Charles Bridge is right. Bruce O., you were obviously in Prague before 1989, When the communists were still in control. The taxi drivers are no better (some have become violent even) but it's at least as safe as any other city of that size. Go back if you can, look up the Steamboat Stompers, and there will even be ads for all kinds of American music in the paper.(the Prague Post is in English) With all respect to your Russian friend, there is quite a bit of bias against that nationality even today, I guess it comes from being invaded. One hint, don't try Irish music there. A friend of mine went there several years ago and played his concertina on the Charles Bridge and nobody would talk to him.

Good luck, Chet W.