6. Czechs complain all the time

The office where I work is laid out as an open office, so we are in one big room. This has its downsides and aggravations. Loud eaters, loud phone talkers, and various other interruptions are a part of my daily struggle.

I am not the only one who gets annoyed. Sometimes I come into my office and happen upon Czechs sitting in a little circle gossiping. Though

of what they’re saying, it’s very clear that they are complaining about something. They have told me that they are talking about the cafeteria lunch, the receptionist, and clientele.

Their most recent complaints are undoubtedly about our boss’s ringtone. The boss’s ringtone has been set to a horrendously obnoxious pop song. Moreover, the volume is on the highest setting and his phone rings ten times an hour. The tune has been

for a and it’s driving me batty. Even though the Czechs complain about it constantly, none of them have broached the subject with him.

There is a science to complaining in Czech culture. Though the Czechs always complain to each other, they rarely voice their complaints to authority.

fortnight

My colleague Daša says that Czechs don’t moan to the boss because they don’t want to attract attention.

I, on the other hand, have made several strongly worded comments about his ringtone and I don’t understand why my complaints have been ignored. I have mentioned that I am not much of a music fan, I have told my boss that his ringtone was interesting. I pointed out that since he is so busy to receive so many calls throughout the day that perhaps he should have his own office.

In England these comments would clearly convey a complaint about his ringtone and demand that he should knock off the offensive activity. However, my Czech boss hasn’t picked up on any of that. I hope he changes it soon, though, because I’ve caught myself humming his ringtone on my way to work and in the shower.