Do not be scared of the language barrier and get involved in Czech friendships. Czechs are always eager to help.
The Czech society is composed of 95% of nationals and includes minorities of Slovaks, Gypsies, Poles, Germans, and Vietnamese. There are plenty of other foreign nationalities living in major towns of the country.
Although Czech is the official spoken language, the younger generation understands and speaks English. With the older generation, you will more likely communicate in Russian or German.
Generalization about a country's stereotypes is inevitable. This is an outline of what Czech people may seem like, but it is always advisable to get to know the local people deeper before rushing into conclusions.
Czechs seem rather reserved when introduced to a new person. Usually, they do not trust people they do not know. Their behaviour may appear formal – the reason may be the use of the second-person in Czech language, the 'polite' form. It is used with people whom you do not know, in a formal social interaction, or when younger generation is addressing the older one.
Another reason for the distrustful behaviour comes from the communist era, when many people were forced to betray even their closest family members or friends. These are partially the roots of their sense of humour or a general life attitude which may be perceived as ironic or sarcastic. The same reason goes for maintaining their personal privacy and being intimate with people they know.
Czech people are naturally very polite and do not tend to be overly direct in communication. They generally avoid confrontation – informal straightforwardness in dealing is common. After getting to know them better you become to love their cheerful and helpful character and you can experience what a warm and firm friendship is about. They are very hospitable and enjoy to be a nation of realistic and very practical people.