Two Estonians sit in a bar. First beer: “So, how have you been?” The other guy just grunts. Second beer: “How’s the family?” The other one grunts again. Third beer: “And how are things at work?” The other guy finally gives in and says, “Did we come here to drink or talk?”
This anecdote pretty much describes any Nordic culture — Estonians as well. According to the stereotype, people in the north aren’t too talkative, they keep to themselves, and in public places or social situations feel perfectly comfortable staying silent. You can say that Estonian culture is a culture of silence. What I mean by this is that for us silence can carry as much meaning or information as words.
