How Living In Lithuania Has Changed Me
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- Опубликовано: 10 дек 2024
- So in just a few weeks I will have been living in Lithuania for 4 whole years! With the exception of a few trips outside the country, and also around the country, most of the last few years have been in Vilnius.
And so unless a person is really set in their ways and is stubborn or stupid, moving to a new country and city is bound to cause some changes- whether good or bad...
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My wife is Lithuanian but we joke that I am more Lithuanian than her (I have zero Lithuanian ancestry). I’ve just fallen in love with the country and its people.
Local in Vilnius and I feel exactly the same about the sidewalk thing
YES. Hate it. But I feel I am doing it too. Wtf?
Fuck it. Im dealing it aswell in Vilnius. Just few days ago I talk with friends about it. Am local
I'm local and it's always a game of chicken who moves, who doesn't move. Quite annoying.
Ive been walking on the sidewalks in Lithuania for 40 years now. And I never ever had a thought about it 😂, don't think just walk 😂
Same, and I hate it! Surprisingly, I didn't recognise this problem until mentioned in this video, just felt always irritated on the sidewalk. On a positive side, as soon I visit a different country, the habit immediately disappears.
"Don't bring anything" in Lithuania means "you decide what to bring yourself".
And i decide not to bring anything lol. Maybe because i'm half "suvalkietis" haha. But in reality i really don't like food being thrown away
@@Maltinis Most important thing is, bring your own drinks :D
@@Maltinis Usually the hosts let everyone grab whatever they want before eveyone is leaving. I thought it was common outside my circle D:
The point is to communicate between host and guest to understand what kind of party it is, what is available and what might be missing. Definitely not a rule to always bring something.
@@Maltinis Thats why you bring bottle of alcohol. To save for later and have another invite to come :D
I'm from the UK and been living in the Telsai region for seven years, best move I ever made.
I'm from the Uk and i'm hoping to move to Lithuania looking at Kaunas or Siauliai
@@goresk8869 Depending on your circumstances, I chose rural, but then I'm retired and out in the sticks there's a bit of hard labour come winter with all the wood chopping!!
@@MrSkeptik-z5r are you married to a Lithuanian? i have visited Lithuania 3 times and intend to visit Siauliai in September, i find the Lithuanian language very hard to learn thats why i choose cities so i can speak ''Lithglish'' ie using Lithuanian inter mixed with English and it seem to work in Kaunas. I know i need to learn LT when i do move
Hey nice to hear Im from Telsiai hope you are doing well.
@@goresk8869 Kaunas has more jobs depending on what sector you're qualified in and Siauliai is great for rural/town feel kind of living while still having access to all the city facility you might expect. Though in both cities you WILL need a car from my experience but in Vilnius a car isn't necessary as the infrastructure is great there
I am Lithuanian who currently lives in UK. It has been 19 years now and I can honestly say that I am ready to come back home. How UK changed me? I loosened up internally. I don't care anymore about what other people might think in regards to how I look, how I dress, how much weight I have lost or gained. I don't have a need to fit in. Additionally it exposed me to such an amazing pot of different cultures, different ways of thinking and living your life. So it freed me internally, however I feel confined in other ways- there are so little public places where you can camp, swim, forage, enjoy the nature and move around freely, without buying tickets, asking for permissions, have time limitations imposed that it became almost impossible to do things I loved doing back home. I guess that is the main sticking point to me- lack of external freedom. I never managed to embrace pub culture and small talk either. Oh and weather!!! That is one thing that I never ever managed to embrace. I cannot stand UK weather. With passion. I miss minus 20 in the winter and plus 35 in summer. My body craves all 4 seasons. I guess my time is coming to come back :D
Mes irgi pragyvenom 20m UK is gryzom, kiek laisves ir laiko, tas butu neisivaizduojama uk
Same story with me and I stand with your opinion 😊
Just came from a bikepacking trip and it is just crazy how much free infrastructure we have for nature exploring, camping spots, nature reserves, parks, etc and all free and open 24/7. Maybe I am biased as Lithuanian, but it is simply amazing.
@@2fastmanas❤❤❤
Love you videos, I’m moving back to Lithuania in March 2025 with 2 kids who speak no Lithuanian and British wife will be fun 😃 good work on videos and well done for embracing Lithuanian living 👍👍👍
I'm Lithuanian and when walking in a group, I usually step aside and give way to other people walking in opposite direction and usually continue walking behind others in my group. I also hate when people going the opposite direction on narrow sidewalks don't step aside to their part of the sidewalk. In that situation I just stand my ground and bump shoulders when necessary to make others understand that they don't own the place. People should mind their surroundings and understand that everyone wants to avoid conflict if possible and just go their own way.
Love your videos and Canada! ❤
I totally agree about respecting the host's wishes when visiting.
I only bring something as a present for the celebration or if it is a friends' get-together and everyone brings their own stuff.
Here's a good tip for you - you can always bring some flowers for the hostess
Welcome, we're glad to have you here
Never noticed the sidewalk thing :DD
And there is a saying "never go empty handed" :D
Just an idea, but when someone asks you “not to bring anything” you can bring flowers. No food waste and (usually) works a charm (bonus points if you buy it from an old lady sitting next to a supermarket) 😉
Lithuanian living in Luxembourg here. One thing I notice about sidewalks- in Luxembourg people would rarely make room even if you carry something heavy or bulky. I never get this feeling in Lithuania. But one thing I notice is that general sense of personal space is less respected or is way smaller than in the Western European countries. Say if I stand in a queue- people would generally keep a bit of distance but in Lithuania sometimes you feel their breath on your neck 😂 especially if it’s the older person
As a Latvian living in Lithuania, I can relate to quite a few of these too. Sidewalk thing is so true, at least I did not notice it so much in Latvia, and definitely not in Denmark. And bringing stuff to people honestly almost upsets me. In Latvian culture we do it in certain cases, but in LT every single time someone shows up at our place with buns or cakes just when coming in for coffee, it is fairly annoying. At one point we had 3 unopened cakes in a freezer because of this 😂
I am lithuanian I have been to Riga so many times. I love the old town of Riga its my happy place. The big treat for me is to go to Riga on my birthday which is mid november and go to see ballet or opera at the Riga opera and ballet theatre and visit xmas markets. 😊
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@@bloodtypena for me Vilnius is similar. I drive there for vacations often just to roam the streets and eat great food.
😂 when I’m at the supermarket with my wife buying stuff for when our friend comes over: “Do we really need to buy this pie? We know ______ is going to bring something anyways, even if we tell her not to!”
It’s one of best countries in the world in terms of affordability/quality of life
I'd say the whole bringing something over is more situational. If you are visiting of your own accord (not saying unannounced, but you are the one who decided to visit) then sure, bring over something. However, if you get invited over to come visit, then you don't bring anything unless told to. For example, we agree to have some beers at a friend's place it's typical for us to bring our own beer or snacks that we then share (i.e. we know the host has snacks, but there is no expectation that you will mooch off them). Same extends to pretty much everyone in my family, so I'd say that's probably the more common approach: bring something over if you initiate the visit or if you are told to.
Cool- thanks for sharing your perspective!
Myself and some of my family have lived in Ireland for almost a decade. I think Irish overall societal cultural brings out better version of us Lithuanians, since the Irish are more extroverted, chatty people, which helps counterbalance our a lot more introverted ways of existence. I find that our people in Ireland are more approachable and as a consequence, a bit more pleasant to be around.
However, in my personal opinion, societal norms like that are just a tip of the iceberg in what makes up a national identity. There are also matters of ethnicity, religion, history etc. And the dominant mindset in the Ireland seems to be that anyone can become Irish, regardless of who you are, where you come from, what beliefs you hold etc. It really feels like the matter of identity is free for all to achieve here. And I just think that if anyone can be considered of this or that nationality, it means the nationality doesn't have a definition and without it being defined, the nationality cannot exist as a cohesive unit. Such is seemingly the state of a handful of countries, who would rather abandon and at times even shun their generations worth of beliefs and practices, just so they wouldn't be considered intolerant. For these reasons and more, I was finding it hard to really integrate and fall in love with this culture. It's just too inaccessible and vague, often overshadowed by much stronger outsider identities.
I think that's where Lithuania is very different. Not everyone who comes here feel at home. And I think that's fine. Our country isn't for everyone nor should it be. Our customs and way of living isn't here to accommodate anyone. We are who we are. Take it or leave it. 🤷
Interesting! Thanks for sharing your insights from living in Ireland! ☺️
Hi, I WISH I could contribute to your channel but as I wrote earlier, I can't in my current situation, at nearly 80 years old....
But I have to say this video moved my emotions in a big way. Although I was born in Argentina, I lived 40 years, the best of my life, in BC Canada, in my beloved Vancouver... I am lucky I still have a Canadian passport, but I had to return to my native town for family reasons, and it's mighty hard to live here now. I know Canada is going through stuff along the rest of the planet. I keep in touch and I know the DTES has gone even worse (comparing to my arrival in 1975 as a new immigrant when the "worst" walking along Hastings would have been someone a bit disheveled asking you for "a dime"!!!) So I've lived through many cganges, went to anti war rallies, and I think I learned values from truly wonderful folks, sone elderly people, some younger, some new Canadians, some Aboriginal...worked as a volunteer in fantastic music festivals gosh I could go on forever....and yes, what a pleasure to walk along the Seawall not worrying about bumping onto someone walking the other way. I know downtown Vancouver is now filled with tall glass towers since I left, but my spirit still roams around the beaches, the forest, the parks and whatever still remains of the wonderful city, province and country I consider forever mine... apologies for the long writing, one thing I didn't learn is "word economy"! All the best to you, looking forward to watch your videos...
I am Lithuanian only by blood. I grew up in England and I oftentimes feel like I don't really belong here. Its been strenuous trying to learn how to like my country again. I resent the blind patriotism some of my teachers would try to force upon me, but as I learned more and more about the struggles people in the past went through to secure its freedom, I started to respect it. I don't know if I can ever stay in Lithuania permanently, but I think I will miss some parts of it when I inevitably leave. I am glad you enjoy living here!!
There is fairy tale "Two goats on the little narrow bridge" (Du ožiukai ant liepto) about two persons who cannot let other one pass first.
Good job, man! Thanks!
Thanks
I also never though about the sidewalk thing! In my experience, even if you walk straight into the group of people, they will split eventually to avoid collision 😅. Although, I usually walk close to an edge of a sidewalk to avoid being hit by bicycles or electric scooters, since I almost always listen to the music.
The way we walk on sidswalks is not just Vilnius thing its a lithuanian thing.
I am happy you like šaltibarščiai my mom grates the hard boiled egg to the soup , I personally prefer it that way. But many places just cut the egg in half. Next time if you'll make šaltibarščiai try grated egg maybe you will like it.
The bringing food thing some lithuanians do it like me some dont like my mom. But I also tend to ask the host if they need anything if they say no, then its no because no means no.
I love your channel and both you and your son are ONE OF US, ONE OF US 😊.
And regarding war I do consider myself pacifist but I am pro self defence as well.
I have lived in Lithuania just 3 years, but I now call it “home” and find myself saying “we when referring to Lithuanians. I can definitely say that in my 64 years, I have never lived where I have been happier.
To be truthful, I have no clue why anyone would bring nothing if they were told so (I know!). Of course, it all depends on the situation, but even a tiny gesture of appreciation for an invitation to their home or celebration is expected.
Now, if you're spending a quiet evening at home with a few pals, you could only bring a few nibbles (such as a bag of chips, spicy nuts, cheddar cheese, or pizza rolls) and a drink you had plans to work on. Bringing cake is always a risky choice, even when you're familiar with the group. You can end up in a situation where you're stuck with endless requests to take a bite of all the cakes. However, if you know there's going to be a need for sweets, it's always better to bring a Šakotis, Tinginys, or some other loose desert. Ice cream might be a great choice if you're having a meeting on a hot day with a small group too. When attending a barbeque event, it's crucial to inquire about what has already been (or planned to be) purchased so as to avoid appearing like an "unwelcome pig" in the event where guests bring their own marinated food to cook, relax, and enjoy.
As I said, it truly depends on the situation, but showing up empty-handed is rather not usual. You refer to it as a waste of food. Well, the worst that may happen is that you'll have some leftovers to take home. For example, whenever I host, I usually give away to early-leaving guests some cake and sweets, or fast spoiling food. It may not be applicable if the celebration is expected to last way past your leaving hours. It seems so strange to actually assume someone would truly show up empty-handed. Not that I would take any actions to prevent the guest from having a party, but a guest's "contribution" feels like a way of showing his or her appreciation. I mean, it's common for us to say, "It's nothing, worry not" or "You don't need to bring anything, really", but we still expect deep down in our hearts that you will come with at least something since it's all about respecting one another (one for accepting the invitation where the host fulfils most of the theme and the other for accepting the invitation and bringing something to appreciate the host's efforts).
Love your videos and appreciate you making them!
I am from Klaipeda and rarely visit Vilnius, but last time I visited I guess I felt slightly similar to what you mentioned about sidewalks. But then again I was in the old town area where the sidewalks are super narrow, so I didn't think too much of it at the time. Here in Klaipeda I don't think we have the same issue with sidewalks, but maybe I'm so used to it that I just never notice it. :)
Anyways, to answer your question about foreigners living in Lithuania, my neighbor is from the UK and I talked to him about his decision to move here and how he feels about it: he said he's very happy here and thinks it's so much better in many ways than back in the UK (with some exceptions of course).
Thanks! And with old town sidewalks I mostly understand- because many of them are so narrow. One parent with baby stroller will take up the whole path sometimes 😝 but the wider sidewalks outside of old town I still experience a lack of courtesy 😔
@@LithuaniaExplainedVlog Ah, gotcha. Guess it's a Vilnius thing then because I def haven't noticed it here in my city :D
I been living in Lithuania all my life and thats facts. All my life. The whole of it. Everyda. Lithuania. Yes.
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What has changed over these 3 decades for us, Lithuanians, nobody would have thought then, that a person from a prosperous Western country like Canada would come to live to Lithuania and would be content by what it has to offer and even say he would like that. We were not on the map, we were not known, not visible, our fight was only known to us and unspoken, our country was worn down by soviets, our souls were broken by them. We felt like nobody and our country felt like a black hole. And now this video to witness a massive change!
Bringing stuff over for the host depends on the situation I'd say, because the whole "I'll bring something anyway" can result in food waste and make everyone upset, but they'll still do it. However, one workaround is bringing something over and not letting the host unpack it until there's a need for it. That way they just get to keep the drinks/snacks for themselves or another gettogether. Since they spent time and money on the reception it is a nice gesture
Those are some interesting insights that you as a local don't even think about :D
You must LOVE the cold soup. There is no other option!
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Even as a Lithuanian I never liked it and never understood why people like it
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Totally on board with the sidewalk stuff! I am Lithuanian and I hate when people in Lithuania do not make room at all for other people coming from the opposite direction - it has always been irritating how selfish people are here sometimes 🥵🙏🏻
Same thing
Wow and I thought I was the only one!
@@duduktv7405 Lol not only you
You're just stupid, try going outside during nighttime in Sweden
Sorry for another post :) Totally recommend patriotic socks that you send for Patreon members. The socks + a lovely note made my day!
5:22
We always bring something, even if it's small
What about Sourcream? Have you start using it on everything yet??? In all Soups, on pancakes, on boiled potatoes, baked potatoes, in all salads and also on ham rashers too!?! If no, and you're not consuming at least 1 litre 30% fat of it per week, you are not fully adapted yet!
I love sour cream but I’m also trying to eat more healthy! But I can say that I drink kefyras quite regularly now - that’s something I didn’t do before coming to Lithuania :)
@@LithuaniaExplainedVlog oooh!!! Kefyras su keptom bulvem!!! 😍 Ask your missus to make it! P.S. and add a little little pinch of Salt to Kefyras!
Until Your video I never thought about sidewalk thing. I will check it now. Situation is better while greeting strangers. When hiking i constantly greet passers by and it is pretty common by people not to be freaked and say hello. In the gym it is getting better as 80 percent of the people are saying hi or some even shaking hands. But the rest 20 percent are still ignoring me, even we are spending time in the same gym already for more than a half year. Our attitude with the bringing stuff to the parties is usual as I think it is related to heavier food and alcohol consumption compared to many other countries during parties as well as some sort of surprise element of what to bring. I was shocked when in Ireland I had to pay when entering the party and bring all own stuff too. Host said, that it is to cover the cleaning and other similar costs.
Paying to enter a party? Like a house party? That does sound abnormal- but kind of practical too 😅 easier than having to shop around and bring something
@@LithuaniaExplainedVlogmore like a house party to a fellow coworkers. Something like Airbnb party but 20 years ago. Had to bring my food though, drinks (beer) could be bought on the spot from the host.
About "sidewalk thing": As Lithuanian I actually had thought about of what to do if opposite group is "taking my lane" and we are going to crash to each other. I got to conclusion that I should stop and pretend to be "busy", then they would go around me :P .. yep, other option is just to step right off walkway and let them pass, because "they are in bigger group" :D
Sidewalk is for me alone. Probably it is wide enough for one person walking opposite direction, but it already makes a small stress. Having as my space only a half of sidewalk? Where is pleasure from walking then? That's why you see this way of walking there. And it all looked normal for me before bicycle lines and scooters appeared. I try not to step into bicycle line, not always succeed. Have you picked at least 100 kg of mushrooms and 50 kg of berries in Lithuania? I don't know, wide sidewalk personal space and free mushroom picking in any forest, private or state owned could be somehow connected.
Yeah I sometimes just pull out my phone and look down at it while I continue to walk and stay “in my lane”😂
So annoying the side walk thing, agree
Sidewalk is vilnius thing. Multicultural is the reason. Anyone of russian culture doesnt feel anyone else except oneself. They also talk loud on phones or speakers, blast shitty music… noticed this a lot in belarusians migrants.
Outside vilnius, youre likely to be greeted with smile and a hello
Good to know!
I don't disagree entirely, but don't put the blame solely on russians and belorusians. Lithuanians have almost the same culture. Some people with russian/belorusian descent I've met are actually more friendly and open, too.
@@Gyvulys some are not all, and any generalisation is made based on majority, not “some”.
Culture and tradition wise - we are not similar at all. Do not mistake effects of russification with the culture. Compare lithuanian culture 30 years ago vs 20 years ago, 20 years ago vs now. Like night and day. My father attended elite military academy in russia. Russians run on hate for all non-russians. Cadets were required to build infrastructure like benches for themselves. Before graduating they destroyed all of it because “if we didnt get it, why should others”. Russians also never clean their environment. Look at how average russian in lithuania or anywhere else lives. Its either stolen luxury or absolute mess, which, in western world, would be considered mental illness. Irl example: i took my polish (russified/vata) inlaws to my birthtown (birzai). While tidy themselves, they were shocked to see how tidy lithuania was compared to vilnius region. How villages with 50 residents had beautiful gardens, smooth asphalt, paved sidewalks and street lighting. Until recently this was unseen in vilnius region (lived here for 20 years). They were also shocked by how warmly people interact, how nobody wants to screw you over, nobody fights for their space.
@@mignas
It seems to me that some lithuanians run on hate, rather :). First it was Polaks, now it's russians and belorusians.
Talking about cleanliness - I see no difference between local Lithuanians, russians, belorusians, polaks - some are "morozai", some are not. Take in mind though, that a lot of people in this country are living in poverty. And that's the state's fault, not that of the people.
"How villages with 50 residents had beautiful gardens, smooth asphalt, paved sidewalks and street lighting."
That depends on the state, not individual people. Villages in Lithuania are mostly dead because the government here failed them by destroying farms (including collective farms) and not building anything in their place.
Never noticed the sidewalk thing, but it actually makes sense. Somebody should inform lithuanians about that, I think they are unaware of that just I like I was.
well in the video, there was an excursion group, so could be Polish 🤭
What the problem with sidewalks? Finally they avoided collision and do not started fighting.
That sidewalk thing? Exactly the same here in Latvia! Another thing that bothers me in Latvia is how people do not pack their grocery shopping until everything has been rung up and paid for. They just stand there, contemplating the cosmos or something. Standing in a supermarket queue (and yes, there's Rimi here) for ages is not my idea of a fun time so I don't know why they do it!
Ohhh that grocery shopping thing would annoy me soooo much!!!!!
We are not simply standing, we are watching if things are entered properly. 😁
Excellent summary (military training shows). I too do not miss a car, sidewalks are still a challenge and I continue to raise eyebrows by holding heavy doors open for young people with strollers. I refuse to let that part of courtesy go.
that holding door thing i may have understood somewhat incorrectly, but if a person is coming, you should always help them in some way, like holding a door so that they don't have to open it again, doesn't matter if they're holding something or no
So interesting to hear impressions from foreigner :) Honestly I'm always bumping into people on the sidewalks :D I'm that "rude" lithuanian :D
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I was wondering about the same things. I am a big size guy, but still I don't understand why people are going on a collision course with me. I used to step outside of path on the grass to let other party pass, but not anymore. Don't matter how hard it was I had to put Eastern European back into me.
lithuania gang
When hosts in Lithuania say "no, you do not need to bring anything" what they mean is, that they would have everything for a snack or a meal that is needed. That means nothing in particular is needed, but it does not mean its ok to show up empty handed.
I have lived in many countries abroad and almost everywhere my most frustrating complain is fellow pedestrians taking too much space or not acting in a polite manner to others on the pavements, and only in Lithuania I don't feel that anger for fellow pedestrians that much. But I also feel like pavements in Lithuania, except in Vilnius' oldtown, are wider and in other places. So it's really surprising to hear the same complain about lithuanians! 😅
Sidewalks - spot on!
most side walks here have a bike lane, but it seems that most haven't yet gotten used to this.
Šiauliai isn't that big a city, so there aren't very many people walking. or maybe it's because i don't live in the city's center, or most likely it's because i often don't go where most people do lol
Im Lithuanian, lived 10 years in UK, never noticed side walk thing, but compared with UK I'm noticed its very different culture when passing a unregulated pedastrian crossings.
In the UK where I lived everybody always rising the hand or bows their head, here nothing you just cross. Or when driving in the UK it was a custom always rise a hand when others give you a way, here barely I see that. Or maybe it is just my experience.
In Lithuania, for driving, if a car gives you way, instead of raising a hand (like I’m used to in Canada), you flash your hazard lights for a second.
Lithuanian here. Never had any thoughts about sidewalk culture in LT. You just go straight into each other and at the last second you just seamlessly avoid collision. That was always been a thing here. If you'll try to avoid contact way in advance - you will lose all respect :D Stand your ground!
About visiting friends: just buy a bottle of wine. Doesn't really matter what wine, or if you or anyone else actually drinks it. It's like a ticket. But there is also one nuance you may have not noticed: you can bring a lot of everything, eat and drink stuff you brought and then TAKE BACK everything that wasn't open so far. Abd that is absolutely ok.
About military - if we we weren't part of NATO, Vilnius would look like Mariupol right now. We should spend way more on weapons than we are spending now. 10% would be nice.
I think with some cultures, taking back what you brought is less common. To me it seems weird - but I also think it's a nice idea to avoid waste :P
@@LithuaniaExplainedVlog also, in many households guests bring something and then if there are leftovers, the hosts will pack them to guests to take it home, especially during christmas or easter parties where there is inevitably more of food on the table )
As a fellow lithuanian I would like to confirm the sidewalk thing. Stand your ground, or you will lose the respect. True story.
Your last couple of sentences are absolute nonsense. Our military is doing nothing, and has been doing nothing for 30 years. Russia hasn't even paid us any attention, except when our idiotic politicians provoked them (blockade).
What our country should do, is improve living conditions for the common folk. Probably 60% of the country are in poverty. Wtf
Have you been to Dainų Šventė. It was in Vingio Parkas, definitely got my patriotic feelings tingling
I made a video about it 😄
I'd Love to guide you through interesting parts in Vilnius! :)
Every time I visit my friend at her place I always ask please don't bother cooking or preparing any food - lets grab some pizza and beer and that's it. Yeah, right, agree. Guess what's waiting upon arrival - fully set table with variety of food fit for wedding party. At the end - its no trouble at all 😁
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Mey man, love the videos but interestingly enough how much more (or less) alcohol would you say you partake in since moving to LT? I feel like the culture and in general celebrations/partying/nightlife surrounding alcohol is very different from Canada/US, in terms of it being much more prevalent and integrated in various parts of society. Also out of curiosity, which part of Canada were you originally from? Appreciate the content man!
I don’t consume much alcohol and never have, so I can’t really comment on that stuff… sorry.
I’m from Vancouver..
Good thing i've noticed is that it is way more beautiful than many european countries, if you don't count old towns, capital citys and southern europe/mountainous regions :)
Labai įdomus video, ačiū! I wanted to ask: have you previously lived in the Netherlands? I think I recall your voice from the video about Dutch and North American grocery shopping habits. I have used that video numerous times with my English students. If it is your video, I am very greatful! :))
You must be confusing my voice with someone else. I’ve never made such a video ☺️
I think you are referring to "Not just bikes" channel. :)
As 6'3 244lbs the side walk thing was weird in Vilnius lol. Twinks from Ukraine were close to flying off the sidewalk, I aint moving my path
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Lol, I thought it was just me feeling tension on sidewalks (I am local). I respect others' space but if they don't leave me any, in my mind I will be like "f**k you, let's collide then." it's so unnecessary, I hate it. that is one of reasons why I like riding a bike.
Don't worry i also not a fan of saltibarsciai, i just don't like beetroots 😆
Not just in Vilnius people don't want to move from a way, What i really hate, when you get in the bus, people and special old ladies storm in like tanks, no manners at all. They just cut your way, then they will take ages to find their ticket and you will stand behind, cause they take all a space... (my little rant 🤭)
About bringing something when you visiting somebody, sometimes it depends on people. Or you can think, that you giving a little present for a hosts who making dinner, special if that is a product that you don't have immediately to eat/drink. Also we have i think quite nice tradition, after bigger party, if there left plenty of food, sweets, we tend to suggest to take some home. I remember my father when back home after a party he always is hungry 😄 That kinda help don't wast of food and i think people can to enjoy back at home. Our older generation is quite good at not wasting food, but also they want to feed their guests very well.
You can make same cold soup without beetroots just put more cucumber and onion, works great with boiled or fried potatoes
Yes- the bus boarding etiquette is lacking in Vilnius in my experience. Also, on a few occasions old ladies sneak in front of me in the lineup to buy something at the store. Strange mentality…
@@LithuaniaExplainedVlog It's mentality left over from the Soviet era, were being the first in line meant a lot more... like that could be a deciding factor as if there were enough rations for your children or not....
Im from lithernAia
The sidewalk thing. I used to think that I'm the only person in Lithuania thinking that Lithuanians don't know how to properly use sidewalks. Be it London, Munich or Singapore, people follow some kind of logic or etiquette when using sidewalks, but not here. After having Lived in London for far too long I got used to proper walking on sidewalks and even after years of being back to my home country I absolutely HATE how people can't behave properly on sidewalks here. Why is it so difficult for some people? I'm genuinely curious. /End of rant
I feel the same about sidewalks. Some people just doesn't have common sense.
You can always, always bring alcohol when visiting friends. Even people who don't drink will appreciate it and will find use for it regardless. Depending on the household, it can be either a pack of beers, bottle of wine or hard liqour.
Yes true. Although my family doesn't drink much and so those alcoholic gifts from visiting friends end up in the cabinet for years.
nice thumbnail. it's so strange that my old meme created 12 years ago is still relevant :D
Thanks for creating it!!
A small incident that internalised Lithuanian sidewalk mentality: three of us, only me Lithuanian, are strolling in a park on a very wide pedestrian road - almost like in a parking lot. I notice a small Chinese lady is walking straight towards us onto a collision course. Eventually she walks right into the gap between me and the other person with zero attempt to politely (in my view and expectation) turn her shoulder for both us to let each other through. (Keep in mind she had miles of space on both sides to not walk directly at us…).
Me and her we both don’t turn (I feel this is disrespectful of her as I was ready to turn) - and we bump our shoulders. I don’t think she flies; but we both p*ssed off and look back at each other.
Who’s at fault?
In my opinion, it depends on how far away you noticed each other…And if you made room on one side of the sidewalk for her.
@@LithuaniaExplainedVlog it was a wide pedestrian road with almost no people and she chose not to alter her direction and not to attempt to turn. Looking back I feel silly - but just shows how our Lt mind is programmed :)
Oh yeah the pavement thing is real. Also, e-scooters and bikes are just such a hazard. Outside my building, I saw a guy speeding on an e-scooter, hit by a guy on his phone whilst driving. Much love from Panevėžys.
wow crazy!
@@LithuaniaExplainedVlog forgot to add the guy on the e-scooter was fine, just a bit banged up.
A piece of advice: if people say "nooo, don't bring anything" and similar phrases, like "nooo, you can't give me this, too expensive", DON'T BELIEVE THEM. It's a usual back-and-forth.
Yeah. But I don’t like that. What is the use of having a language with words that have meanings, if the same words/sentences mean something different, or you are suppose to ignore those words. 😝 i know my opinion is maybe not common but i just wish communication was more simple like that…
@@LithuaniaExplainedVlog it's because people are shy and, a little bit feel uncomfortable. Special older generation who lived during soviet era, shops were empty, there were not many things you could get, just very basic stuff or bribing the head of the shop to get some better stuff they hiding... There comes that mentality. I lived at the end of the soviet era, don't remember much, but I remember the banana or orange you get once or 2 times a year.
@@cree_VI I doubt it's a Soviet thing. I think it's Slavic custom Lithuanians also picked. Or it was shared between Slavs and Lithuanians from the beginning.
For me personally, that phrase means "bring sweets" and/or alcohol. Does not matter what kind, just this category, better if it has a longer shelf life
Im lithuanian... Its not that black and white. Believe them. Im the same as you on this one. I rarely bring stuff into parties. Its definitely not mandatory.
❤Aciu
Hey!!!
A nice video you created about the life here in Vilnius.
Have you considered also to leave?? Well going back to Canada, cause it's still your home country, right? Or are you planning to stay here for longer, asking just out of curiosity.
Nonetheless, as a native Lithuanian, I'm also not big fan of the cold pink soup :D, when Riga and Vilnius competed each other about this, I was laughing :D
But the thing about people walking on the sidewalks without not yielding other to pass, annoys me quite a bit. I keep remembering when I was walking in other bigger cities ant people somehow knew how to walk on pedestrian lanes or stand on the escalator, here it's an unknown thing :D
Ant lastly, I'm happy that you like here in Vilnius, because living here does not differ for me as I would have lived elsewhere in other country.
I haven’t considered leaving because my wife’s job is not easy to transfer to another country. But sometimes we talk about how nice it would be to move to Thailand and retire with the savings we already have 😝
Yes, we do have issues with sidewalk manners.
But I think it is a dumb psychological mind state of "who is the King / Quien of the sidewalk".
It's more like dominance check with the stranger witch you don't know, to check who has some kind of dominance power of straight path, but in return you understand he/she has no manners at all.
But in the end you understand, that person is from the stone age ( or had - have parents who praise him as "Conan the Barbarian" ), because people from village's is more polite than those Barbarian's.
I didnt even knew that there is a sidewalk etiquete
Well of course it’s not an official rule or law or anything. But I think some of it fits in the common sense category.
I think you should check with other Internet providers as Lithuania has one of the fastest internet in Europe (slowest in Estonia that makes a lot of puns about them by Lithuanians).
You might have misunderstood what I was saying because I was essentially complimenting Lithuania’s fast internet.
So if I go anywhere else in the world, I’m disappointed that it’s not fast like how it is almost everywhere in Lithuania ☺️
weird question, but how did you decide to live in lithuania? did you and your wife meet in canada or lithuania?
To answer your question, It's just easier to share this video I made about this topic: ruclips.net/video/WewyX1r8LnE/видео.html (it's on my 'main' channel)
Whats your favourite city/ town in Lithuania 🇱🇹 and why?
Vilnius and Klaipeda are nice. They are big and so they offer a lot of restaurants, entertainment, and shopping, and parks, with beautiful old towns. I love the river area of Vilnius and its city center is very walkable.
Gooble Gobble One of Us.
You forgot about the human wall stopping you from getting off the bus.
Yes! Happens to me all the time. My instinct is to walk through this wall or not move off the bus until someone makes room for me to get off
@@LithuaniaExplainedVlogI do the same or I tell people to make a space and go through them telling “excuse me move back”:) it’s better in Kaunas where public transportation itself and the rules are much better than in Vilnius.
There you get in through the front door and get out from the rest of the doors.. people tend to get in also through other door but then you have a right to push them as you are getting out and have priority :))
mine is a bit reversed i feel ashamed if guest come to my home and i have nothing prepared - no food, snack or tea and i always critic my friend when i come to his house and he has nothing prepared for guests. also even if they are prepared i would bring something small like some good chocolate candies ect
Because we always prepare stuff for guests then I personally prefer they don’t bring anything. They don’t need to spend money, we don’t waste any food, simple. But I know many people feel obligated to arrive with something
... Ringdings and Pepsi - that's what you bring ... all the time, everytime ... RIngdings and a giant jug of Pepsi
😂
Nice video! Do you speak Lithuanian btw?
Taip - bet aš kalbu labai blogai ir letai. Dar mokausi...
The world always plays two strong/fighting sides, but anybody asked what the small countries or nations want to do, and why the big guys have a right to decide.?
Your english accent is 100% lithuanian! Lol!
😆
based belarusian.
"už Lietuva vyrai"-Petras Gražulis
Aš gyvenu lietuvau kaune
🙌
our minimal wage is still one of the worst
the government is as usually either dumb and or corrupt and most people dont like politics
still LGBTphobic
work inspections are useless
manual labor jobs are most popular
prices increase 4 times a year while wages only 1 time a year
being artist in lithuania is worse fate then death
😣
become a fan of BC Žalgiris and you will be superior 👍
😅
Were you only in Vilnius? Vilnius, like all capital cities. If you want to see the real face, visit other cities and especially villages.
Of course I have been to other parts of Lithuania. A lot of my old exploration videos are on the main Lithuania Explained RUclips channel but I hope to add more of them here when I explore more places.
Yes. He has been unfortunate enough to accidentally visit Šiauliai…i hope he came back unscathed 🙏🙏🙏
@@5Penkets Thank you for your concern ;P
@@5Penkets Panevežys FTW. We stopped to ask for directions in a school bus and the dude's first words "KAS YRA!!! (eng: U WOT MATE?!)" in a very aggressive tone. :D
About the sidewalk, just keep your "right" side of sidewalk, not left.
You don't need to be pro-war to be pro-independence and pro-safety :)
And having weapons doesn't mean you intend on using them.
It's a case of better have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Definitely! My younger-self didn't realize this until seeing what Russia was capable of. I think living in Canada, there's a sense of isolation from direct conflict that could reach the country's borders... at least that's how things felt to me when I was younger.
now live in latvia and you will be more lithuanian than ever
😂
Dont live in Pakruojus
Everywhere I go the internet just always seems "so fast" - as - abroad the internet is "slower"? Because Lithuania has above average internet speed?
With my experiences of Germany and Canada, the speed hasn't been as consistently good. But I guess it also depends on the household or office as well..
dude you are walking WRONG side of the road and there is NO war situation at all while LK gathering diesel from LUKOIL
The WTF moment when LK fills up tanks at LUKOIL...
But that was tourists :)
First timer here... Too tame, too polite, too polished, too aseptic, overly correct politically, too... Canadian (your material, that is).
I thought Rick Stevens' days were over but you look like his son (or smth. like that). 🙃
I wish I could be patriotic as a Lithuanian, but alas I cannot. Over the 30+ years of our "freedom", this government forced more than a million of our people out of the country - surpassing even Soviets in terms of effectiveness in destroying my nation.
I love my nation, our history, our culture. But I can feel nothing but hate for our government.
How am I supposed to be patriotic?
moving sideways to make room 30m early is a psychological sign of weakness. it's like tucking your tail 30m away form the other dog. idk, never though about this, it's instinctive to switch at the very end. 😂
😂
The empty handed visiting is not related to being Lithuanian. Only in some parts do people require you to bring stuff with you, and I find it disgusting.
Yeah the fact that it's even discussed in that episode of Seinfeld (the clip I included) makes it clear that it is also a thing for Americans too. I don't mind bringing something but I don't want to bring something and then have it be wasted..