One of the things that I really like about Czechs is their straightforwardness.  What I mean by this is that everyone is responsible for taking care of their own.  When going out with friends, one cannot expect the person inviting them to pay the bill. Everyone pays for the things they ordered. In Philippine culture, it is almost expected that whoever makes more money pays. In American culture, whoever makes the invitation pays, unless otherwise agreed upon. But in Czech culture, it doesn’t matter what social or financial status you’re in, you foot your own bill. It also doesn’t matter if you got invited to somebody’s birthday party. You are still responsible for paying everything you ordered.

I like it this way. It makes people responsible. There is nothing like a free lunch.

Another thing I have noticed is that everything out here is really functional. You don’t own just for the sake of owning. Big cars are for big families. Small cars for single people or for a couple. I haven’t seen anyone driving a big pick-up truck without a load of hay or workman’s tools. In LA, pick-up trucks driven by single guys flood the streets. I may be wrong, but it almost seems like these guys do it to prove a point — I am a man. Oh well, different culture, different means of expression.

Several months back, I snapped this photo of preschool children taking a walk with their teacher. This may seem a little bit harsh for some, but I totally like how this teacher wanted to prove her point. There are no words that can beat the message she wants to relay: “Don’t stray away from the pack.”