Visiting a new city can be a bit overwhelming, especially if it is in a foreign country. It helps if you have some basic information regarding daily life before you arrive. With that in mind, here are some details regarding everyday life in Prague.

Opening Times

• Banks: most banks are open Monday through Friday between eight and nine in the morning, and they close between four and five in the afternoon.
• Government and Public Services: open Monday through Friday, starting at nine in the morning and closing at five in the afternoon.
• Shops: some are closed on Sunday, but most (especially those near the center of Prague) are open on Sundays (and later in the evening, too).
• Museums: open Thursday through Sunday, nine in the morning until six in the evening.
• Local Post Offices: Monday through Friday, from eight in the morning until six in the evening.

Social Customs

While it is impossible to list and to explain every social custom found in Prague, here are a few you may find useful when you are traveling through the Czech Republic:

• Although the Czech people may (at first) seem intimidating, they are a quiet, reserved, almost shy people.  They tend to avoid confrontation, and they appreciate a good sense of humor.
• Drinking and Dining: when a couple enters a pub or restaurant, it is customary for the man to go first. Also, it is common to share a table with other people, and other people may join you as well.  If you have finished eating and you want your plate cleared, put your knife and fork together.  Cross them if you want to continue eating.  Tap water is usually not offered, but you can ask for some if you wish.
• Czechs tend to use their thumbs when counting, so when you are ordering drinks at a bar and you want two drinks, hold up your thumb and your index finger.  If you want three drinks, hold up your thumb, your index finger, and your middle finger.
• Language: if you can, try to speak at least a little Czech.  It will make a good impression on the person with whom you are trying to communicate.  However, do not be surprised (or insulted) if the person switches to English.  At least you made an effort – that is what is important.
• Shopping: use a basket or a cart when shopping, even if you are only buying a few items.  Otherwise the staff may become a bit upset.
• Theater/Opera: dress nicely.  Do not wear jeans or casual clothes.  It is frowned upon and it is a sure sign you are a tourist.
• Time: traditionally, Czechs tend to be early risers.  Their workday sometimes starts at seven in the morning and ends at three in the afternoon.  However, the country is starting to shift to a more “standard” workday of nine to five.
• Tipping: tip wait staff, hairdressers and taxi drivers.  You should always attempt to tip between ten and fifteen percent, and when in doubt, round up.
• Visiting a Home: when you visit someone’s house, take your shoes off at the door.  Czechs do not wear shoes inside.  You may be offered a pair of slippers, but it is probably best for you to wear a pair of nice socks.
• Gifts: if you are buying a gift, Czechs tend to enjoy crystal, puppets, and lace.  All three have special connections to their heritage.

Telephone Services in Prague

• Public telephones in Prague are either coin or card operated.  Telephone cards can be purchased in post offices, newsagents and kiosks, or tobacco stores. 
• Mobile phones: Prague uses GSM 900/1800 mobile phones, a system which is compatible with the rest of Europe, but not with North America or Japan.
• Calling to the Czech Republic: dial 00  + 420 + local number (9-digit number)
• Calling from the Czech Republic: dial 00 + country code + local number

Internet
If you would like to stay in touch with friends, family, or even the rest of the world while you are in Prague, you may do so on the World Wide Web. Prague has numerous cyber-cafes or Internet “hot spots” were you can plug-in. You can also log onto the Internet through phone line at hotels (most hotels have RJ-11 standard plugs). There are free dial-up Internet service providers in Prague or you can use a global search engine. If you have an account with AOL, just check their local access nodes in Prague. Some Internet cafes will also offer Ethernet sockets so bringing your own laptop to the Czech Republic is not a problem.

Electricity
Electricity in the Czech Republic is 220V and AC 50Hz, so make sure your appliances like shavers, hairdryers, curling irons, camera chargers, laptops, etc. have a switch to change the voltage to 220. Most outlets have sockets with two small round holes and sometimes a ground pin. If you don’t have an adaptor you can often purchase one at the airport when you arrive (plugs and adapters are hard to find in Prague shops, so be prepared and buy it at the airport or before you arrive). If you’re visiting from North America, you will need a transformer.

Weights and Measures
Prague is on the Metric system.

Clothes and Shoe Size
While some clothing sizes are universal (gloves, socks, pantyhose), many are not.  In Prague, some stores try to use approximate size measures – XS for extra small to XL for extra large, but there is little consistency to these sizes (a “small” from one manufacturer may be a “large” to another).  The best way to see if clothes or shoes fit when you are in Prague is to try them on.  However, if you are buying something for a woman and she is not with you, you can try these conversions:

• An American 4/British 6 is a European 34.
• An American 6/British 8 is a European 36.
• An American 8/British 10 is a European 38.

In terms of shoes, this should work:

• An American 7/British 5 ½ is a European 39.
• An American 10 is a European 42.
• A word of warning: shoe sizes tend to be even more random than clothing.  Your best bet in terms of buying shoes in Prague is to try them on.

When it comes to both clothes and shoes, always ask the salesclerk if you have any questions.  Prague is an extremely popular city for tourists, so most of the salespeople will speak English and will be able to assist you with any questions you might have.  Do not be shy!

Hygiene
Public hygiene in Prague, while not quite up to Western European levels, is generally quite good. In rural areas, where standards are lower, you should take the kind of common-sense precautions you would in a developing country - not only with food and personal hygiene but, for example, in contact with animals. For hikers and campers, ticks sometimes carry infections, the troublesome ones being encephalitis and Lyme disease. In the mountains, you'll need to be prepared for the effects of cold. Prague is no fun in winter if you have respiratory problems.
Knowing as much about Prague before you even arrive will only make your trip that much more enjoyable. This list should give you enough information to ensure you will have a great time while you are in the Czech Republic. Have a blast!