Hear hear to this article! ["Culture Shock: In praise of easterners", by Chris Togneri, Vol. 7 No. 38, October 8-14]. I could not agree more.
Constantly I found comments in this article similar to my experiences. I had an awful time in Bratislava. I would be the first to say that my Slovak is definitely 'broken', but nobody in the west of Slovakia would even try to understand (apart from my best friend's mother).
In the east of the country, everybody acted as though I spoke perfect Slovak and appeared to understand everything I said.
They were truly the most hospitable people I've met as well. I now have many friends in eastern Slovakia, and my time spent there is always a joy.