Gregor Johann Mendel

The founder of genetics and the discoverer of the basic laws of heredity was born in the small village of Hynčice on 20 July 20 1822 and died in Brno on 6 January 1884. He was a biologist, a geneticist, a beekeeper, a mathematician, a botanist, a priest, a naturalist… So much for the historical record.

But Mendel was first and foremost a man. He had a lot of virtues and, like everyone else, he must have had a few bad habits, too. We know one thing for sure – he was a heavy smoker! But did that mean he was any worse of a person? Are his contributions to the history of science any less significant because of it? Not in the least.

As long as there are people in the world, there will be bad habits. We’ll fight some and we’ll nurture others, but they’re simply part of our DNA. If Mr. Mendel were still alive, he might have been steering his research in this direction. At any rate, this gift is from all of us on the occasion of his 200th birthday, in thanks for all he managed to accomplish.

Happy birthday, Mr. Mendel!

Bad habit of G. J. Mendel

I was a smoker!

Kateřina Šedá

Kateřina Šedá (1977) is a Czech artist whose work is close to social architecture. In her work, Kateřina Šedá focuses on socially-conceived events, often employing dozens or hundreds of people who have nothing to do with art. The events mostly take place right in villages or city streets. The purpose of experimenting with interpersonal relationships is to bring those involved out of their stereotypes or social isolation. She tries to induce a lasting change in their behaviour by means of their own (provoked) activity and a new usage of everyday resources.

Bad habits of Kateřina Šedá:

  • I talk too fast and loud
  • I interrupt people in conversation
  • I need everything right now, even unimportant things
  • I have a dirty mouth
  • I’m always cleaning up after someone
  • I eat chocolate at night
  • I leave hair in the bathtub
  • I leave tea bags in the sink
  • I’m always repeating things
  • I think everyone else is too slow
  • I buy clothes I never wear
  • I buy shoes I don’t wear so I won’t ruin them
  • I’m always nagging the kids to pick up after themselves
  • I’m always nagging my husband to put things back where they belong
  • I’m always nagging my husband not to leave things on the kitchen counter
  • I’m always nagging my husband not to leave the coffee pot in the sink
  • I write emails and sms in a rush, so I’m always making mistakes
  • I like it when someone combs my hair and I don’t care whether they’re enjoying it or not
  • I think that all people can be changed
  • every day I make some commitment I don’t keep
  • I’m always buying smaller clothes in the hope I’ll lose some weight
  • I keep cooking the same dishes but I pretend they’re new
  • I go to sleep late
  • I don’t answer calls from certain numbers
  • I keep buying backpacks and don’t know what for
  • I buy books I’ll never read
  • I overuse the words “like” and “just”
  • sometimes I watch stupid tv shows and I have no idea why
  • I have to have the TV on while I’m ironing
  • I don’t eat any food I don’t know
  • I idealize men
  • I don’t know how to relax
  • I can’t ever zone out
  • I’ve got overly ambitious plans
  • I think I can handle anything
  • I walk too fast
  • I am uncritical of myself
  • I say things point-blank

Lucie Faulerová

NCBH editor
  • I have bad posture.
  • I have a hypersensitive sense of smell and am constantly turning my nose up at something.
  • I have RBF (Resting Bitch Face).
  • When I meet someone with a walking stick or crutches, I have an uncontrollable urge to kick the crutch or cane out from under them.
  • Since I gave birth, I can be moved to tears by dog food adverts.

Petra Konečná

NCBH editor
  • I work best mainly under stress. I clean up best just before I have to leave. I get to work just before deadlines and buy the kids summer shoes in September.
  • I have a dirty mouth. A loud and emphatic „Fuck“ is a signal to those around me that we’re about to hit a rough patch.
  • My house and my car are a mess and I make the excuse that I have three children. But I was awfully messy before I had them, too.
  • I normally have the ringtone on my mobile turned off, quite often even when I should be on call. When I call back, I start with the sentence: “Hello, I had a missed call from you … “ – sounds pretty professional, right?
  • I park close to other cars.

Kristína Drinková

NCBH graphic artist
  • I never turn off my computer.
  • I never take photos of anything.
  • I can’t get enough when I drink non-fizzy water.
  • I go to the grocery store in my pajamas.
  • I only water my flowers when they give me a signal.

Martin Res

NCBH programmer
  • I walk all over my apartment while brushing my teeth.
  • When I’m visiting people, I lie down on the floor, ideally in a corner.
  • I demand that my head be scratched. When no one around is willing, I scratch it myself.
  • At work, I put off going for a pee until I can hardly make it there.
  • I don’t like it when my wife wears tops (t-shirts) that are darker than the bottoms (trousers, skirts).

David Ondra

production NCBH
  • The trunk of my car is an extended home storage space.
  • I go on holidays with my family.
  • My wife says I put things in the dresser that don’t belong there. But if the chocolate bunny fits in there, that means it can be there.
  • Halfway through each cleaning up session, I run out of energy.
  • If it can be put off, I put it off. And if it doesn’t work, I pretend it doesn’t exist.
  • I lie to dentists.

Jakub Čáp

NCBH photographer
  • I whiten people’s teeth in photos.
  • I lie to people about looking good in photos.
  • If you touch my food, prepare to die.
  • I look down on people who wear their sunglasses on their heads.
  • I judge photographers by the brands of their cameras.

Martina Hrdá

recorder of NCBH
  • Wherever I go, I turn off the lights behind me.
  • I’ve got a potty mouth when I’m behind the wheel.
  • I have to cook every day, even if it’s not really necessary.
  • I play with my food. I can’t eat it normally, my boyfriend can’t stand it.
  • When I relax my face, I look permanently pissed off, even when I’m not and I am in a good mood.

Alena Benešová

NCBH proofreader
  • I can’t stand net curtains on windows.
  • I make a note in my calendar when I run out of salt and refill the shaker.
  • I don’t follow the „business before pleasure“ rule. I usually do things the other way around.
  • Knitting calms me down. I’ve always got something I’m working on. When a situation throws me off, I have to knit three or four rows.
  • I attach great importance to details.