# What's cool from the Czech Republic? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 9, 2015, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215 "2015-02-09T14:12:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bardos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bardos/32/1069_2.png) [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/1 "2015-02-09T14:12:43Z")
I have a friend coming to visit me from Prague. As is the custom when folks visit you from off-world, I was asked if I wanted anything special brought from Prague. Now I do a lot of on-line shopping, mostly for hard to get spices, organic foods, sometimes clothes or electronic tidbits. I did a google search for “what to buy in the Czech Republic”… it was all about glassware and dolls. Stuff I’m really not interested in. Anyone know what I might want from there? It could end up being nothing. No problem. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/2 "2015-02-09T14:31:49Z")
I just looked up Czech exports, and found a site which includes: Luxury Goods: 0 Ouch. I’d say a [Skoda,](http://www.skoda.cz/cs/produkty/)but it looks like they’re not making cars any more. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/3 "2015-02-09T14:35:09Z")
They are known for glassware and garnet. Some of their art glass is very, very nice. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/4 "2015-02-09T14:35:42Z")
How about a bottle of [real Budweiser](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser_Budvar_Brewery)? Or perhaps local chocolates or cookies? Not the stuff meant for tourists, but the stuff that the locals eat. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/5 "2015-02-09T14:38:37Z")
Glassware is the big one that I’ve always heard of. Otherwise, I don’t know if Customs would permit it, but you could ask for sausages and beer. I was in a Czech restaurant once, and I discovered that when they ask if you’d like a small or a large beer, they mean one you can lift vs. one you have to just dip your head into. ---
**Author:** ![Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/6 "2015-02-09T14:46:13Z")
In the Czech Republic they love pork. Have you ever tried their sausages? ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/7 "2015-02-09T14:51:37Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I’d say a [Skoda,](http://www.skoda.cz/cs/produkty/)but it looks like they’re not making cars any more. errrrrrrrrr, I drive a new Skoda, A Yeti in fact. Very, very nice car. As for exports…Beer! what else? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/8 "2015-02-09T14:53:20Z")
If you drink beer, some good, fresh Czech beer would probably be something you’d like. I really liked Velkopopovický Kozel dark, and can’t find it in the US. The “original” Budweiser won’t look so impressive on the shelf, as in Czech it’s “Budějovický Budvar”, [the bottle doesn’t look anything like US Budweiser](http://www.kam-na-pivko.cz/tmp/beers/svetle-vycepni-pivo.jpg), and the only real connection between the two is that the Czech ones say “Budweiser” along the bottom of the label somewhat unobtrusively. Otherwise, glassware/crystal and garnet jewelry seem to be the big things. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/9 "2015-02-09T14:55:10Z")
For such a small country they have a phenomenal hockey culture. I’d be looking for a Czech Republic jersey for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/10 "2015-02-09T15:07:57Z")
Since the OP is looking for opinions, let’s move this to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/11 "2015-02-09T15:11:14Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I just looked up Czech exports, and found a site which includes: > > Luxury Goods: 0 > > Ouch. > > I’d say a [Skoda,](http://www.skoda.cz/cs/produkty/)but it looks like they’re not making cars any more. Try [skoda-auto.com](http://skoda-auto.com) I think they’ve probably split from the web site that you linked to since they became part of the Volkswagen Audi Group. Like **Novelty Bobble** , I also own a very very nice Skoda Yeti. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/12 "2015-02-09T15:18:54Z")
Glassware and ceramics, but that’s kind of an expensive thing to ask for a gift. Prague also has beautiful marionettes; they come in all sizes. Other than that, I’ve seen some beautiful chess sets from Prague, there used to be an arts and crafts market by the bridge that had lovely woodwork and ceramics. ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/13 "2015-02-09T15:31:11Z")
> [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](#): > > In the Czech Republic they love pork. Have you ever tried their sausages? Perfect. You are perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/14 "2015-02-09T15:41:11Z")
Ask him to bring you some [Oblaten](https://www.google.com/search?q=oblaten+wafers&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=19PYVNbCC4WUapDAgOAI&ved=0CEEQsAQ&biw=1242&bih=552#tbm=isch&q=oblaten). “Oblaten” is the original German name from when the Sudeten-Germans were still in the country; I can’t remember the Czech name. But they’re delicious wafer cookies, very cheap, very light, and very Czech. Also those [spa cups](https://www.google.com/search?q=oblaten+wafers&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=19PYVNbCC4WUapDAgOAI&ved=0CEEQsAQ&biw=1242&bih=552#tbm=isch&q=czech+spa+cup) are nice novelty things that I believe are unique to the country. Granted, those are very characteristic of the Bohemian spa lands in the west of the country, not of Prague, but they’re the first typically Czech items that come to mind that aren’t easy to come across in other places. ETA: You could also ask for some kind of [Good Soldier Svejk](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good_Soldier_%C5%A0vejk) memento or the little cartoon [mole](https://www.google.com/search?q=czech+mole+cartoon&oq=czech+mole+cartoon&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.5290j0j4&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=0&ie=UTF-8). The Czechs are apparently crazy about both of those characters. ---
**Author:** ![Lannister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/fbc32d/32.png) [@Lannister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lannister)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/15 "2015-02-09T16:07:36Z")
Beer, hockey and glassware! I brought a glass chess set, very nice! I remember them having a pretty good luxury watchmakers however its been a while since i’ve been. They are generally very nice and easy to get along with 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/16 "2015-02-09T16:41:47Z")
Absinthe! I also got a can of Duff beer. The front is the normal English logos but all other text is in Czech, same with Coke; ribbon logo on front & ingredients, etc in Czech on the back. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/17 "2015-02-09T18:13:41Z")
Most of the Czech made absinthe isn’t very good and doesn’t taste like the original recipes. It’s a hold over from when absinthe wasn’t available elsewhere. If you want to try real absinthe, you could do worse than that made by Ted Breaux ([http://www.bestabsinthe.com/](http://www.bestabsinthe.com/)), it is made in a vintage absinthe distillery in France with period recipes. Here’s a good article about it [http://www.greendevil.com/New-Yorker-Feb-2006.pdf](http://www.greendevil.com/New-Yorker-Feb-2006.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![bardos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bardos/32/1069_2.png) [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/18 "2015-02-09T20:00:35Z")
Thanks folks. But no one has mentioned anything I might be into. BTW, the flight is from Prague to Sevilla in Spain, both Schengen countries with little customs hassle. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/19 "2015-02-09T20:43:02Z")
You’d not be able to import it, but their pistols imported and sold as Springfield Armory XDm are nice. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215/20 "2015-02-09T22:12:55Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > You’d not be able to import it, but their pistols imported and sold as Springfield Armory XDm are nice. That pistol is actually made in Croatia. As for the Czech Republic, I was going to mention CZ firearms. Well made and a good value. That doesn’t help much with bringing a gift to the US, but my CZ firearms are about the only think I can think of that I own from the Czech Republic. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cool-from-the-czech-republic/712215.md?page=2)