When I read the book "Culture Shock! Finland" I actually got a little apprehensive about us moving here. When we got here I was pleasantly surprised that things were not identical to the book. We have only been here for a little over 4 months but this is what I have found so far.
Positives:
The country is beautiful. I love the outdoors.
My Finnish is pretty much nonexistent but when I pull out my little dictionary people don't seem to get impatient with me and help me. People that have bumped into me and have been very polite and said excuse me. I have even had someone pick up my little ones hat when in fell out of the stroller and returned it to me. From the book I didn't think any of these things would happen. And Finns do make eye contact as you pass in walking.
I have never encountered poor table manners here. I think that is an individual thing not a culture thing. Nor have I been witness to the binge drinking (I have to get our more).
Negatives:
It takes 3 hours to wash one small load of laundry!!!!!!!
As far as actual culture related "quirks" I really can't complain. I was a military brat so I grew up all over and learned that everyone is different, every location is different and to accept people for who they are, not what I think they should be. I get used to new places very quickly and try not to see things as negative but new.
what is you biggest culture shock? positive and negative
Positives: Good place to raise children, clean water, free public transport for parents with strollers, summers are never unbearably hot, healthcare, awesome music scene & no shortage of talented musicians, and jumping naked in the snow after a nice sauna!
Negatives: Bad service in restaurants, looooong winters, nothing open on Sundays (or at least no place worth going), ALCOHOLISM and the nasty drunks that come along with it, public transport smelling like piss, dodging vomit on Saturday & Sunday mornings from those who couldn't handle their alcohol the night before, insane prices for ugly furniture and even crazier prices for decent looking furniture (this goes for all home furnishings for that matter), all the lights on outdoor Christmas trees look like they've been put there by drunks
, and one complaint I had before becoming a vegetarian was that fast food is NEVER fast.
The biggest negative: I'd have to agree with some of the others here that Finns have HORRIBLE manners, and not only at the dinner table, but in almost any situation where good manners would normally be applied where I come from. Then again, I always have to remind myself that you're a product of your environment and had I been raised here, I'd probably be the same way without even realizing that my behavior was so-called, "rude" in the eyes of people who were raised in countries where good manners were instilled into are brains from the time we were toddlers. One thing I have noticed though is that my Finnish friends who have lived abroad for a decent amount of time tend to have common courtesy and decent manners.
Negatives: Bad service in restaurants, looooong winters, nothing open on Sundays (or at least no place worth going), ALCOHOLISM and the nasty drunks that come along with it, public transport smelling like piss, dodging vomit on Saturday & Sunday mornings from those who couldn't handle their alcohol the night before, insane prices for ugly furniture and even crazier prices for decent looking furniture (this goes for all home furnishings for that matter), all the lights on outdoor Christmas trees look like they've been put there by drunks
, and one complaint I had before becoming a vegetarian was that fast food is NEVER fast. The biggest negative: I'd have to agree with some of the others here that Finns have HORRIBLE manners, and not only at the dinner table, but in almost any situation where good manners would normally be applied where I come from. Then again, I always have to remind myself that you're a product of your environment and had I been raised here, I'd probably be the same way without even realizing that my behavior was so-called, "rude" in the eyes of people who were raised in countries where good manners were instilled into are brains from the time we were toddlers. One thing I have noticed though is that my Finnish friends who have lived abroad for a decent amount of time tend to have common courtesy and decent manners.
Then again, the so-called foreign "good manners" could just be archaic leftovers from a bygone age, with little relevance to the Finland of today.ScubaGirl wrote:
The biggest negative: I'd have to agree with some of the others here that Finns have HORRIBLE manners, and not only at the dinner table, but in almost any situation where good manners would normally be applied where I come from. Then again, I always have to remind myself that you're a product of your environment and had I been raised here, I'd probably be the same way without even realizing that my behavior was so-called, "rude" in the eyes of people who were raised in countries where good manners were instilled into are brains from the time we were toddlers..
It could be that Finns want social interaction to work with the same efficiency as the famed public transport. The most efficient path from A to B with minimal number of steps required from the users.
Well, there definitely are polite forms, and they are used, although there is no good equivalent for "please".vincebel wrote:After a few explanations on a most polite way to ask yhis, this guy explained me that there is no word for "please" in finnish and there is a few polite forms in the finnish language.
1/ -s
2/ -isi-
3/ -tte Te or the opposite, i.e. "relaxed" grammar
But none of these ways are easily transferable to English.
To German, for instance, it's a lot easier. There is both Sie and Konjunktiv.
Having been introduced to Finnish peculiarities gradually during a long time of almost 20 years, there are very few things that I honestly could say have been a "shock".
To the positive I must say, however, that the first time I saw the selection of products and brands in ordinary supermarkets, I was very much surprised. I had expected a lot narrower choice.
I was also greatly surprised when I saw recently-built districts of, for instance, Helsinki that my hosts characterized as uglier than ugliest. They are, to my eye, neat and clean and above all they do all have close access to real nature, like remains of forest and cliffs and water and so on. Yes, I agree that the buildings themselves maybe sometimes are really ugly, but what counts is the view from the window and what you experience when walking thereabout, isn't it?
To the negative, I am slightly shocked by how aggressive people's body language and speech appear to me in the city, particularly in the streets at night.
To the positive I must say, however, that the first time I saw the selection of products and brands in ordinary supermarkets, I was very much surprised. I had expected a lot narrower choice.
I was also greatly surprised when I saw recently-built districts of, for instance, Helsinki that my hosts characterized as uglier than ugliest. They are, to my eye, neat and clean and above all they do all have close access to real nature, like remains of forest and cliffs and water and so on. Yes, I agree that the buildings themselves maybe sometimes are really ugly, but what counts is the view from the window and what you experience when walking thereabout, isn't it?
To the negative, I am slightly shocked by how aggressive people's body language and speech appear to me in the city, particularly in the streets at night.
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Karhunkoski
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Positive - access to nature and the respect with which people treat the facilities placed there by the local authorities:
Today we did a pair of 10s km out in the forests, stopping at one kota for lunch. As usual, the previous trekker had left dry birch bark for the next visitor and a few small sticks to make the fire. A coffee pot hung from the wall, along with a few spare plastic cups. There was even half a roll of Lambi, in case someone needed the loo! I sometimes wonder how such facilities would be treated in the UK....definitely not with the respect they receive in Finland.
Negative:
The amount of rotting cars we saw sat in peoples' gardens. These were accompanied by a variety of old washing machines, fridges, freezers, assorted pieces of rusting metal, plastic sheeting, etc. Anyone who drives through the countryside from Norway, through Sweden to Finland will know the contrast.
Today we did a pair of 10s km out in the forests, stopping at one kota for lunch. As usual, the previous trekker had left dry birch bark for the next visitor and a few small sticks to make the fire. A coffee pot hung from the wall, along with a few spare plastic cups. There was even half a roll of Lambi, in case someone needed the loo! I sometimes wonder how such facilities would be treated in the UK....definitely not with the respect they receive in Finland.
Negative:
The amount of rotting cars we saw sat in peoples' gardens. These were accompanied by a variety of old washing machines, fridges, freezers, assorted pieces of rusting metal, plastic sheeting, etc. Anyone who drives through the countryside from Norway, through Sweden to Finland will know the contrast.
Political correctness is the belief that it's possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
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littlefrank
- Posts: 3584
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'I sometimes wonder how such facilities would be treated in the UK'
Depends where you are, this mountain hut or bothy on the Pennine Way is well maintained and usually has some packet soup etc that other walkers have left.
Depends where they are in relation to 'civilisation'.
Must say I am impressed with facilities on walks in Finland, fire spaces, cut logs etc. Did part of the UKK route first time I came to Finland, great.
Depends where you are, this mountain hut or bothy on the Pennine Way is well maintained and usually has some packet soup etc that other walkers have left.
Depends where they are in relation to 'civilisation'.
Must say I am impressed with facilities on walks in Finland, fire spaces, cut logs etc. Did part of the UKK route first time I came to Finland, great.
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
- Popular Mechanics, 1949
- Popular Mechanics, 1949
olofsson wrote:Well, there definitely are polite forms, and they are used, although there is no good equivalent for "please".vincebel wrote:After a few explanations on a most polite way to ask yhis, this guy explained me that there is no word for "please" in finnish and there is a few polite forms in the finnish language.
1/ -s
2/ -isi-
3/ -tte Te or the opposite, i.e. "relaxed" grammar
So...Does that mean Suomen Poliisi are polite ?
Maybe cities/läänit in Finland should have a "Municipal Law Enforcement Division" consisting of officers to enforce laws regarding dumping and property upkeep like in Canada, Germany, Netherlands, and the Estonian Cities of Parnu and Tallinna...Karhunkoski wrote:
Negative:
The amount of rotting cars we saw sat in peoples' gardens. These were accompanied by a variety of old washing machines, fridges, freezers, assorted pieces of rusting metal, plastic sheeting, etc. Anyone who drives through the countryside from Norway, through Sweden to Finland will know the contrast.
Last edited by Munlaw on Sun Dec 09, 2007 7:56 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: what is you biggest culture shock? positive and negative
Karhunkoski wrote:Yes this is quite common, but you can soon get used to it (just remember to remember your manners next time you return to home). Finns often lack manners and some other social skills, but on the whole they are good, honest people and in my experience, much more reliable and loyal to their friends that some poncy foreigner with all the airs and graces....vincebel wrote: For the negative one. Its the fact that once people have finished eating they leave the table straight without waiting that other people have finished. OR they start their meal without waiting that everybody is sit or served. Quite not very social. (Maybe its the way ive been raised which is against this way of eating)
I don't think they lack manners. It seems like what is considered as "manners" vary from one culture to another, one country to another, so I would say that when you notice something that is different from what you're used to, just ask. You'll get a staright answer from the Finns and you will then understand. Then, you should accept the difference instead of trying to change it, complain or critize it. Accepting and learning about cultural differences broaden the mind and make us better citizens of the world in an already globalized culture. That's the culture, we foreigners, we're living in by the way.
I completely agree with what you say here --> "they are good, honest people and in my experience, much more reliable and loyal to their friends that some poncy foreigner with all the airs and graces...."
That's also my experience. For someone who appreciates honesty, reliability and loyalty the Finns are exquisite and rare black pearls in the sea of friendship.
-Susan
_________________
I agree with everything you have said. And well, the laundry thing is not that negative, isn't it? I mean, it's not a serious matter.catfish78 wrote:When I read the book "Culture Shock! Finland" I actually got a little apprehensive about us moving here. When we got here I was pleasantly surprised that things were not identical to the book. We have only been here for a little over 4 months but this is what I have found so far.
Positives:
The country is beautiful. I love the outdoors.
My Finnish is pretty much nonexistent but when I pull out my little dictionary people don't seem to get impatient with me and help me. People that have bumped into me and have been very polite and said excuse me. I have even had someone pick up my little ones hat when in fell out of the stroller and returned it to me. From the book I didn't think any of these things would happen. And Finns do make eye contact as you pass in walking.
I have never encountered poor table manners here. I think that is an individual thing not a culture thing. Nor have I been witness to the binge drinking (I have to get our more).
Negatives:
It takes 3 hours to wash one small load of laundry!!!!!!!
As far as actual culture related "quirks" I really can't complain. I was a military brat so I grew up all over and learned that everyone is different, every location is different and to accept people for who they are, not what I think they should be. I get used to new places very quickly and try not to see things as negative but new.
I was not a military brat but I do think in the same way.
-Susan
I almost forget to say that Finns not only make eye contact but they also smile at you in many, many situations in the street, shops, public transport, etc. They're always nice to strangers. They are patient with foreigners when the foreigner is holding a map, asking for directions, asking for something stupid or trying to articulate three words in Finnish.
Go to other places in the world, which I don't feel like mentioning at the moment, and you'll see that this Finnish attitude is not common everywhere else. You wish you could find it everywhere, though.
I really appreciate the good Finnish attitude.
-Susan
Go to other places in the world, which I don't feel like mentioning at the moment, and you'll see that this Finnish attitude is not common everywhere else. You wish you could find it everywhere, though.
I really appreciate the good Finnish attitude.
-Susan
WOW! You and I are apparently living in two entirely different Finlands. I like the sound of yours. Mind pointing out the way?Susan wrote:I almost forget to say that Finns not only make eye contact but they also smile at you in many, many situations in the street, shops, public transport, etc. They're always nice to strangers.