The Czech Republic is a country whose culture drastically morphed throughout the time of communism. There are various soviet remnants strewn around the gorgeous city of Prague. My dorm, for instance, is a concrete block similar to the apartments shown in Goodbye Lenin. Walls painted orange and yellow provide a vibrant backdrop for to the plain brown furniture-mass produced with flimsy particle board. The modern vending machines clash with the simple white tables decorated by light pink cloth and fake flowers in the cafeteria.
People were so worried of being imprisoned for unknowingly saying something against the party they would leave those concrete structures and crowd into dark pubs. Now the culture nearly revolves around drinking beer in local pubs more often than at home. A few traditional bars remain on the wishes of the first President Havel as reminders of what held the people together during risky times.
Couples would meet on public trams so nobody could report on who was visiting their apartment, just in case one of them was "against the party". They would squeeze onto trams and whisper to each other crowded with strangers. Hasty kisses were taken while couples shared a seat on the trams. This practice still continues with old and young couples publicly displaying their affection very openly on the trams. The old pubs remaining are just as packed with locals as these these Trams used to be; so packed that nobody can get a seat unless a local fades away like communism.
