Before leaving, I wasn’t exactly angry, I just indulged myself in the spa. I visited the beautiful and hospitable Luhačovice. Even in March there were quite a few guests. Many were probably attracted by the weather. The season seems to have started a month earlier.
In general, the elderly are rather cursed, I often read how they are restless, hungry for everything. Well, in those spas – and I bet, in others too – that doesn’t apply. So much politeness from every individual I encountered – whether on the stairs, at the elevator, at the food, on the colonnade, I only know from a circle of loved ones, family and friends. I live in a large and very anonymous Prague, where some people think that they cannot be seen, so they behave rather unkindly. The metropolis is like a jungle where everyone has to grab what’s theirs.
This doesn’t exist in spas. No one was pushed anywhere, we gave each other priority everywhere, we greeted each other, maybe even three times a day. Despite the fact that the food was served buffet-style, no one splurged. If so, I didn’t notice and I’m an observer. I collect impressions, information, I like to chat with people so that I have something to write about.
However, this stay did not give me a theme for the plot, so I wrote down a few points that I offer as ten spa guests who want to enjoy their stay.
1. Put nice clothes and women in your suitcase, don’t forget makeup. On the one hand, you will have enough time to use them, you will act elegantly. Believe that men will turn to you, no matter how old you are. Also pack nice pumps, or, if you have a problem with such shoes, something nice and modern, albeit comfortable.
2. Before leaving, go to a hairdresser or barber studio. You will feel great in the company of those who thought of it before they arrived.
3. If you are interested in politics, put it out of your mind for the duration of your stay. You would only spoil the mood in case of disagreement (for example, tablemates).
4. Recall all the happy and lively memories of incidents or events, so that you have something to contribute in the conversations held at the table. If you have a full pension, know that you will be sharing it with other people, and you will soon find that the adamant silence won’t make you feel good either. You will be grateful for the funny stories, even self-critical ones.
5. Smile. Show. You’ll see what it does to others. Smile and say hello, address, if you are addressed, respond. Have fun, maybe even about banalities, but try to be more sociable than maybe some of you are. Most people will be grateful for the incentive to stop and have a few words. Some are lonely, others are sick, a pleasant moment really “kicks” them. If, however, they seat someone with you who really doesn’t want to talk, who has come to take a break, perhaps just from that, let them have it.
6. Don’t just talk about yourself, don’t brag, rather listen. You’ll get the hang of it in no time and see how wonderful it is to have a conversation with someone you listen to carefully. It will give you back, give you the opportunity for what you were able to deny yourself before.
7. Don’t judge. Nobody. Don’t jump to conclusions, you’ll often be surprised how badly you judged some people and, conversely, glad you were wrong.
8. Take small gifts, attention, because at the end of your stay, you might regret not being able to give something to the people with whom you have become close. It may happen that they do, so it’s nice to have a little something in your suitcase to remind the recipient of you.
9. If you’re the hot-headed type, try not to be. Let yourself be influenced by the spa atmosphere. Feel it with all your senses. Observe the nature, the architecture, the people you meet at the springs and on the colonnades. Don’t skimp on compliments if they occur to you. In general, there is little praise in our world, it is the opposite in spas. At least in the ones I was in.
10. Don’t be shy. For nothing. Not even for your body. The staff perceives you differently during procedures. He sees so many different characters and is so professional that he doesn’t even notice you in this case – which is not the case for attention and willingness to help you with anything. During the procedure, I had the feeling that everyone was here just for me. That’s why I was happy to reciprocate in kind at every step.
I smiled even on the train on the way home. Memories of a successful stay ran through my head. For a short time, I became a member of a unique society, which seems to be outside the ordinary world – currently full of criticism and dissatisfaction.
I must have attracted a lady with a smile who was driving from Uherské Brod to Přerov for coffee and dessert. Her friend sat down in Otrokovice. How we had fun! About dogs of the Akita Inu breed, or American Akita (I had no idea, I’m not a dog person), about good bakeries, pastry shops and cafes on the route, but also about good sons who fight over which one of them will live with mom.
However, what surprised me the most was that the only destination of their trip was coffee.
“Are you really going to Přerov just to get coffee and cake?” I wanted to make sure.
“Sure, why not?” they laughed. “We do it often.”
“You’re right, but it takes me over half an hour to get to the center by tram. You were actually in Přerov before I was in Václavák,” I laughed.
And because I was still in a good mood – you can’t get that when you have so many pleasant days behind you – it seemed to me that only kind and welcoming people traveled from Moravia to Prague that day, as was the case in the spa. Or that it would be something else? Maybe I followed my ten commandments?
