I've been to Latvia and Estonia many times (for holidays and trips). To kill two birds with one stone, admittedly, also trying to find a suitable lady (without unrealistic illusions). After all, aren't all single men on the lookout?

Latvia has about 2.4 million people, Estonia about 1.4 million.

Latvia has at least 10 (perhaps more) known marriage/introduction agecnies. Estonia has... NONE ! Makes me even more suspicious of agencies.

OK, I did some research. I visited several agencies in Riga (Latvia), and all are similar. Some are more friendly and helpful, some more eager, than others- to show their male clients profiles of stunning women.

However, all became somewhat more defensive when I started asking questions, such as- "How many men have contacted this girl?", "Has that girl been on the site for long?" ..And dare I say it, but- "Are these profiles real women seeking a husband?" I also asked about parties/social events. Only one agency said that they did do this in the past, but no longer. Naturally- because the likelihood of people falling for each other and exchanging personal info in a social environment is too high, and therefore unprofitable for the agency.

To cut a long story short, not blinded by illusions (am I something of a "Russian Detective"?), it was clear that all the agencies are only interested in one thing- money. Business is business- simple as that.

Any ideas?

Actually,what is the question?somehow i did not get the idea

about Latvia you also shoud know,there here are two nationality:
-originally latvian
- russian ,who probably was born in latvia but because someone from family russian -has typical russian mentality ( with european point of view ) but totally different from latvian ,of course....

in estonia not so many russians as in latvia ,but exists of course

in site which i mention before mostly russian from different countrys....
i know one site where are mostly russian but only from latvia or who work at the moment in london or ireland)))..(.interface-russian and latvian language .)
also some latvian site exists but there are no any english language ,only latvian interface,i could not manage with that site myself ))))

just let me know if you would like to know tham or one of tham -i send than message to you )))dont want open tham up here

ps i never used any agency,even if i still looking for may be not time yet in my 38 ?))))))

Well, it wasn't a question really... mostly just observations

Estonia has a high Russian population, too. In Tallinn, it's about 50%. Narva (Estonia's third city) is 98% Russian.

There were Russians in all 3 Baltic States before the war, and no political problems. It's because pre-war Russians living there were mostly Whites who had fled the Reds. Post-War Russians were brought in by Stalin to "Sovietise" the Baltic States. The Soviets killed and forcibly deported (to Siberia) tens of thousands of locals from all three Baltic States in 1940, and then again after the war. It's why Balts (as well as other East-Europeans) dislike Russians. Sadly, Russians get the blame for this tyranny when the guilt should be directed at the communists (who, it must be remembered, killed millions of their own people (ethnic Russians) right from the beginning).

As a people, there are good and bad Russians (as with every nation)- and I've met some really nice ones. I have to admit, Russian/East European women tend to be more feminine than Western women. Sadly, we have too many feminists in the West. On the other hand, there are too many scammers from East Europe nowadays...

Well, back to the sites... Yes, please let me know about those you mention, I'd be interested in making some contacts throught them.

As for the Latvian-only site, I would also have problems Atvainojiet, Es nerunaju Latviski- Es esmu no anglijas. I only know a few Latvian words, and that's the longest phrase I know. No, po-russkii govorju konechno luchshe... mne interesujet evropeiski jazjki

Done.Check your m. Good that you know history (especially with such point of view respect )
Figurs which you mention -% of russian in Estonia looks like too high,thats not correct i think .But what ever Thats was not the main issue When I will find more correct figurs -i can let here know ,if i will find time)))...any way in latvia 20-30% more russians compare with Estonia

Thanks for the site, I'll check it out...

Narva in Estonia is virtually a Russian city, as are the other cities in the North-Eastern part of Estonia. Other cities/towns nearby (Narva-Jõesu, Sillamäe, Kohtla Järve, Jõesu, etc...) also have large Russian majorities, but I only know the figure for Narva. The West and South of Estonia have Estonian majorities as do the islands...

Speaking of islands, did you know that Estonia has more than 1000 islands? Latvia and Lithuania have... NONE! Unbelievable, isn't it?

Back to Russians, I did read the figures somewhere, but can't recall them exactly. As far as I know, the Russian percentage in Estonia as a whole is about a third. I think it's either Latvia or Lithuania that has as many as 50% Russians... (But I know a lot more about Estonia than LV and LT...)

In London there are supposed to be many Russians- but I rarely hear Russian spoken here. And as for the rambler.ru site, there seem to be so many (single?) Russian girls in London... but there must be twice as many single Russian men, I would guess...

We live part time in Estonia.

We are currently trying to recruit women from there but it is quite hard. The basic fact of the matter is that Estonia is now one of the most affluent countries of the FSU despite its low population so women are not too desperate to leave and shack up with a foreigner.

Furthermore, whatever credibility Brits may have had, has been shot to bits by Easyjet taking southeners to Tallinn for p!ss-ups and stag nights. If you want to meet a woman in Estonia look outside Tallinn - Tallinn women will seldom look twice at a Westerner. Lasnamae is the Russian heavy district just outside Tallinn, any women you do meet in Tallinn will be from there. Caveat Emptor!

You're right about those stupid stag parties. They have totally ruined not just Tallinn, but Riga, Prague, and just about every East European capital.

What are you recruiting women from Tallinn for? Are you a cosmetic company?

You're right about Lasnamäe... but the highest (percentage of Russians compared to Estonians) is in the Kopli region of Tallinn. On the other hand, the highest percentage of Estonians is in the Nõmme area in the South of Tallinn.

It's true that women there are very wise up to Westerners- the novelty has long worn off. Even in the smallest towns nowadays.

By the way, what does "Caveat Emptor" mean? Sounds distinctly Latin to me...

Caveat Emptor is indeed Latin for "buyer beware"

Wise words indeed