Finland doesn't do small talk - sounds like an Apsie paradise

[tlc]

In college I roomed with a guy from Finland. We ended up together because we both didn't get along with the typical loud party folks in the dorms.

Michigan's upper peninsula has the highest concentration of Finnish folks outside of Europe. Maybe that's one reason I like going up there so much. It's desolate, quiet, and many people speak straightforward and in few words.

 

[Aeolienne]

If it's any consolation, there are a few areas of Finland where the main language spoken is Swedish. This is easier to learn as it's closer to English. Note that I said "easier", not "easy"; I for one found it a lot harder to understand spoken Swedish than to read it.

Cf: How to be Finnish in Swedish

 

[NecroCurator]

Lol. It's weird reading an entire thread on "myself".

Yeah, the stereotype is somewhat true in my experience, but maybe not in the way portrayed here. It's not that finns don't talk (to my oppinion they can be even a bit too clingy). It's that unlike elsewhere, it's considered polite to leave strangers have their private space and private thoughts. Interrupting someone's thoughts by idle chatter is considered rude. But if you see a friend, a coworker or someone else you know, the regular human rules apply. As an autistic-to-be-diagnosed-maybe, it's certainly nice to have your busride for yourself, but it doesn't really save anyone from the normal problems of social life.

Also, there is much more variation today. Especially in Helsinki. Alot of people are aware that silence can be uncomfortable for foreigners, so they develop some basic small-talk skills just in the name of politeness.

Just saying.

 

[hiraeth]

Some of the most amazing experiences in my life of early-stage interpersonal acquaintance have been with Finnish people.

Finland has a really special place in my heart and likely always will. <3

 

[Aeolienne]

This other thread may be of interest:
Finland is offering free trips to people in need of happiness lessons

 

[Fridgemagnetman]

because I don't know Finnish and would have to learn the language to understand anybody.

Are you kidding?

The best part of being abroad is not being able to understand anything anybody says.