Eesti Elu had the pleasure of sitting down with Aleksa Gold (23, from Toronto), Keili Moore (24, from Montréal), and Helle Wichman (27, from Lansing, Michigan) in the Old Town of Tallinn. All three of them have been living in Estonia for more than a year, and Eesti Elu asked them to comment on how different it is to live in Tallinn, compared to a city in North America. Here is what we heard:
Attitudes to Travel
If one booked some months in advance, one could travel across Europe (e.g. Italy or France) on round trip flights for under EUR 100 (CAD 150) per ticket…
All three mentioned that when they were growing up, their parents had emphasized the importance of travel. They took this message to heart but emphasized that in a large country like Canada, it was more difficult logistically to travel to another culture. From Toronto, it was a five + hour flight to Vancouver and one was still in Canada. Versus Europe, where countries were physically smaller and it was easy to travel. They all mentioned how low-cost airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air made it easy to travel in Europe. If one booked some months in advance, one could travel across Europe (e.g. Italy or France) on round trip flights for under EUR 100 (CAD 150) per ticket (Keili once flew one way to Italy for EUR 10).
All three agreed that for the generation of Estonians who have grown up since re-independence in 1991, travelling was easy and second nature. Visas were no longer required and low-cost airlines allowed one to travel all across Europe. For Aleksa, Keili, and Helle, there was still a thrill to fly just a few hours and be in a different part of Europe. For local Estonians, this seemed a self-evident truth.
Aleksa said that for her, to walk around the medieval Old Town of Tallinn was still a thrill, but local Estonians did not see what the big deal was. Aleksa added that it is understandable to realize what one takes for granted depending on where you are from. For them, they did not grow up among historical buildings that date back hundreds of years, thus it is exciting for them to be in a new environment. For many Estonians, they grew up with historical architecture, and therefore they are not as ‘wowed' as they are, but they are equally interested and excited about North American cities, as they enjoy how modern and big they are.
Narcotics or regulated substances
Given that marijuana was now legal in Canada, the question was posed to all three, what is the situation with drug use in Eesti. The three agreed that there is probably more drug use in Canada than in Eesti. What they were surprised to see was how much snus (a type of tobacco, or a pad of tobacco and/or nicotine, that is placed between the gums and cheek, very popular in Sweden) was used in Eesti. They did not find it impolite, but they did not recall seeing it in Canada.
Russians in Estonia
All three agreed that Estonians and Russians lived separate lives or in separate societies. Helle and Keili stated that they did have Russian friends, but it was more difficult to meet Russians due to language barriers and social circles. Keili and Helle (who both work at Wise) mentioned that at Wise, they were meeting their first Russian-Estonians and getting to know them. Keili added that the Russian-Estonians they have befriended have become some of their closest friends in Eesti. Becoming closer with them and hearing their stories about attitudes towards them by other Estonians who can't see past stereotypes has been very interesting for them. There is quite a big difference between Russian-Estonians who integrate into society versus those who deliberately choose not to. Keili added that at the end of the day, stereotypes are often just stereotypes and it has been very interesting to unlearn some of the assumptions made.
There was some optimism on the topic. That as more Russians grow up in Estonia, they do consider it their country and feel compelled to learn the Estonian language.
There was discussion among the three that this may be due to a language barrier. Some Russians did not speak Estonian or English. As Keili had grown up in Montreal, she saw some parallels between the Québécois and the Russians in Estonia. Meaning that some native Québécois do not speak English because they can get by with just French despite living in a country where one of the official languages (and the most predominantly spoken language) is English. It is similar for Russians in Estonia – they can often get by with only speaking Russian, despite living in a country where the official and predominantly spoken language is Estonian. There was some optimism on the topic. That as more Russians grow up in Estonia, they do consider it their country and feel compelled to learn the Estonian language. Aleksa said she felt change was coming and it was a good step for Estonia to offer primary education only in Estonian. Helle said that she wanted to see integration happen and was hopeful it would happen.
Eastern European stereotypes
I asked if prior to coming to Estonia, they were worried about bumping into the Eastern European stereotype of males. Guys with shaved heads, driving old BMWs, and always having alcohol on their breath. Helle replied that you saw some of that in Tallinn, meaning guys in track suits hanging out around liquor stores. Keili mentioned seeing old men passed out on the street and people nonchalantly walking by.
But all three mentioned that in every society you have a group of youths who think they are super cool (but are not). They drew the comparisons, in Toronto, of the Toronto Mans who wear baseball clothing, oversized clothing, Vans brands, etc. Or in Montreal, the Pouchons who wear caps, saggy jeans, fake designer brand clothing, etc.
…younger people would gather late on Friday or Saturday nights at the McDonald's at the Viru Gates or at the Aia Street (one of the main entrances to the Old Town of Tallinn) fast food restaurants.
The three mentioned that they do not spend time in Lasnamäe, but younger people would gather late on Friday or Saturday nights at the McDonald's at the Viru Gates or at the Aia Street (one of the main entrances to the Old Town of Tallinn) fast food restaurants. Meaning the “Eastern European” stereotype could come from either Estonians or Russians.
In other words, the three young ladies were not intimidated by groupings in Estonia. Coming from big cities, they are used to seeing various groups of people at night, some of whom dress in certain ways. Every society would have a sub-group who think they are cool or „fly“ but are not.
