ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Many business people speak German. The clothing is quite formal. Long meals are common when negotiating. Many companies are closed during the holiday season in July and August.
Prague
By and large, the Czechs are warm-hearted people to whom hospitality is extremely important, and so it can happen that the bill is paid silently in the restaurant. If this is the case, you should accept the invitation without hesitation (considering the disparity between Czech and Western salaries, it can also be a question of honor) and later try to show your appreciation. Czech society is still dominated by men and older business people in particular would never allow themselves to be invited by a woman, even if she was a boss. If you are invited to a colleague’s home for dinner, a small present is appropriate – preferably a bottle of wine and flowers.
It is essential to be punctual for business meetings. If a delay cannot be avoided, colleagues should be notified. In older companies and for older business people, conservative clothing applies, in young companies you are usually more casual. A jacket and tie for men, a chic trouser suit or a costume for women are suitable for the first business visit. A strong handshake and maintaining eye contact are interpreted as a sign of honesty and sincerity, while speaking very loudly and interrupting the other as attempts to distract from the topic. Addressing someone by their first name is a sign of friendship, but using it unsolicited is considered insulting or disparaging.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Economy
Commercial Department of the Embassy of the Czech Republic
Wilhelmstrasse 44, D-10117 Berlin
Tel: (030) 22 63 81 95.
Internet: http://www.mzv.cz/
Commercial Department of the Embassy of the Czech Republic
Penzinger Strasse 11-13, A-1140 Vienna
Tel: (01) 894 21 25.
Internet: www.mzv.cz/vienna
Chamber of Commerce Switzerland-Czech Republic
Na Pankráci 1062/58, CZ-140 00 Praha 4
Tel: (222) 51 66 14.
Internet: www.hst.cz
Hospodárská Komora Ceské Republiky (Czech Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
ECCR, Freyova 27, CZ-190 00 Prague 9
Tel: 296 64 61 12.
Internet: www.hkcr.cz orwww.komora.cz
Business contacts
Commercial Department of the Embassy of the Czech Republic
Wilhelmstrasse 44, D-10117 Berlin
Tel: (030) 22 63 81 95.
Internet: http://www.mzv.cz/
Commercial Department of the Embassy of the Czech Republic
Penzinger Strasse 11-13, A-1140 Vienna
Tel: (01) 894 21 25.
Internet: www.mzv.cz/vienna
Chamber of Commerce Switzerland-Czech Republic
Na Pankráci 1062/58, CZ-140 00 Praha 4
Tel: (222) 51 66 14.
Internet: www.hst.cz
Hospodárská Komora Ceské Republiky (Czech Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
ECCR, Freyova 27, CZ-190 00 Prague 9
Tel: 296 64 61 12.
Internet: www.hkcr.cz orwww.komora.cz
COMMUNICATION
Cellphone
GSM 900/1800. Compatibility with 3G and roaming agreements exist. Reception / transmission range very good nationwide.
Network operator: Among other things, O2 (Internet: www.o2.cz/osobni) and T-Mobile (Internet: t-mobile.cz) (both GSM 900). International roaming can be used within the EU at the Euro tariff. Customers of all European mobile network operators automatically make all calls in and from other EU countries at the Euro rate. However, the Euro tariff does not apply to other mobile communications services such as SMS, MMS and data transmission.
Internet
Internet cafes are plentiful in Prague and all major cities. Local internet provider is tiscali (internet: www.tiscali.cz). Wireless access to the Internet via Wi-Fi is available in restaurants, cafes, hotels, at Prague Ruzyne Airport and in many other places. Big cities in particular are well covered by signals. Information on Wi-Fi hotspots is available at www.hotspotlocations.com.
Post Office
The main post office in Prague (Jindrisska 14, Prague 1) is open 24 hours. Post offices can also be sent to poste restante.
Post office opening times: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Airmail shipments within Europe take a few days.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
Phone
As a country located in Europe according to topmbadirectory, Czech Republic’s are code is 00420. There are numerous public telephone booths from which international calls are possible. Most public phone booths can be used with a phone card, which can be bought in hotels, tourist information offices, newsagents and tobacco shops.
Hotels usually charge a high surcharge for international calls.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
Music and opera performances enjoy a good reputation, the three Prague operas are well known. There are discos and nightclubs in the big cities.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
You can choose from hotels with 1 to 5 stars. More information from the National Federation of Hotels and Restaurants, Revoluční 13, CZ-110 00 Prague 1. Tel: 236 04 23 20. (Internet: www.nfhr.cz).
Hotel classification: Hotels are divided into the Hotelstars Union star categories from one to five stars.
Camping
In the summer months there is a large number of campsites available that also rent out caravans.
Further information from the representatives of the Czech National Tourist Board in Berlin and Vienna (see addresses).
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Regionally different climates in the mountains and in the plains. The Czech Republic is a good travel destination all year round.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +420 Area (sq km) 78 866 Population 10 644 842 Population density (per sq km) 135 Population in 2015 Member of the EU Yes main emergency number 112
