tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post4568077688928833175..comments2023-11-05T09:55:13.077+02:00Comments on Itching for Eestimaa: the missionary positionGiustinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04756707910693785516noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-79466567495305142462011-04-22T10:08:24.438+02:002011-04-22T10:08:24.438+02:00- Let the record show that Marcus is Estonian -- Let the record show that Marcus is Estonian -Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901010410149862339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-17531042144475661232011-04-22T09:51:46.583+02:002011-04-22T09:51:46.583+02:00And then there are extreme examples, like Sami Lot...And then there are extreme examples, like Sami Lotila or Johan Bäckman, the former having an almost pathological need for attention a la all publicity is good publicity, but at least sometimes coming off sincere in asking "why the hell can't they do it right?" and the latter probably compensated with plenty of Rubles for his downright hateful and feud inciting opinions. To say that Johan Bäckman is provocative is like saying the Bugatti Veyron is a bit on the expensive side.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901010410149862339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-79533228827011056482011-04-19T00:49:33.735+02:002011-04-19T00:49:33.735+02:00Hi Justin,
I read some of those ERR comments myse...Hi Justin,<br /><br />I read some of those ERR comments myself today and pretty much came to the same conclusions which you elucidated so well in your post.<br /><br />This was my first full winter here and part of me also seems reluctant to move on to fully accepting that spring has arrived (though the disappearing snow and spring flowers help a little). I think though that for me, the first day wearing shorts outside will be a true seasonal turning point (I'm from Sydney).<br /><br />As to the tendency for foreigners to be so opinionated about Estonia, I too have done my fair share of well-intentioned whining to my wife and foreigner friends who call Estonia home. However, now when I read such comments and 'discussions' online I feel disappointed and annoyed about the preachy vitriol that fills these paragraphs and wonder if these people were as openly critical of their original home countries as they are of Estonia. Opinions are certainly ok to have, but perhaps our cohort of frustrated foreigners should make more of an effort to relax and enjoy themselves here rather than spending so much effort adopting the 'missionary position'.<br /><br />Perhaps such online comments are simply a product of internet anonymity, but this 'preacher phase' seems to be too common an experience amongst 'westerners' who have settled here to write it off as that. <br /><br />My thoughts are that it is generally part of the difficult process of adapting to life in a different country and culture. I personally had a similar reaction when living in northern England for a year, though for some basic reasons this reaction wasn't as strong (though I never did get used to the violence, aggro and general English malaise).<br /><br />Despite continuing language barriers and lack of a job here, I'm feeling much more comfortable than I ever have before. I'd still love to see some of these dilapidated buildings and dirty snow covered footpaths across the country looking better, but at least I now accept that the appearance of a building or street says more about the affordability of building renovations and street cleaning rather than the character of the people that make these places their home.<br /><br />By the way, we also call Viljandi home. Perhaps we could meet up for a kohv and a chat sometime?<br /><br />GeoffUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07305753647830733749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-44862805003144169892011-04-18T17:05:33.179+02:002011-04-18T17:05:33.179+02:00You've done good to mankind. Thank you.You've done good to mankind. Thank you.LPRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397977705898254598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-84798766203169798342011-04-18T15:30:17.691+02:002011-04-18T15:30:17.691+02:00Mardus: Thanks for re-posting it. If anyone has qu...Mardus: Thanks for re-posting it. If anyone has questions, they can post it in this (Giustino's) blog and I'll be happy to answer them.Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16666812202305896656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-31026461599614141182011-04-18T14:59:58.989+02:002011-04-18T14:59:58.989+02:00@Justin:
I've now posted your lost comment at...@<a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16666812202305896656" rel="nofollow">Justin</a>:<br /><br />I've now posted <a href="http://juhuslikku.blogspot.com/2011/04/us-tax-primer-for-foreigners-and-non-us.html" rel="nofollow">your lost comment</a> at my own blog.Mardushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17727908952144069020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-46852333909806113632011-04-18T07:24:53.262+02:002011-04-18T07:24:53.262+02:00Mardus: So my tax primer did appear? Do you have i...Mardus: So my tax primer did appear? Do you have it saved anywhere so it could be re-posted? I'd prefer not to have to re-type it all (also it's no longer fresh in my memory).<br /><br />The first time I tried to post it, the comment box seemed to think I was logged in with my Google account, but didn't show my username, so when I sent to post, it redirected me to login which I did, and then the resulting page to proceed with posting generated a server error.<br /><br />So then I posted again (I had to retype it unfortunately) and it did appear as soon as I posted it, but when I went to check for it again a few minutes later, it wasn't there. Really strange.Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16666812202305896656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-56503369800855290362011-04-18T02:13:03.436+02:002011-04-18T02:13:03.436+02:00@Justin:
I don't think I can necessarily blame...@<a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16666812202305896656" title="Not Giustino, I guess" rel="nofollow">Justin</a>:<br />I don't think I can necessarily blame Blogger for loss of comments: I followed comments for this article via e-mail subscription and that's how I got your extensive tax primer.<br /><br />A day before or so I deleted a comment to this article, because I wanted to post an improved one (no reply had appeared yet), but that wouldn't show after "the comment had been saved", though I did receive an e-mail with its contents.<br /><br />Because this had happened before on Giustino's blog, I learned to save my comments just in case they don't appear and then post them on my own blog as a matter of documentation (and then <i>I</i> fail to post a URL of a lost comment in comments for a relevant article).<br /><br />The best thing you can do is to save your comment beforehand, then post it and if it fails to show, publish it on your own blog. If you don't have a blog yet, then you can create one.Mardushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17727908952144069020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-83667348903305102192011-04-18T01:17:42.193+02:002011-04-18T01:17:42.193+02:00Please post again, Justin.Please post again, Justin.LPRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397977705898254598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-88612769426825335762011-04-18T00:41:41.172+02:002011-04-18T00:41:41.172+02:00Blogger seems to be acting up for me. Did my post ...Blogger seems to be acting up for me. Did my post with tax advice show up and is just waiting moderation?<br /><br />If not, I'll post it again if someone still needs help with their taxes.Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16666812202305896656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-51073773542011872942011-04-18T00:39:06.571+02:002011-04-18T00:39:06.571+02:00I'm a frequent commenter on BBN. While there i...I'm a frequent commenter on BBN. While there is certainly a fair share of childish vitriol like "All Estonians are stupid" comments, I'd say at least half the comments are fairly good. Also on average the comments are more intelligent than the comments on Delfi.<br /><br />In terms of complaining about the country and desire for change, I see nothing wrong with this. Estonia in its latest form has only been around for a bit more than 20 years. There can be benefits which come from experience. Take the tragic fire at the orphanage in Haapsalu. Are there regulations or technologies used in other countries that may prevent this in the future? If so, why not consider them?<br /><br />Another example: Lately in the news as the snow melts, there have been stories of homeowners in new developments where the land is flooding and everything has turned to mud because the developers failed to keep their promises to install proper drainage and services (Oru and Peetri külas are two examples), and have now gone bankrupt or otherwise disappeared. Maybe the policy in other countries, where developers have to place the funding for infrastucture improvements in escrow with the government would help here. Why not consider it?<br /><br />One nice thing in Estonia is with its small size, it is possible to make a difference and actually effect change. There's a decent chance you've seen a member of parliament in a cafe or bumped into the prime minister at a restaurant. That just doesn't happen in larger countries very often. Last week, a minor change to the Estonian constitution was made. Compare that to the decade-long process to change it in the US (I realize there are certain benefits to this slow process also).<br /><br />Your post was one of the first where you mentioned negative aspects of Estonia, like the drunks outside your local market. Why don't you write about these topics also? Is your blog only for positive information?Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16666812202305896656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-79242977543939172522011-04-17T01:08:31.906+02:002011-04-17T01:08:31.906+02:00Autor on selle kommentaari eemaldanud.Mardushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17727908952144069020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-50636625169187953452011-04-17T00:31:47.884+02:002011-04-17T00:31:47.884+02:00I need to curb my enthusiasm as your advice appear...I need to curb my enthusiasm as your advice appears not applicaple in my situation: <br /><br />Quote: <br /><br />"The W-8BEN form (entitled Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding) is used in the United States taxation system by foreign persons (including corporations) to certify their non-American status. The form, issued by the Internal Revenue Service, establishes that one is a non-resident alien or foreign corporation, to avoid or reduce tax withholding from U.S. source income, such as rents from U.S. property, interest on U.S. bank deposits or dividends paid by U.S. corporations. The W-8BEN form should be given to the withholding agent such as a property manager, bank or stock broker, and not the IRS. The form is not used for U.S. wages and salaries earned by non-resident aliens (in which case form W-4 is used), or for U.S. freelance (dependent personal services) income (in which case form 8233 is used)."<br /><br /><br />And<br /><br />"The forms 1040NR and its "easy" version 1040NR-EZ are used by nonresident aliens who have U.S. source income and therefore have to file a U.S. tax return. Joint returns are not permitted, so that husband and wife must each file a separate return. The 1040NR-EZ form can be used under conditions similar to those for the 1040EZ form.[4]"<br /><br />So I am left where I am, which is nowhere.<br /><br />:-(<br /><br />Thank you, though.LPRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397977705898254598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-65880866833949415962011-04-16T23:47:07.310+02:002011-04-16T23:47:07.310+02:00Thank you, Liivlane. If you truly are the last on...Thank you, Liivlane. If you truly are the last one, then they've definitely saved the best for the last. <br /><br />This was very helpful.LPRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397977705898254598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-85258531501355812062011-04-16T11:48:34.116+02:002011-04-16T11:48:34.116+02:00@Liivimaa parim ratsutaja ...
Re tax tips – if yo...@Liivimaa parim ratsutaja ...<br /><br />Re tax tips – if your income isn’t large enough to warrant hiring an accountant and you think you can take care of it yourself, when I moved to Estonia in 2004 I filled out a form W-8BEN Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and filed form 1040NR U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return which bears a strong resemblance to the regular 1040 form. All forms can be downloaded from the IRS website. <br /><br />Remember, even in the darkest hours, that paying taxes is GOOD.<br /><br />I recommend registering with the US Embassy in Tallinn. They hold annual ‘town hall’ meetings albeit in Tallinn and Tartu only, where you can ask questions about taxes and anything else that comes to mind. Estonia and the US have reciprocity so you don’t have to pay taxes to both countries.viimneliivlanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17658164527165429943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-34625504519195553912011-04-16T11:32:17.201+02:002011-04-16T11:32:17.201+02:00I find you singularly non-judgmental. Could it be...I find you singularly non-judgmental. Could it be that people who are looking for a fight are finding you to pick on? I continue to be amused by pundits on ERR public affairs programs who have spent perhaps one year at a university somewhere in the US and then consider themselves to be believable about what the US is all about – its history, its mores, its politics – everything and anything. Does the Estonian television audience really believe them over you? I don’t know what flack you have been getting, but I hope it is of the kind that could be taken as an indication that the ERR audience is becoming more sophisticated and more demanding.<br /><br />For myself, you are not preachy enough, as I find in ‘Minu Eesti 2’ you missed the opportunity to assist Sigrid in Oslo out of the morass by offering her helpful advice like ‘If you don’t want to be mistaken for a Russian whore don’t dress like one’ or questioning the advisability of young girls visiting danger zones like Kashmir. Now that we have had seven bicyclists kidnapped in Lebanon who fearlessly peddled through a dangerous area (and a bunch of motorcyclists following them who evidently are bent on proving that that area is not dangerous) we are not hearing Estonian commentators saying that perhaps it is unwise to visit dangerous areas because the Foreign Ministry may not be able to help you if anything happens to you. This is the way the US State Department sends out their advisories to its citizens, and it goes without saying that American frugality dictates that American taxpayers would rather see their tax money going to more pressing national security issues than to looking for its citizens who didn’t heed their warnings...but this is where it gets preachy I suppose.viimneliivlanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17658164527165429943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-50000163824625960872011-04-15T23:10:38.524+02:002011-04-15T23:10:38.524+02:00"I admit, I have done the very same thing her..."I admit, I have done the very same thing here on this blog, over and over again."<br /><br />I think we can still make the difference between the arrogant position of people like moevenort and people like you who are genuinely interested in Estonian society.<br />I hope that it is still possible for me as a foreigner to criticize certain aspects of Estonian society without having to hear that I have a Western superiority complex.Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-16035094560756493512011-04-15T12:32:03.833+02:002011-04-15T12:32:03.833+02:00Where can I get tax advice for an US expat living ...<i>Where can I get tax advice for an US expat living in Estonia? Turbotax is driving me nuts! How do you guys do this? Just eff the IRS? I am close to it. <br /><br />Anybody? Heeeeelp!</i><br /><br />I called all kinds of hotlines in 2007 to figure this out. I pay state and federal taxes on time each year, but not local taxes (as my address is abroad). The best advice I can give is to work with an accountant. <br /><br />You could probably "eff" the IRS. I know Americans who have been living here who haven't paid taxes in years, as their income is mostly earned and taxed in Estonia. Actually, I know Americans in America who pay no taxes, as most of their salary comes in the form of ca$h. It's probably too late now, but I could refer you to a good accountant.<br /><br />Feel free to contact me.Giustinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04756707910693785516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-40467507194717190172011-04-15T10:21:25.708+02:002011-04-15T10:21:25.708+02:00"Why did the 7 missing estonian bycyclist cho..."Why did the 7 missing estonian bycyclist chose to pedal straight into misery and anger rather than enjoy the tulp fields of Holland or widing roads in French countryside?<br /><br />And now to my point - are we talking about the thrill of playing "White God" to the natives?"<br /><br />I think you are being unfair here. People like that are usually in it for sheer exitement of adventure. It's the provincial petit bourgeois who go to Sharm-el-Sheik or Thailand to play "White Gods".Rainerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11160091690005391250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-23917701941663064972011-04-15T05:18:15.002+02:002011-04-15T05:18:15.002+02:00Where can I get tax advice for an US expat living ...Where can I get tax advice for an US expat living in Estonia? Turbotax is driving me nuts! How do you guys do this? Just eff the IRS? I am close to it. <br /><br />Anybody? Heeeeelp!LPRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397977705898254598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-35426536982427222362011-04-14T18:35:31.841+02:002011-04-14T18:35:31.841+02:00Just a thought, a controversial one, I guess - if ...Just a thought, a controversial one, I guess - if you were an expat in say, France or Luxembourg or Amalfi Coast - would you have the same kind of dilemmas, anxieties, frustrations? I assume the answer is no.<br /><br />So what is it that drives people to explore "lesser cultures"? <br /><br />Why did the 7 missing estonian bycyclist chose to pedal straight into misery and anger rather than enjoy the tulp fields of Holland or widing roads in French countryside?<br /><br />And now to my point - are we talking about the thrill of playing "White God" to the natives?<br /><br />Tell me it ain't so.<br /><br />:-)LPRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397977705898254598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-13400223928736671702011-04-13T19:26:16.149+02:002011-04-13T19:26:16.149+02:00I wouldn't worry about these comments too much...I wouldn't worry about these comments too much. Remember, in Estonia it's not about what people say, but what they don't. If some say nasty things, then others likely think well of you. At least you know where you stand on the ugly side of things, and thats not too bad. <br /><br />I'm originally from Viljandi, and would so like to return but I can't. It's too expensive for me to work and live there - the salaries aren't really much and I would really strugle. Instead I'm in this Dirty Old Town in United Kingdom - wich is just so depressing, as theres no space here, it's gritty, and people are rather nasty. But you know whats good about living here? It's cheap. And thats the strangest thing. The so-called 'Old-Eastern' Europe has become something else entirely, it's for the people who have done well in life. It's for people like you, and I think your parents should be really proud becouse while I, the native, can't - you can!<br /><br />Hope that cheered you up a bit and the summers just around the corner and things will seem different when Spring really kicks in, trust me, they always do!Markohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17501324932136870126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-21029044443919203362011-04-13T16:56:47.651+02:002011-04-13T16:56:47.651+02:00I've always loved the way Giustino finds a way...I've always loved the way Giustino finds a way to sugarcoat the life in Estonia. He is relentless in his choice of saccharine over bile. I admire it as I consider it a strength not a weakness.<br /><br />As to resigning from changing the world - that kind of comes with age. Soon enough he'll be obsessed and content over improving and having some control over his golf swing. Until then, I keep enjoying reading his stories. <br /><br />Keep 'em coming, Giustino! Don't change.LPRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397977705898254598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-46525354634411149332011-04-13T15:52:52.804+02:002011-04-13T15:52:52.804+02:00Ha ha ha nice! But on that one subject we both kno...Ha ha ha nice! But on that one subject we both know about, not all were like that. There is one...who still just usually chooses not to simply because it isn't important enough. So I've heard said, at least.<br /><br />Regarding me, however, last December, an outsider's opinion is quite often fresh, even if it is unwelcome or unsolicited.Mingushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10129025788427961454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-47451513386957487002011-04-13T14:34:47.093+02:002011-04-13T14:34:47.093+02:00I agree, Mingus. The question of who gets to say w...I agree, Mingus. The question of who gets to say what is interesting though. I noticed recently at a comedy show that the foreign-born comedians said they were in no position to criticize the government, as they were not citizens. And I noticed in an interview with the American-born CEO of Silmet that he said essentially the same thing. I understand him though. He was being asked to comment on integration, even though he was being interviewed as the head of a rare metals company. But one could imagine a foreigner easily taking the bait and preaching about how things should be.<br /><br />It's very tricky territory. Because of the stereotype of the missionary American who inserts himself into any given foreign dispute, one might feel reluctant to play that role. I've been told before, "You just don't understand things" and provoked much eye rolling when I have made such "constructive" suggestions.<br /><br />At the same time, I am not the kind of person to deny myself an opinion on account of being a foreigner, but I also don't want to be seen as a sanctimonious American wind bag.Giustinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04756707910693785516noreply@blogger.com