tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390842085053516182.post3407802673664842203..comments2024-01-18T20:50:28.629+01:00Comments on Czech Off the Beaten Path: Do Unto Others--Cultural Differences & RespectSherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049105010678817891noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390842085053516182.post-11439284252812862092009-07-02T12:41:04.196+02:002009-07-02T12:41:04.196+02:00Hi Roz,
Yes, this is an interesting cultural diffe...Hi Roz,<br />Yes, this is an interesting cultural difference! One that I thought Jiri was teasing me with, but no...he was completely serious and offended by my whistling (the deed, though, maybe it was also the sound--I'm not sure!). <br /><br />After the comments here, and talking with other Czechs, I've come to the conclusion that these prohibitions to lace and whistling are mostly generational--the older generation seems to find these things as not lady-like. The younger generation doesn't seem to have a problem, unless they have a more conservative outlook (the people, not the lace or whistling). <br /><br />So, I'm going to avoid these things when in the presence of older Czechs...and do them/wear them when I'm back in the States...or when I'm at home alone...:0) No problem!! <br /><br />These cultural differences are sometimes very convoluted...I'm still new and learning about living in the Czech Republic...I'm still on the outside of the onion of Czech culture...but learning as I go...and trying to not be so "American"...not an easy job! :0) <br /><br />Have a great day,<br />Sher :0)Sherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13049105010678817891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390842085053516182.post-86547930017531704452009-07-01T06:24:25.302+02:002009-07-01T06:24:25.302+02:00Very interesting to read about lace and whistling!...Very interesting to read about lace and whistling! Isn't it amazing how many things you find out about a culture when you actually live in the country?<br /><br />Perhaps the dislike of women whistling is a continental European thing - as Chaplain says, it is not frowned upon in the UK and it's OK to wear lace there too. <br /><br />Best wishes,<br /><br />RozRozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00643747601467148531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390842085053516182.post-6151317527212265032009-06-29T13:12:55.927+02:002009-06-29T13:12:55.927+02:00Hi Ivanhoe,
I'm wondering if you're of the...Hi Ivanhoe,<br />I'm wondering if you're of the younger generation of Czechs--and if that has any bearing on the whistling and lace issues? I've found before, on some cultural issues, that the older generations (40-50+) often have more old-fashioned ideas about many issues, whereas the younger generations are more relaxed about these issues and most things! Oh to be about 10 years younger...some of these things would be easier for me to deal with! :0) <br /><br />Have a great day,<br />Sher :0)Sherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13049105010678817891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390842085053516182.post-63097466683357015542009-06-24T22:00:32.518+02:002009-06-24T22:00:32.518+02:00Great post, Sher :o)
I never had a problem with we...Great post, Sher :o)<br />I never had a problem with wearing a lace back in Czech (that was in the 80's & 90's though).<br />I also never had a problem with whistling. I actually turned quite a few heads (in an admiring way) at sporting events because I could whistle on fingers (that's usually what only boys can do - can meaning "are able to", not "are allowed to" ;o)Ivanhoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14568486975589895670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390842085053516182.post-59629314510593334622009-06-22T13:42:07.879+02:002009-06-22T13:42:07.879+02:00Hi Hans,
Yes, my very thought! I'm going to pu...Hi Hans,<br />Yes, my very thought! I'm going to put this one in the pot with the others you and other bloggers have suggested!<br /><br />Have a great day,<br />Sher :0)Sherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13049105010678817891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390842085053516182.post-3768908350794094372009-06-22T12:32:19.809+02:002009-06-22T12:32:19.809+02:00is this not a good issue for next wbsd?
kindest
ha...is this not a good issue for next wbsd?<br />kindest<br />hansInternation Musinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10693858277179002967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390842085053516182.post-47673133024053235272009-06-22T08:14:12.033+02:002009-06-22T08:14:12.033+02:00PS I don't whistle if it will irritate others!...PS I don't whistle if it will irritate others! But do enjoy just whistling when I'm alone or working in the house, etc. My Dad taught me it was OK to whistle, but to also keep in mind the ears and feelings of others! :0) <br /><br />Sher :0)Sherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13049105010678817891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390842085053516182.post-7639041981547202672009-06-22T08:05:49.742+02:002009-06-22T08:05:49.742+02:00Hi Chaplain,
I'm constantly learning new thing...Hi Chaplain,<br />I'm constantly learning new things and being literally surprised quite often on this expat journey! I had absolutely no idea that a woman whistling was considered unlady-like! My own Dad taught me how to whistle, and how to enjoy it anytime anywhere! He also taught me how to skip rocks on a stream or lake, etc (but not spitting--I never do that...yuck!). I'm not and have never been a tomboy, but still enjoyed these activities. Now I'm finding these types of activities are not considered lady-like. Just amazing! I've always been the queen of priss and properness in my family! :0) <br /><br />However, it's great to hear that at least we can whistle in the home--in the UK. I'm a very musical person (singing, playing the autoharp, etc), and the thought of not being able to whistle, even at home, was a bit distressing. I must say, though, that Jiri has said no whistling here is acceptable--even in the home. It's just looked upon as rough and coarse behavior. <br /><br />So, now I'm doomed--no lace, no whistling, no skipping rocks for me in Europe--wondering what will be crossed off the list next! No wonder so many have gone to the "new world" to find a freer life :0) <br /><br />Have a great day,<br />Sher :0)Sherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13049105010678817891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390842085053516182.post-39193656093034426532009-06-21T17:50:31.356+02:002009-06-21T17:50:31.356+02:00Hi Sher, Maybe it not being deemed ladylike to whi...Hi Sher, Maybe it not being deemed ladylike to whistle is a continental European or even Central European thing. A woman whistling around the house, as you desribe yourself doing, would not be deemed inappropriate in the UK.Chaplainhttp://rickyyates.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390842085053516182.post-26602488468699367362009-06-20T21:35:01.174+02:002009-06-20T21:35:01.174+02:00Hi Oscar,
Thanks for your input! I'm very sur...Hi Oscar,<br />Thanks for your input! I'm very surprised! Back in the States anyone can whistle and no one thinks anything of it! So, this must be some European way of thinking--I just know that when I was whistling in our flat today, Jiri was very surprised and shocked...and said it was not done! So, this is another one of those things I don't understand, but since I'm living here it will be necessary to follow! :0) <br /><br />Have a great day,<br />Sher :0)Sherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13049105010678817891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390842085053516182.post-21436060513504289072009-06-20T19:53:26.598+02:002009-06-20T19:53:26.598+02:00Mommy, who is German, says whistling is a huge no-...Mommy, who is German, says whistling is a huge no-no in her country of birth also! Only tomcats and tomboys whistle, but not ladies! Ladies get whistles, not give them!Oscar, Expat Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14084287029771851710noreply@blogger.com