Breast is Best,

This one is my favourite because every Tuesday afternoon we discuss food crises, obesity or recommended daily intakes of anything, sometimes snacking on an organic cake or a tangerine. Except for food (and food) there is another reason why I appreciate these afternoon sessions: the cultural and age diversity. Apart from me and a few other Brits, there is a Belgian, a Ghanian and a few Chinese. It’s fascinating to talk about things which provide a ground not only for a clash of cultures but of ages as well – as if it is a small Britain. Quite recently, I surprised them by the fact that Czech maternity leave can last from 2 – 4 years which is unusually long time. It is just a simple political explanation of why Czech mothers tend to breastfeed more. However, then my British friend surprised me. After the initial statement that breast is best, she continued promoting special health care workshops teaching new moms how to breastfeeds, delivered by midwives and nurses in hospitals. Hang on a minute, my naïve and honest me stopped her. Isn’t this knowledge supposed to be ‘passed down’ on to the woman by her female relatives? The answer was of an embarrassing silence. Silly me! Finally, the professor mumbled something that that’s what they don’t do here – because it concerns body, because it is too physical.

So, here you go. The page 3 girl is deemed acceptable but dare to take out your breast in a tube or in a restaurant (irony, anyone?)!  Just remind me, why do we Czechs are so in vain to look up to the West?