Over the millennia, Estonia have intermingled with the various peoples who has travelled through and to these parts: Germans, coastal Swedes, Russians, and so on, all of them enriching the genetic stock and introducing certain character traits. It has been said of indigenous Estonians that they are cold and introverted in a Nordic way, reserved and not given to strong displays of emotion.
Some Estonians may show a reticent quality when socializing, but underneath the surface there is a whole world of its own. When Estonians do offer you a glimpse inside them, you are bound to experience true sincerity and genuineness. The initially more closed demeanour may be the result of mistrust and scepticism bred by centuries of living under foreign dominion and it is accompanied by an ironic sense of humour that can be rather unsparing toward its targets. Typical Estonian qualities cited also include diligence and industriousness. Even though Estonians have a strong independent streak, Estonians share a great love of festivities and holidays and large gatherings such as the song and dance festivals.
It has been said that Estonians are a singing people, who among other things sang themselves free of foreign power (the Singing Revolution, in 1988). One favourite Estonian holiday is 24 June, St. John's Day, when bonfires are lit all over the countryside and people join in dancing and singing, and customs such as jumping over the bonfire and swinging on traditional swings are seen. Another tradition on the year’s shortest night involves looking for the mythical fern blossom.
Other cherished holidays include Martinmas (10 November) and St. Catherine’s Day (25 November) when children dress up as beggars and go door to door, singing and dancing and receiving gifts in return. And naturally Christmas, when as with every major holiday or important date, lavish food preparation is the custom. National dishes include oven-roasted potatoes, roast pork, sauerkraut, black pudding and fish specialities.
Observations about Estonians
You know you are from Estonian when...
1. You use the word ‘normal’ if something is ok.
2. You attended a song festival at least once either as a performer or as a spectator.
3. You know that going to the sauna is 80% about networking and 20% about washing
4. You are nationalistic about Skype (and say it’s actually an Estonian company)
5. You declare your taxes on the internet like all modern people
6. You are convinced that Estonia is very strategically located
7. Words like "veoauto", "täieõiguslik" or "jää-äär" sound perfectly pronouncable to you
8. There can never be too much sarcasm
9. It would not be suprising for English-speakers to find your name naughty (Peep, Tiit, Andres [sounds like undress]) or hippy (Rein, Rain)
10. You would agree that wife-carrying is a real sport (at least as long as Estonians are winning)
11. Your best friend's girlfriend is your English teacher's daughter and they live next door to your grandparents, who were colleagues with your advisor, who is friends with your...
12. You check the thermometer before going out
13. You grin very mysteriously when people ask about your national food
14. You have heard the phrase "Estonians are slow" at least once
15. You consider running to the shop at 19.50 on Friday evening to buy some booze, a sport
16. When someone says "Estonians are so beautiful" you answer almost without emotions "I know"
17. You think that the combination blue-black-white is cheerful
18. You think that a language should have at least 14 cases
19. You are so proud of every Estonian that you correct foreigners who say that the population is 1 million, not 1.3 million as it actually is
20. You barely remember that there are other forms of payment except electronic ones
21. Every year you hope, deep in your heart, that Estonia will once again win the Eurovision Song Contest.
22. Potato to you is the same as rice to a Japanese
23. You consider summer to consist of three weeks of bad skiing weather
24. You’d get your 12th grade exam results as a text message
