Thanks for sharing, I also enjoyed Riga and absolutely had no problems with the people or the interesting city....

Some of the persons we met were friendly, some not (ex-russian attitude ? Be happy we are here to care about your wishes but don't ask for help ? ) One of us nearly got pickpocketed broad daylight, else an OK stay

Djdelight, I am glad you enjoyed Riga, there really are many things to do in our city:-)

I would like to add that rude attitude and impoliteness doesn't mean - "ex-russian attitude" as said in one of posts here. I am Russian, but born in Latvia, spent all my life in Latvia and have absolutely no connection with Russia as a country whatsover. Although love Russian CULTURE, literature, etc.

I would like to ask all forums participants - please, be careful and do not offend 40% of Russian speaking population living in Latvia. We are not mafia, rude people or bandits. There are criminal elements in all world capitals.

Thank you.

Can't agree more, LatvianTraveller. People can be proud of their political correct rhetorics in relation to jewish, roma, muslims and non-whites, handicapped and many other ways featured minorities, but they are readily adopting xenophobic speech manner toward Russian speakers, bringing most weird myths into the daylight. This is really disgusting.

There are issues about "Russian" culture or the "Russian" way of dealing with things. The Russian culture, that of the great names of the pre-revolutionary Russia, does no longer exist. Either in Latvia or in Russia, or wherever else. The way foreign visitors recognise as "Russian" in Latvia is really as Russian as it is Latvian. It is post-Soviet, in other words. Some learn more quickly than the others and vice versa. Latvians are unfortunately the quickest of them, but definetly not the slowest either!

Yeah, Rjsol, that's right, Latvia is different from today's Norway. That's mostly because the business pays too little attention to schooling their staffers, most probably because of the ingrained greed. What's a business without greed? But then add some perspective to it and the business will get closer to the patterns known as industry leaders in countries that have had a chance to get rid of their "ex-Russian" attitudes during a time span longer than say 15 years (the time Latvia has had so far).

Well, Dieter, this is exactly what I wanted to post next - there are so many topics here about racism and people coming to Riga worrying about being violated because of their skin color, but at the same time in other topics they forget about political correctness and call all Riga criminals - Russians:-)

Well, I would slightly disagree in regards of Russian culture being lost everywhere. In our families we still try to keep the best of Russian culture - but, of course, on the level, which is only books, some classic Soviet movies, poetry.

Anyway, what I wanted to say is - if we tell the world we are for tolerance, if have to be tolerant towards everyone and everything:-)

Great travels and experiences!

Eva

As a Latvian I am happy to see your positive testimonial about Riga, djdelight. Just small correction- the hotels name is Hotel Centra :)