> and even before and now, nobody cares whether you do or not if you got stopped by police, then risk that you will get extorted for some bribe, it significantly increases if you do not observe their law. when i was in russia, i staid in hotels, and they did it for me. also, i am semi-fluent in russian, and i can easily navigate un-noticed. may be you are right, and now that requirement is lifted. visitors should double check just in case.
Latvia