Czechs have a lot of sayings and some about themselves. Here are 3 of them and we will not only explain what they mean but also where they come from.
Golden Czech Hands (Zlaté české ručičky)
Zlaté české ručičky or Golden Czech Hands refers to the ability of the Czech people to make and do anything by themselves. Need electricity installed in your house? No problem, the uncle can do it! Need some furniture built? Don’t call the professionals, we will figure it out! This about illustrates the attitude many Czechs have towards making things they need instead of leaving it to the professionals. Not that they would distrust them, this habit comes from the 40 years of communism where even simple things were scarce and people had to figure things out on their own. We are talking about relatively recent times which many Czechs still remember so they are not only used to making things themselves but are also really good at it.
Every Czech is a musician (Co Čech, to muzikant)
Czech festivities have always been accompanied by lots of music. Previously no professional bands were being hired, the village people were always responsible for this irreplaceable part of every harvest feast, Christmas or hody. The instruments as well as the ability to play them were passed from generation to generation. And even today it is a very common thing to play one or more musical instruments. The elementary school curriculum contains several mandatory music classes every week and many children go to music classes after school. Czech Republic has a very unique network of state art schools with three main directions to choose from – plastic arts, music or dance. The classes are subsidized by the state and cost very little so that everyone can afford them. The classes take place after school and they count as official music education. Children can enroll at the age of 5 – 7 years and the whole studies take 7 + 4 years. Whether the children choose an instrument or singing, there is always a mandatory music theory class every week to accompany the studies.
Whoever doesn’t jump isn’t Czech, jump, jump, jump! (Kdo neskáče, není Čech, hop, hop, hop!)
This young saying originated at the ice-hockey matches the Czechs are so passionate about. It’s the Czech way of cheering for their favorite team. See for yourself:
Do you know any other Czech sayings you’d like us to explain? Let us know!
