Time to Go to the Market
July is here, and the middle of summer is the time when gardens are full of fruits and vegetables. And if gardens are full, then the market is full too. Today, we will talk about the market, what is best to buy there, how to talk to the sellers, and we will learn some new words in Latvian.
You can find a market in almost all cities in Latvia. Historically, the market square has always been in the city center, and in Riga, you have certainly noticed the Central Market (Centrāltirgus), located by the Central bus station on the banks of the Daugava River. In other cities, the market is usually in the city center, and if the market square in larger cities operates all week, then in smaller towns, Saturday is usually the real market day when people go shopping.
Of course, sellers are different, but most often they sell what they have grown in their own garden or farm. To especially highlight this, look for places where the farm's name and location are written next to the price tag. Don’t be shy to ask about it. If you have any doubts about the product, don’t be afraid to ask the seller for a chance to taste the product.
Another thing to remember is that at the market, you will most often be able to pay only with cash, so stop by an ATM before you go shopping. And remember, in Latvia, people are not used to haggling. If a price is stated, it is what it is. Attempting to haggle may be perceived as an insult.
Now let's learn some phrases that can be useful at the market.
• Hello, how much do these tomatoes cost? (Labdien, cik maksā šie tomāti?)
Hi, are these Latvian strawberries? (Sveiki, vai šīs ir Latvijas zemenes?)
• Can I pay by card or only in cash? (Vai pie jums var norēķināties ar karti vai tikai skaidrā naudā?)
• Hello, can I taste these raspberries? (Labdien, vai varu nogaršot šīs avenes?)
• Can I have one kilogram of carrots, please? (Man lūdzu vienu kilogramu burkānu.)
Happy shopping!
Vita, OLS Community Manager - Latvian
July is here, and the middle of summer is the time when gardens are full of fruits and vegetables. And if gardens are full, then the market is full too. Today, we will talk about the market, what is best to buy there, how to talk to the sellers, and we will learn some new words in Latvian.
You can find a market in almost all cities in Latvia. Historically, the market square has always been in the city center, and in Riga, you have certainly noticed the Central Market (Centrāltirgus), located by the Central bus station on the banks of the Daugava River. In other cities, the market is usually in the city center, and if the market square in larger cities operates all week, then in smaller towns, Saturday is usually the real market day when people go shopping.
Of course, sellers are different, but most often they sell what they have grown in their own garden or farm. To especially highlight this, look for places where the farm's name and location are written next to the price tag. Don’t be shy to ask about it. If you have any doubts about the product, don’t be afraid to ask the seller for a chance to taste the product.
Another thing to remember is that at the market, you will most often be able to pay only with cash, so stop by an ATM before you go shopping. And remember, in Latvia, people are not used to haggling. If a price is stated, it is what it is. Attempting to haggle may be perceived as an insult.
Now let's learn some phrases that can be useful at the market.
• Hello, how much do these tomatoes cost? (Labdien, cik maksā šie tomāti?)
Hi, are these Latvian strawberries? (Sveiki, vai šīs ir Latvijas zemenes?)
• Can I pay by card or only in cash? (Vai pie jums var norēķināties ar karti vai tikai skaidrā naudā?)
• Hello, can I taste these raspberries? (Labdien, vai varu nogaršot šīs avenes?)
• Can I have one kilogram of carrots, please? (Man lūdzu vienu kilogramu burkānu.)
Happy shopping!
Vita, OLS Community Manager - Latvian