What Do You Think About Latvians?

Vox populi (voice of people) asignment for "Intro to TV" subject at Baltic Film and Media School (BFM). We shooted it in Viru Keskus (huge shopping center in the midle of Tallinn) and asked to random people: "What do you think about latvians? ".
Presenter - Sigrid Reede
Camera - Kaspars Sēlis, Harijs Arājs, Ruwe Saare
Light - Guntars Gulbis, Ruwe Saare
Sound - Harijs Arājs, Kaspars Sēlis
Editing - Guntars Gulbis
Producent - Guntars Gulbis

[@Nelieciamasis]

Real Lithuanians love Latvia Mus vieno kopejs gars un vienas asinis

[@elcazadordeculitos]

que mamada dices ja ja ja

[@catmince7600]

I agree, and our languages are very simular

[@janisrancans958]

Nelieciamasis Yes

[@killerbees1969]

You are one of the best Lithuanians! 👍

[@raivo8885]

+Slag Gator Tu esi stulbs. :D

[@patri8138]

I'm a Latvian and i don't have six toes and I'm very friendly so is my family

[@robikaz3957]

You can't be a Latvian unless you have 6 toes

[@soybeanz7667]

@@robikaz3957 Latvians don't have 6 toes and I am one.

[@makeens]

@@soybeanz7667 Im a latvian and I can approve that we have six toes.

[@DINIE0011]

I'm from the Netherlands, and i was a few years ago at Latvia! I only meet than very nice people! Latvia is a beautiful country!

[@soybeanz7667]

I agree I live in Latvia and it's a good country

[@obsessed5078]

And i thought our friendly neighbors Lithuania and Estonia were really nice people! Guess i'm just a six toed horse head now.

[@louisritter7906]

Boi those are jokes. I mean we joke about estonians being slow, and litguanians beung horse heads too.

[@RaParanoia]

2:05 I actually watched this while eating an Ice-cream.. :D

[@perchix5252]

Haha,taa sasmeejos par to pirmo kadru. Tas krievs bija vislabākais,tāda interesanta intonācija bija. Ceru,ka saldējums neizkusa? :D

[@emmarose4902]

Hearing that other peapole call youre neighbors horse heads is acually sad btw im lithuanian🇱🇹💞🇱🇻. BRALIUKAS

[@Rblock777]

i think that ''Zirga galvas'' phrase started because ''horse head'' in Latvian language is also ''zirga galva'', so they knew 1 thing to say to latvians so we would understand, i think it was only a joke and today people are not getting it right. Or because we kinda look like a horse head on the map, if we are the head so what are you? :D

[@ggcloudc]

Neck 😂😂😂

[@EM2000SS]

@@Rblock777 Hello to neighbors! Please, don’t pay any attention to uneducated ...some of them from Lithuania.. It ‘s really shame when somebody says such nonsense... The best wishes from Lithuanians to our neighbors!!!👋🤘👋🇱🇹 🇱🇻

[@edgarsmaculevics6220]

I happen to be latvian, and i can asure this was all true.

[@emilskristiansfr6768]

Edgars Maculevics so, you’re a Latvian with 6 toes? 😂 im a latvian but with 5 only lmao 😂

[@height0004]

@@emilskristiansfr6768 you are not real latvian

[@ggcloudc]

I Love Latvians they are the Best neighbors 😘😘from Lithuania

[@Siikaas]

awww thank you, my brother

[@soybeanz7667]

Thanks

[@aidenpearce4409]

6th toe? Igauņi ir smieklīgi :D

[@soybeanz7667]

Jā xD

[@carlys8439]

a latvian walks into a bar, the bartender asks: Hey, why the long face?

[@runrunrudi7668]

Carlys what?

[@runrunrudi7668]

Carlys where's the joke?

[@cryptidcorpsez8517]

is it because lithuania calls us horse heads. are we really the horse heads here tho?

[@soybeanz7667]

@@cryptidcorpsez8517 wow I hate lithuania I thought it was a friendly country but no. Why so much hate to Latvia?

[@Akenfelds1]

I'm going to weigh in here. I was born and bred in Australia (Australian mother, Latvian father) but I've lived in Latvia for over two years. From what I've seen, Latvians are polite but shy people. It takes time to get to know them but once you know them they are warm and friendly people. They show great respect for their environment and the streets in Riga and other towns are mostly quite safe by European standards and very clean. They are also hard-working people who don't suffer from a sense of entitlement, unlike people in richer Western countries. They are protective over their language and culture and wary of sudden changes. Overall, Latvians get a high score from me. And I'm not just saying that because my dad came from Latvia.

[@pearlyp9898]

I'm from Latvia and that explained me and my family perfectly! Thank you!

[@soybeanz7667]

Yea I agree I met a lot of people and they're actually very friendly. I lived in Latvia for 9 years and I still live there because I'm native Latvian and my family is all Latvian but sometimes when I try to be friends with some people they just insult me and go away.

[@andrejastankunaite1829]

Don't be mad Latvians, because of Horse heads...We love you the most in this world❤☺

[@CherryLipstick6x3]

Can anybody explain the thing about 6 toes? :D Why would they think that?

[@matchaa121]

I have heard that latvian 6 toes story since I was a kid, but asked my dad why do we have such story and he didn't know why. it's just some silly story, no one knows where it comes from but everyone says 'latvians have 6 toes'.

[@CherryLipstick6x3]

kallutibu That is so weird, but also really funny ^_^ Thanks for the reply! ;)

[@ainarszelcs3365]

I have 7 of them. Man ir septiņi kāju pirksti.

[@CherryLipstick6x3]

Ainārs Zelčs Vienai kājai? Tikai vairāk pirkstu, ko apdauzīt uz stūriem! :(

[@ainarszelcs3365]

Cherry Lipstick Esmu jau apradis.

[@phiyeecheung8142]

My beautiful best friend is a Latvian ( who was born and raised in Australia ) She is very nice, friendly , caring, supportive and polite . I love her so much

[@otium8]

What Do You Think About Latvians? The most expressive "NO!" ! hahaha Very good video, Latvia seems to be a very good country.

[@FriS-LV]

1:49 wtf............

[@FriS-LV]

+LatviešiLV i mean 1:46

[@FriS-LV]

lol

[@chobi9721]

I'm Japanese. I stayed there for several days in Riga a month ago. People were so friendly and kindly. But I thought they are bit shyer than Estonian))) I went to Turaida to see the midsummer festival "Ligo". They invited me in their sircle though I'm foreign tourist when they were dancing. I was so glad!!! It's impossible to forget this experience in my life:D So I fell in love to Latvia;)

[@MAtv-xx7dy]

Yes we are friendly, yes we are smart, yes we eat ice cream all day in hot days, but nooo we aren't hourseheads or we haven't got 6 toes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@thesnooper1431]

It a fucking joke, don't take it seriously.

[@soybeanz7667]

Yeah true

[@Ainuuut]

I`m Lithuanian, this is where the legend about latvians being horse-heads came from:In ~1950 when Lithuanians would go to Latvia to buy food, Latvians would sell horsemeat sausage. In the market Latvian would offer ‘zirgo gāla’(horsemeat in Latvian) to Lithuanian."Gāla" sounds very similar to "galva" (head in Lithuanian). But it`s just a legend, noone knows how this friendly "name calling" actually started. As I said, it`s friendly, so don`t be mad. By the way, Latvia is our favorite neighbor:)

[@NekoGirl1122]

I spend a week in Latvia and I must say that the people were awesome ^^ Perhaps a bit drunk sometimes but certainly not boring or unfriendly :D

[@MlleSokolade]

so cute that the overall image was positive, thanks :) "very friendly people" indeed!

[@Artuurioo]

all of baltic countries have their jokes about other ones, but still I think that all 3 countries are awesome and powerfull.. forever BALTIC STATES!

[@tsionliku2285]

I have a Latvian friend....she is the most amazing person I ever come across

[@bigpappa3329]

i don't know a person who has six toes and i am latvian. Kur viņi to saklausijušies ?

[@loufritz]

So Latvians are generally friendly. Their gold is that they are industrious, love education, have beautiful painting, sculpture, music, dance, literature. They are industrious, wonderful farmers, good workers, learning to be great entrepreneurs and as a people are believed to be mostly honest, They have a shadow too, They are hurt and hurt people hurt people. They are Survivors. About freedom & helping each other: Will they have the courage of their convictions or is it going to be just talk

[@BabelRedeemed]

Nice video, thank you. Regarding the 6 toes thing, I think that when neighboring countries have some shared heritage but maintain a strong sense of self-identity, they use physical characteristics to emphasize the difference. It's clearer than culture. Many Japanese imagine their physiology is quite unique from Koreans and especially from Chinese. Things like "Only Japanese get stiff shoulders" or "Koreans can speak English well because their tongues are longer."

[@dimagri123Latvia]

What i want to say about Latvians They are so friendly people in the world. I born in Latvia Latvia this is my mother land. I love so much Latvians. And Latvians girl are so beautifull in the world and sexy. I never leave this country cause I love it this country and peoples. In Latvia really beautifull nature and deep forest and mirror lakes and castles. I really want to invite all the peoples around the world visiting my really beautifull country. And i have here Latvians friends they are so beautifull and friendly and good. I proud of my country Latvia.

[@monta8017]

omg I'm literally cracking up right now I cant even anymore 😂😂😂 I'm dying haha this is great 😂

[@anastasijabirzina9622]

everyone listen up LATVIANS DO NOT HAVE SIX TOES AND WE ARE NOT HORSE HEADS SO IF U THINK THAT THEN ACTUALLY GO TO LATVIA YOUR SELF!!!!!!!!!!

[@markcarey8426]

Well done. I'm from New Zealand and down here we have TEN toes! So, four more than the Latvians but we are very tolerant and are not prejudiced. (A friend of mine's daughter-in-law is Latvian, blonde, nice woman.)

[@pafcook]

Fascinating! I'm from the U.S., and I have ten. However, like you, I do crave large amounts of ice cream at all times!

[@Rinari_123]

We will resolve our problems through diplomacy, not pointless war. We are responsible nation and see no point in war. And never underestimate someone.

[@dartadaimond1848]

we are very freindly and we do not have 6 toes

[@Gamez4eveR]

The language is considered to be difficult. I wouldn't go as far to say Latvia is a friendly country though. It really depends on where you live, but in the capital don't expect friendliness.

[@jesus.portilla]

Latvians are very warm and friendly, they have very nice food and cakes, and the women are stunning

[@dimagri123Latvia]

We have here in Latvia really big european super markets. Where you cabn buy everything and all the food are healthier and good quality.

[@Ainuuut]

@Ainuuut Also, we seldom call you that. After the Baltic Chain we call you "broliukai" (brothers in Lithuanian).

[@yesac101]

Really what's worse is that two different people had that same comment about us.

[@namas000]

i am Lithuanian and i like Poland,,, we do have isues betwen us but we do not hate polich,,, :)

[@BelloBudo007]

I see. Thank you for your intelligent contribution.

[@tomalotuyo1877]

I'm from Venezuela...but I'm agree with this guy!...Myths all crazy Myths!!...a Yahoo!!! for Latvia's people!!!

[@Rblock777]

i think that ''Zirga galvas'' phrase started because ''horse head'' in Latvian language is also ''zirga galva'', so they knew 1 thing to say to latvians so we would understand, i think it was only a joke and today people are not getting it right. Or because we kinda look like a horse head on the map, so if we are the head what are you? :D

[@RizenST]

You know you're not making anyone angry, right? Its just some good humor. XD

[@MrEmilsmg]

@AiridasLietuva It was "leisis" (spelling mistake) And its just a word that we call you,nothing more :D

[@Duur4Life]

lol'd at the actual phrase and what subtitles claim he said in 2:03 Guy basically said : I think they are temperamental bastards.. and eat ice cream day to day. Also the 6 toes joke comes from that on latvian license plates is written "LV" for what estonians make fun that its an abbrevation for "Lisa Varvas" - meaning extra toe. Thats where the joke comes from, and the ice cream thing just comes from that saldejumps is basically the only word we know in latvian.

[@makulis15]

THUMBS UP FOR BEING ESTONIA'S BEST NEIGHBOURS!!!!

There's a high possibility the first person they questioned was my English teacher. Because of the earrings and the look of his face.

[@dimagri123Latvia]

Latvian girls have actually really beautifull skin. It can be color Rose skin Yellow skin And really light white skin. Its so beautifull skin and good looking!! I love it!! What i color prefer here so much this actualy white color. For latvians girl is the best!!

[@asmukais]

this was funny as hell :D:D nice vid! ;) Latvians should take a simular video and find out what do they think about Estonian neighbours. WOuld be great if somebody does it and post a reply here =)

[@albertodarma4623]

Almost nothing happens in countries such Latvia,Estonia and Lituania,so I think stereotypes about them do not exist-and this is good,'cause it makes strong the "mistery"around them-.I think that in these small countries life runs peacefully day by day:never a political scandal,never a blood fact from there.I think you have good politicians

[@BelloBudo007]

The Gulf of Riga explanation sounds much better. It sounds to me like something lost in translation that is a bit of fun between close neighbours. I want to visit both Latvia & Estonia.

[@EastEndBen]

was she coming down the up escalator at the beginning?

[@Mildadub]

yes, sure i can, but i will write it in personal message, cause i'm ready to write a loooot!:D

[@lokonice]

Dat comeback.

[@RhymLV]

Nesaprotu ko te visi cepjas komentāros, bija interesanti un rēcīgi :)) Katra valsts izsaka kaut ko labu par kādu valsti vai arī kakā uz galvas par kaut ko. Ja man pajautātu, es arī par katru valsti varētu pateikt kaut ko smieklīgu, interesantu vai labu, viedoklis paliek viedoklis. :) Chill! ;D

[@rihardspaegle]

we have six toes, we are zirga galvas, we eat ice cream all day, every day. but one thing people don't know - we eat potatoes every day.

[@BelloBudo007]

Greetings from Australia - Boy there were some really ignorant comments from people being interviewed. Six toes? Horse head? Eating ice cream all day? I personally do not know any Latvians but I'm sure they are as normal as anyone else who has suffered the war, communism and so forth. I hope Latvia enjoys a happy & prosperous future. Long live Latvia.

[@dimagri123Latvia]

Latvia also care about the disabled peoples. We have here really strong programm european where disabled people can go to sport guyms and take special programms for 4 mouths actualy its a really great deal.

[@WarfareHD1]

Well I was born in Latvia and moved to american when I was 7 years old, I can say that no we do not have six toes lol but we did eat ice cream a lot I can tell you that

[@janisandersons9024]

I felt sad at the end of the vid ..the way LV flag was going down the escalator

[@MarexKai]

1:10 Vismaz viens krievs domā ko jauku par latviešiem. Interesanti bija skatīties šo video. Labas atsauksmes par mums :)

[@TK8866275]

I wonder if American author Thomas Harris has heard about this belief of Latvians having six toes and if it is the origin giving his fictional character Hannibal Lecter six fingers in the left hand. Although Hannibal Lecter is described to be Lithuanian this belief of Latvians could have been behind the idea making him polydactylous.

[@dimagri123Latvia]

For exmples gym classes we have in Salaspils european standart gym classes football stadium bigger one. You can even play basketballs with your best friends for free.

[@shapehazy]

Here is a stereotype about Estonians - it probably took 2 years for her to edit this 3 minute video together.

[@Hujnadzingoooooo]

Hey. I'm from Latvia. Why Lithuanians don't like Poland? I mean in 17th century or something there was Lithuania-Poland kingdom.

[@turntableable]

I am of Latvian ancestry. @ 2:00 why is there a kettlebell in a glass case?

[@tomk9187]

2:10 This guy is a bit lost. I THINK YOU ARE, AND IVE BEEN HERE. Man you,r not in Latvia

[@Intriga89]

Ice cream and six toes? They made us sound like aliens.

[@TwilightAlise]

Well, thank you! Everything except that six toe thing is true. I'm Latvian and I'm proud of it! And for those who don't know, were called horse heads because The gulf of Riga looks like a horses head. Come, and visit! We will welcome you with joy.

[@Ashman-sw3be]

As a Latvian, I can confirm that the estonians only spoke facts

[@ViestursStraume]

Zirga galvas :D:D:D tas ir labs :D kas tad ir lietuvieši un igauņi zirgam?: :D

[@Miilums777]

Wait a minute! *checks my toes* Phew!

[@arn1s]

Vajadzēja pēc Prāta Vētras koncerta intervēt cilvēkus :D

[@nowbodythafirst1]

Last time I checked - I have 5 toes. Yes, I'm from Latvia. How weird.

[@TyTy-jv8fn]

AND WE ARENT HORSE HEADS!

[@benjamingessel1590]

What the devil is the woman with the mic doing on that escalator at the beginning of the video? Just... different... :D

[@megayetivsminigreatwhitex6194]

6 toes???? and it wasn't just one person who came up with that. what????

[@poleideed]

Latvians have six toes beacause, many Latvian tourists wear sandals with socks and that made the myth that they are hiding their six toes :D No offence, it's just a joke. Latvians are still our favourite neighbours.

[@TheEternalDreamer.]

This was very good😂. All i know about Estonia is that you are slow and you have good education system plus economy.

[@lkrnpk]

I think we can all agree that the presenter should become my wife and move to Riga :) :) and, I really think in Baltics live the most beautiful girls. We like to say that Latvians girls are beautiful but from what I've seen in Estonia and Lithuania, damn we have sooooo beautiful girls in Baltics :)

[@LatvianRC]

we are : smart cultural frendly we sometimes do eat ice crem all day and we down have 6 thoes

[@sluzardo5879]

After this film I think some new opinions about their neighbors to the North will form...

[@AleksPirok]

Why is she is walking backwards on escalator

[@leksebalode97]

@JensijsCardTrick es tev pilnībā piekrītu! Viņš pats nezin ko teica ja godīgi...viņam tas ir laikam kā nu ķipa kruti ;D Daunis vienkārši. ;D

[@Markucitis]

Just out of the interest, why do you have credited 2 people on light if you just used the environment light?

[@wolfyoof7729]

Im from Tokyo and i think that Latvian people are nice. Im not sure about the six toes tho e.e

[@ColegaBill]

Hey, such a nice (to strangers like me at least) people would be able to compete for BEST NEIGHBOR title even in better located countries, for sure. Toes are not the only EXTRA thing with them. I'll keep my toes crossed for Latvians to prosper more and breed more.

[@arianagaming7929]

its fun cos like some of the things are soo not true cos im from latvia

[@BelloBudo007]

Oh I see. As long as you guys find it funny. Sadly the joke doesn't do a thing for me. Reminds me that I met an Estonian lad holidays in Australia in the Kimberley Country. We did some canyoning, swimming & other adventure stuff together. Nice guy and fit as a fiddle. Now he, I could agree, was 'the head of the machine'. :)

[@narkocat]

You need to be latvian to understand about the horse head thing.. Basically it means we are we head of the machine...or something like that.

[@DarkBlueCreep]

Tumbs up for Lithuania, Latvia's neighbours:)

[@DixieBanjo]

I like Latvia, surprisingly nice people there...I only had problems with a few Russians.

[@ACERAMGAD]

Love'em! 100%

[@mdbasir6097]

Latvia veri beautiful I love you

[@YudhaBhismaya]

check out legion day on wi-pedia

[@leksebalode97]

@TheGonnaRock Nu jā vajadzētu.. ;D būtu jau labi :D

[@bigpappa3329]

Par Igauņiem sāka , kā viņi ir lēni, un "Igaunis" ir rupjš vārds manā skola

[@HunterXStyle123]

who the fuck said we have 6 toes? we have normal toes

[@Mildadub]

umm... i am lithuanian and i have never thought anything bad about Latvia or that they are "zirga galva", i always thought that we r brothers, so don't hate:) that guy is telling nonsense, i have heard that shit the first time in my life:D but yeeah, that's true, we know that phrase "zirga galva" but we never used it to describe latvians!! Peace;)

[@bomis181094]

Oh, I didn't know I had 6 toes...oh wait...I DON'T!

[@burkaaninjsh]

oh, our lovely northern neighbors!