It has been 14 painful years for me since Czechoslovakia broke up in what they called a “Velvet Divorce“. Not so velvet for me.
Since January 1, 1993, I have been trying to patiently teach everyone outside the country to learn to love the sound of “Czech Republic” and “Slovak Republic”. I know, I know. It doesn’t quite come out as easily but please, don’t make me suffer any longer.
See what I have to go through on a daily basis:
“I can detect an accent. Where are you from?”
“Czech Republic.”
“Ah, Czechoslovakia.”
“Well, it’s actually the Czech and Slovakia now. The country split up in 1993.”
“Oh, I see. So, in Czechoslovakia, do you have indoor plumbing?”
Well, OK. It’s not quite that bad but it often comes close. Sometimes, when I travel I just tell people I am from Iceland so I don’t have to put up with the whole routine of “Czechoslovakia” any more. Please, let the nonexistent country die a velvet death.