Few things about Slovakia

      Few months ago, I came across an article entitled “Is Slovakia Stuck in the 1950´s”? (http://www.52insk.com/2012/1950/)  It was written by a foreigner, most probably American citizen, who has been living in Slovakia for several years and has a good intelligence and understanding about the everyday life. His article was a collection of interesting, though anecdotal facts about Slovak customs and common practices that has become part and parcel of our daily routines. Each of them is covered in several paragraphs, containing a healthy dose of criticism, which Slovaks often were asking for. Yet in general, it seems that he likes Slovakia the way it is.

      In each paragraph, he attempts parallelism with American or western way of live, and often comes out with something that might be interesting for the concerned foreign reader, but rather commonplace for the majority of Slovak population.

    The text reads in a smooth cadence, the author did not attempt to impress the readers with incomprehensible terminology. In between the lines one can scribble out that in some aspects Americans could take after Slovaks, for example the preservation of traditions such as family lunch on Sunday, which, notwithstanding the consumerism, are perpetual. The author likes the easygoing, even flippant attitude of Slovaks manifested in their approach to booze, which, I feel might have a negative impact on the social and economical development. In general, in each nation he has discovered some values that the other should take home.

     In my commentary I do not want to criticize the author, but provide my opinion on some of the issues. From each point I have chosen one sentence. It does not necessarily convey the central point of the argument, but I found them interesting. 

here are link to the particular articles

http://erik209.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/suntanned-arms-on-pale-torso.html

http://erik209.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/2-family-lunch-in-slovakia.html

http://erik209.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/traffic-in-bratislava.html

http://erik209.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/easiest-solutions-are-often-most.html

http://erik209.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=8HLtFTsBAAA.9Rw8qAyhAtntWO0ngzcSLg.bNlmGWy8WpQzfIeRPxp0gQ&postId=7500004642257250226&type=POST

http://erik209.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=X5TuFTsBAAA.9Rw8qAyhAtntWO0ngzcSLg.qkfYGsktnOeP-LyCaFDQsA&postId=647533500658558398&type=POST

http://erik209.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/break-booze.html

http://erik209.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/8-slovak-mother-still-in-role-of_18.html