Are Czechs more selfish?

Some days ago, while in Prague, the question came from Brno if Europe on Track would
be stopping there as well. Since we are in the neighbourhood, we quickly manage to
arrange an extra stop in Brno, breaking up the fairytale journey through the snow-covered,
sun-reflecting hills of Moravia. After all, a plan is only something you can divert from.

As we pull into the station and the purser opens the door, 3 girls walk up to the train:
Jana (23, Theatre studies, Aesthetics, and Management of culture), Veronika (25, Economics),
and Dita (26, Informatics). They take us to the Christmas market in the main square, where
we interview them about their ideas for the future of Europe, while being filmed and
photographed like celebrities by people passing by.

For the second time in as many days, the same thought crosses my mind as Jana explains that
people should be less selfish and care more about what is going on around them. Until we came
to Czech Republic, nobody had mentioned selfishness as reason for a lack of interest in
sustainability or politics, rather pointing out an apparent lack of education on the topic.
Almost every person we have interviewed in Prague or now in Brno, however, mentions
selfishness as a reason. So the next question is rather obvious:
“Are Czech people more selfish? Or are they just more honest?”

Veronika laughs: “Czech people are definitely quite honest, we are aware of our own mistakes,
and don’t have problems discussing them.” Asked to speak their honest mind and directly address
young people, they come up with the following: “Be active, do something extra, learn languages,
don’t be stubborn, and don’t be selfish. Don’t be close-minded, don’t be narrow-minded, but
open your mind to new experiences.” For politicians they have the following advice:
“Listen to the people, what they want, what they need, and what is important to them.
Follow what the people say and you will do the right thing. And if you want money,
go to business, not politics.”

What is your direct message to young people? Or to politicians?
Let us know on Facebook, and why not, record it and post the video on our page!