Advice - Finland for beginners

[AOCMALLOW]

Hi, I am an Irish guy who will be studying Law in Helsinki next year. I really can't wait. Finland seems so fascinating. If anyone has any advice about the do's and don't for Finland, I would greatly appreciate it for example getting to know Finns, surviving the long winter etc.

[cors187]

1.SISU is just a truck.
2.mince meat with pasta.
3.acknowledge others around you with the least facial expression necessary.
4. buy discounted pork from heavy populated religious areas.

[AOCMALLOW]

1.SISU is just a truck.
2.mince meat with pasta.
3.acknowledge others around you with the least facial expression necessary.
4. buy discounted pork from heavy populated religious areas.

Thank you....I am sure that will come in useful (I think :-\ ). Any other useful tip? Maybe not pork related as I really prefer chicken or beef anyway.

[AOCMALLOW]

* You'll need a good pair of warm winter boots, good for walking on snow.
* Remember to take your shoes off in every house, as well as in certain working environments.
* You'll need a warm winter jacket, preferably one with polyester or feather insulation.
* Get a library card and get acquainted with helmet.fi.
* Avoid taxis, they cost too much.
* Use reittiopas.fi plus any smartphone app to figure out how to move around.
* Get winter tires for your bicycle if you're a fan.
* Remember: cars need winter tires here, it's not optional.
* Go to visithelsinki.com to check out all the events in town.
* Ask the locals about their favorite places / to do's / shopping spots / etc.

Thank you! That will be very useful. Are Finns approachable? Or will they look at me like I have ten heads if I try to spark up conversation? I don't want to have just international friends.

[aguinness]

http://davidduffcomedy.wordpress.com/20 ... omment-144

[AOCMALLOW]

http://davidduffcomedy.wordpress.com/20 ... omment-144

Its so true though....although I don't think I will ever be comfortable being naked in front of strangers

[AldenG]

It's perfectly acceptable to strike up a conversation with:

A. Someone you've seen in the same place at the same time every day for two years or more.

B. Someone you've been married to for at least six months.

[AOCMALLOW]

It's perfectly acceptable to strike up a conversation with:

A. Someone you've seen in the same place at the same time every day for two years or more.

B. Someone you've been married to for at least six months.

oh good, was beginning to think it wouldn't be socially acceptable in any situation

[Blatent2ndaccount]

A few things that have helped me.

If you dont understand what is being said to you at a supermarket check out... just grunt and look at the floor. 9/10 no more interaction is called for.
Get a bonus card... use it religiously. It'll pay for xmas...

Find out when all the jesus and flag days are and mark them in your calendar. Feeding yourself from a kioski isnt fun.

If you drive with a heavy foot.. don't do more than +20kmph on the motorways.

Mobile data is cheap and UNLIMITED.. and the speeds kick ass.

Most pizza joints use ingredients that you buy in supermarkets... 9/10 you will be disapointed.

But the biggest advice i can give. Cheesecake isnt cheesecake here.. its a vile reconstruction.
And the same rule applies to most food... if it looks nice, it certainly isn't. *mudcake is the exception.

Get used to being asked "So, What do you think of Finland". You could murder the head of the polisi's wife and duaghter and the first question you will be asked "so, what do think of Finland"

Enjoy your visit.. 1 year quickly turns into 7 or 8. It's a great country.

[onkko]

Be positive, even if you get cold shoulder from finn. Positive is sin, repent!
Be negative with a finn, you know those @#$% @#$% in @#$% @#$%! Angry!, that @#$% @#$% tree there! Thats neat. Takes steam out. I do yell at squerrels, when there is none i yell at trees.
Be nice, normally being nice means dont talk but youre @#$% foreigner, talk. But slowly and courteously. You may find friend or you may find angry finn. Lets say its a game.

To be honest, be yourself. There is of course general finnish way but what i have found out is that most want to talk when they have time. You are tourist so normal system wont work on you.

So talk a lot and find ones who have time. You are free of common rules.

[Jukka Aho]

Mobile data is cheap and UNLIMITED.. and the speeds kick ass.

Do not get your mobile plan / SIM card from Sonera (Telia-Sonera), though. They do not want to sell unlimited plans to their customers and are in fact actively trying to lobby the industry to adopt metered plans, in cartel fashion.

Several Sonera executives have lately appeared in the media trying to convince their competition (and the general public) that unlimited, non-metered, non-capped mobile data plans are an untenable business model and should be discontinued. So they want to move the Internet back to the bad old telco realm where everything was paid per minute (or by the amount of transferred data) and where people need to keep track of their usage in order not to hit the limits, instead of simply being able to remain constantly online with no such consideration.

[macora]

Do not liken Finland or Finns to any other area on this earth, it is, and they are, one of a kind. Except you can mention in the second sentence that in that other place the people, especially the guys are extremely silent, and a (felt) 50% of male population is hunting, and fishing. Then they just MAY consider... whatever they consider behind those unmovable expressions.

This is about Eurovision a couple of years ago, and it is how other Nordic countries see them. I do think they are quite proud of that image. Let it not unsettle you though. They are very warm, helpful people, when you get to know them a bit closer, and may just be the best friends you will ever make.

Get used to being stared at, extensively, and long. Without any facial expression. Except you have long green hair, and the beard that goes to the belt line is braided in 2-4 braids. That is perfectly normal.

Be prepared that Finns are blunt. One woman's refreshingly blunt, is the other man's rude. If the later, try not to take it personal.

Words count. Therefore small talk is about the one thing that counts for everyone: the weather. Other parts of the country are eager to hear what is the weather wherever you are, including temperature. When you are coming back from traveling, the first thing you hear is "what was the weather like", so be prepared.

When asked how you are, words count... sometimes. There seem to be rules, when that question is serious, that differ somewhat to other countries I know. Rule of thumb is, if the Finn gave anything other than "thanksgoodandyou", consider it an honest question. And treat his/her account with respect, accordingly.

Complimenting a Finn is tricky. If he/she cannot relate to it, it may be the end of the talk, even if you meant it entirely serious. My current take on it, they may consider it a lie, because really, how can anyone think their German is great, when they had bad marks at school, 60 years ago. I found that wording it kinda impersonal works quite well though.

[AldenG]

IOW "Words count, so Finns count words?"

[macora]

IOW "Words count, so Finns count words?"

They must be of limited supply, for sure. Not what I meant though Words have weight, better?

Remember one has to know the language the other grew up in to understand the English, sometimes I feel for you LENSes (leet English native speakers) but not sure you would be happier if the US chose German back then And there is no insult meant in my writing here, just wuv to invent silly acronyms

[macora]

I would greatly appreciate it for example getting to know Finns, surviving the long winter etc.

Actually, remembered something useful for a change Not sure how difficult it really is for a student to get to know Finns. But the following helped me bigtime.

In case you do consider any hobby, where you can learn with eyes more than words, try to find classes. Any kind of workout, dance, whatnot, that is taught in classes, may qualify. You may be lucky (like I) to find really good teachers teaching in English even, where most of the participants are Finns. Or where you really are able to follow with eyes only.

Also, consider the classes held in Swedish at Adult Education Centers. Swedish is often easier for someone new to the languages here, and teachers are often willing to answer questions in English. You meet really good folks there. Finns are so interested in so many things, and sharing a common interest is a great way to get to know people, as you sure know. I ask the person in charge ahead of time whether it is ok that I am not yet anywhere near fluent in the respective language. I personally did not try to follow a course held in Swedish, it is what a dear friend told me he recommends his clients. I find that the more Finnish I know, the harder it actually gets to follow Swedish, and surprisingly easier to follow Finnish, so I did just jump in, and do classes in Finnish.

One thing that same dear friend told me very early, which did help me, I think: when said somewhat taciturn Finns do open, and actually talk with you, do have time, no matter what. Forget the meeting, forget the lecture, that seemed so important before. The watch does not exist for you in that moment. (Tell that to a Swiss! *grumblegrumble* But I think he is right. Depends of course what you risk with skipping the lecture )

About the long winters, consider buying one of those high-lux anti-winterblues lights if you are prone to winterblues. There are quite nice looking lamps here for decent prices. Just careful that the lux is really high enough, and direct enough, and your daily exposure is long enough. Actually, I found that I had a strong urge to replace EVERY light bulb where I live. That is one riddle to me. It is dark outside, one does admittedly not like the dark too much, and most light bulbs are on the rather dark side of the spectrum as well. I want as much light as possible, in any way, shape, or form. Probably there is a reason I just do not see yet.

And throw parties. But I guess I do not have to tell that to a student At least I really hope so