Job Discussion Forums

[janus]

I'm thinking of going to Prague this summer for a TEFL course and then possibly staying on to teach. Just curious what any non-smokers have to say about life there (those bothered by second-hand smoke, that is). Has it diminished your quality of life enough that you wish you had gone elsewhere? Are there any smoke free pubs/bars/restaurants in the area? I'd like to meet some natives, and I'm wondering whether all of the locals one meets there smoke (though of course that wouldn't stop me from wanting to meet them--I'm not interested in passing any judgments here, just curious).

Thanks for any insights, and anyone who can tell me about a good, non-smoking vegetarian restaurant just earned themselves a free veggie dinner and beers....

Feel free to PM me if you'd prefer.

[spiral78]

Yeah, the CR is generally still pretty smoky, and many think a meal isn't a meal without meat.
In the summer, there are lots of restaurants and cafes offering outdoor 'garden' dining, so that should help. But non-smoking and vegetarian......you won't be left out in the cold 100%, but it does limit your options. I think the current Prague Post online (www.praguepost.com) has an article on non-smoking venues in the city.
As far as the 'natives,' many/most Czechs don't smoke and a lot of younger Czechs, in particular, are going vegetarian. You should be able to find congenial people around.

[denise]

Veggie places: Country Life (which may also be non-smoking--I don't remember) and Lotos (or Lotus?). Both of them are right in the center. Pricier than the average Czech place, but nice. You can also count on Czech places at least having fried cheese and fried veggies as vegetarian options. And pizzerias will have veggie options. Vegan is more tricky--I can't even count the number of confused (offended?) looks I got when I ordered a cheeseless veggie pizza.

There's also a Hare Krishna restaurant. I don't remember its name.

I, too, was worried about the smoke when I went over there. Basically I just learned to live with it rather than sacrifice my social life. I got used to going home smelling like smoke. Yuck!

d

[spiral78]

I think the Hare Krishnas have closed or relocated, but there is a good 'natural' restaurant across the street from its old location. There is meat on the menu, but plenty of non-meat dishes, too. You will find it if you stand with your back to Kotva (in the centre), cross the street, and walk straight ahead on the sidewalk for two or three blocks. Oh, what the heck, just ask somebody when you get there!

[janus]

Thanks, Denise. I'll check out those places--not a vegan, so at least I won't get those looks. Free meal is yours, though I'm guessing the flight from 'the rice paddies of Japan' to Prague would make it somewhat less than feasible....

It's unfortunate about the smoky atmosphere, but, like you, I won't let it completely undermine my social life. Hopefully I'll spend a lot of time exploring the countryside as well, and I'm especially looking forward to ski season.

And thanks again to the ubiquitous Spiral78. I'll check out that link and those places. (And thanks also for your previous info about the universal microchip for pets. I hadn't heard about that before, even on some websites.)