Interview with Dr. Gary Vasey

1. What brought you to Brno in the first place?

In all honesty it was of course my girlfriend, a remarkable and beautiful Czech lady that I had met previously but, in the end, couldn't live without.

2. What were the most difficult things you had to deal with in those first few weeks in Brno?

Just figuring everything out really. I came from Houston in the USA and although I am British, getting used to the more laid back lifestyle was difficult. Even the way Brno is laid out as a city meant it was difficult finding my way around and often there are no obvious street signs here! But I loved being here. The beer is fabulous, people friendly and it's simply a great place to live.

3. What do you do for a living?

I am a consultant in the energy industry and I run the European arm of a US-based analysts and consulting firm, . We set up an office here already and run much of our research from here. I also own a Czech company called G&G Group, s.r.o. which I initially used as a proxy for UtiliPoint since we didn't have a Czech entity and you need a company to contract for certain services. We have plans for G&G Group including a website business, doing some marketing and PR consulting and perhaps opening a fashion boutique here in Brno....

4. What do you feel are the most challenging aspects of life in Brno for a foreigner?

The language sure is difficult for starters but the culture can bite you too. The culture sometimes gets you because you read people and situations a certain way only to find out later that there was a complete misunderstanding. It's difficult to be precise but there are cultural differences here that you aren't even aware of until well - it's too late.

5. What is the funniest or strangest thing that has happened to you since arriving in the Czech Republic?

Many situations really but the best one was when a colleague and I went to a government office when forming the s.r.o. He knocked on the ladies door and there was no answer. At that point a lady was walking down the corridor and she told him to wait because no one was in the office. We went for a smoke and when we came back he knocked again. Still no answer so he opened the door a bit to look inside. That same lady cam walking by and was quite angry saying she had told us to wait. Imagine our surprise when it was she who entered the office! We waited a few seconds and then knocked and went in. Well, the lady was so angry at us she wouldn't help us at all. We had to return the following day before she would lift a finger for us. Lovely!

6. What do you do here for fun?

I like to explore the city and surrounding area. It is a very beautiful place with lots to do and Brno has lots of sort of hidden places - not obvious until you explore a bit.

7. Any tips for other expats? – Places to go, things to do/not to do etc.?

Yes - explore the surrounding area a bit. I love the castles here - amazing castles and often worth visiting. And, lean a bit of Czech - even trying to start a conversation in Czech makes a big difference with the locals I find.

8. Do you have a business or service here and if so, what does it do and how can readers get more information about it?

Well, I discussed UtiliPoint and G&G Group above and if folks are interested they should visit the website or contact me via this website.

9. Can you speak Czech? If so, what would you say to those who are trying to learn?

I'm trying I really am but it is difficult and since my partner speaks English I don't try too hard during the course of a normal day to speak in Czech. I want to be able o communicate in Czech I really do.