Personal Space & Touching

Estonians are generally reserved, and the best way to turn me off is to 1) invade their personal space, or 2) be extremely insistent and 3) intense. This means that, unless you know someone very well and they are all familiar with your quirks and so on, you should hold yourself back a little, watch and learn, and see what is acceptable in some group or another. There are groups where swearing is acceptable and groups where it is not; groups where dead baby jokes are acceptable and groups where they are not; it all depends on the group, just like anywhere else in the world, but the most important thing is personal space.

If you’re on the bus and you see empty seats, try not to sit next to anyone if possible. It is weird to do so when you have the possibility of sitting by yourself and minding your own business. Personal space also applies to personal beliefs. Do not discuss religion or politics unless the topic has been picked up by someone local or you know that the group you’re in is comfortable with discussing this.

Personal space is also important in telemarketing. If you are not a friend or relative, or if you have no legitimate reason for calling, you are "begging." You are interfering with someone's day, and they will answer you politely but will probably say something sour about it once the call is over. Your product would sell itself if it was any good. The fact that you have to go around bothering people is proof enough that something is wrong with it.