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someoneeestis

But that's the thing, they have the money to have people chasing down the official channels of whatever email that comes from to confirm their authenticity.

Cybersecurity 101: Call back the bank at the official number and all that yada yada.

I was thinking about exactly that and then I found this comment.

One spoofs an email domain and then is able to get trust from a "modern global fintech"? Absolutely ridiculous. Having worked for several global scale tech companies, I've seen first hand how security is at the absolutely bottom of the list. It does not translate to $$$ so it is uncared for.

Revolut keeps pestering me with requests for interviews and I keep running away from it. One more con (pun intended) to the list.

> re: the flip side is that extroverts around the world don't necessarily like everyone giving the impression that their existence is an inconvenience.

I couldn't have said it better and I'm stealing this from ya. Beautifully said.

Damn right, brother! Damn right!
Totally agree with you, introverts everywhere will frown upon that. But there's a inherent difference between the "general" aspects of the culture and friendliness of every country. I was just highlighting a general aspect of Estonian culture.

I've also had amazing and unforgettable memories in Estonia with people who I never saw again in my life. It's just harder in here.

As for correlation, a single stranger certainly not. But I have lost count of how many Estonians visited UK/Ireland/Spain and came back telling me they were so happy about being an "amigo" or at having incredible customer service that didn't make them feel unwelcome like a chore.

It does matter.

I've lived in both biggest cities in Estonia and small towns as well as Dublin and Amsterdam. So I've experienced either side of the coin. The fact is that the collective conscience of Estonians (and perhaps Baltics in general) works like that. I love this place with all my heart and I'm not claiming to hold any absolute truth, but perception built over 12 years here and years in other places.

I'm totally okay with disagreeing, I was just answering in earnest.

Well, you can tell that to all the Nõmme, Tondi, Pirita, Kesklinn, Tartu, Viljandi, Karksi-Nuia amongst other places I've lived where I've smiled and said "Tere hommikust!" to as they turned their face away and pretended I didn't exist.

I've also lived in Amsterdam and even people on the street who were not my neighbors smiled and said good morning and often that triggered a little conversation and laughters.

Like I said, I'm Brazilian and I've also lived in Ireland where people are super warm. There is no "insincerity" and "mindless" assumed, only the desire to make our days a little more bearable, warm and welcoming.

The younger generation is better indeed but they also come with a new set of anti-social behavior. Just like every generation, really. Not blaming either one in here.

The attitude always shifts a little when I speak Estonian, though and for that I'm happy enough. I have adapted but will never stop smiling at the shops or at the people who live nearby. I don't expect them to be like me but I also won't erase myself as if I'm being insincere because I'm simply not. I rather be a positive force for change.

To each their own, I reckon. I guess a good neighbor it's the one you don't talk to.

I love that for you! I hope you have an amazingly successful Saturday!
I personally don't mind the commercialization of it. Like you said, it is only to be expected, especially in hard times like now (though I'd argue that just increase prices for everyone). I was not making a point against it as they have to (and should) charge a price. As far as I understand, they always did and I'm really glad to give my money to a neighbor instead of a corporation like Bolt.

But what I would personally like on the other hand is that the smiles and the welcoming attitude would not happen only within the kodukohvikud and in peak summer sun but all year round. A big dose of empathy would make life easier for all of us.

And I speak Estonian. I can't even begin to imagine how cold it is for those who don't. I'm also Brazilian, so my genuineness and expectation of welcoming conversations surely set a high bar.

I lived in Tartu for four years and hold great memories from our city of good thoughts.

Enjoy the Tammelinn event and bless the city for me!

I live in Estonia for a very long time now, over a decade. I love the kodukohvikud (Home Cafes) but the framing of "inviting strangers" is a little odd.

It's not free. While there is a lot of theoretical opportunity for bonding, it's still just a temporary commercial enterprise.

For anyone who has lived here, it's a known fact that Estonians won't exactly engage with strangers in a warm way, if at all. Smiling at strangers is considered poor social form here and it doesn't matter if you're a foreigner or native.

It does increase social cohesion amongst neighbors at least for a week or two. Kodukohvikud are a unique experience but it's not really "inviting strangers in my backyard" in the way a free community oriented and socially engaging event would be. Naturally, the article will only show the very few who have a story to tell while ignoring the fact that 90% of them don't have one to tell.

You get your keefir, you get your viineripirukas, pay for it, eat isolated with your family on a table and that's all most of the time.

It's akin to someone who makes pizzas to sell in the terrace to passersby. Really cool, quite nice but again, weird framing because you wouldn't say that about "Jean Paul who sells pizza from his balcony", so to speak.

I still love it, though!