The new 'Welcome Guide for Asylum Seekers and Refugees' has been released by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The guide is available in English, Russian, French and Arabic and is an interesting read not only for refugees but for anyone with an interest in Estonia.
Here's an extract from the booklet:
Greetings and distance
● People usually greet each other with a wave of the hand, i.e. without physical contact.
● A handshake is used in more formal settings (regardless of whether the other person is a man or a woman).
● Physical contact (e.g. a hug) is common among young people and in informal communication.
● Kissing on the cheek is not very common in Estonia.
● Estonians like to keep some space around them, and invading this space may be seen as aggressive – it makes people feel uncomfortable, and they may take a step back to maintain their personal space.
Eye contact
● Estonians consider eye contact very important in communication, as it shows that you are interested in the other person and that they have your attention.
● If you avoid eye contact, people may think you have something to hide or that you are bored or not interested in the conversation.
● Always make eye contact, but ensure it is not too intense, or it may be interpreted as overbearing.
Emotions and smiling
● Estonians may seem reserved at first.
● Estonians do not smile much in official communication.
● Estonians may be rather more emotional and smile more often once you have broken the ice and befriended them.
● Although Estonians may seem cold at first, this does not mean that they dislike you. They simply need time to get to know you.
Conversation habits
● It is important to be specific in conversations. Taking a long time to get to the point is considered a waste of time.
● Estonians do not generally talk with their hands.
● People are rather informal when they communicate with their colleagues, calling them by their first name irrespective of their age or position.
● When addressing an official or service staff, it is advisable to use the formal "teie", which is also appropriate and polite when speaking to older people or meeting someone for the first time.
● However, using the less formal "sina" is not disrespectful.
Refusal
● Estonians are usually direct and say what they think, which is why they are also direct in refusal and say "no" immediately if they feel they cannot do you a favor.
● "No" usually means "no", and there is little point trying to make people change their mind – they see it as applying pressure, which may have negative consequences.
● This means that you too should be direct. It takes some getting used to, but is not impossible.
Time
● Estonians are punctual and disapprove of being late;
● if you have agreed to attend a job interview, made an appointment with a doctor or need to attend a meeting with people you do not know very well, make sure you arrive on time or even early; and
● if you cannot avoid being late and you know you will be in advance, make sure you call and let the other person or people know.
To read the full guide in English, please click here:
