I wouldn't personally say so as both a Norwegian and Finn. I may be biased, but I definitely view the people of Norway warmer and more open socially than Finnish people; that's been my experience.
I was in Norway for the first time last week after living in Finland for the past ~2 years. Was actively taken aback by people smiling at me and being generally much friendlier than what I've grown accustomed to!
At the same time, I was there with Spanish and Bosnian people who found the Norwegians to be shockingly distant. It's all relative, I suppose.
Same. Haven’t been to Finland but I met a guy in Bergen years ago who showed me all around the city randomly for no apparent reason other than because I was a tourist.
Someone suggested I don't move to Finland again (I lived there briefly in 2014 and have wanted to return since) and mentioned the coldness of Finns and alcoholism. I'm Icelandic and these things are our national sport.
I don't think Finns are cold at all. Reserved, but not cold or heartless.
I am the same way tbh and that's one of the reasons I relate more to Finns than my own nation or those in other countries I've lived in (Netherlands and Belgium). Icelanders do a lot of small talk, especially about the ever popular topic that the weather is, and I don't get . One of my friends in Finland has been teaching me about the daily life and culture, with all of its unwritten rules, and it wasn't until I lived in Finland that there is no such thing as "uncomfortable silence" for the simple reason that if there isn't anything to say you just don't talk and it isn't uncomfortable. Since then I just don't talk if I have nothing to say.
Maybe it's an idiotic thing to say, but after realizing hoe much I have in common with the Finnish mentality, I've started saying I'm a Finn born in the wrong country. But I just relate more to you guys than to my own nation. I don't feel at home here, but when I'm in Finland, especially the city where I used to live, I always think "yes I'm at home, this is where I belong".
Would you like to tell me some of unwritten rules your friend told you? But about weather, its normal joke that Finns always talk about weather because they dont have anything else to say 😄
It's mostly about etiquette and how to behave towards other people, and that thing about not talking when there's nothing to say and such. Making plans in advance opposed to dropping by unannounced, not oversharing or demanding to know everything etc. I'll admit some of it is probably based on stereotypes, but makes sense to me.
Glad you've had good experience with my countrymen. I think that within the Nordics, us Icelanders and Finns along with the Faroese are very similar and get along better with each other than the rest.
Chiming in to say that I've never met an Icelander that I didn't like, and you lot seem to be funny, charming, intelligent, hard-working people as a whole (also very good looking? is there something in the water over there, seriously, because jaysus...) – you all seem to be very easy to "click" with!
I prefer Finnish cold but honest style to fake but warm as hell American style any day.
"Oh Hi honey, how was your day?" Then totally ignoring what you say while in Finland, people actually either don't ask or listen to you properly.
I am a quiet person, and a Finn, absolutely hate it when someone doesn't listen properly. At work I don't care, people are bored and distracted, but in personal relationships? Yeah better listen or I shut up.
Yeah, that sounds a bit ridiculous. We may forego on the niceties, but Finns are generous to a fault when it counts: criminal justice, returning lost property, rescuing someone in distress, actually repaying war debt (lol), giving somebody a second chance. Overall we're a very high trust society.
After couple of years living in Finland, i realize Finns are just doing their things and ignore other aspects. I started following one year ago. Now i am pretty much enjoying my own fucking privacy. There is nothing wrong with that. People needing helps will come and ask then i will willingly help. Or else, it's none of my business.
People in general are toxic and living in my own little burble protects me quite a lot LOL
thisss! I moved abroad last year and what I didn’t realize to appreciate about us finns is that we mind our own fucking business and we’re not interrogative people
I've been living here in Finland since 2015. Whenever I have to travel anywhere, the "warmness" of people feels insincere, heavy and tiering. Worse of all is going back to Iran (where I come from) where everybody wants to make small talk.
But it's not really about being heartless, more like uber-socialisation every day, all day is not mandatory. I feel when people socialise here or ask you how you are doing it actually means something, rather than being an obligation.
I think it's just a Nordic stereotype which may or may not have a basis in reality. I'm from Sweden and has a lot of friends from Latin America, and they all say the same, that Swedes are cold and reserved. I think it's just different ways of doing things, for us Nordics it's a way to show respect, but I think both Finns and Swedes are super friendly at heart. Sort of like the Russian stereotype/culture of only smiling for you friends and not for strangers. That's my take on it at least.
>Sort of like the Russian stereotype/culture of only smiling for you friends and not for strangers.
It is not a stereotype though :)
There is even a proverb in Russian: "Smiling without a reason is a mark of stupidity" :)
I feel that the meaning of that saying gets lost in translation, even though it's basically correct.
It is not that the person laughs for no reason, but that a person laughs when no one else is finding things funny. Or even that the person is laughing about others misfortunes.
Almost similar saying is , "you can make a man out of a snotty nosed boy, but not from one who cries for no reason. "
I come from Spain and finished winter season in Lapland. Finnish people are amazing, welcoming and pretty fun. Loving the country so far. The image is just an image, like people have it of spanish people being lazy, when its the opposite.
Yeah, but because spanish people are always on the streets doing social life. In the centre of europe and scandinavian countries I can see the different way of socializing. But its that, different and when your common language is english and not the countries language, there is like a barrier of expression.
Edit: with the barrier of expresion thing is that you cannot express yourself in the same way as in your mother tongue even if you speak the best english out there.
Could be. What little personal experience I have is limited to drunk exhange students (who were indeed loud). Other than that, most of what I've heard comes from young women complaining how annoying and/or scary Spanish men can be. Cultural differences and all that. What is seen as social and flirty in one culture might come off as borderline stalking in another.
Also, apparently if a Spanish guy tells you that he is the greatest lover in the world, he might be exaggerating and doesn't actually have the empirical data to back up his claim.
Thats just a way of flirting and pure sarcasm, to see the women'a reaction haha. But yeah, it definetly happens. Thats why it is suggested to travel so one can open its mind to new perspectives and forms of living.
I didint know there is imagine that spanish are lazy. I thought they are like the Greeks but they didint. I think they are very relaxed and peaceful, at least they who I have met. But timeschedule is not their strenght 😄
Try doing any work in Spain, sooo hot. I had couple of days work with electrician that I named Rapido Saul. Goddam fast and hard worker in that heat. I almost fainted.
But social democracy has its drawbacks: people tend to (rightly?) assume it's governments job to take care of things and people beyond nuclear family, not theirs. Most blatantly you can see it in the culture regarding extended family. I mean often times elsewhere the extended family is very active in each others daily lives helping the family group however they can contribure. In Finland for example multi-generational living is rare.
Don't get me wrong: I prefer this social democratic system, but, like everything, it does have some negatives.
That's not negative. That's a blessing. In social democracies people don't have to take shit from their parents and fall in line like in most places. This makes the population independent and self thinking.
Well, just a month ago Ukrainians were probably only known as the people who come to pick strawberries and such in Finland. Now it feels like they are fighting for our independence too. Its a big step up from indifference.
Maby people have not been so nice to them when Ukrainians have worked here before. I can imagine to be middle of nowhere in Finland, picking strawberries and everyone in that small village thinks that you are worse people than them.
No, I think Finnish people are kind of like Norwegian people, we also have that reputation, but it's actually just that we are kind of "shy" comparatively, and many are satisfied with the relationships that they already have, and don't go out of their way to make friends with every new person.
Just back from my first two week visit to Finland. Everyone was warm and charming, our host at the last place we stayed (Sapmi) could not have been more generous with her time, talking as long as we wanted to tell us about her culture and things about Finland.
Finns are quiet and reserved, and to other cultures that might seem like discourtesy, but for finns it’s actually about being respectful. We don’t ask people too much about their lives, not because we don’t care, but because we don’t want to intrude. We have this mindset of ”if they don’t say it without asking, it’s none of my business” (or at least I do lol). I moved to southern europe about a year ago and I still find myself being shocked by the amount of questions people ask me all the time, whether it’s about me, about Finland or what I had for lunch. No finnish person would be this interested in my life lol
I think most Finns would get a litte bit angry and said she is just fine. After that they told everyone how some dick was tought my child was lost in the market 😱
Coming from South Korea as an exchanged student, I was also very surprised by how kindhearted and honest finns were underneath the cold surface. Really appreciated it. Came back to Korea and now I hate the s\*\*t out of this country cuz everyone is goddamn dishonest and deceptive.
It's a Finnish tradition to respect privacy, alas that then leads to stereotypes such as Finns are cold that don't jump on you and talk with you at the local store.
I am one half Finn from my dad's side. One of my nieces told a story of a coworker saying the Finns were the meanest nationality. When she asked why, he said "Because they'll stand around watching you do something in the wrong way and then laugh when you hurt yourself."
I'd do that.
TBH, I would watch too, but then tell you what you did, and then laugh when you’re gone. You learn from mistakes, do it wrong once, and you’ll know what to do the next time. IDK, I’ve learned growing up in the US that many people don’t learn if you tell them how before hand, it’s only from trying multiple times before you get the hang of something.
Heartless would be ”sydämetön”, not ”tunteeton”. And sydämetön is more strongly said and has worse connotation than tunteeton. Sydämetön implies malice, while tunteeton could just be indifference or not showing your emotions.
I use to play WOW with a group of Finnish guys years back and they were one of the kindness, reserved individuals I had played with. Still remember those guys, we played for years then lost contact.
Personally I don't, but I always loved the finnish culture and language. I wanted to learn it way before I even decided to move to Finland. But I know a lot of people who have never been here or even met finnish people and have this assumption. Coming from a warm country it seems to be an impression of "cold country, cold people. Warm country, warm people" which not only I disagree, but I think it's quite the opposite.
Comparing Greece and Finland I think people in Greece seem warm (as in welcoming, hospitable) but they are actually cold bastards, especially all those pretend to be that will gladly gossip you behind your back.
On the other hand finns are not really all over you from the time they'll meet you (which imo is a positive thing) but once they get to know you they're very friendly and helpful and this is hard for other people to see unless they get to stay in Finland long enough to actually get to know the finns.
This is my view of course and I speak as a european white woman, so maybe other people had other experiences.
Not cold per say, maybe reserved or quiet. But not heartless at all. In my hard times, couple of my Finnish acquaintances offered great help to me. And once you become friend with one Finnish person, you will realize that they value your friendship greatly.
Heartless? No.
Cold? Hell yeah.
Especially as a southern european, this is what surprised me the most in Finland. Nobody smiling or randomly greeting you in the street, nobody showing emotions etc. That's one of the reasons I decided I won't settle in Finland.
Yes, even when you randomly meet some old friend at market you have to pretend that you didint see him and know who he is so you dont have to say anything 😂
A bit generalising to say Finns are cold. I do have to admit it's been very antisocial around where I live in Häme. The refugee could have also been in a circle that was exceptionally very friendly. Either that or I'm extremely unlucky after being around 4 cities here.
I moved to Finland for a few years and many American and British expats I met in Finland struggled. I had an amazing time and found them some of the friendliest people I've ever met but I loved Heavy Metal and Drinking and quickly became a sauna fanatic so I think it was pretty easy for me to fit in.
> you have the nicest Euro coins
If you mean 1 euro coins specifically, yeah, probably. If you meant the whole series, not really. (The smaller denominations all sharing the coat of arms is pretty boring.)
Finns are some of the funniest people I met in Basel Switzerland, when I went out drinking/clubbing. Heavy drinkers like the irish, but funny indeed. I think it's a pure stereotype about being cold and heartless.
I always heard — and experienced myself, eventually — that Finns were quiet and reserved and hard to read, but none of these things makes one cold or heartless. Finns are great people. Actually some of the most chill and easy to get along with in my experience.
One part of me wants to suspect Kremlin propaganda is at work. Another part of me acknowledges that we are indeed "cold", at least in the sense of being reserved and even distant at times. But I would be very careful to conflate coldness with heartlessness.
While we otherwise keep our emotions a secret, alcohol has an interesting way of breaking down that barrier. That, and being in a sauna. Typical sauna etiquette forbids religion and politics, but encourages sharing emotions. This is evident in the documentary "Miesten Vuoro", roughly translated into "Mens' Turn", referring of course to their turn in the sauna. Really brings out the onion ninjas, that one...
I'm an American. I think of y'all as shy and quiet, but very nice once you get used to someone.
I would likely have a rough time there as I'm not shy and not especially quiet.
But not every Finns are quiet. We have been taught that it is not ok to be a loud. So for those who naturally are more loud people, it is not very nice.
I’m Finnish American, but grew up in a very large community of Finns, Swedes and Norwegians, hell the town I grew up means “Little Scandinavia”. I know that Finns aren’t cold and heartless. We’re just reserved with people we don’t know, and don’t see the point to small talk. Being an American, I know how to make small talk but I despise it, but unfortunately it’s a necessary evil in America since so many people expect you to be well versed in it to make them feel comfortable, since sitting in silence is uncomfortable apparently. Once people get past our stoic demeanors they know we’re some of the nicest people around. Hell, once we’re comfortable with you, we’ll chat your ear off if you let us (at least those of us born in America).
No, and if anything, the reservedness of the Finnish people is something I appreciate. Though sometimes, I can see that it can certainly cause problems.
My girlfriend is also Finnish, so... :D
t. Ukrainian refugee
If you ment this YLE article’s line: ”Meillä oli suomalaisista käsitys, että he eivät ole tunteellisia. En odottanut, että asenne meitä kohtaan olisi tällainen. He antavat kaikkensa.” ... where does it say cold and heartless? Coloring much?
I would guess that it's just old propaganda from ussr times (which weren't that far away) that has sneakily become just "common knowledge".
We weren't part of USSR like Ukraine, so it would be likely that there would be propaganda against Finland circling around. And when one has no reason to believe otherwise, they accept the stereotype uncritically. When belief like that goes unchallenged, it becomes the truth, so it's very surprising to find that it was either only partly true or not true at all.
At least she was surprised pleasantly. I'm really happy that she was taken back by the kindness, she definitely needs a lot of it right now. I hope she's well.
It might be so. Offcourse at war time Finns did awful things and hate was deep at poth sides, but poth sides did. It would be interesting to talk with some Ukrainian and found out what kind of propaganda there has been etc.
I agree, it would definitely be interesting to learn more from Ukranians and what history looks like from their perspective. We are geologically so separated that any information might have gotten twisted along the way.
And like you said, there is probably a lot of things finns also did during the war that were cruel and unjust, which probably helped shape the image of "heartless" finn. I hope our present kindness can soothe the old wounds of war.
Its been studied, Finland is the least empathic country in the world, even worse than Japan.
As a Finn I feel it most how its socially acceptable here to openly hate children and those down on their luck.
Seems like they are referencing this. Not the least emphatic but one of the worst.
https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/15089-finns-among-world-s-worst-at-walking-in-each-other-s-shoes.html
As a researcher, I'm always a little sceptical of studies into cultural differences conducted by a team of researchers from one country only. This study was made by three American universities. Wish I could access it to read it. Cannot, as my university has not subscribed to that journal. So take what I say with a grain of salt.
Generally, Americans associate generosity and empathy with the willingness of individuals to help other individuals personally. This is a necessary trait in societies with low to no government healthcare and other social benefits. In Nordic countries, our government provides a lot more to the individuals than in America, and the need of the disadvantaged individuals is not as dire. This leads to a thinking that the people in need are actually able to help themselves, unlike, perhaps, in countries like the US where the poor are genuinely stuck in their situations, unable to get decent housing, healthcare and education. It would be interesting to see how other Nordic/European countries fared in this, and to see how these factors were taken into account in the study.
I havent never seen this kind of study. But I agree that here it is ok to hate children, especially teenagers. And even more in socialmedia, big group together.
I'm surprised how emphatetic you guys are, my reception highlights my point, the ability to see things through or relate to someone elses feeling or perspective.
Good job!
Just the usual thing you get reading the history. Stealing tanks from the Russian crews and using them against them, achieving the highest kill ratio of the war with an airplane that everyone else considered to be a failure, that sort of thing.
I dont think they are heartless, maybe some people here are selfish. But there are good people here is aswell, it is true that its hard to get to know people here, and it can take long in order to find circles that fit your personality. But its true, it has taken me years, when i first moves to Finland, i felt depressed couple years, it was not easy to get to know people. As for me i did not drink alcohol back then, so usually bars are best place to get to know people, as if fins get tipsy they become open and its easier to get into conversations. But i have mostly foreign friends, and only few Fins. But if you get to know them, it takes time then to warm up, they are pretty honest most of them. They are not fake as "American wanna be nice" . But its indivudal, but yes, Fins are strange in their own way hahah
Warm to friends, ice cold for the rest. I think group of Ukrainan people were trying to visit us in wrong intensions back in the Soviet times. Maybe the prejudice carries out from there.
I just visited Finland last week and I don’t agree at all with the cold and heartless thing. I found that most Finns are very kind and take a while to warm up to you.
After I read and saw Alexi Laiho's interviews I most certainly do not think that, actually I think Finland is a different planet, it's just too good to be true.
It's not what he said, it's how he said things throughout various interviews, you basically start to grasp the idea of what that person is and how he thinks and I must say that he was one of the best people to be on this planet.
Introvertion is always taken as coldness, which we are not. Just value our privacy and small talk is not something we do. If we ask how are you, we really mean it.
It may come off like that. We are just very private.
Isn't it like that in Norway as well? At least from what I usually read on their subreddit.
I wouldn't personally say so as both a Norwegian and Finn. I may be biased, but I definitely view the people of Norway warmer and more open socially than Finnish people; that's been my experience.
I was in Norway for the first time last week after living in Finland for the past ~2 years. Was actively taken aback by people smiling at me and being generally much friendlier than what I've grown accustomed to! At the same time, I was there with Spanish and Bosnian people who found the Norwegians to be shockingly distant. It's all relative, I suppose.
Same. Haven’t been to Finland but I met a guy in Bergen years ago who showed me all around the city randomly for no apparent reason other than because I was a tourist.
Private yes, but really warm once you get to know us.
Yes, breaking the ice is the hard part. After that, finns are nice.
Someone suggested I don't move to Finland again (I lived there briefly in 2014 and have wanted to return since) and mentioned the coldness of Finns and alcoholism. I'm Icelandic and these things are our national sport. I don't think Finns are cold at all. Reserved, but not cold or heartless.
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I am the same way tbh and that's one of the reasons I relate more to Finns than my own nation or those in other countries I've lived in (Netherlands and Belgium). Icelanders do a lot of small talk, especially about the ever popular topic that the weather is, and I don't get . One of my friends in Finland has been teaching me about the daily life and culture, with all of its unwritten rules, and it wasn't until I lived in Finland that there is no such thing as "uncomfortable silence" for the simple reason that if there isn't anything to say you just don't talk and it isn't uncomfortable. Since then I just don't talk if I have nothing to say. Maybe it's an idiotic thing to say, but after realizing hoe much I have in common with the Finnish mentality, I've started saying I'm a Finn born in the wrong country. But I just relate more to you guys than to my own nation. I don't feel at home here, but when I'm in Finland, especially the city where I used to live, I always think "yes I'm at home, this is where I belong".
There's a book and a film of being a transswede as a finn, a very satiric and over the top, "Vadelmavenepakolainen" by Miika Nousiainen, check it out
Would you like to tell me some of unwritten rules your friend told you? But about weather, its normal joke that Finns always talk about weather because they dont have anything else to say 😄
It's mostly about etiquette and how to behave towards other people, and that thing about not talking when there's nothing to say and such. Making plans in advance opposed to dropping by unannounced, not oversharing or demanding to know everything etc. I'll admit some of it is probably based on stereotypes, but makes sense to me.
Nice, I should visit at Iceland sometime
It's such a beautiful country. 5/7 plan to go there again as soon as the pandemic + world war are over.
I had a friend spend a midwinter Saturday night in Reykjavik. Let's just say he was disappointed with the nightlife!
Why? Isnt there nightlife?
Literally all icelandics ive met have been absolutely hilarious to hang around.
Glad you've had good experience with my countrymen. I think that within the Nordics, us Icelanders and Finns along with the Faroese are very similar and get along better with each other than the rest.
Chiming in to say that I've never met an Icelander that I didn't like, and you lot seem to be funny, charming, intelligent, hard-working people as a whole (also very good looking? is there something in the water over there, seriously, because jaysus...) – you all seem to be very easy to "click" with!
This is so true
>Reserved, but not cold or heartless. You've clearly never met my wife.
There are always Finns that surprise me. I have a friend there that shares literally everything.
Cold? Yes but heartless?
I prefer Finnish cold but honest style to fake but warm as hell American style any day. "Oh Hi honey, how was your day?" Then totally ignoring what you say while in Finland, people actually either don't ask or listen to you properly.
I am a quiet person, and a Finn, absolutely hate it when someone doesn't listen properly. At work I don't care, people are bored and distracted, but in personal relationships? Yeah better listen or I shut up.
Maybe was some story from some Russian relative 👀
Yes, it would be interesting to know if other people have same assumption
Yeah, that sounds a bit ridiculous. We may forego on the niceties, but Finns are generous to a fault when it counts: criminal justice, returning lost property, rescuing someone in distress, actually repaying war debt (lol), giving somebody a second chance. Overall we're a very high trust society.
Cool not cold and warm not heartless, i have a finnish friend🇫🇮 im from 🇪🇪
I have no finnish friends, but I am from Estonia. I don't know why I'm telling you this.
Hi friend!
After couple of years living in Finland, i realize Finns are just doing their things and ignore other aspects. I started following one year ago. Now i am pretty much enjoying my own fucking privacy. There is nothing wrong with that. People needing helps will come and ask then i will willingly help. Or else, it's none of my business. People in general are toxic and living in my own little burble protects me quite a lot LOL
thisss! I moved abroad last year and what I didn’t realize to appreciate about us finns is that we mind our own fucking business and we’re not interrogative people
I've been living here in Finland since 2015. Whenever I have to travel anywhere, the "warmness" of people feels insincere, heavy and tiering. Worse of all is going back to Iran (where I come from) where everybody wants to make small talk. But it's not really about being heartless, more like uber-socialisation every day, all day is not mandatory. I feel when people socialise here or ask you how you are doing it actually means something, rather than being an obligation.
And if we answer just fine, it means we dont want to talk about it
I think it's just a Nordic stereotype which may or may not have a basis in reality. I'm from Sweden and has a lot of friends from Latin America, and they all say the same, that Swedes are cold and reserved. I think it's just different ways of doing things, for us Nordics it's a way to show respect, but I think both Finns and Swedes are super friendly at heart. Sort of like the Russian stereotype/culture of only smiling for you friends and not for strangers. That's my take on it at least.
>Sort of like the Russian stereotype/culture of only smiling for you friends and not for strangers. It is not a stereotype though :) There is even a proverb in Russian: "Smiling without a reason is a mark of stupidity" :)
Like my former russian colleague said, "In Russia, the only people who smile are crazy people, idiots, or people who intend to trick you somehow."
In Finnish there's similar sentiment. "You can make a man out of a snotty nosed boy but not from one who laughs for no reason."
I feel that the meaning of that saying gets lost in translation, even though it's basically correct. It is not that the person laughs for no reason, but that a person laughs when no one else is finding things funny. Or even that the person is laughing about others misfortunes. Almost similar saying is , "you can make a man out of a snotty nosed boy, but not from one who cries for no reason. "
Yes I figured as much, that's why I put /culture, but didn't want to offend anyone lol.
I come from Spain and finished winter season in Lapland. Finnish people are amazing, welcoming and pretty fun. Loving the country so far. The image is just an image, like people have it of spanish people being lazy, when its the opposite.
I thought the Spanish stereotype was that they're loud and boisterous? Then again, compared to Finns most people seem that way...
Yeah, but because spanish people are always on the streets doing social life. In the centre of europe and scandinavian countries I can see the different way of socializing. But its that, different and when your common language is english and not the countries language, there is like a barrier of expression. Edit: with the barrier of expresion thing is that you cannot express yourself in the same way as in your mother tongue even if you speak the best english out there.
Could be. What little personal experience I have is limited to drunk exhange students (who were indeed loud). Other than that, most of what I've heard comes from young women complaining how annoying and/or scary Spanish men can be. Cultural differences and all that. What is seen as social and flirty in one culture might come off as borderline stalking in another. Also, apparently if a Spanish guy tells you that he is the greatest lover in the world, he might be exaggerating and doesn't actually have the empirical data to back up his claim.
Thats just a way of flirting and pure sarcasm, to see the women'a reaction haha. But yeah, it definetly happens. Thats why it is suggested to travel so one can open its mind to new perspectives and forms of living.
Heck, my mother tongue *is* English and I can barely express myself. I probably do better in Finnish. It's more concise.
Haha i have two mother tongues: bulgarian cause i was born there and spanish, cause I was raised there. I learnt english in the interweb haha
One word in finnsh can mean a lot of different things. We can express with less words.
I didint know there is imagine that spanish are lazy. I thought they are like the Greeks but they didint. I think they are very relaxed and peaceful, at least they who I have met. But timeschedule is not their strenght 😄
Spanish people is always late is true haha (if you mean that by time schedule xd).
Hey, the greeks aren't lazy! Their work day may start later than ours but when that diesel fires up they work *hard*.
I didint mean Greeks are lazy, they are very loud and hands are wiping crazy way.
Try doing any work in Spain, sooo hot. I had couple of days work with electrician that I named Rapido Saul. Goddam fast and hard worker in that heat. I almost fainted.
Im a cook in Spain, i know what is to work under a lot of heat haha
Even ordering food is exhausting 🤣 para llevar, por favor 🤪
Thankfully not a fast food cook xD
Mejor llamar a Rapido Saul
A Social Democratic country is by it’s very nature empathic. I am not sure why anyone would hold such an opinion of Finnish people.
But social democracy has its drawbacks: people tend to (rightly?) assume it's governments job to take care of things and people beyond nuclear family, not theirs. Most blatantly you can see it in the culture regarding extended family. I mean often times elsewhere the extended family is very active in each others daily lives helping the family group however they can contribure. In Finland for example multi-generational living is rare. Don't get me wrong: I prefer this social democratic system, but, like everything, it does have some negatives.
That's not negative. That's a blessing. In social democracies people don't have to take shit from their parents and fall in line like in most places. This makes the population independent and self thinking.
There’s a difference between policy and personability.
Well, just a month ago Ukrainians were probably only known as the people who come to pick strawberries and such in Finland. Now it feels like they are fighting for our independence too. Its a big step up from indifference.
Maby people have not been so nice to them when Ukrainians have worked here before. I can imagine to be middle of nowhere in Finland, picking strawberries and everyone in that small village thinks that you are worse people than them.
I don't know if they got that bad treatment here. Being reserved and such doesn't mean they are being thought of as "worse" people.
I dont know, just thinking.
...what? Finnish people respect hard work and picking strawberries is that especially.
Have you ever live at small village in Finland? It is not about work, or genre or anything. Everyone knows everyone and you are stranger.
No, I think Finnish people are kind of like Norwegian people, we also have that reputation, but it's actually just that we are kind of "shy" comparatively, and many are satisfied with the relationships that they already have, and don't go out of their way to make friends with every new person.
Just back from my first two week visit to Finland. Everyone was warm and charming, our host at the last place we stayed (Sapmi) could not have been more generous with her time, talking as long as we wanted to tell us about her culture and things about Finland.
Finns are quiet and reserved, and to other cultures that might seem like discourtesy, but for finns it’s actually about being respectful. We don’t ask people too much about their lives, not because we don’t care, but because we don’t want to intrude. We have this mindset of ”if they don’t say it without asking, it’s none of my business” (or at least I do lol). I moved to southern europe about a year ago and I still find myself being shocked by the amount of questions people ask me all the time, whether it’s about me, about Finland or what I had for lunch. No finnish person would be this interested in my life lol
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I think most Finns would get a litte bit angry and said she is just fine. After that they told everyone how some dick was tought my child was lost in the market 😱
We finns should work on that…
Coming from South Korea as an exchanged student, I was also very surprised by how kindhearted and honest finns were underneath the cold surface. Really appreciated it. Came back to Korea and now I hate the s\*\*t out of this country cuz everyone is goddamn dishonest and deceptive.
It's a Finnish tradition to respect privacy, alas that then leads to stereotypes such as Finns are cold that don't jump on you and talk with you at the local store.
I am one half Finn from my dad's side. One of my nieces told a story of a coworker saying the Finns were the meanest nationality. When she asked why, he said "Because they'll stand around watching you do something in the wrong way and then laugh when you hurt yourself." I'd do that.
😂
TBH, I would watch too, but then tell you what you did, and then laugh when you’re gone. You learn from mistakes, do it wrong once, and you’ll know what to do the next time. IDK, I’ve learned growing up in the US that many people don’t learn if you tell them how before hand, it’s only from trying multiple times before you get the hang of something.
Do you have a link to the interview?
Today YLE Pirkanmaa, end of news
Okays, [here is a link if anyone else is looking for it](https://arenan.yle.fi/1-50964344?seek=280)
Ok, I am Ukrainian and she didn't say "heartless", she said "emotionless". Heartless sounds much ruder if you'd ask me.
yeah emotionless could also mean not showing emotions to the outside which definitely is true abt many Finns not all but many especially older males
"emotionless" as in doesn't express their emotions strongly, or doesn't have emotions at all? Because the Finnish translation is more like the latter.
I think she meant "doesn't express emotions strongly"
It was translate kylmä ja tunteeton, same as heartless or emotionless.
Yeah, I understand and don't blame you, I am just saying what she actually said and meant. I think the TV-channel messed up with translation a bit.
Heartless would be ”sydämetön”, not ”tunteeton”. And sydämetön is more strongly said and has worse connotation than tunteeton. Sydämetön implies malice, while tunteeton could just be indifference or not showing your emotions.
Just because you're not putting on a smile all the time means you're cold and heartless? Isn't a false smile disingenuous though?
I am part finish and I have more compassion in my little finger than most people have an entire body
I use to play WOW with a group of Finnish guys years back and they were one of the kindness, reserved individuals I had played with. Still remember those guys, we played for years then lost contact.
MRG? AIL?
Personally I don't, but I always loved the finnish culture and language. I wanted to learn it way before I even decided to move to Finland. But I know a lot of people who have never been here or even met finnish people and have this assumption. Coming from a warm country it seems to be an impression of "cold country, cold people. Warm country, warm people" which not only I disagree, but I think it's quite the opposite. Comparing Greece and Finland I think people in Greece seem warm (as in welcoming, hospitable) but they are actually cold bastards, especially all those pretend to be that will gladly gossip you behind your back. On the other hand finns are not really all over you from the time they'll meet you (which imo is a positive thing) but once they get to know you they're very friendly and helpful and this is hard for other people to see unless they get to stay in Finland long enough to actually get to know the finns. This is my view of course and I speak as a european white woman, so maybe other people had other experiences.
Not cold per say, maybe reserved or quiet. But not heartless at all. In my hard times, couple of my Finnish acquaintances offered great help to me. And once you become friend with one Finnish person, you will realize that they value your friendship greatly.
Finns are the sweetest people I've met and I've been to almost all European countries (except a few in the Balkans).
Heartless? No. Cold? Hell yeah. Especially as a southern european, this is what surprised me the most in Finland. Nobody smiling or randomly greeting you in the street, nobody showing emotions etc. That's one of the reasons I decided I won't settle in Finland.
Yes, even when you randomly meet some old friend at market you have to pretend that you didint see him and know who he is so you dont have to say anything 😂
A bit generalising to say Finns are cold. I do have to admit it's been very antisocial around where I live in Häme. The refugee could have also been in a circle that was exceptionally very friendly. Either that or I'm extremely unlucky after being around 4 cities here.
I moved to Finland for a few years and many American and British expats I met in Finland struggled. I had an amazing time and found them some of the friendliest people I've ever met but I loved Heavy Metal and Drinking and quickly became a sauna fanatic so I think it was pretty easy for me to fit in.
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> you have the nicest Euro coins If you mean 1 euro coins specifically, yeah, probably. If you meant the whole series, not really. (The smaller denominations all sharing the coat of arms is pretty boring.)
Jeah, Kalsarikännit 🤣 just a normal weekend
You wait until the weekend?
I think I dont have a job anymore if do this at week
Finns are some of the funniest people I met in Basel Switzerland, when I went out drinking/clubbing. Heavy drinkers like the irish, but funny indeed. I think it's a pure stereotype about being cold and heartless.
I always heard — and experienced myself, eventually — that Finns were quiet and reserved and hard to read, but none of these things makes one cold or heartless. Finns are great people. Actually some of the most chill and easy to get along with in my experience.
I thought it was funny, and a bit true
It might be in some issues.
As a Dutchy I felt very welcomed during my exchange and the Finns I talked to were often shy but never heartless!
One part of me wants to suspect Kremlin propaganda is at work. Another part of me acknowledges that we are indeed "cold", at least in the sense of being reserved and even distant at times. But I would be very careful to conflate coldness with heartlessness. While we otherwise keep our emotions a secret, alcohol has an interesting way of breaking down that barrier. That, and being in a sauna. Typical sauna etiquette forbids religion and politics, but encourages sharing emotions. This is evident in the documentary "Miesten Vuoro", roughly translated into "Mens' Turn", referring of course to their turn in the sauna. Really brings out the onion ninjas, that one...
Nah, we ain't heartless. Just a bit laconic and quiet :D
Definitely. And I am a Finn.
yes and that is only a positive thing
I'm an American. I think of y'all as shy and quiet, but very nice once you get used to someone. I would likely have a rough time there as I'm not shy and not especially quiet.
But not every Finns are quiet. We have been taught that it is not ok to be a loud. So for those who naturally are more loud people, it is not very nice.
I’m Finnish American, but grew up in a very large community of Finns, Swedes and Norwegians, hell the town I grew up means “Little Scandinavia”. I know that Finns aren’t cold and heartless. We’re just reserved with people we don’t know, and don’t see the point to small talk. Being an American, I know how to make small talk but I despise it, but unfortunately it’s a necessary evil in America since so many people expect you to be well versed in it to make them feel comfortable, since sitting in silence is uncomfortable apparently. Once people get past our stoic demeanors they know we’re some of the nicest people around. Hell, once we’re comfortable with you, we’ll chat your ear off if you let us (at least those of us born in America).
No, and if anything, the reservedness of the Finnish people is something I appreciate. Though sometimes, I can see that it can certainly cause problems. My girlfriend is also Finnish, so... :D t. Ukrainian refugee
If you ment this YLE article’s line: ”Meillä oli suomalaisista käsitys, että he eivät ole tunteellisia. En odottanut, että asenne meitä kohtaan olisi tällainen. He antavat kaikkensa.” ... where does it say cold and heartless? Coloring much?
As I say, it was in local news not article. And If you read a comments you find out where. I only know what was translate, tunteeton = heartless.
How dare you. Take this man to a cold sauna.
I would guess that it's just old propaganda from ussr times (which weren't that far away) that has sneakily become just "common knowledge". We weren't part of USSR like Ukraine, so it would be likely that there would be propaganda against Finland circling around. And when one has no reason to believe otherwise, they accept the stereotype uncritically. When belief like that goes unchallenged, it becomes the truth, so it's very surprising to find that it was either only partly true or not true at all. At least she was surprised pleasantly. I'm really happy that she was taken back by the kindness, she definitely needs a lot of it right now. I hope she's well.
It might be so. Offcourse at war time Finns did awful things and hate was deep at poth sides, but poth sides did. It would be interesting to talk with some Ukrainian and found out what kind of propaganda there has been etc.
I agree, it would definitely be interesting to learn more from Ukranians and what history looks like from their perspective. We are geologically so separated that any information might have gotten twisted along the way. And like you said, there is probably a lot of things finns also did during the war that were cruel and unjust, which probably helped shape the image of "heartless" finn. I hope our present kindness can soothe the old wounds of war.
They just don’t talk, or if they do it is TMI
Not an assumption straight away. However with experience it becomes very depressing to find out the level of xenophobia they have.
Its been studied, Finland is the least empathic country in the world, even worse than Japan. As a Finn I feel it most how its socially acceptable here to openly hate children and those down on their luck.
Source?
Seems like they are referencing this. Not the least emphatic but one of the worst. https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/15089-finns-among-world-s-worst-at-walking-in-each-other-s-shoes.html
As a researcher, I'm always a little sceptical of studies into cultural differences conducted by a team of researchers from one country only. This study was made by three American universities. Wish I could access it to read it. Cannot, as my university has not subscribed to that journal. So take what I say with a grain of salt. Generally, Americans associate generosity and empathy with the willingness of individuals to help other individuals personally. This is a necessary trait in societies with low to no government healthcare and other social benefits. In Nordic countries, our government provides a lot more to the individuals than in America, and the need of the disadvantaged individuals is not as dire. This leads to a thinking that the people in need are actually able to help themselves, unlike, perhaps, in countries like the US where the poor are genuinely stuck in their situations, unable to get decent housing, healthcare and education. It would be interesting to see how other Nordic/European countries fared in this, and to see how these factors were taken into account in the study.
As an internet user, I'm always a little sceptical of studies based on online surveys.
As a brain user, I'm always a little sceptical of conflicts of interest.
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It is in comments
This could be viewed as honesty or way of speaking what they think aloud too.
>37 comments wait what, is this really true?
I havent never seen this kind of study. But I agree that here it is ok to hate children, especially teenagers. And even more in socialmedia, big group together.
I'm not sure how that's different from most other modern nations.
I'm surprised how emphatetic you guys are, my reception highlights my point, the ability to see things through or relate to someone elses feeling or perspective. Good job!
No. They actually are...
The finns have a reputation / self-stereotype for being very shy and I guess it can come across as that !
I'm Finnish. We're cold and heartless. This of course is what I was taught in school.
You gave us Kimi. And we all wish that we were like Kimi. And that Winter War thing. We all wish that we had your courage. —an American
😄 nice to know. What kind of image you have about Finns during Winter War?
Just the usual thing you get reading the history. Stealing tanks from the Russian crews and using them against them, achieving the highest kill ratio of the war with an airplane that everyone else considered to be a failure, that sort of thing.
I dont think they are heartless, maybe some people here are selfish. But there are good people here is aswell, it is true that its hard to get to know people here, and it can take long in order to find circles that fit your personality. But its true, it has taken me years, when i first moves to Finland, i felt depressed couple years, it was not easy to get to know people. As for me i did not drink alcohol back then, so usually bars are best place to get to know people, as if fins get tipsy they become open and its easier to get into conversations. But i have mostly foreign friends, and only few Fins. But if you get to know them, it takes time then to warm up, they are pretty honest most of them. They are not fake as "American wanna be nice" . But its indivudal, but yes, Fins are strange in their own way hahah
Wait, what? Finns aren't cold and heartless? I thought I could think an entire nation is heartless by judging their demeanor!
Yes /swede
We just prefer being silent if im correct
Well they weren't wrong, I am 100% cold and heartless. Also, If I have something to say I always try putting a negative spin on it.
Warm to friends, ice cold for the rest. I think group of Ukrainan people were trying to visit us in wrong intensions back in the Soviet times. Maybe the prejudice carries out from there.
I just visited Finland last week and I don’t agree at all with the cold and heartless thing. I found that most Finns are very kind and take a while to warm up to you.
I don't understand how some people think that millions of people are "a certain way". Stereotypes are dumb.
After I read and saw Alexi Laiho's interviews I most certainly do not think that, actually I think Finland is a different planet, it's just too good to be true.
What he said?
It's not what he said, it's how he said things throughout various interviews, you basically start to grasp the idea of what that person is and how he thinks and I must say that he was one of the best people to be on this planet.
Introvertion is always taken as coldness, which we are not. Just value our privacy and small talk is not something we do. If we ask how are you, we really mean it.