Service Designer for People, Planet & Profit's I Theatre Kid I Sharing the Journey to Help Yours I SDSI Erasmus Mundus Scholar
“Latvians are closed off,” they said... . . People often say about Latvia—and the Baltics—that people here are a bit reserved... ...a little “cold.” Sure, there are moments that fit this: People don’t smile much on the street Customer service can feel… brief.. to say the least And it’s true, warmth isn’t as openly displayed as it might be in other cultures. But our experience? So far, it’s been full of surprising moments of connection. Just recently, our interviewee invited us for a slice of homemade Latvian cake. It was such a generous, unexpected gesture and totally challenged that “Latvian coldness” stereotype. Coming from the north, I feel like I kinda get it. We need to melt a bit and then can be the warmest people you know But for many of my SDSI classmates from more outwardly warm cultures, this has been such a fascinating contrast. Have you had experiences that challenged cultural assumptions? #ServiceDesign #Latvia #Baltics #SDSI #CulturalExchange
