Knut. Which Rimi did you have your adventure in? Two of the things I missed about Russia was buying alcohol any time you want and the unenforced 'no drinking outside laws.'

My wife (Estonian) and I currently live in the US. She finds US prices to be cheaper than in Estonia. In the US, we probably have a more competitive market than in Europe. Companies like Wal-Mart, Target and Safeway have a larger purchasing power and thus able to negotiate prices down and own their own farms. This enables them to reduce prices for the consumer. How many supermarkets in Estonia actually buy the foods locally or locally produce the food?

The last time my wife & I eat at a restaurant in the old town, we spent over 1000 eek (and my wife doesn't even drink). The food was ok, but the service sucks.

For this bashing the US on this forum, get a life and come out from your caves. We are now in the 21st century. Could the average Estonian name all the states in the US without looking it up?

I'd like to add that the special cashier paying for alcohol and cigarettes has been closed ofcourse.

Also what often happens on smaller shops, like R-Kiosk, that they are just closed during operation time with the excuse that some "inventuur" is going on.

Well, if you have to manage every week for a several times some inventory, something definitely is going wrong with the management of the goods.