As an Estonian, I can say that not apologizing is NOT an Estonian thing, only people with bad manners do not apologize.

Hey, I just got this on my recommendations and as an Estonian it was super insightful and interesting to see your perspective on things! It is cool to compare and see the differences between cultures and how our upbringings are playing such a big role. But yeah, I have to admit that we (majority) are (as our weather) more reserved, cold and mostly just minding our own business ,since we are full of generational trauma and lack good communication skill and small-talk. But I think this is also currently changing with new and open-minded generations. Thank you for this video!

Thanks, this was super fun! As a middle-aged Estonian, I'd say that greeting and apologizing situation has got better, and hopefully will keep getting even better. Like with pedestrian crossings - I remember the time when it wasn't so easy to get the cars to stop. Same with greetings - it wasn't a habitual thing when I grew up (people really tried to keep to themselves under Soviet rule - I suppose partly out of fear, as you couldn't trust everyone to not rat you out to the authorities), but now, it's becoming more and more common where I live. Like you can often hear people say "tere" when entering a shop. But not in bus - in public transport we kinda try to pretend the other people aren't there, because being at such a close distance with strangers is uncomfortable enough as it is.

In Estonian culture, basically strangers don't talk to each other. So yeah, if you go to public transport, then everyone is like in their own personal bubble. Everyone wants to just mind their own business. So when a total stranger comes next to you and starts to talk, it is considered like an invasion of personal space. The social dynamic in Estonia is quite weird... how differently we socialize among complete strangers, among acquaintances (like at work for example or among newly introduced people) and among friends. So it is kind of like how in Africa your father just suddenly expects you to get married even though dating was not allowed, then in Estonia it seems finding friends is somewhat similar.. no one is talking amongst each other and yet somehow you should find friends and form relationships. And by the way, when you ask in Estonia "how are you doing", then this is taken literally. It is not like in British or American cultures that it is just a casual greeting. In Estonia, if someone is asked how he/she is doing, expect them to pretty much tell you a story of their life. And so, if a stranger is asking how are you doing, then it is absolutely like something you just don't answer to. So yeah, most that strangers do say is just simple hi/tere. Also, Estonians do say good morning, but that mostly only in Estonian language. If we talk in English, then indeed, majority of people just say hi. And you should understand that in Estonia Anglo-cultural world has never been like a thing. Just like 50 years ago, it was difficult to find anyone even able to speak any English. And even nowdays, lots of older people don't speak English. That is also maybe how some people just press through past you or don't say sorry when bumping into you. Because older and even many older middle aged people just don't speak English and probably don't expect you to understand Estonian. By the way, i myself have lived in Africa, in Kenya and i do understand much what you say also about the cons of Estonia.. especially our lack of communication. I got so used to highly tight knit community and the way how strangers were talking to each other. At the same time while i was there, same as you explained it, there is always like social hierarchy. Older people are always right, men are dominating over women and bosses over workers and teachers over pupils. You go to police or to someone important in town hall, then you better not complain or say anything that offends their authority. In that sense nothing seemed to work, but at the same time, in public it was just socialising, socialising, socialising. I think it is impossible to feel lonely in Africa. And now i'm back here in Estonia, among my own people and i constantly feel lonely. Yes i like how in Estonia there are basically no taboos about what to talk and who could talk back to whom and when you need to talk about some official matter, then it is effective and straight forward, but past that, actually it is such a culture of lonely people here. Everyone just has some closed off social circle. You go to a walk in a park or beach, take a bus or train ride, then everyone is just silently on their own. And that often feels sooo boring. And busses don't even play music. I miss how in Africa music was blasted out of speakers like absolutely everywhere.

As an Estonian, it’s so interesting to get your opinions of Estonian culture. I can confirm that it’s not normal to not apologize for bumping into someone. While we don’t like to speak to strangers when it’s not strictly necessary (most people don’t say “excuse me” when grabbing something next to you, although I normally do that or wait for the other person to finish), it is polite to say sorry when you accidentally bump into someone when doing that. Same with greeting people - I wouldn’t greet people on public transport unless I knew them personally, except maybe the driver if I got on from the front door, but I would absolutely greet a colleague in the morning or the security guard at the office building or the barista when getting my morning coffee. Also, it’s surprising to me that shop assistants operating the till don’t greet you. It might depend on the store as well, but normally, they should. However, if you address them in English and they’re an older person, they might not have a very good command of the language and they might not want to speak in English, because they’re too proud do speak in broken English… most young people speak English well, but even though the older generation understands it mostly, they have a thick accent and might feel very self conscious speaking out loud.

Thank you so much, ladies! It was so fun to watch and to hear your thoughts. Love, an Estonian.

As an Estonian it was fun to see your experience in Estonia. Keep up the good work :)

As an English person who came here full time in 1995 what endured me to Estonians was that they were like how we Englanders used to be. Our stiff upper lip lack of emotion stoicism and the ability to queue. Bliss.

As an Estonian, great to see your perspective. :) Good video!

Nice to see, these young women can learn to speak thyer mind and study.

I love the fact that they always keep to time and also mind their business. Thank you for this insightful information

Really nice girls! 🥰 Great to hear about your experiences in our country! Welcome to Estonia! ❤

This is so interesting. Weldone ladies.

This is really nice video so on point! 😂

Wow...such an interesting moment of chat,,,Africa is blessed.. culture is unique

Nice video am looking forward to come to Estonia, am leaving in Italy right now

Africa still remain the best place when it comes to communal lifestyle, I love me being Nigerian

I enjoyed watching this😍❤

29:20 - def not 40c... she's mistaking :D 40-50c can show thermostat, if the sun directly heats it up... but the actual temp outside isnt that... hottest is usually lik when its 32-34c heatwaves... but i know friends who have done rotations in the military in afghaniustan, who sayd that estonian 30c is hotter than 58c in afghanistan because of the humidity levels... anyways really weird to see, africans think its even hotter here than in their own country :D no wonder i hate summer... im ferbruary child, i like cold... id rather sit in winter -10-15c with calm weather and fluffy snowfall, than in summer heat... only time i like heat is, when im sauna :D This current summer... is lovely... i like this 19c weather.... dunno with 26+ weather i feel dizzy and blacking out lol..

Africa is a really nice place to come from. The culture and everything is amazing.

I am just trying to figure out how to reach my toilet paper from where I am right now.However, as a respite, it was nice to see you girls giggle.

Some brave souls living in that country. That food must be interesting 🤔.

in Estonia it is very easy to ask teachers for help if you do not understand something

😂😂😂😂😂......I love it!

Interesting. I don't know anything about Estonia before today. They seem to keep to themselves more than any other country I have been to. Maybe its their history.

Fun to watch...Nice one

Lawrencia’s facial expressions 😂

Hi girls, love your atmosphere, very relaxing and energetic. Thanks for sharing! ❤

Hey! About the bumping and squeezing. Usually Estonians don't interact with people and try not to annoy anyone, but if you want to get past someone (like in a bus or supermarket), you can presume other people understand what you are trying to do and they will usually help you by moving aside without you even asking. They might not even watch in your direction, but step out of your way. Usually when someone gets out of the way, you thank them.

I love this ❤❤❤

This was a fun video. Very interesting to hear from people from other cultures about pros and cons about living in Estonia.

Loved this!

Thanks for the the culture difference enlightenment

Eesti keel on selge??

The thing about pushing and squeezing for example in stores. We(I) usually don’t ask to get by. I expect people to understand that I want to pass by. For example when I’m eyeing some products in the store, I always keep an eye for others that are approaching me, do they want to stab or rob me? Do they want to ask me? Do they also want to look same products that I look at the moment or do they want to pass by me? We use a lot of deductive reasoning in our lives and language. Quite often we don’t understand what others ask and then we simply come up with the conclusion what other might want based on some general rules how people act or ask.

I don't care if you are Estonian or not, I say good morning, good day, or good evening to everyone

It’s good they allow people to speak their mind instead of raising timid children

I have forever grateful for my upbringing We were allowed to speak up in my house ooo, the society just feels like my sisters and I are so audacious but we sha speak our mind.

Very insightful information. All these African countries have similarities. Pedestrian crossing doesn't work at all in Nigeria 😅

When you travel out of your nativity, definitely you will see cultural shock. In the film coming to America , Eddie Murphy was shouting good morning, my neighbour, and nobody replied to him. It was a shock culturally. Because in Africa people wake up to greet their neighbours.

Hi I just moved to Estonia from Ireland! Any tips on how to make friends?

Do you understand? Yes Sir😂😂😂😂 Woe betide you if you say no Sir? I mean why don’t you understand after all that time… You’d be dealt with

Funny shocks 😂😂😂 Omg!😂😂

Thank you for this eye opener... Will consider Estonia for study

Interesting

Ndipooka # dzaTanya😏

Do estonian men do 50 50 on dates?

In Estonia 🇪🇪, if you are talking to a stranger, you must keep the distance of atleast 1 metre cos they love their private space. Also, you don't show your anger as well they don't eat in their old town being a major tourist magnet. There are many things need to be learnt about. But really appreciate this. ❤

Wow I love to see someone from my country.

Estonians have, it if you can learn how to say hello in Estonian, they will help you or they will help you with the Estonian language

Good work Boss, tho lawrencia's facial expression is 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I Don come again oh

Please how can i get an Estonian visa from Nigeria and a job

The way Westerners teach students would make you love education, no wonder rich Africans go there to study... The lecturers don't even need students respect .

Haha, super cool video.

😂😂 this interesting

But am happy I was thought to speak up with respect

Lecture in Nigeria left the WhatsApp group 😂

Try it here in Nigeria the lecturer will fail you and your lineage lol

The Zimbabwean lady looks pregnant anyway i came across this channel because I'm looking for a school in Estonia but i know little about the country except the historical places. Most of your culture shock are normal in South Africa maybe it’s because we have Caucasians.

these four don't realize how obnoxious their behavior is in our culture. Noisy, shouting over each other are very rude. Of course, they also receive a corresponding reaction.