Friday 21 June 2013

Czech Republic proverb


Czech Proverb:  Kam vítr, tam plást

English translation:  Where the wind blows, goes the coat.

What do you think this proverb means?

(a)  The proverb is about having no fixed position on a topic.  It describes a person who changes his/her opinion based on what he/she thinks others want to hear.  

(b)  The proverb is about being prepared.  It describes a person who plans ahead for all eventualities; for example, if the weather forecast is for wind, that person brings a coat.

(c)  The proverb is about flexibility.  It describes the ability to adapt to changing situations and technologies.  
 


The answer is (a).  This proverb is used to describe a negative characteristic; the tendency to change one's mind multiple times in order to always seem to be agreeing with the prevailing opinion or popular viewpoint on a topic.  In US politics, this has become known as 'flip-flopping.'

Thanks to my student Pavla for sharing this proverb, and to the author of Ara-bomshell's blog for permission to use her photo.  

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