Current Time in Ostrava
Czech culture regarding time
Czech culture regarding time
Punctuality is important in both private and public life
In the Czech Republic, being punctual is fundamental not only in business, education, and government settings, but also in private gatherings. Being on time is considered polite, especially when meeting someone for the first time or in a formal setting.
At school and in the workplace, punctuality is strictly observed
Classes and meetings start on time, and joining halfway through or arriving late often gives a negative impression, so students also acquire the habit of being punctual from an early stage.
On the other hand, there is a certain degree of flexibility in daily life
In gatherings with close friends or informal settings, being late for a few minutes to 10 minutes may be acceptable, but advance notice is preferred.
Czech values regarding time
Punctuality is a symbol of "sincerity"
In the Czech Republic, keeping to the time of appointments and other scheduled events is considered the basis of trust. Being late is considered to take away the other person's time, and can be a trust issue, especially in business.
Efficient time use is preferred
Waste is disliked, and rational time use is valued. Meetings that are too long or unclear time allocation are not liked, and there is a culture of planning things.
Autonomy in time use is emphasized
There is a flexible attitude toward individual lifestyles and working styles, and there is a culture of respecting "how you use your own time".
Things about time that foreigners should know when traveling or moving to the Czech Republic
Public institutions are punctual
Appointment times at government offices and medical institutions are strictly adhered to, and if you are late, you may not be able to be accommodated. It is recommended to act with plenty of time.
Commercial facilities have short opening hours
Many supermarkets and stores close around 8 p.m. and are often closed on Sundays and holidays, so it is common to do your shopping during the day.
Public transport is relatively punctual but subject to weather conditions
Trains and buses generally operate according to timetables, but delays may occur in winter or during bad weather. It is important to plan your schedule with ample time.
Interesting facts about Czech time
It is light until nearly 10pm around the summer solstice
In summer, the daylight hours are long and it is light until late at night, so many people are active outdoors after the evening. Restaurants and cafes may also have longer opening hours in summer.
Daylight saving time is used
The Czech Republic uses daylight saving time, and the clock is adjusted by one hour every spring and autumn. In business transactions, attention should be paid to the timing of the change.
Public broadcasting provides accurate time through time signals
Czech national radio has a custom of broadcasting the time on the hour every hour, which has become established as a mechanism to naturally raise the time consciousness of the people.