Chinese Czech-ers
Ever since the Czech people threw the Soviet Union out in their Velvet Revolution of 1989, the country has been steadily embracing Western ways. In the capital city of Prague, for instance, one doesn’t have to look too far to find stores selling cell phones, DVDs or other symbols of Western decadence.
Of course, this includes the Internet and all its trappings. So why not a phone- and Web-based service-delivery company like Kozmo.com?
Messenger Do Domu (Messenger to the House), located at www.dodomu.cz, will deliver everything from books, compact discs, plane tickets, tobacco and even cosmetics to one’s doorstep.
The choices seem limitless. Visitors navigate the site by choosing the initial letter of the item they want. Under “C,” for example, there’s a large selection of Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by the film “Caddyshack” in video, Calvin Klein body products and an array of what appears to be instant cappuccino.
(No word yet on whether the company keeps a relational database on its users.)
Recent visitors to the 14th-century city learned of this new service when they dined at what was billed as the best Chinese restaurant (or Restaurace Chinsky) in town. (The eatery had just begun using the Messenger Do Domu service.)
Supporters of electronic marketing all herald the Internet’s ability to provide an exhaustive selection to customers — as www.dodomu.cz does. But one must always respect cultural differences, while realizing that sometimes those differences can’t be bridged. In truth, the so-called Chinese food served at this joint had the consistency and taste of heavy goulash. And the dumplings tasted like sour cream and were not at all what one would think of as Chinese. Perhaps like the biggest American fast food chain in town — Kentucky Fried Chicken — Chinese food Czech-style is an acquired taste.
Network
