Comments on: SEASON’S GREETINGS http://balticbulletin.com/blog/2008/03/05/seasons-greetings/ Delivered daily by Baltic Features Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:06:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Spring comes to Riga, courtesy of the Baltic Bulletin | Baltic Visitor http://balticbulletin.com/blog/2008/03/05/seasons-greetings/#comment-1901 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:10:21 +0000 http://balticbulletin.com/blog/2008/03/05/seasons-greetings/#comment-1901 [...] I don’t remember having read Baltic Bulletin before, although its RSS feed is in my aggregator so I guess I must have done. Today I stumbled across an article which is a few days old, in which Mike Collier evokes spring in Riga – something which reminds me of my extended trip to Latvia last year. The piece isn’t just about the weather, though, it also has plenty of evocative little touches and even a reflection on the significance of the monument to Soviet victory in Uzvaras Parks. [...] […] I don’t remember having read Baltic Bulletin before, although its RSS feed is in my aggregator so I guess I must have done. Today I stumbled across an article which is a few days old, in which Mike Collier evokes spring in Riga – something which reminds me of my extended trip to Latvia last year. The piece isn’t just about the weather, though, it also has plenty of evocative little touches and even a reflection on the significance of the monument to Soviet victory in Uzvaras Parks. […]

]]> by: Editor http://balticbulletin.com/blog/2008/03/05/seasons-greetings/#comment-1824 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:46:03 +0000 http://balticbulletin.com/blog/2008/03/05/seasons-greetings/#comment-1824 I bow to your greater experience on this one, Richard! I have certainly noticed widespread terror at the prospect of a draught or 'caurvejs'. You'd think it was some sort of anthrax-like deadly spore the way even the tiniest whiff of fresh air is excluded from buses and trams while the heaters are cranked right up - hence the sight of hellish commuter buses packed to the gunwhales with condensation dripping down the windows. They may not fall prey to the draught, but one sneeze and everyone on board will have the flu. I bow to your greater experience on this one, Richard!
I have certainly noticed widespread terror at the prospect of a draught or ‘caurvejs’. You’d think it was some sort of anthrax-like deadly spore the way even the tiniest whiff of fresh air is excluded from buses and trams while the heaters are cranked right up - hence the sight of hellish commuter buses packed to the gunwhales with condensation dripping down the windows. They may not fall prey to the draught, but one sneeze and everyone on board will have the flu.

]]> by: Richard http://balticbulletin.com/blog/2008/03/05/seasons-greetings/#comment-1707 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:26:51 +0000 http://balticbulletin.com/blog/2008/03/05/seasons-greetings/#comment-1707 On the contrary Mike, I find that Lithuanians and Latvians talk constantly about the weather. Those balcony thermometers mean that they know exactly how hot or cold it is, and this is a serious discussion topic at work. Wind is something to be feared, and is accompanised by comments like ¨terrible,¨ ¨hurricane,¨ ¨impossible,¨ and ¨nightmare.¨ {have you noticed how little wind there is in the Baltics. Balts in the UK immmediately comment on how windy it is) Lastly, you need to talk about the weater so you know whether it is safe to go outside without a coat, or in shirt sleeves. Have you noticed how everyone decides at the same time that winter coats are not required, and people get embarrased and indeed angy if they find themselves wearing a winter coat or boots when others are dressed for spring. Indeed, I could generalise that while the British talk about the weather merely to make conversation , in the Baltics it is a serious topic of conversation, and woe betide you if you forget that the weather was like two days ago. MEanwhile, discussion of weather indoors, ie the temperature, draughts, is also serious. Have you noticed that peple in offices spend most of their time disussing whether it is safe to take their jacket/jumper off? On the contrary Mike, I find that Lithuanians and Latvians talk constantly about the weather. Those balcony thermometers mean that they know exactly how hot or cold it is, and this is a serious discussion topic at work.

Wind is something to be feared, and is accompanised by comments like ¨terrible,¨ ¨hurricane,¨ ¨impossible,¨ and ¨nightmare.¨ {have you noticed how little wind there is in the Baltics. Balts in the UK immmediately comment on how windy it is)

Lastly, you need to talk about the weater so you know whether it is safe to go outside without a coat, or in shirt sleeves. Have you noticed how everyone decides at the same time that winter coats are not required, and people get embarrased and indeed angy if they find themselves wearing a winter coat or boots when others are dressed for spring.

Indeed, I could generalise that while the British talk about the weather merely to make conversation , in the Baltics it is a serious topic of conversation, and woe betide you if you forget that the weather was like two days ago.

MEanwhile, discussion of weather indoors, ie the temperature, draughts, is also serious. Have you noticed that peple in offices spend most of their time disussing whether it is safe to take their jacket/jumper off?

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