Moi! =)
From today I will write my blog in English. And I will do that? I can give several reasons but the most important one is that like this, my friends that are not Portuguese will be able to read it. Because my English is not that good and I have a long way to improve it, I hope that I will not make too many mistakes on the writings and if someone realizes the text have an error please say something.
And here today I want to something that express in a really good way what is Finland and the Finns.
Russia has Siberia. The Unites States have Alaska. Europe has Finland.
When you first arrive, Finland looks like a normal, pretty, expensive little country. Well, the light and the colours are different, at least in summer. In winter there isn’t really any light. But something else is different here too. It takes you a little while to really notice what – it’s the people.
They don’t look in your eyes. They never greet strangers. They hate small talk. They never interrupt you; it’s as if they’re not listening. Say something nice about their clothes and they’ll tell you how cheap those rags really were. Smile at a passer-by and they’ll think you’re a religious fanatic, on drugs, gay, about to sell them an oriental carpet – or all of the above. You don’t believe me? See for yourself: go to a department store and spend some time in the elevator. Smile, look right into people’s faces and start chatting away. You’ll see their heart rate rise and sweat appear on their brows.
Then again – they just might invite you to their summer cottage for a sauna, which really means getting naked and royally drunk with them and their friends. With Finns is’t sometimes hard to tell whether they hate you or love you.
The secret is simple. The Finnish concept of politeness works differently than in most other countries. In most cultures it’s considered polite to communicate. In Finland it’s polite to leave people alone.
Why bother others with a little joke on a Monday morning? They’re having rough time already, just like you.
Why ask your friend how his kids are? If there’s something wrong with them, he’ll tell you, he’s your friend.
Why sit next to someone on an almost empty tram and start talking when everyone could travel in peace and quiet?
Why surprise someone by ringing their doorbell when you can call a couple of days ahead and warn them of your intended visit?
If you come from a country with a hundred million inhabitants you probably talk ten times more than the average Finn. Go easy or you’ll wear them out in no time. You’ll probably stand much too close to people. Give them about 70 centimeters and they’ll feel safe. By the way, have you ever noticed that most Finns can speak while breathing in?
There is so much wisdom in the Finnish way of life: “Life is uncertain so eat your dessert first.”
They live in a hostile climate, surrounded by nothing but enemies and hardships, stricken with a language almost no other creature will ever learn… But still, they love their country. And they love to hate it. But you be careful – don’t say “Yes” when they ask you “Isn’t it awful here?” You’re supposed to fall in love with Finland.
Chances are you will. I know I did. You know, the Finns are… they are… let’s say, they are a bit different than your common or garden variety of people. They’re wholesome, if you know what I mean, a bit like their dark bread, the one with the hole in the middle. They’re hard to digest, but very good for you.
And they’re eternally grateful when somebody talks about them. So let’s do just that.
Schatz, Roman (2005). From Finalnd With Love
Cheers
