Etiquette?

Hello, I'm hoping to learn about manners and such in Latvia. I'm considering a visit to the Baltic region and wouldn't like to unwittingly offend anyone. I've a few acquaintances from nearby countries (mostly Finland), but I'm not very familiar with Latvian cultural, and being American I'm prone to saying rather stupid things on occasion.

In particular, what are the customs of dating in your country? Is it acceptable to approach a girl in public and strike up a conversation? What's the general opinion on alcohol and other drugs (Marijuana)? Is religion very important?

Thank you.

Latvian culture inherits both Asian and European roots. It's quite regular like for small population, and I think you should just follow standard etiquette principles to not offend somebody in Latvia


I'm not sure if there are "customs of dating" in general, so why they should be in our country...


It depends on how you will do that ;) Dating right on the street requires some phantasy. If you just come to the girl and ask her something in English, and if you won't be attractive for her, you won't get any chances.


Marijuana is legally forbidden in Latvia. As about alcohol - we have, unfortunately, a drinkers nation. You may buy it until 10 p.m. in any food shop, for prices much less than in Europe.


Hmm, sorry, - important in what?.. ;)

I should have said idiosyncrasies rather than customs. For example, in relationships in the US people (Or rather, women) tend to demand a certain amount of clarity regarding how serious the relationship is, where it's going, etc. In my experience, and from what I've read, it's the opposite in France. And Finns tend to talk so little, and avoid eye contact, that by American standards you would think they're always uncomfortable or angry.


I speak a little bit of Russian, a very little, and would study some Latvian before I visited. Do many people English there? Or French?


Of course, but is it commonly used?


Anything, really. Do people, erm, concern themselves about 'sinning', or breaking the rules of their religion, or whatever?

And after that, you still call the America a FREE COUNTRY?

I think such "demands" clearly tell people how to act instead giving them a freedom of actions.

I think, in relationship, you just need to be as free as possible. As more borders you set around of you, as less life you are ready to invite. And relationships are Life. Two people could co-exist together if they have similar "waves of tension'. People meet each other and split searching for another partner. Sooner or later, they will find the proper person!

There are no standards in relationship - all people are different, you won't find a similar Finn or Latvian or American, whatever you have "heard" - possibly reading articles or news - it's just one subjective side of the story, one kind of "statistical survey" or something like this, when they ask 1,000 people, and consider it like it would be 1,000,000 of people thinking or acting that way.

Hahaha! This world is full of fun!!


Good point, pal! Good question I'll check how Yuta will handle it!

There appears too much theory on that


French - absolutely not, almost nobody knows it here. Quite a lot of youth-to-middle age know English. Russian will help you better in this country


I'm not sure on that. I don't use it at all and I have no friend who smoke. But I'm sure it's quite a popular topic in certain areas.


I think, we have quite a lot of religious churches in Latvia. Catholic, Orthodox, Old believers, Lutheran, Krishna, "New Generation" and few smaller. Still not quite sure what did you mean with such a question

I totally agree with yuta, I don't think we have any particular dating customs...we also tend to demand a certain amount of clarity.

It really depends on where you would strike up a conversation with a girl...in general it's almost always pleasant when someone notices you.

I sort of get the religion question, but I don't think you would have an issue with it in Latvia. There are places in Europe where it is more prominent.

Sad that people needs also advices about "how to manage a conversation with girls" in public places,zoo,bus,crashed car!!!!??? Is it a bad joke? Or a depressed men association in therapy in Latvia???!!! Guys u should grow up and jump on life instead of waiting and asking and wondering so long...

That is. Most of online hidden guests appear to be losers.