Riga Local Customs

In the Museum of Firefighting we were asked to wear these lovely slippers over our shoes. This was kind of difficult because of the large winter boots we were wearing, they kept slipping off, but rules are rules.

It's not often that you have to wear such things in museums, but these were even more bizarre than the plastic slippers that I had to wear in a philatelic museum in Budapest.

The old city of Riga is basically a pedestrian zone with only a few cars and trucks being permitted to drive here. There are barriers around the old city and you can only enter with a special permit! Very nice for pedestrians!!!

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In the park next to the Freedom Column there is a small bridge. This bridge is full of padlocks. Young couples put a lock right there to evidence their never ending feelings! What a wonderful idea! Well, Heinz and I felt that after 8 years of marriage it would be a great thing to more or less renew our vows by putting up our own padlock there - and that was what we did first thing in the morning! What a fantastic feeling!

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When Latvians meet guests, say at airports or similar, they always buy flowers for their guests. That is such a nice gesture and custom, it is worth taking up! That is also why there is a place to get flowers from at the airport arrivals hall. Naturally you can get flowers anywhere you like, but one good place to get fresh cut flowers is the Flower market in the city centre.

The Flower market is located along Terbatas iela next to the Vermanes Garden and it is open 24 (!) hours! It is especially nice to go there late at night, when few places are open, to enjoy the blossom. The Latvians are good at making beautiful arrangements, and they're not that expensive either. Makes you wish you could take them home with you when you leave...

Most steeples of Riga churches are topped by gilded cocks. Contrary to the sinister biblical significance of this animal, in Latvian folkore it stands for vigilance and safeguards from evil, when the cock crows for the third time, the devil must retreat back to hell.

The practice of placing a cock on the spire of churches stems from Middle Age Europe, where the cock also had a practical use as a windvane.

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Riga Black Balsam opens a whole world of sensations with its 24 ingredients. Subtle hints of linden blossom, birch bud, valerian root, raspberry, bilberry, and ginger as well as touches of nutmeg and black peppercorn tease the palate and come alive in the glass.
Riga Black Balsam was first made in Riga in the middle of the 18th century. The legend has it that Empress Catherine the Great of Russia, having fallen ill during a visit to Latvia, was cured after drinking Riga Black Balsam.
During my stay it was so freezing that I tried it - and I did not get sick :-)

Smoking
It's not allowed to smoke in public places and public transport. If it's necessity to smoke better to check whether there are special signs which allowing to do that. Mostly in all restaurants and bars nowadays smoking is prohibited, you can smoke only outside.

Drinking
It's not allowed to drink alcohol in public places, except restaurants and bars where it is served. It also isn't allowed to walk with open bottle. With alcohol I mean also beer.

Latvians don't rip you off, they are not rude and are down-to-earth people. But they ar different from many other Eastern Europeans in one way.. they are not the friendliest people around.

It's because of the Russian occupation according to them, and that's one way to recognize Russians from Latvians. Latvians don't smile and look rather grumpy. Sure, they are polite and helpfull and have a good attitude, but the looks on their faces are not that cheerfull. Don't let it scare you off.