The truth about living in Latvia | A foreigner's honest opinion 

this girl knows more about me than i know about myself

Labdien, Latviešiem! Tā ir es pirms 7 gadiem. Man pietrūkst Latvijas un es ceru tur atgriezties drīz. Ir lietas ko es mainītos par šo filmu bet man prieks ka jūs vispār domasiet to ko es teicu bija pareizi. Man ļoti patīk jūsu valsts un kultūra ❤️.

Being a Latvian almost everything she said really warmed my heart. After this I would definitely talk to you on the bus lol:)

as a latvian i can say this is pretty accurate

This is surprisingly detailed and accurate. Just wondering how long it took to get to know Latvians to this point? Very appreciated taking the time and digging deep regardless.

She’s so good with her observations, what an amazing memory! Lithuanians are exactly the same.

I’m Latvian, and you are so right! Thank you for your honest review

This is the best video I've seen about my country and my culture! A very well done and accurate description of how we are and why we are like that, this made me feel very good! Thank you!

Sounds so refreshing to live in a place where people are blunt, sincere, and honest.

as a latvian, i can tell u that ur accurate 100%

How incredibly accurate and respectful description of Latvians. Thank you for this. The only thing I'd like to add is that most of Latvians are pagans even though we don't even conciously identify ourselves as such. We still keep paganic traditions in all the biggest festivities (summer and winter Solistice, Easter) even though many could be baptised in Luteranism.

I think actually very good insight in our lives. Latvian approved!

As someone who recently moved to Germany from Latvia I've been missing home a lot sometimes. This is the most respectful and accurate description of Latvia/Latvians I've ever heard. I assume it took a lot of time to gain this much knowledge about my country, I agreed with everything she said. I absolutely love my culture, the food is amazing, the nature we have is incredible although it's not the most diverse I love the amount of forests we have and how much we appreciate nature and everything it can give us, I love our folk dances tautu dejas will always have a special place in my heart, our holidays mean so much to me. Līgo is the happiest weekend of the year for me, I love how everyone comes together and celebrates summer solstice staying up all night drinking kvass and eating Jāņu siers. There's so much history to discover in Latvia, we have such beautiful cities, yes the people can be cold at first but when you get to know us you've gained a friend for life. Visiting my home makes me so incredibly happy. Latvia will always be my favourite place on earth. Dievs svētī Latviju!

It’s been near 15 years since I left Riga and the things she talked about just brought back a lot of fond memories.

Trying to explain all this to my British girlfriend for 10 years now and she still doesn't understand me. She often thinks I'm acting deliberately weird or stand-off'ish when it's literally just a cultural thing. Spot on, this perfectly and I mean PERFECTLY sums up Latvian culture. Nailed it down to a T

Very open minded for an American 😃 and fairly knowledgeable about Latvian history

American here. Never thought about it, but we do throw around "love" quite a bit. Latvia looks awesome, want to visit some day.

I’m from the Netherlands and my wife is from Latvia I feel very at home in Latvia we are also a little bit distance and blunt so go good together ❤️ I like the way the Latvia people take care of each other 👍🏼every time I feel like coming home

i'm a latvian, it is nice of you, to uderstand us.

I'm scared she knows too much about me

Oh... My grandmother was from Latvia and I visited her every summer, I can still remember traditional food cooked by her and every Līgo celebration. Thank you for this video. It brought me to that warm memories.

9:20 I am watching this in a 2 bedroom apartment on a folded out couch. This lady really knows her stuff.

My mother's family here in Canada (the extended family I grew up with) is Latvian on both sides- my friend listened to this with me, and said " Now I know why you are the way you are!" 😄

It made me smile. Thank you. It's most precise, best description, to the point

When we say pankukas we usually mean actual pancakes. We just have alot of options when it comes to that, and the stuffed pancakes are really just a more diverse way to food in our eyes

Im Lithuanian, but almost everything i can relate to my country

She has such a pleasant voice

Thank you for the video, very accurate description. I have been there twice and going again next year, I really enjoy Latvia and the people there.

Such a beautiful interview! It's nice to hear that about us. 😊😊

Remarkably observant, highly perceptive, and a good understanding of context, and the variety in human civilizations/cultures.

Latvia Sounds like my kind of place

This was wonderful. Thank you! Reminds me of my Latvian grandmother and makes me want to travel to Riga and Liepaja more so now!! ❤️🇱🇻🤍

it's almost surprising how many things we share here in Poland. Greeting to my Baltic brothers from Gdansk

Beautiful eyes... Thanks for your insights, very well spoken.

I have recently met a friend from Latvia and this video helps so much thx

Latvian culture and its people sounds exactly how Sweden are described as by foreigners. Fascinating!

This is amazing! For me as a Latvian who now travels around - this seems ar perfect explanation of who we latvians are and what we believe in. Hilarious but genious! Great job!

I am German and I will go to Latvia next year for 10 months. I think Latvians will make me feel like being home. Germans are quite reserved and direct as well.

Great video! Thank you. Just visiting Latvia and this is really helpful to understand locals.

When I’m called or spoken to I always say “what’s the point to this?/ get to the point” Latvia is for me 😩😅

I am American and I like the Latvian culture!! I want to retire there!!

loved this video and this lady . I could listen to her all day

"if you say it, you better mean it" 😂

I loved learning this! My grandparents were Latvian and this helped me understand them so much more. I wish they were still here. If I’m wishing for things, I wish I would have taken interest in my heritage when I was younger and they were still around.

This was very well done, with a lot of interesting detail. I like people who are straightforward so I might like it there.

So true, so precise and funny 😊 thanks!

This is a great video that sums us up so well! It’s so interesting to see how we are viewed through the eyes of others/Americans. It’s also funny that I resonate with that description so well. I didn’t know I’m superstitious until I moved to the US (an international community in US) and people were laughing at me.

Hiii I'm from Latvia, Liepāja, and just wanted to let you know that this video made me smile

Thanks for very thoughtful video!

Cold & honest - spoken like a true Latvian :D But seriously tho - wow! That was far more precise & thorough than I expected. Usually, these kinds of videos are superficial and lighthearted.

I didn’t know about Latvia I’m so happy to discover more of Latvian culture I hope I’ll visit Latvia one day😍😍

Latvia is a hidden gem in Europe. The amount of authentic old building in Riga is quite impressive.

Love this point of view! As a Latvian! Great video and spiting facts!

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES SO HELLA ACCURATE. I think it is the first time I hear such an accurate description. gg. well done

Wow, this is very precise!

This was really interesting to listen to!

Latvia has an interesting and at times tragic history. It goes to show you how strong and loved the Latvian culture is as it has survived. My parents are from Germany and Latvia royalty was heavily influenced by Germany so I can see that the food is similar.

latvia looks a lovely place .. can't wait to visit later this year 🤗

Interesting to listen .. Latvians really are reseved and straight forward... But we are more open now because of tourists - we would definitely help you if you were in need😃.

Yes a very turbulent history. I was in Riga for a number of months in the early 90s and then briefly a few years ago, a very interesting place, beautiful wildness.

I agree 100%. Very reserved, rye bread, pagans, don't say I love you unless you are truly in love. Great job!

Great job on this interview She speaks really well.

So true, I'm latvian living in Canada, can say one of most accurate and honest reviews. You're so humble and sweet👍

I love this lady. 🥰🇨🇦🇱🇻. Bravo..you are very knowledgeable of the history.Paldise

Ty alot for review! As Latvian i shall admit you got sharp eye!

The way you said - trīs kungi...I rewatch that part 3 times, because IT WAS PERFECT! You pronounce it much better than we do...and I'm Latvian :D Nice

I like the variety of sauces (at least 4-5 sauces at any cafeteria) as well as salads. Vecriga is delicious, coffee is great. Memories, memories... Apart from food, Natural preserves all over the country are worth visiting. Cesis Medieval Festival in summer if you're in for things like this. They even brew authentic bear and bake bread using 14th century recipes.

Thank you, very beautifully and precisely said about us Latvians. 🇱🇻 It should also be mentioned that Latvians are a large nation of singers and dancers. Definitely worth look at the Latvian Song and Dance Festival, it is also a part of the UNESCO ! In 2018, 17,000 dancers at the same time took part in the folk dance concert "Māras zeme", and 12,000 singers + orchestras and dance groups took part in the closing concert "Zvaigžņu ceļā". In 2023, a 150th anniversary of Latvian Song and Dance Festival will take place in Riga - it will be impressive!

I have been in love with this country for a long time, I am a Latino and I would love to know what they will think about us. I hope to go one day and have a serious relationship with some Latvian girl.

The speaker has it all; nice voice, attractive, well informed, charming.

I am a Norwegian American. Loved this video, sounds so much like the Norwegian culture.

Thank you this was really good.

The directness for americans is more or less valid for all of nothern europe

These are old Baltic, Slavic, + Central European traditions. I was raised to be cautious of needlessly flowery language & gestures. It's considered insulting / insincere. I'm 60 & have lived in the US for 56 yrs! We were Ashkenazi Bulgarian Polish Romanian mix, by way of Israel.

Half Latvian here, but living in the US. Very proud of my Latvian ancestry! ❤

O, wow. This is so true!

During my time in particular part of UK I thought people to be very superficial. When Brits ask ‘how are you’ it took me a few years to realize they don’t really wanna know and “word salad” was common. Until you live there long enough and start behaving the same way.

Saying I love you is something you say to your lover or spouse. Not so much to a friend or even a relative. Not crosswind, but draft is not good nor is icewater, especially in cool/cold weather!

Couldn't be more spot on!!

Interesting! I am from the Netherlands and used to live for a while in Riga. Being a dark skin girl in Riga was one of the weirdest experiences I've had. Everyone out in the streets was staring so much. I did not know what they were thinking. If I was waiting at a busstop and a bus came by, everyone on the bus was turning their heads to stare. I was just standing there smiling and waving back 😅🤣. Imagine a full cinema with the movie Django unchained, and being the only dark skin person in that room. I was like: okaayyyy this is strange 🤣. But actually I do love Riga. And the Latvian persons that I have met were so warm and nice and friendly once we get to know each other. We had a lot of fun and huggs. Such a different feeling.

Yeah. Latvia rewards you differently. Thank you for sharing. Wish you all the best :)

thank you for this video

Great video, keep it up.

It’s very very very accurate. Well done!

We are the last pagans in Europe :) We always mean what we are saying. Sometimes it is hard to understand other West European culture that they do not mean what they are saying.

Very well said!

I wish I lived in Latvia my sister brought back so many cool pics of the beautiful country 😞 I live in Texas

I'll be living in Latvia for 5 months, I'm really looking forward to it!

Wery good observation. We say what we mean and mean what we say👌😁👍

Thank you for being so objective and don't forget that being the way you are has worth. I mean there is no need to try and cut all small talk and stuff. Just be yourself and people will embrace you.

It is so true! How did you manage to find out it so accurate? You must be staying there for some years. 👏

100% true!

6:54 I love kvass, it is by far my favorite drink, ever! Baig forši!

thank you for this

Damn, good on you for being able to pronounce so many of our words!

Beautiful talk. I kind of felt she was talking about estonians too. Greets from Liivimaa

3rd Gen Latvian in the US. I see a lot of overlap with my personality with those spoken of in this video. nice to know i'm not so removed from the motherland!

Hi, latvian here. You forgot mentioning french, danish and polish ... Polish rule in Latgale was one of the worst times in our history. Of course there were also other groups who invaded our lands in ancient times, as archaeological and other records show. But that isn't important. Thank You about trying understand us. :)

I've recently started learning the Latvian language and so this video helps me better understand the Latvian people. They sound like very nice people and perhaps after I master the language I would like to go to Latvia to meet the people in person. Thank you for this most interesting video.

Thanks - very nice to hear. I would comment that its very clear - Latgale was part that you did not visit at all or only short trip - spend some time in Rēzekne, Ludza, Preiļi, Lubāna, Balvi, Madona - Your opinon will change - but Rīga and Kurzeme - pretty true description!