Intercultural communication: Estonian peculiarities Aune Valk Tartu 02.02.2012.
Estonians: stereotypes and reality Communication with Estonians International students experiences in Estonia
Estonian personality (in reality)? Compared to 51 other cultures Estonians personality traits are: Very low on neuroticism (on 49. position) Together with most Anglo-American cultures among 1/3 most extraverted people Very low in openness (differently from Danes and Germans) One of the lowest in agreeableness together with Moroccans, and Ethiopians Average in concientiousness (higher than Russians, lower than Germans)
Estonian national character in their own opinion? High extraversion Puerto Rico Australia Spain New Zealand Serbia Low extraversion Slovenia Indonesia French speak. Switzerland Japan Estonia
Estonian national character in their own opinion? High openness Russia India Nigeria Kuweit Puerto Rico Low openness China Estonia Chili Turkey Japan
Estonian national character in their own opinion? High concientiousness Low concientiousness German speak. Switzerland Spain Sweden Germany Burkina Faso Estonia Turkey Croatia Chili Indonesia
Personality traits Neuroticism defined as an enduring tendency to experience negative emotional states. Individuals who score high on neuroticism are more likely than the average to experience such feelings as anxiety, anger, guilt, and clinical depression. They respond more poorly to environmental stress, are often selfconcsious and shy. Extraversion. Extraverts tend to be gregarious, assertive, and interested in seeking out excitement. Introverts, in contrast, tend to be more reserved, less outgoing, and less sociable. Introverts are less likely to seek stimulation from others because their own thoughts and imagination are stimulating enough. Openness involves active imagination, aesthetic sensitivity, attentiveness to inner feelings, preference for variety, and intellectual curiosity. People who score low on openness are considered to be closed to experience. They tend to be conventional and traditional in their outlook and behavior. They prefer familiar routines to new experiences, and generally have a narrower range of interests. They could be considered practical and down to earth.
Personality traits Agreeableness is a tendency to be pleasant and accommodating in social situations. People who score high on this dimension are on average more empathetic, considerate, friendly, generous, and helpful. People scoring low on agreeableness place self-interest above getting along with others. They are generally less concerned with others' well-being, report less empathy, and are therefore less likely to go out of their way to help others. Their skepticism about other people's motives may cause them to be suspicious and unfriendly. Conscientiousness includes such elements as self-discipline, carefulness, thoroughness, organization, deliberation(the tendency to think carefully before acting), and need for achievement. It is an aspect of what was traditionally called character. Conscientious individuals are generally hard working and reliable. People who are low on conscientiousness are not necessarily lazy or immoral, but they tend to be more laid back, less goal oriented, and less driven by success.
In case You want to read more McCrae; R., Terracciano, A. et al (2005). Personality Profiles of Cultures: Aggregate Personality Traits.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89, 407-425. McCrae; R., Terracciano, A. (2006) National Character and Personality Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15, 4.
Estonians evaluative stereotypes, 1 (% of respondents who consider particular trait characteristic or very characteristic) EST LAT GER FIN RUS Helpful 25 31 39 28 69 Symphatetic 17 36 36 23 58 Friendly 21 39 46 38 74 Honest 56 36 61 41 26 Cheerful 9 35 52 36 66 Tolerant 16 27 29 32 22 Conscientious 75 41 89 30 14 Balanced 76 39 69 40 18 Intelligent 67 39 87 27 23
Estonians evaluative stereotypes, 2 EST LAT GER FIN RUS Rude 14 11 14 13 48 Hostile 17 17 23 6 25 Vindictive 56 24 23 27 30 Malicious 8 5 3 1 10 Lying 8 5 3 1 10 Hypocritical 25 16 19 9 19 Superior 69 24 54 22 34 Egoistic 80 37 58 38 36 Ironical 64 19 41 11 29
Accuracy of stereotypes The inaccuracy of national character stereotypes may be explained in part by the fact that most people do not have extensive first-hand experience with members of other cultures. To the extent that understanding one s own national character depends on contrasts with other groups, that lack of information could also impair the accuracy of in-group stereotypes. McCrae, Terraciano, Realo, Allik, 2007: 968
Test: how well You know Estonians? Self descriptions of six small European cultures: written by groups of students or academic staff Do You recognise Estonians self description?
Culture 1 (1) Ability to compromise and make (sometimes sordid) little deals that will satisfy all concerned. (2) General feeling that everything should pretty much remain as it is. (3) These two traits are reflected in the way we (have) handle(d) our conflicts between the different languages and sub-cultures inside our country. (4) A covert catholic substratum can be found in our large parts of our culture and education. (5) We are proud of our large heritage that dates back to Medieval Times and is present in many towns and cities. (6) We are open to international relationships even though the average inhabitant really doesn't care much about anything outside his/her personal circle. (7) We think of ourselves as individuals, not as a mass. (8) We are aware that some things in our society are wrong but we lack the energy to force the necessary changes until it affects our personal lives. (9) We are hospitable and friendly (10) Our social life revolves around lots of good food and (alcoholic) beverages.
Culture 2 1.Own latin language 2.Typical food: spread tomato on the bread 3. Important tourists resorts 4.Birthplace of artists 5.strong feeling to our football team 6.Religious mountain of Montserrat 7.human union represented by the "human castles" and the "sardana dance 8.Variety of landscapes 9. centralism of the capital
Culture 3 1. We are creative individuals with high IQ. 2. We are open-hearted and hospitable. 3. We have great soccer team 4. We have the most beautiful women in the world (come and see). 5. We have a folk song in space (Voyager 2). 6. We are politically foolish. 7. We like to watch and criticize others. 8. We are heavy partyers. 9. We have best computer specialists in the world. 10. We have the most beautiful nature.
Culture 4 Shy Conservative Smart Handsome and beautiful Good at languages Hardworking Serious Singing nation Friendly Innovative
Culture 5 Technology oriented Protestantic morale Speaking only when something important to say No body language Punctuality More foreward looking (not in history)
Culture 6 Sociable Talkative Drink Music (traditional and modern) Sport (Tribalism!) Spontaneous Humour Dancing Like to complain Creative
Communication with Estonians: views of foreigners living in Estonia
Estonian-Canadian: There are legends going around about Estonians inability to communicate. I guess these are based on facts. Mart does not think differently but admits: I have used to it, or rather I would say, I like it. He explains: If You go to some event in Estonia, then there is very low probability that somebody comes and starts talking to You. You will stand in Your corner or You shall go Yourself and start talking. But if You are once become acquianted, then it is a real friendship. You are taken as a member of the in-group.
Girl from Peru I feel myself loneliest when surrounded by many people. Nobody invites me to the communication. I always have to go and introduce myself. Sometimes it is OK but sometimes I am tired of being an initiator. Estonians justify it with their modesty and lack of language skills. But I am also modest and my Estonian is often worse than their English.
American: From communication with Estonians he would draw the typical characteristics: silent, reserved, like a layer of ice that is hard to broke. Talking silver, silence gold is the best proverb characterizing Estonians. Dating with Estonian girls is rather effort than pleasure, the communication is intellectual not emotional. It seems like I would talk with my professor not with my girl-friendiga.
Finnish: It seems that Estonian young people are more communicative, their ideas and opinions are very elaborated already in a young age. They are ready to express their opinions and are more confident than Finnish young people.
Scottish: In his mind it helped a lot if You tried to communicate with Estonians in Estonian. Estonians are good communicators, especially younger people, if You are good communicator Yourself. Compared to Scottish they are more open, since Scottish people prefer to communicate with each other but Estonians are more open to foreigners.
Girl from Kuweit: She was suprised that altough Estonians were very closed they were higly interested in other cultures.
Finnish: Estonians have an habit to say No in response anything. It seemed that people are unable to manage anything here. But in a magic way everything was organised very well.
Estonian-German communication Rasmus (G): How do you do? Tõnu (E): OK Rasmus: What did you do in weekend? Tõnu: I went skiing Rasmus: Oh great! Did you have family with you? Tõnu: Yes. Rasmus: Was the snow good? Tõnu: OK. Rasmus (feels like an idiot): Were the tracks lightened? A. Valk, A.Realo, 2004 Estonia and Estonians in a mirror of other nations
International students about Estonians, 2010 Estonians are seen by oppositional characteristics, both negative and positive traits. For example Estonians are considered to be helpful, polite and honest, but also closed, modest and serious who smile very rarely.
International students satisfaction: pluses and minuses Job opportunities Religious activities Contacts with Estonians International students' office Contacts with academic and admin personnel at a aniversity University admission procedures rather satisfied very satisfied Internet connection 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Positive 87% are satisfied with their desicion to come to study in Tartu 75% would like to return 90% would recommend studying in Tartu to other people
Problems 65% communicates on everyday bases with other international students; only 27% with Estonian students 10% of respondents have rarely or sometimes experienced discrimination based on their race 40% have had problems due to the lack of skills in Estonian language: sometimes I am just ignored because I do not speak Estonian
Summary Be among the 27% who communicates with Estonians If Estonians do not talk to You they do not want to disturb You Show interest in speaking at least few words in Estonian it breaks the layer of ice Take time
Thank you for your attention! aune.valk@ut.ee