I'm soooo not american. One could think I had learned something living here for a while now. It's just so damn hard to remember to say "Excuse me?" instead of a simple "HUH?". I'm not a rude person. I think. So if I'm not an american, what am I? Am I a finn? Hell no. I dont like sauna, I don't really hate swedish and russian people, I don't feel like a finn. I sure as hell look like one though. Sometimes I think I need a shirt that says "I'm not socially retarded, i'm from Finland". I feel like a retard sometimes..very often actually. For example, when people here say: "I'll call/talk to you later!" It doesnt really mean that. Whatever people say here, it's not what they mean! Maybe they really like my shirt/earrings/ring/shoes when they say so, or maybe it's just that I'm becoming so skeptical. Sometimes I act like a real american though, or at least try. I have had a couple of very good small-talks and praised others' hair/shirt/skirt/nails.. I'm so embarrassed to admit this: I really didn't like the shirt she was wearing. And to be honest, the pink eyeshadow wasn't a good choice. But what can I do? These people seem to know too well that sometimes the truth is ugly. And hearing the truth might hurt their feelings. So, they tell little lies to keep everyone safe. The idea is very nice indeed.
I'm not saying, that the finnish way of interacting with people is any better. Talking: minimal. Truth: maximal. (Maximal doesn't mean that finns don't lie!) So that means, if you talk, you talk because you want to and you really have something to say and you really mean what you say.
That's not how the things always are though. Me, for example, now that I'm learning how to do things in american way, I may have lied in the process and ignored the truth and even ignored the tiny voice inside my head. I'm not 100% american yet. I'm sure I'll never be. I guess will always flinch a little when I tell people how gorgeous hat they're wearing. Unless, I really like the hat. But back to how things are done in Finland: If I tell someone I think their item X looks awesome, they probably won't say "Oh, thanks!" but stay quiet and look at me suspiciously. And maybe they will think :" Oh no, she wants to steal my X! I'd better to hide this and never use it again!"
Now I'm off to the mall. I'll try to find 3 persons whose hat/ring/earrings/shirt I wanna steal : D Okay just kidding ;) Or am I?Really?
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Wow, that was one of the best article/review I have ever read, congratulations! Everything you say is true, except maybe the "she wants to steath my X". I really doubt Finns think like this, I would say they would just think "really? Because I think I look like an fat pig/cow/horse/potato with it"... you know, Finns don't usually have a huge ego and self-esteem compared to some other people :)
VastaaPoistaIt's great to see how Finns really mean things they say or do (and after living 2 years in here, I can clearly say this is true). In some other countries like France, for instance, people act like they are interested in you, they ask questions, they kiss your cheeks, they want to meet you again, but as soon as you walk 2 meters away, they already call you a dickhead/moron. Because of this shit behaviours, I have always felt like a foreigner in France, but in Finland I feel like home. People are quiet and polite and honest and nice, quite like me :D
wow,thanks:D It's nice to hear that you've found a home;D I'm still searching..
VastaaPoista