Cultural Annoyances

Every place has cultural annoyances that frustrate outsiders. Annoyances in different countries range from inefficient services to stupid, pointless rules.

Bratislava has more then its fair share of cultural annoyances. Like most cities, it has some excellent, stylish bars. However, getting a drink in your favourite bar on a Friday night can be sometimes difficult. You walk into your favourite bar such as Nu Spirit and see five empty tables that yo cannot sit in as they are reserved for other people. The sign says 'Reserve od. (from) 20.00'. Althoughthe time is 22.00 and no one has arrived, you still cannot sit there. This can be such a pain especially as you and your friends are confined to a tight corner in the bar or restaurant.

Another annoyance is extra baggage at Bratislava airport. Bratislava Airport charges way above the standard 5 Euro per extra kg fee in most European airports. The staff at Bratislava tried to charge 9 Euros per extra kg. Be warned.

My final annoyance is Bratislava's overpriced and inefficient internet cafes. In some internet cafes, one cannot surf the net without being gassed by foul cigarette smoke and being frustrated with noisy kids playing Warcraft and Counterstrike. The staff in many cafes don't want to help you - the just want to take your money and get pissed. What's most annoying, the computers are often old beige boxes that still run on Windows 98 that run at snail's pace.
Next week: Restaurant Service.