Adil Najam
On your left is the picture of the flag of the Czech Republic. On your right is a ‘Check’ (or, rather, checkered flag; often used in car racing. The two should never be confused. Except for the fact that ‘Czech’ is pronounced as ‘check.’
Ordinarily, this should not be a problem. But right now the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic is visiting Islamabad, and the Capital’s PR people have adorned flags on flagpoles and a number of (very) large banners to welcome him in the spirit of good hospitality. The only problem is that instead of putting the ‘Czech’ flags on the banners, they have ‘Check’ flags!
I saw these while driving back into Islamabad on the from the Airport. I rushed back to see if I would figure out who was responsible for this little gaffe and maybe alert them to the mistake before the Czech PM arrived. Unfortunately, it turned out that the Czech PM was already here.
I wonder what he and his team thought of this. Did they even mention it to their hosts or did they just keep politely quiet? I also wonder what they thought about the banner that read: “We Pray for the Czech Progress and Prosperity”?I am sure they liked the sentiment, but maybe they also wondered why Pakistanis are praying for Czech progress and prosperity instead of working harder for Pakistani progress or prosperity. On the other hand, maybe they do not think as hard about what is written on banners as I do!
I have no way of knowing this, but my theory of how this might have happened is this – Someone tells someone to find out what a Czech (read ‘check’) flag looks like; they look up ‘check flag’ on Google, and that is the one which makes it way on the banner.
Nice story for a chuckle? But how would you feel if the Pakistan Prime Minister goes to another country and they mess up the flags this way?
It’s funny! Authorities without knowledge of geografy are everywhere. There were a lot of similar mistakes with our flag all over the world. I don’t know why – our flag is simple, already 80 years in use and everybody can find it in many sources (f.e. http://www.britannica.com/search?query=czech+flag& ct=&searchSubmit=)
I don’t feel this like insultation. I may use the checkered flag during demonstrations against Mr. Topolanek (He is very rude, stupid, antisocial and dangerous – he wants american weapons in our county against 70 % population.)
I am from the Czech Republic and I am quite amused. I just wanted to say to all of you who feel somehow embarrased by what happened to take it easy. This is not the first time I have seen our flag distorted or totally wrong (eg. in Italy) and definitely not the last either. It can happen, dont worry.
Yeah. It is really funny. Here, in the Czech Republic it is known that Mr. Topolanek is about at the same intellectual level as George W. Bush except, we have no nuclear weapons and do not want to attack anybody. But be cool, I think he would not mention that :-)
Yeah. It is really funny. Here, in the Czech Republic it is know that Mr. Topolanek is about at the same intellectual level as George W. Bush except, we have no nuclear weapons and do not want to attack anybody. But be cool, I think he would not mention that :-)
Hi All,
it also gave me a good laugher. Very amused.
I think pretty much people in our country have a good sence of humour so nobody is offended at all. Nothing to be ashamed of. Mistakes just happens…
We wish you all the best.