One of the most interesting things I’ve been reflecting on this week is how communication styles vary depending on culture. Before coming to Prague, I hadn’t really thought about the idea of low-context vs. high-context communication, but now I see those differences almost daily. Coming from the U.S., which is generally considered a low-context culture where people tend to say exactly what they mean, it’s been a shock I had to adapt to live and work in the Czech Republic, where the communication style can be a bit more indirect or rooted in shared understanding.
One of the clearest examples of this has been in everyday life situations, like ordering food. I’ve had multiple moments where I walk into a restaurant or café and try to order in English, only to be met with a blank stare or a short reply in Czech that I don’t understand. It’s not that people are unfriendly, but English isn’t always the default. At this point, I’ve gotten used to just pointing at pictures in the menu or politely saying “this one, please” while gesturing. It feels a little awkward sometimes, but I’ve learned that body language, tone, and a smile can go a long way when words fall short.
Even at McDonalds, I was surprised that not all the workers spoke english. The Grimace shake is back in Prague so my friends and I decided to get it. The worker didn’t really understand us when we tried ordering it and we had to point at the image of it behind them for them to understand.
Another example of a funny miscommunication happened last week when my friends and I decided to go see the new Superman movie. One of my friends booked the tickets for us online, and we were all excited to relax and watch something familiar in English. But at the theater, we quickly realized that the movie was entirely in Czech, with no subtitles. We tried explaining the situation to the ticket checker but they weren’t really understanding what was going on. Eventually we found a manager and explained what happened. Luckily, the staff was super understanding and gave us a refund, but it was one of those moments where a small communication detail, like checking the language setting, made a big difference in the experience.
These types of situations have made me a lot more aware of how much we rely on shared context in communication. In the U.S. you can usually assume certain things, like that a movie at a major theater will be in English, or that restaurant staff will speak at least some English in a city. In Prague, especially outside the international bubble, those assumptions don’t always hold true. I’ve had to learn to ask more questions, double-check details, and be open to the unexpected. I wouldn’t say I’ve become fluent in Czech by any means, but I have picked up a few basic phrases and a better understanding of how to communicate even when I don’t fully understand the words being used.
At Carvago, where I work in a hybrid tech environment, communication has been both easier and more nuanced. Most of the team speaks English well, and the majority of our communication, especially when it comes to work tasks, happens over Slack or email. In a way, this digital-first style has been helpful for me. Because everything is written out, I have time to process it, look up anything I don’t understand, translate it, and respond carefully. This fits well with the low-context style I’m used to, where everything is spelled out clearly and explicitly.
That said, the hybrid work environment also comes with its own challenges. In a physical office, you can overhear conversations or quickly ask someone a question. But when most updates come through digital channels, you have to be more proactive about checking notifications, staying on top of threads, and making sure nothing slips through the cracks. In the beginning, I wasn’t checking Slack as often as I should have, and I missed a few small updates that would have helped me move faster on a project. I’ve since learned to build the habit of scanning through messages more regularly and flagging anything I need to follow up on. It’s made me more self-reliant and a better communicator, even when I’m not face-to-face with my team.
Overall, this experience has made me much more mindful of how communication works across different settings. Whether it’s a restaurant, a movie theater, or a hybrid tech team. I’ve learned that clear communication often requires more than just words. It’s about reading the situation, asking questions, and being adaptable when things don’t go as planned. And whether I’m ordering lunch or debugging code, that kind of awareness is something I know I’ll carry with me long after this internship ends.