Tag Archives: language

How to spot a foreigner in Riga

Posted on May 14, 2014 by BerLinda

Taking into account the fact that the vast majority of Latvians are white (apart from when they’re solarium orange), and the vast majority of foreigners living here are white, you’d think that everyone would blend in together nicely. Not so. Foreigners … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, Latvian people, Riga, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 209 Comments

In Latvia, you can’t win

Posted on March 23, 2014 by BerLinda

I try to chat to my mother once a week on the phone and, over the course of our conversations, the blog usually comes up. Me: So, what did you think of such and such a post? Mammy O’Grady: Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture and Traditions, Expat, Humor, Humour, Language, Latvia, Latvian people, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 228 Comments

The weird and wonderful world of Latvian names

Posted on January 25, 2014 by BerLinda

For Christmas, one of my students gave me a calendar and, I have to say, it really is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only do I now know what day it is most of the time, I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Humour, Language, Latvia, Latvian women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 164 Comments

My 15 minutes

Posted on December 16, 2013 by BerLinda

Becoming the most notorious woman in a country overnight is no fun. I’ve spent hours trawling through messages because, unlike some, I believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion so I’ve published them all – good and bad. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Expat, Humor, Humour, Latvia, Latvian men, Riga | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 169 Comments

Pidgin English

Posted on March 19, 2013 by BerLinda

So hard as I trying to teach my students to speak English good, there are some things they just can’t get there heads under. And more often than not, it’s quite funny. (Even though I shouldn’t laugh of course.) Here are … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Humour, Language | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Damn. I’ve got a ladder in my sock trousers.

Posted on February 2, 2013 by BerLinda

It’s hard moving to a new country when you don’t know the language. But after trying and failing to find a ‘Teach yourself Latvian in a week’ course, that’s exactly what I did – armed with my university French, four … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, Language, TEFL | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments