It's not. Insincerity and mindless, automatic smiles might be a little bit frowned upon. Genuine, but subtle smiles (as appropriate for strangers) are appreciated, at least for the younger generation. The older generation might still be somewhat "traumatized" by the Soviet occupation and its cultural effects.
I've also lived in Amsterdam and even people on the street who were not my neighbors smiled and said good morning and often that triggered a little conversation and laughters.
Like I said, I'm Brazilian and I've also lived in Ireland where people are super warm. There is no "insincerity" and "mindless" assumed, only the desire to make our days a little more bearable, warm and welcoming.
The younger generation is better indeed but they also come with a new set of anti-social behavior. Just like every generation, really. Not blaming either one in here.
The attitude always shifts a little when I speak Estonian, though and for that I'm happy enough. I have adapted but will never stop smiling at the shops or at the people who live nearby. I don't expect them to be like me but I also won't erase myself as if I'm being insincere because I'm simply not. I rather be a positive force for change.
To each their own, I reckon. I guess a good neighbor it's the one you don't talk to.
re: the greeting, I think introverts around the world do not necessarily appreciate being randomly greeted by strangers, they just get used to it if the culture is like that. From that perspective, I don't think just a random greeting from a stranger always makes people feel more warm and the days more bearable either. It's more of a correlation rather than causation.
People have different personalities and different associations.
I've also had amazing and unforgettable memories in Estonia with people who I never saw again in my life. It's just harder in here.
As for correlation, a single stranger certainly not. But I have lost count of how many Estonians visited UK/Ireland/Spain and came back telling me they were so happy about being an "amigo" or at having incredible customer service that didn't make them feel unwelcome like a chore.
It does matter.
the flip side is that extroverts around the world don't necessarily like everyone giving the impression that their existence is an inconvenience, they just get used to it if the culture implies that seeking interaction with people they don't have a close interaction with is rude or suspicious behaviour...
(as for Estonia it may have assimilated Russian smile-aversion as well as being nearly as culturally introverted as Finland)
I couldn't have said it better and I'm stealing this from ya. Beautifully said.
as an introvert, I like this discussion.
Irish people making small talk is practically a competitive sport.
Could be one of you is sharing the experience of life in a city, while the other is sharing the experience of some smaller places, or just two places very far away from each other?
I'm totally okay with disagreeing, I was just answering in earnest.
Interestingly, cars are very important in the Estonian society, as they allow to signal one's status in a community without having to engage socially. When I arrived, I bought a car (a Skoda, neither cheap or expensive), which happened to be the same as my neighbors.
Two week after, they came back with a gigantic BMW SUV, and gave me "the (contemptuous) stare" when our paths crossed in the hallway. Of course, I chuckled, which I guess wasn't the expected reaction.
As a result, for most people, Estonia is a pretty depressing society, on top of being a pretty harsh and regressive social system. They are very good at marketing themselves to the world, which is why you will often see people gloating about Estonia on social media. In reality they are far on every aspect from ever being a "Nordic country", which they like to call themselves.