I found out this blog with advices to tourists in Riga I learned very quickly that smiling and being friendly are not commonly accepted in Riga and Riga Old Town. Latvians and Russians are very serious people, and find friendliness stupid to the core as they do western humor.
Being friendly in Riga basically identifies you as a tourist, and somebody to be taken advantage of. The beggars and scammers immediately notice anyone with a friendly demeanor and select them as easy targets.
After a few days in Riga I learned to act more serious than usual, and to only smile if the situation truly warranted it. Be especially wary of the working Russian population in Riga, who can be extremely icy and bitter.
If you do manage to find friendly folks in Riga, then consider yourself lucky! I am glad they did not meet any bears on the streets unlike in Moscow. I was born in Riga and lived there for a long time, and come to Riga every year. I use my credit cards, smile to strangers, ask for directions, chat with personal in stores, rent car. So far do not remember having any problems. Well I do not walk at late in Riga, but I avoid to do it in any city.
No clubs or sex tourism have no idea how bad is that area. Latvians themselves like bright colors and hats and scarfs, there is no point to dress in plain colors. I did not attempt to have a small talk with walking by people, but I just don't do it anywhere. People have their own business to do and I might bother about directions or simple question, but not "how their day is" If I meet people at a cafe they are usually open for any conversation.
