How (and Where) to Get Excellent Customer Service In Prague

Customer service in the Czech Republic doesn’t exactly have a stellar reputation, but that doesn’t mean that everyone’s doing it wrong.

Though we like to think it’s getting better, learning to adapt, especially if you’re a newbie, is important.

Here’s how to get better customer in Prague and the Czech Republic:

The golden rule of customer service in Prague is that your experience improves in almost any situation if you can show that you’ve put some work into learning the local language.

Yes, even for lunch, afternoon coffee, and definitely for dinner on the weekends. You’ll usually get better treatment if you don’t turn up unannounced.

Within seconds of sitting down in many restaurants or cafes, you’ll be asked for a drink order. Any main dish is likely to be offered a choice of sides. Expect the questions and have your answers ready, even if it’s just that you’ll need some time to decide (and again, bonus points for learning to say it correctly in Czech).

Just as the Czech character is known for being slow to warm but worth the wait, frequent visits are often rewarded with a knowing half-smile that says you’re welcome and remembered. 

This is not a land where the customer is king. Many Prague residents don’t mind, saying that their ideal service standards falls somewhere between fake smiles and small talk and a scowl-and-grunt response. Just a pleasant, efficient, genuine interaction is all most people want. 

The excitement of opening after months of planning and hard work can often translate to enthusiastic staff. Two less-than-a-year-old additions to the local food scene are generating positive buzz.

The world of visa paperwork is notoriously convoluted and intimidating, with one commonly mentioned exception: The ladies guiding foreigners through the business license process were regularly praised for helpful advice and a willingness to work patiently with less-than-proficient Czech speakers.