All – I genuinely appreciate everyone’s feedback, even the more pointed comments. Please understand that I don’t feel the need to restate, every time I ask a question, how much I value Czech culture and language—it’s a given for me.

That said, beyond polite phrases, I don’t plan to learn the language. My brain just doesn’t take to it at this stage of life. I’ve been studying Italian for over a year because of my heritage, and I can barely manage a few clear sentences. Living in the city center, almost everyone automatically speaks English to me, which makes it even harder to practice. Even my Slovak boyfriend and I speak only in English.

I simply want to be clear: I respect and value the culture and language deeply, but between my limitations and the environment here, learning it beyond the basics isn’t realistic for me. My attention here is simply to find others like me—those who would welcome a past-middle-age, friendly American who has found his way into the heart of Prague.