Idiosyncrasies

Happy New Year!

We're back in Prague. We spent 11 days in Tišnov with A's family where we both had a sleeping and eating overload. It's also where my theory about one of the Czechs' many idiosyncrasies I noticed got confirmed; when they count with their fingers they start with the thumb.

I first noticed this with the kids at school. Everytime I asked them to count, the little thumb came springing first. Apparently it wasn't just me who noticed this phenomenon. My American co-teacher did, too. One day, out of the blue, this came into the discussion while the kids were having their snacks. There were three of us, one American, one Czech and of course, one quarter Russian and quarter Latin-American Filipina in the personification of moi. (I wish.)

And what do you guess happened? You're right, the Czech right away started the ball rolling with her thumb. The American and the Filipina laughed real loud at her. Then it was the American's turn and out came the forefinger first! The Czech and the Filipina kept on laughing. Finally, when it was the Filipina's turn, she sent her co-teachers laughing close to tears when the otherwise unassuming litte finger led the counting marathon.

I got encouraged about this little theory so I tested it on A. The thumb won, hands down. Then the other day in Tišnov, Mamka, Tatka and Michaela confirmed that this is a country where, though not everything deserves a thumbs up, the thumbs are perennially leading the counting game.

This also means that if you're a foreigner and if you buy a rohlik (roll or croissant) at a local bakeshop, chances are the Czech behind the counter will give you a thumb up. This, however, doesn't signify he's glad with your choice, that you are buying the greatest roll in town. This only means he is confirming if you are buying just one. So spring up that approving thumb of yours and say, "Ano, jeden rohlik, prosim."

Dobrou chut!