In my experience as a westerner, the '80s and early '90s are subjects better not discussed. The exception are close friends and family, and then only when the s

In my experience as a westerner, the '80s and early '90s are subjects better not discussed. The exception are close friends and family, and then only when the subject comes up. That, or funny exotic stories from the '80s. Random bits I've picked up that way: - winning a car (well, a https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZAZ_Zaporozhets https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZAZ_Zaporozhets) in a lottery and driving it without a license. "Officer, I just forgot it at home. I wouldn't be so stupid to risk driving without a license." 1980's Latvia. - having to grind up pasta to make a birthday cake. In 1980's Riga. - having to eat bananas for days on end because a large box of bananas was what could be found. 1990's Latvia. - dumping gasoline in the ditches. The kolchoz had so much one could take, but what do you do if you have no use for so much gasoline? 1980's Latvia. - selling the privatisation certificates for a song in order to survive. 1990's Latvia.