Category Archives: Social Issues

For the love of Latvian men

Posted on July 30, 2014 by BerLinda

The other day, I received an interesting message. It was from a Scandinavian girl wondering what it’s like to date a Latvian man. Now, I get messages all the time from men asking about Latvian women. These conversations generally go like this. … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, Latvia, Latvian men, Latvian women, Love and Relationships, Social Issues | Tagged alcoholism, Cheating, Dating a Latvian, Gender equality, Gender roles, Janis, Latvian men's reputation, Love, reverse sexism, Sex, vanity | 173 Comments

Where have all the Jāņi gone?

Posted on June 27, 2014 by BerLinda

While on a walking tour in Berlin, I got chatting to a guy – as I do. Me: So, where are you from? Guy: I live in Nürnberg. Me: (Instantly suspicious) Guy: And you? Me: Well, I’m from Ireland but I … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, Janis, Latvia, Latvian people, Social Issues, Travel | Tagged Berlin, Germany, Latvian emigration, Meeting people, Perceptions of Latvia, Tourism in Latvia | 212 Comments

A few days in Daugavpils (Part three)

Posted on May 9, 2014 by BerLinda

Yet again, I woke up at the crack of dawn, thanks to the paper thin blinds and the creaking of old trams (and old bones) outside my window. After trying to convince myself that I was asleep for another couple of … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Humour, Language, Latvia, Social Issues, Travel | Tagged Ants, Artilerijas Pagrabs, beer, Church Hill, Customer Service, Daugavpils, Emigration, Food, Fortress, Homeless people, Hotel Latgola, Hotel Paradize, Infrastructure, Investment, Laimas Muzykanti, Lidadis, Mark Rothko Centre, Music, Trams | 85 Comments

Latvia. Home of the Homophobe.

Posted on March 20, 2014 by BerLinda

It’s catchier than ‘Latvia – The Land that Sings’, don’t you think? Although I can see why the tourist board would go with the latter. The other day, a friend of mine was horrified when his son came out with … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture and Traditions, Expat, Festivals, Latvia, Love and Relationships, Social Issues, Tolerance | Tagged Aigars Kalvitis, Amnesty International, Anti-gay marchers, Being gay in Latvia, Brain Storm, Gay, Gay marriage, Homophobia in Latvia, LGBT, People throwing shit, Politics in Latvia, Prata Vetra, Renars Kaupers, Riga Pride Parade | 155 Comments

Judgement Day

Posted on March 12, 2014 by BerLinda

Gundega: Do you write a blog? Me: SHHH! (Looking around like a fugitive) Yes, I do… Gundega: No, no, I love it! Me: Oh. Great, thanks! Glad you like it. (pregnant pause) Gundega: (with a healthy amount of desperation) Don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, Language, Latvia, Social Issues, TEFL | Tagged Clothing, Education in Latvia, English in Latvia, ESU Public Speaking Competition, expat, Judge, Riga, Teenagers, TEFL, The Baltic Times | 54 Comments

Something is rotten in the state of Latvia

Posted on February 18, 2014 by BerLinda

If you’ve heard about Latvia in the news recently (apart from the Winter Olympics – three medals and counting), you’ve more than likely heard about how Latvia has one of the highest GDP growth rates in Europe, or how Latvia … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat, Latvia, Latvian people, Old age, Riga, Social Issues | Tagged Brain Drain, Economy, Education, GDP, Growing old in Latvia, Healthcare, Latvia, Latvia National Library, Latvian people, Latvian winter, Palace of Light, Riga, Social issues | 209 Comments

Does this blog make my butt look big?

Posted on October 16, 2013 by BerLinda

God, I hope not. I live in Latvia and they just don’t tolerate that sort of thing here. Other women stomp on you with their gold-studded, leopard-print stilettos for letting the side down. They let their rat-dogs out of their … Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness, Humor, Humour, Latvian women, Social Issues, Travel | Tagged Body image, Body issues, Cosmo.lv, expat, fitness, Food, humor, Humour, Latvia, Latvian women, Weight loss, Weight problems | 134 Comments

Growing old disgracefully

Posted on October 10, 2013 by BerLinda

I seldom think about my old age. I assume that I won’t live to see it. On the rare occasions that the thought does flit across my mind, I picture myself as tiny and white-haired, more gumption than gummy. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Latvia, Old age, Social Issues | Tagged Cost of living in Latvia, expat, Global AgeWatch, humor, Humour, Injustice, Latvia, Old age, Old people in Latvia, Pensions in Latvia, Survival, Sweden | 105 Comments

The happiest nation on earth

Posted on May 28, 2013 by BerLinda

While half-watching BBC News this morning, my attention was suddenly drawn away from my boiled egg (in an egg cup) and towards the newsreader. She was about to announce which nation is the world’s happiest. You can imagine my surprise … Continue reading →