My first time in Latvia, impressions from an American

The true is, I am only half-Russian, and half-of-other national blood inside of me, including Latvian blood, too. You most likely don't find a "pure" Russian living in Latvia, or a pure "Latvian". I am "international" stuff.

I am for Russia at first, because Latvia is weak, less than 200,000 economically and physicall active inhabitants, that doesn't even sound serious for a country. Even in humans world, if somebody is weak, he needs a protection from a more powerful friend. Like I mentioned, Latvia was always under somebody's protection, in its whole history. It's logical. Physically we can't be independant. The only correct approach to save this land, is to choose the proper friendship with a more powerful neighbor.

But what kind of other powerful neighbors do we have around?? Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Belorus, Russia. What else to mention?

Latvian capital and USA capital have 7000 km distance, Latvian capital and Russian border are about 270 km from each other. It is funny to choose a protection from US even because of that!

Really, it's not the question of mentalities, not the conflict about Russians and Latvians... it's a conflict between USA and Russia, on the Latvian bridge.

Well, I have just one question so far.

What idea, in your opinion, should Russians follow to identify them as "Latvians"? By "Latvians" I mean the whole people living in Latvia, not just those native speaking Latvian or having a Latvian surname. If America is the richest, and the most powerful in a military aspect country, then what would you say for Latvia? What Russians should do, what direction should they choose to think, to make this country great, or successfully to unite with this country?

Sorry, but your conclusions sound like: if there would be no Russians, then there would be no problems for Latvia. Right?

You've mentioned this resource as a reference, 'pbs.org' - but it's just a website, created by anonymous persons. If we read their "about", it's the "largest public media enterprise". It's enterprise, like almost the whole America. Nothing seriously to take on. No real names which are in response for this information. Not signed by the author of the article. In the article itself, no cites, no quotes, no references to the verified sources.

Then better go to Wikileaks and find out something outstanding here. It's a better webpage, sponsored by the CIA. Most American chewers love this website. But don't tell here it's all true and we must believe in it, ok?

By the way, Gorbachev is not an authority for Russians at all. Most Russians hate this person. Devil wouldn't mark an Angel...

Yes, America appears to be the richest country, but I have a question to the economist: could you answer, what the dollar is covered by? Please answer, so any human could understand, not using tricky economist principles and descriptions. I won't believe them, because I'm a human, not the economist. It's just that easy question.

Plomb

When immigrants come to America, America becomes THEIR country. They don't forget where they come from but their first allegiance is to their adopted country. The problem with Russians in Latvia are that they identify themselves first and foremost as Russian and not Latvian, the Russians won't let go of being Russian in order to become Latvian.

Russia is not a very powerful or rich country at all, but the Russians don't want to believe that, they still think Russia is a powerful country and they want to cling to that. They tend to think they are better than the Latvians because they are Russian. The Russians need to stop identifying themselves as Russian and must become Latvian in culture, language, etc....BUT the Russians won't do that. It is a very simple thing, it is not complicated.

It usually only takes three generations for a family to become completely American. The first generation usually only speaks their native language(and keeps all of their customs from their home country), but their kids (the second generation) will speak English and their native language (their culture is mixed with American culture), and the third generation will usually only speak English (and have adopted American culture completely) and then the family is completely integrated into America.

The language is a very very important aspect of the integration into society. BUT, the Russians will not let go of their language and MOST IMPORTANTLY their culture, yes it may be popular in Eurasia, but who wants to live in Eurasia? In Europe, most people speak their native language and English. Speaking multiple languages is fine, but you MUST be able to speak the main language of the country you live in. Russians need to let go of Russian culture and embrace the Latvian culture. I doubt this will ever happen b/c the Russians seem to think they are superior to the Latvians, which may be a remnant of the past when the Soviet Union held so many countries prisoners, and the Russians were 'in charge' in these countries that they occupied. That time is gone, Russia doesn't have much power at all anymore (the Russian military is a joke now) and if it weren't for oil and natural gas, no one in the world would even care about Russia. Russia is a resource based economy that is corrupt and lacks modern industry and because of the huge amount of corruption it will never be truly modern. The lack of enforcement of laws, the government controlled media, etc. will always keep foreign investment too low, it is just too risky for companies to invest heavily in Russia when Putin could just change any law that he wants or throw the CEO of the company in jail for no reason. Russia is Russia and has always been ruled by dictators and always will be ruled by dictators, Putin is just the current dictator in power.

Bottomline.....the Russians need to become Latvian by embracing and becoming a part of the Latvian culture and letting go of their Russian culture. People can still speak Russian, but speaking Russian should fade away in time as more and more people identify themselves as Latvian and not Russian.

I will answer shortly... what you describe, in 30-40s was called "fascism".

I will not spend my time to comment other stuff. It's so subjective bullshit without proofs and facts that it isn't worth even reading.

I suppose you did a great experiment with your Latvian wife, destroying their culture, roots and making her a well-earning and probably well-fucking American doll for your ambitious American soul.

Fascism. Oh well. It is too provocative, I suppose. And dumb on another hand. It is the same like if you would come to a Muslim in France or Belgium, and tell him: hey, we have kind of social difficulties around the country, why don't you become Christian at least? Most probably, you would leave such discussion shortly without one of your eyes.

What you propose, sounds outdated. The Latvian government, the new Latvian politics works for what you propose, already for around 20 years. But it only makes the things even more complicated. And they become more and more complicated each year. It is obvious that most non-Latvians (let's not forget that NOT ONLY RUSSIANS are "problem of Latvia") have relatives outside of Latvia. If they would do what such people like you suggest, it would mean they betray their relatives, their roots. What the people would choose - to betray relatives, or to betray the social atmosphere? I suppose, the second.

Latvia needs another solution. You sound really outdated.

Also, even if we imagine, that all non-Latvians finally betrayed their roots, finally learned Latvian language, finally and fully accumulated with the root Latvians society, there is no more international problem - what's next? Do you think it will bring a peace to this country, a good life? I don't think so. While living here for about 3 years, I conclude that the problem is not non-Latvians... it's all is mythic-ally told to hide the real problem. Which I am not supposed to open at these forums, because these forums are of the other subject.


That is their choice, and they really understand they will be forced to do that. That is true. But so far I could suppose, non-Latvians didn't come here by their choice. It was a chain of unfortunate events, which continues now for few hundred years. You must be desperate to come to live in Latvia by your own choice. It's not the place for a better life.

On all other points, I would agree to Yuta - be aware of what is not obvious. The information you provide is not obvious. For example:


Have you ever been to Russia to prove that? Did you count Russian resources? It's just your belief, nothing else. Russians belief is that America is the country of Devil. Both beliefs work, and one can't destroy the other by now. So let is be.


I've been to Morocco and India, and once when I was young, in America, too (Florida). And man... I could tell you... America's God is artificial, East's God is real. East has a soul, America has just a dollar. East will rule the world for the next hundred years. I am more than sure. My dream is to visit China sometimes, most probably I will stay there forever! THAT IS the most powerful nation of XXI century, don't you agree? America is NOTHING comparing to China. BTW America created China, soon it will fail because of China's power. That's obvious.


Oh common, it seems you never been to Europe. German and French are the most speaking languages in almost all Europe. When I was in Germany in 2001, rather nobody could speak with me in English, if I asked on the street. I was there again this year, and when I asked some Germans sitting in a bar, how to find a hotel, they didn't understand me. They called some girl from the kitchen, she was probably a Slavic girl, may be from Poland. Then she explained in English.

In nowadays form, English is a very simple language, to learn and communicate. It's not rich, it's primitive. Even comparing to French it's very primitive. Unfortunately I don't know Russian, but my girlfriend, who knows, once told me the thing which I believe: Leo Tolstoy or Bulgakov would never write their genious books, if they wouldn't be written in Russian. Not saying about Japanese or Chinese or even Hebrew, which are too powerful for my mind. I suppose people speaking these languages, are more enlighten than persons speaking just a simple English. Knowing a difficult language means you know the world much better...


That is true, but WHO told you that people of this land don't know the language? It's ok for the foreigner like me... but I never noticed any problems with language on public places. People speak both Russian and Latvian with no problem, like in many European countries people speak their native and English with no problem.

I think you are too opposed to Russians, and have a trace of the cold war in your head. Like to repeat, not only Russians live in Latvia. Then tell the same to other nations, most probably you'll get even more "polite" reply like from Plomb...


Seeing this tells me it's not really a joke:




Of course. But this is not a problem. Studying Russians history, you'll notice that Russians, by nature, always need a dictator to move their life in a proper direction. They are in need of a powerful hand. Democracy model is not for Russia.

I only wonder why America is not happy with it? Why do you Americans want to make the whole world a big garbage can with your fake democracy model? You don't even know what the term "Democracy" means. This what is happening in America, is not a Democracy.

I would suggest just to leave Russians on their own and fix your own problems, before teaching other with something really not obvious.

And. How about answering my question - what covers the almighty Dollar?

Or are you a weak economist and possibly just another forum troll, which is Internet full of now?

Very classy statement on your part. Your response lacked intelligence and just showed that you are unable to control your anger.


Bro

I have no idea what I could say to you in order to assist you in life. You seem very lost and I am sorry for that. You live in a fictional world where I think you create your own reality that is absent fact and reason.

Yuta

It has been a pleasure speaking with you.

If anyone has any intelligent questions for me I would be glad to answer them.

One thing Latvia does have is some of the most beautiful women in the world and they deserve better and I think the BBC article that I posted stated things quite well.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11493157

Guys, I think, the question is not what Russians should do, or Latvians should do, or non-Latvians, but what the Latvian girls should do in terms of saving this land That is the purpose of these forums actually... We see that men do nothing significantly good at the moment... you can discuss politics, World Wide 2 and other such "men things" on other forums I suppose. I don't think moving to US for all women is the answer of this question.

Guy from USA
Still, I have a question: why your choice is a Latvian girl? Wasn't you lucky enough to find an American woman? So far I know, many men looking for their luck with a foreign person, often get failed because of understanding limits... and for how much time you are together now? Doesn't it make difficulties in communication, or possibly other things?

Oh they are too many questions. I have a woman's curiosity.
Sorry if it doesn't sound intelligent

My wife was living in the USA for 2 years before I met her. Her English was ok, but not great when I met her. I dated lots of American girls, you don't choose who you fall in love with it just happens. We have been together for 9 years and married for 7 years. I worked with her on her English, but the most important thing with her was she was willing to work incredibly hard in college and also in learning english. Anything is possible if you are willing to work hard enough and she has proven that.

I gave her English books and proofread her homework for college to help her at the start too. She is incredibly beautiful, as most Latvian women are, so she stood out from American women, the Eastern European look appealed to me. I wouldn't be with her if she wasn't such a hard worker though.

There are so many people which try to assist me, but I never told I need this! If your opinion differs from yours, it doesn't mean you are right!

But for sure now, I see, you don't even know what covers the Dollar!

Guy from USA
What is age difference of you and your wife?

Guest
7 years. Why do you ask?

Now I see your wife is quite "standard". The young and fresh woman having an attractive look, will always find a man with a good financial ground, letting him think he sets rules. This is what I already know about almost all Latvian women.

Good luck.

That is how most women are anywhere in the world. Men with money usually don't marry ugly women.

Thanks for your replies!

How about passing the other 10 years - do you still think your younger wife will not look for a younger lover? I suppose, in this age you won't be able to provide the young woman everything she wants.

Knowing myself and getting older each day I know that a "stable" husband and enough money to live is not exactly that I would like to get from life...