Latvia: Europe s Nation of Introverts

Latvians are often self-deprecating about their culture s tendency towards introversion, a personality type that gets overstimulated easily and prefers solitude, quiet and reflection. Examples abound, from the Riga neighbourhood called Zolitkde (Solitude) to many ingrained habits, like not smiling at strangers. When Philip Birzulis, a Riga tour guide, moved to Latvia in 1994, he was surprised to see that some Latvians would cross the street to avoid passing another person. I noticed that people were making these decisions [on] how to avoid each other about 5-10m in advance, he said.

via getpocket.com

Well, they did kill all their Jews. So there’s that.