Dining Out

Europe in general, and the Sketch Republic in particular, are not what you would call service-oriented cultures. Seat yourself. Wait ten minutes for the waitress. Wait another 10 for drinks. Wait 30 minutes for food. Track down someone to finally give you the check.

Under communism there was essentially no service industry (unless you count the guy who hands out rye in the bread line). But even more to the point, there was no quality drinking water. People simply aren't used to putting a cup under a faucet.

Thus, there is no free water. In fact, there is rarely plain water at all. You instead have to order a bottle of sparkling mineral water that usually costs more than a beer. However, the beer is very cheap, often less than a dollar. And it is very good, and there many varieties. There is a long tradition of beer in the Czech Lands, the drink having been more or less invented here.

It is also traditionally the drink for all people. In fact it was at one point mandated by law that beer be affordable to all citizens. Still, one can only drink beer so much, and it's hard not wish that you can go into a restaurant and get some damn free refills on Coke, for if there is one axiom of Czech dining, it is this:

THERE ARE NO FREE REFILLS.