All national groups are identified by characteristics and circumstances that lend themselves to good humour. There are good jokes about Scots, and about Italians, and even about Canadians and Australians, and the humour often defines national traits. ("How do you get an Australian's attention? You put two shots through his head") Such jokes do not have to be hurtful or demeaning, but simply reflect the national character or condition. For example, here is one of the few Estonian jokes we know:

An Estonian, American, and Russian were riding on a train. The Russian pulled out a bottle of vodka, took a sip, and offered a sip to the other two. He then threw the half full bottle out the window. "Why did you do that?" asked the American. "Ah, in Russia, we have so much vodka" the Russian replied. After a bit, the American took out a pack of cigarettes, offered one to the other two, and then threw the rest of the pack out the window. "Why did you do that?" asked the Russian. "In America, we have many, many cigarettes" replied the American.

The Estonian sat there and thought for a while, and then threw the Russian out the window.

Unfortunately, there are very few other jokes about Estonians. Or perhaps there are, but they simply have never been collected into one volume. In an attempt to change that, Aarne Vesilind has agreed to collect and compile "Estonian Humour", and is seeking submissions from Estonians everywhere. If you have a joke or good story about Estonians, please send these to Aarne atvesilind@bucknell.edu.

Everyone who submits an accepted joke or story will receive a free copy of the book.

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