What are Estonians like?
		The character of Estonians has inevitably been shaped by their country's history and its natural environment. It's the long, dark winters that have most likely fostered their self-absorbed and taciturn manner. At the same time, this dreary season has inspired an abundance of folktale and song that may well provide insights into the nature of the contemporary urbanised Estonian. The main character of an Estonian folk tale never actually becomes a king, nor charges into battle with monsters, a keen sword in his hand. He relies rather on his sharp mind and quick wits; he talks philosophy with Old Nick, and tries to double-cross him in the end. Estonians are third-generation city people at most, so almost all families have relatives living in the country. Childhood memories will undoubtedly include summers spent in the country. The somewhat grim and reserved Estonian of the winter months undergoes a significant change in summer: he will ask friends out for a picnic, meet new people, and rather than glaring at anyone causing a disturbance in the street, he will burst into merry laughter. A typical estonian folk tale character would glady use Old Nick to reach Heaven. A foreigner is well advised to bear in mind that in human relations, Estonians try to avoid sentimentality. Much of what other nationalities voice without hesitation, Estonians may reveal only once they know a person quite well. An average Estonian at different seasons. Spring Summer Autumn Winter Estonians are reputed to be quite stubborn and tend not to be impressed by someone's social standing alone. Any authority may be, indeed must be, ridiculed. Estonians' ironic jokes tend to be targeted primarily at themselves. An Estonian, deeply convinced that his own ideas are always the best, does not look kindly on anyone who wants to instruct or teach him. The sceptical nature of an Estonian - what he likes to call 'a sound peasant mind' - sometimes takes the form of sheer narrow-mindedness. Measurements of an average Estonian (aged 18-45) Neighbouring peoples have some justification when they taunt: 'put four Estonians together, and you'll get five parties'. As for Estonians' Lutheran work-ethic, their neighbours' opinion is that Estonians are capable of Prussian precision even when engaged in the most gross stupidity. Ernest Hemingway has written that in every port in the world, at least one Estonian can be found; this speaks volumes about the nation's enterprising spirit.
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