Don't Move to Estonia
medium.com
medium.com
> Don't expect that moving somewhere else will fix your personal problems
This isn't a dig at the author, though. I've moved all over the US, and my complaints in most cities have to do with things being different than I was accustomed to, rather than strictly worse. And that's pretty close to what the article goes through.
I guess I was in search of some dream location, and finally realized such a thing doesn't exist. The grass always seems greener, as they say. But some stubborn folks like us have to learn the hard way.
Q: "What are the people like around here?" A: "What were the people like where you came from?"
I know people who've fitted in very well in a new place and new culture. It took time and effort, but for them it was worth it. And I know others who couldn't or wouldn't adapt or try to adapt. They constantly whined about how it wasn't like wherever they came from.
Just because you have a bad experience doesn't mean that others will have the same experience.
We do use "Hi, Bye, Thank You, etc." daily but I'd say that we find participation in hollow US-centric keep-smiling or in overboard politeness distasteful. But we aren't rude on national level, only keeping quiet if there is nothing to say. Blabbing to keep someone comfortable is not a virtue we are known for. On the other hand is comfortable silence in sauna between my friend and me, but you don't get there overnight.
Winter is as bad as described, we even have a movie "November" based on novel "Rehepapp ehk November". The plot is of no importance, but you should know that the opening chapter sets stage and mood by describing poor villagers in rain, slogging in mud up to their ankles. In November, no less. It is a blessing when snow comes and really sets in December, as the mud is over and darkness slightly relieved. It gets much colder that -10C occasionally, sometimes for weeks on end.
I think poster hit the nail in the head with "Estonians, and the rest". At least most of the older people take this approach. There is of course the question who is Estonian or considered Estonian by natives. You won't be considered as Estonian overnight, that is for sure, but I'd say that any light-skinned person can get there... except for the language. Estonian language is difficult and you won't be considered as one without. I guess the rassistic note is clear but I am not going to lie to make you or myself comfortable. I don't know any dark-skinned person who is considered Estonian.
We got a private office for 2 of the 3 months for a reasonable amount (the first little bit was quarantine).
Ended up having quite a bit of healthcare in Estonia, and wrote about it[1]. TLDR of this is:
- Collapsed at Sauna, ambulance to hospital. Great care.
- Minor surgery to remove a Cyst (at Confido)
- Dental work
- Experimenting with Oxygen Therapy
- Femtolasik
All to a very high standard.
Aside from that, I'm an e-resident and run an Estonian company, and I've been loving the ecosystem and services.
[0]: https://www.eshopwedrop.com/
[1]: https://vertis.io/2020/12/21/healthcare-in-estonia-for-digit...
Yes, it's unfortunate, but people fall into different status buckets, and this differs by country (amongst other things).
When moving countries, it's worth considering which status bucket you might be seen as.
> And their recent communist path ensures against any socialist/woke revolution for at least the next 20 years.
Comparing the current political climate in Estonia when they actively have a Soviet past is a ridiculous statement; there's no valid comparison
Learn some Estonian and spend time in the smaller towns and cities.
And yes, Estonian customer service is often short and to the point. It's not necessarily an expression of rudeness.
I think I have an idea why he had problems finding friends.