I think about 10 percent are without work at any time, but people find jobs quickly when they have to. People in Estonia know that we cannot afford socialism. As Balts have pulled their economies up by the bootstraps, businessmen here have gained confidence and see themselves very much as equals of their foreign counterparts. There's less patience than ever for outsiders who presume to know more than locals by virtue of being from the West. In this sense, foreign businessmen who are parachuting in expecting locals to kowtow and bend to their every whim are in for a serious shock.
Many investors complain about a lack of clarity and consistency with many laws, for one thing.
Securing work permits can also drive investors into fits of madness and despair. In Estonia, foreign businessmen are required to supply everything from blood tests to psychiatric exams before qualifying for work permits. Balts aren't big smilers and even harbor certain doubts about those who always walk around with grins on their faces. Too much backslapping, hugging and kissing is also frowned upon. Communicate or die isn't a motto you're likely to hear ringing through the halls of too many Baltic businesses.