Reader views (17)

 Add your view

Really sorry for all Latvians and russian citizens in Latvia,whom you have met! All what you said here is truth! Truth - that latvians are 'passive people', that russians are bandits,they resolve all problems with drinking beer or vodka, and it is just one side of monet other one is worse. No one is interested in culture of others countries, it is just horrible to see how people in your country degrade. Is just animal's interest 'money'. No one wants to earn, just want to get somewhere...(no words - just emotions)! No respecting to each other, but you say about foreign tourist.
Nil Ushakov spoted himself with saying about Brits such thing like this! If he saw what all latvians and russians did and do in Britain, he would shut his mouth for everytime.
I like England, i lived there for one year, i respect everything and everyone in your country, and what your country gave to me, my relation is more than just positive. Really sorry!

- Tanya, Latvia

Right, these countries accepted the cash brought by the british tourists, but does it give them the right to behave like that? Does it mean that you can do whatever you want, just because you are paying a holiday and a beer to Latvia?

- Marcos, Notting Hill, London

I have spent quite a bit of time in Latvia over the past four years. It is a charming country and I can honestly say that I have witnessed few of these incidents so described. As for British visitors urinating on the national monument I have never seen such a thing and can't believe how this could possibly happen in daylight hours anyway! What about the armed honour guards who regularly carry out ceremonial drills throughout the day? Not to mention the crowds of visitors strolling through the park that surrounds the monument. I have seen gangs of local youths tearing chunks out of each other. The country itself is divided along ethnic lines. There is a sizeable Russian citizenry who seem to thrive on casual acts of violence and brutality. The Latts themselves, on the other hand seem to be a quiet, rather passive people. Getting drunk out of your skull is a national pastime in Latvia. Especially during the winter months when the darkness and bitter cold can test the soul. The night-time temperatures regularly plunge to around -25C and the sea in Riga Bay freezes! Outside of Riga booze is really cheap, despite the currently unfavourable exchange rate. There is a brand of Lager that boasts a strength of 7.3%. And it helps to keep the cold out! I think British tourists would be charmed by the place - as I am. I look forward to many more pleasant visits in the future.

- Gordo, Birmingham

I went on a stag do to Riga just a couple of weeks ago. And I don't think Riga's mayor needs to worry - the number of British stag parties will soon slow down to a minimal level - once you've been you won't go again. We were a well-behaved, mature group - out to have fun, yes, but being polite, not getting into any trouble and we wouldn't dream of urinating in the streets or on the national momument.

In many ways. Riga was a lovely place - just a shame they see Brits as being a source of easy money. Every bar, every pub, every club hiked up their prices to such a ridiculous level that we could have drunk in London's finest clubs for less. Thirty Lats (GBP 40) for entrance to a club, 10 Lats (GBP 13) per drink, careful of talking to any girls because before you know it you've bought them a drink which (apparently) costs 40 Lats (GBP 50) or more. I could have had a week's skiing for less than the cost of that weekend trip to Latvia.

Not just my experience, there are plenty of horror stories on the net about people suffering much worse rip offs in Riga.

- Zigster, London

Mark - these stag parties may have been going on for hundreds of years, but they were confined to Britain, not forced upon other countries.

The Mayor of Riga is spot on with his comments, in my opinion, and just demonstrates what a "high" regard other countries have for British people. Hardly any wonder, given the antics I've seen myself.

I've had holidays in Dublin, Prague, Budapest, Paris, and Amsterdam - to name a few places - ruined by lager louts on British stag parties. Somehow, the people on them seem to think it's a valid reason to be rude and disrespectful to another country's residents and culture.

Before anyone tells me to "lighten up". I've been to stag parties in France and Germany - hosted by people from those nations. Overindulgence sometimes perhaps, but no urinating in the street, throwing up, or shouting into the night sky.

- Jock, London

Humans are a silly animal, can't believe there is still anyone who believe a God would have created such a stupid species. Overpopulating the world like rabbits they just follow any lowly instinct or whatever triggers feel good hormones in ther brains... (alcohol is a known one, sex another one, music, sport, revenge, show-off silly group behaviour - you name it)
And ranting definitely one of them!!!

- Esther, planet earth

Pete J Garbett, Leicester, England

Here bloody here!

- Rod, Epping, UK

I think Keith and Squiz are right and funny!! Come on people, louts and drinking, it's been going on for centuries. Every country has them, believe it or not, just so happens in Britain we have a higher earning power that allows these people to go places.

Living standards (and low cost air fares) in this country have allowed people the freedom of travel. People that would fall under the same social bracket in other European or ROW countries don't have that power, so hence we don't see them on Stag Parties in our Towns and streets!

Don't know if anyone has noticed how warm, friendly and nice immigrant workers are that locate themselves over here, especially when they've had a drink!! I am joking by the way. I live in North London and Polish drunks are just as bad as any West Ham Fan thats had 10 pints! Singing Rule Britannia (I support West ham by the way!).

Stag parties are Stag Parties, simple as that.

- Mark, Barnet

This is the British and Irish national psychosis. It's an utter disgrace. Some other cultures have the same problem - Australia, Germany, Holland, Scandinavia - but it's nowhere near as widespread or as vicious at is in Britain and Ireland.

There's a class element, as well. Most offenders are working-class, uneducated, semi-literate, tattooed airheads - and that describes the women as well as the men. When students and businessmen act in the same way - and they sometimes do - it's an added disgrace.

Take their passports away! Let the louts and trouts get pissed at home!

And ban cheap flights - a double blow against environmental damage and lout/trout tourism.

Someone with no interest in a foreign country's culture, history, architecture or language has no place in that country. And those who ARE interested would willingly pay a realistic air fare or drive there!

- Pete J Garbett, Leicester, England

I think Mr Usakovs will have his work cut out while his city is home to some of the most accommodating and reasonably-priced prostitutes in the whole of Europe.

- Keith, King's Cross

Agree with Squiz. The less well behaved elements of our society were attracted to such countries by their cheap beer, low rent hostels, prostitution, lap dancing etc. Now they can claim UK benefits they don't need the money so much. They shouldn't be complaining they should be thanking us for helping them get a 'leg up' and not need that type of trade any more. What next, Thailand b*tching about the sex trade? The reason these were Brits abroad is because their surrounding neighbours are poverty stricken countries and they ADVERTISED here. Were Thailand to complain they'd have their pick of the world who behave badly over there from Yanks to Austrians (Fritzl) it isn't JUST Brits who behave badly -although they are certainly shameful- sex, drink, drugs, and violence cross all borders regardless of culture and religion it solely depends on cold hard CASH.

- Real, London

Squiz

Well done, your ignorant comment says it all and demonstrates why we are so reviled by other nations.

- David, London

Squiz, I shouldn't worry about another country's economy, let's keep focussed on our own mess.

Brits abroad are a total embarrassment, a terrible view of how we behave at home. It is bad for our own tourism and we must suffer financially as a result. I have no answer apart from education with regards to binge drinking. Anyone else got any ideas?

- Rod, Epping, UK

Bloody foregners, always moaning.

- Iqubal Saleem-Choudry, London

I have to say I am embarrassed to be British when I encounter a pack of Brit males abroad. They behave like morons, mouth off and just offend by their presence. I think Nu Labour should bring in a law that restricts the movement of more than 4 adult males travelling in consort (unless they have the right documentation to show they are family). I agree with Mareks Seglins, they are "dirty, hoggish people".

- Diplomat, Battersea

Have to agree with Squiz!

- St, London

they were all too pleased to accept the hard currency into their turnip based economies when no one else would visit them. Nice tourists are a lot fussier than stag parties so they better hope they're up to the task before banning their bread and butter income.

- Squiz, Islington

Add your comment