly served with knedliky, a type of large dough dumpling, and zeli (sauerkraut). Western-style fresh vegetables are often missing in lower-class restaurants. There is a wide selection of restaurants, beer taverns and wine cellars.
Popular beverages include beers (lager, dark ales, pilsner), red, white and sparkling wines from Bohemia and Moravia, fruit juices and liqueurs. Particular specialities include becherovka (herb brandy) and two Moravian favourites, slivovice (plum brandy) and merunkovice (apricot brandy). There are no rigid licensing hours.
Nightlife: Theatre and opera are of a good standard all over Eastern Europe. Much of the nightlife takes place in nightclubs, bars and casinos which are to be found in major cities. For further information about musical and theatrical programmes check online (website: www.barokng.cz).
Shopping: Souvenirs include Bohemian glass and crystal, pottery, porcelain, wooden folk carvings, hand-embroidered clothing, and food items. There are a number of excellent shops specialising in glass and crystal, while various associations of regional artists and craftsmen run their own retail outlets (pay in local currency). Other special purchases include pottery (particularly from Kolovec and Straznice); china ornaments and geyserstone carvings from Karlovy Vary; delicate lace and needle embroidery from many Moravian towns; and blood-red garnets and semi-precious stones from Bohemia. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800, Sat 0800-1200. Supermarkets and food shops in large towns and cities are open from 0600. The number of shops also open on Sunday is constantly increasing.
Special Events: The Czech nation is one of the most musical in Central Europe. Throughout the year there are many occasions to enjoy music in concert halls, theatres, stately homes and churches. Regular music festivals and concert cycles also take place. Most towns have their own folk festivals, with dancing, local costumes and food. These tend to be in the summer months leading up to the harvest festivals in September. For further details, check with the Czech Tourist Authority and travel agencies (who can also arrange music festival tours). The following is a selection of major events held in the Czech Republic during 2003:
Feb 1-28 2003 The Ball Season, during this time balls take place in the finest venues of Prague and are attended by the young and old alike. May 8-11 Book World 2003. May 12-Jun 7 Prague Spring International Music Festival, Prague. Jul 4-13 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Jul 4-Sep 23 Prague Folklore Festival. Aug 1-23 Ceský Krumlov International Film Festival. Sep 23-27 International Jazz Festival. Sep 13-Oct 1 Prague Autumn Festival. Nov 28-30 International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music. Dec 31 New Year's Eve Celebrations, this is an eventful time in Prague.
Social Conventions: Dress should be casual, but conservative, except at formal dinners and at quality hotels or restaurants. Tipping: A five to ten per cent tip is usual.
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