Finnish people: stereotypes vs reality
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2020
- We all have stereotypes about other nations. Some of them are true, some of them are not. In this video I’ll tell you about Finns. Of course, it doesn’t refer to all of them because behaviour also depends on personality but for most of them this facts are true.
P.S. all these facts were taken from my experience here and from talking with Finnish people about their habits and lives.
My Instagram: lizzka_02?igshi...
Besides the obvious COVID safety distances, it's not only a personal preference for personal space, but because it's considered respectful to give you personal space too. So it also relates to manners.
Yes, I can agree with you to some extent. When you keep distance with complete strangers, it's a good quality.
Can´t wait this whole COVID nonsense to end. Then we can return to normal 4 meters distance instead of 2 meters.
if you go touching strangers you may get arrested here
I'm half Finnish. My mother's family left there for the U.S. about 1900. What you say about personal space and not talking much is very true. I went to Finland a few years ago to work there for a week. The lack of small talk was relaxing. I also made a lot of Brazilian friends at college in the U.S. When they greet each other, even strangers, they kiss on both cheeks. I felt very uncomfortable about it for a while, but got used to it. Different cultures do different things.
It's an interesting story about your family. Actually, I met loads of people here who are half Finnish and half another culture. Thank you for sharing your experience!
I completely agree with your thought about the culture.
As a brazilian I can say that's true. Like italians we have this thing of kissing cheeks. But some states do it only once, specially in the south where there's more Germans, Dutch, Ukrainians e Russian descents.
We are communicative...enough. Do not feel any pressure about being silent. Talk if you have something to say but don't force it. It will take time to make any Finnish friends but be careful since you might end up stuck with them for life.
If you want to get close to a finn, go to the sauna! :)
Zeke Varg hahah, ok
Finns respect the silence, and value it.
Silence is not a answer for everything. I respect it, but everyone should talk about something with strangers at least once.
Odd comment
I found a pretty good TED Talk about cultural differences by a French-Canadian speaker, Julien S. Bourrelle. He lives in Norway and shares many stories, according to which Norwegians seem to be a lot like us Finns when it comes to interacting with people in social situations. The title of his talk is "How Culture Drives Behaviours". I enjoyed watching it and highly recommend it.
In addition to that, I like a TH-cam channel called Tarronto (Land) by a South African girl called Tarryn Ackermann. She was working in Finland a few years ago and made many videos that contain a lot of humorous observations about her life in this country. Her videos were even mentioned on the Finnish radio.
Micha Bach thank you! I’ll watch this video and this channel.
I'm half Finnish. My great grandparents are from Finland, dad is full blood. I subscribed to your channel. Nice to meet you.
i think finnish people are my spirit animal.
Hey
Satana. Perkele
4:40 About not being able to be in a room with someone else without talking. One of my best friends at the time (not friends anymore, nothing happened, we just grew apart, it happens) used to come visit me. I'd open the door for him, would put coffee on, went to the computer, and he would grab a comic book from my comic book case. Then he would stay for a couple of hours, we'd drink coffee, would go smoke cigarettes etc, but mostly we just did our own thing and didn't even interact with each other. Mostly wordless, although once with coffee/cigarettes, we'd talk loads. I don't think it would've worked if we weren't such good friends, but all in all I miss a friend like that that could just come in, hang out, and leave, and we'd enjoy each others company even if we barely did anything together.
I can understand such a behavior with your friend to some extent. When you're already so close with a person, words or conversations sometimes are not really needed. It's sad that you're not friends anymore and that you miss it. Hope that you're ok and that you'll find a person who will be similar to your former friend. Thank you for sharing your story!
To become a friend of a Finn, you have to invest much more efforts than with other nations - be super friendly and talkative, always make the first step whatever (or there will be silence, always!), offer your help whenever you can, be humorous, etc. But if a Finn becomes your friend one day, the person will be very friendly, quite communicative and caring. Just a real friend should be.
Agree completely with you! I think such an approach to making friends is not really for me, I don't usually put too much effort and time just to become friends. But it's just my thoughts about my personality:) Finns are very very different in this thing.
@@bronza8689 You are a charming girl. I would recommend you to go somewhere out and to try to make friends with guys. But it's still important to be the icebreaker (with guys it's not difficult, and they will value your bravery). Maybe it's easier to make friends with guys than with girls ;)
@@nessyhere ok, will try! Thank you for your honest thoughts!☺️
People do differ; I came to appreciate personal distance here in Finland on instances like not having to be pressed against a neighbor in a small elevator. On the other hand, if you are not all touchy-feely by nature then the habit of cheek-to-cheek hugs (typical of my native country) with distant relatives and workmates can make you cringy - my case exactly.
Completely agree with you!
You might mistake obedience to understanding the reasons for laws and regulations. They might understand what will result from having a broken society, where you can't really trust the legislation to have effect and protect people.
They also could respect them selves by not intentional failing in their own eyes. It is easier to respect your self if you have reason to do so.
Love your personality! I feel like i'm talking to one of my girls c:
Thanks!
I’m half-Finnish and Russian on my mother’s side, and, yeah, the personal space thing is true. I personally like a little distance between others. Well, not all the time. Have fun over there. Hope you have a great Christmas!
Cool! I can agree that sometimes this personal space can be pleasant because, for example, in Russian public transport I would really like to have more private space!😂 but still sometimes it seems strange and awkward to me.
Thanks! Have nice holidays too!
I have a russian friend who gets really close to me when we talk and at the same time i get back as for me as a finn i need my personal space so usually when we finish a conversation we have moved like 20 metres from where we started the conversation from 😅 we manage though and we understand each others cultures enough to laugh about it 😎👌
@@toniniemi6598 haha, I imagine how it's awkward to both of you. But it's great that you understand each other well, can accept it and just laugh. I think it's a great thing!
finland: we like peace, fk around and find out. period.
Thank you for your view ❤️. the situations you said you had to start the conversations every time and you felt pressure about that. I was wondering if you realized that the pressure was put to you only by your own conditioning? But I do get it it is hard to be in some place where people act so differently than in what you have used to. For me I love quiet, only nature sounds, being alone and with my family. I do enjoy meeting people and I love people, but I love in a deeper level than talking or meeting a lot of new people. I appreciate truly the being of a human being but to small talk etc that is not something I’ve used to so for me it is not necessary and mostly not even desired.
But I do so much get it that this must be a harsh place to be for someone not used to our way of being. Just like it sometimes is very draining to travel places where people are talking so much. I’m glad this earth gives many types of expressions of life to live harmonious life. At least after the governments are gone or replaced 😘
Yes, I understand your point of view. I got used to it luckily and started to understand all the beauty of this silence and peace. I kind of reassessed all the things that I mentioned here in my last video.
Thank you for such a feedback and support!
i love finnish's culture because i live in turkey and turkish people are similar with russian people. i love it quite too. If you want silent in turkey you must go to inside jungle otherwise people who live in turkey that they can disturb you with their noise. i can't imagine that they share one house who finnish and arabic people. it sounds insane. sorry for my english btw. just i'm trying to learn it.
I just found and watched this video. You have a lot of good points and i for one am way more social than an average Finn is, so what you have kept saying to other commentors that your experience among us does not apply to all is very true. Also i would like to point out the stereotype that Finns don't come along with Russians due to the winter war is wrong. Don't ask me where i heard that one 😂, just always been some sort of assumption that we hate Russians when in fact we don't. Actually I'm really keen to learn russian and can already sing along your folk song "Katyusha" Somewhat fluently 😅. Okay i'm gonna end this comment here before i get stranded too far off the original point 😂, anyway good video and keep up the great content! Also you're really pretty 😌
Helpful, Thank you
Hmm..) perhaps you should take into consideration the coronatimes, people are listening to the government and keeping distance and avoiding big groups in these times etc, so it's a bit exaggerated right now (like in grocery stores).. but of course its true that normally finns enjoy their personal space too :) also maybe saying "theyre not communicative" is not perfectly fair because its not as natural and easy to communicate in foreign language and even harder to start the talking with someone with a different language as im sure you know aswell, they are much more talkative and communicative with other people with the same mother tongue as i'm sure you are too. But anyway good video and keep it up=)
Thank you for your comment)) as for the the situation at the shop, I can’t say definitely whether it was because of the Corona or just of the nature of a person, yes. But I talked with Finns and they told me that nothing really changed during corona times😂 people are used to keeping distances.
Of course, it’s hard to start conversation in a foreign language for all people but Finns know English better then Russians and speak more fluently. But if you aren’t close enough to them, they are less communicative than most nations are.
But, as I’ve said, I’d doesn’t refer to all Finnish people and based only on my experience and talks with Finns about their culture))
Nice to see you smile a little..
Finns can get a lot more talkative after a few drinks..
You're very pretty btw..
Keep it up, always interesting to hear thoughts of someone coming here, seeing things with fresh eyes..
Stay healthy..
people here talk about corona, but finns overall love and give personal space.
Hey Bronza!
I also just moved to Finland to study here a month ago like you and find myself in the exact same situation 😅 I experience the same things in the same time. Quite funny to follow that 👌 Have a nice time here!
Thank you! And where are you from? Hope you'll cope with all this and also we'll enjoy your staying here))
@@bronza8689 I am from Austria and study and live now in Sea Lapland near the swedish border :)
Markus Sieberer it’s so cool! My respect to Austria😊
@@bronza8689 Kiitos paljon! (I am trying to learn at least some words/phrases during my 10months here 😂)
Markus Sieberer haha, same😂
Finnish guys get nervous and be silent; because of your beauty :D
Hans Hurnanen ooh, thank you so much☺️
Once they are drunk Finnish guys get excited and loud.. because of your beauty.
;)
Interesting points... I feel like you just have to give them some time to know you, but that’s only my humble opinion. Best wishes in your projects there
It’s been 2 months since I made this video, and, actually, some of them have become more open and communicative! But not all of them, which again confirms my point that, of course, personality also plays a big role regarding this point.
Thank you! Wish you all the best too🙂
@@bronza8689 That's true and I may be a little biased since I haven't officially lived there, just have some of my best friends and visited it a couple of times... Thanks for making those videos, they're very useful for someone preparing to live there!
i can sit with my friend like 1 hour saying nothing to each other and its just fine :D
I hope I'll meet some friend like this
Im a gemini in the horoscope and i talk to ewery body and i like to tell jokes to make people more happy! Born in Finland but living in Sweden last 40 years! Nice video anyway! Regards from Stockholm.
Wow, great quality! As I said, it depends on a person a lot:) Thank you! Regards from Russia and Finland!
I love hugging my friends and my family members! i think giving people personal space is just part of the culture and not wanting to ”bother” anyone. I don’t mind starting a coversation with a stranger and I often really want to do that if I hear someone talking abt something interesting on a bus or something but then I remember it’s kinda inappropriate in Finland. I can’t stand awkward silences. My problem is that I sometimes talk over people and I’d like to get rid of that. And I hate sauna, it’s too hot 😂 maybe I’m not a real Finn after all.
I also can’t stand this silence while being with another person or other people.
Haha, I agree that according to your description you’re not a real Finn😂
I think that the personal space in Finland depends also your mood, even season. In winter I think the space is bigger. Do not know why. Especially now when the corona virus is among us we are very carefull.
Yes it is true that we are rather slowly too. I have noticed that in countryside people are slowly when they are planning to do something.
Jouni Penttilä thank you for your feedback)) it’s always interesting for me to hear what Finnish people think about themselves!
Maybe these characters are behind our success. Finding a finnish friend is not easy I think. But little by little you will be lucky.
Very nice
Nice vlog. Thank you. I'm sorry about your flatmate. You could ask her to help you about something (anything... You think, just to open a conversation. Tell her about your dreams,family and or why are you in Finland. She will warm up - I hope.) Us Finns are shy because we are afraid to make language mistakes - maybe. But hey she's not the only Finn in Finland. Best of luck and go and meet people...😉🌷
Thank you for such a feedback! I'm more or less used to living with her now, and it's hard always to come up with the ideas for conversation without any mutual efforts. But, yes, you're right) I communicate also with Finns at the uni, they are more talktive there, haha
I also wish you all the best!
Are you sure you have understood possible covid-19 infection mechanisms and the recommendations of how to minimize risk including keeping some distance? 2 meters is almost a minimum distance to give effective protection.
There's a stereotype within Finland that people from the eastern parts are generally more talkative than those from the west. Makes sense because their culture is probably more influenced by Russia.
Finnish people are so kind
Hello 🙂 i have lived here about 12 years and I have only one finnish friend from Lapland and now i moved to Turku so I don't spend free time with finnish people. In beginning I tried so hard to make a Finnish friends but i filed. I tried for many years but it's so hard 😁
Hi! Yes, I agree that it’s rather hard and it requires a lot of time and efforts. I’ve also heard same stories as yours from many people that they tried find Finnish friends and finally quit it.
But this dose not mean can't get any friends, here is a lot of great and social people and I love them, but just lose the time and energy if try to get some 😁 friends will come when they come 😁
Hope you get/meet a good friends/people..
@@nahinader6224 Thanks! Yes, sure. It's certainly possible to find friends here but it's just a little bit more difficult than in some other places)
Some people find small talk, idle talk without relevant content, boring and even tedious. That creates tension with people, who need some attention all the time and keep noise all the time. I don't know how to solve that situation, except trying to find some topics, which both find interesting. That is difficult, since you probably need to know more about the other person to find common ground.
Not all people like to share their thoughts and life with strangers, especially in a new situation in life, when they are more likely to feel insecure.
I understand your point of view and can agree with it! Everyone is different, and I can find some explanations of the behavior of people form other cultures. I'm just observing and saying what's new and unusual for me))
@@bronza8689 when you are thinking about Finns, who are they? The population has the image of being homogenous, and there is some truth to that compared to most countries. However Finnish population includes at least three main Finnish tribes, Same people, Kaale people, etc. Including also many Russians, who have moved to Finland during the last 300 years.
But stereotypes have some truth in them.
But consider this: If meet a Russian person, it is very possible that I might think about stereotypes and fail to see and understand the individual person, when I try to fit her/his actions to the expectations that the stereotypes have given me.
I can't say that I have met many Russians, but I have been in similar situations with Swedish, British, US and other people.
I knew what to look for, so I noticed trying to explain situations and fit them to that form. In the end I noticed that I didn't do justice to them, and started to understand them on their individual terms. But in groups their behavior was clearly following more their stereotypical behavior. Perhaps stereotypes are more about expected and learned group dynamics that individual behavior. Once you get through the group level rules change.
As you mentioned, people who know each behave together differently. Kissing ritualisticly is not so common, and nothing like what the Russians or the French would do. But we go naked to sauna with strangers, doesn't that show some willingness to be close to strangers? Finn's wouldn't kiss in sauna either, but perhaps wash your back, if you asked.
Touching in workplace is also something that people might be careful about, since it is easy to mistake to sexual harassment especially among strangers.
Because of their lack of social skills they don't know how to follow a conversation and that also makes them very insecure in social situations. To add up to that most Finns are also very insecure about their English level even if they speak it perfectly.
It's possible to connect with them but it takes a very long time and you'll find a lot of resistance. You should be prepared to have a one way conversation for at most 30 minutes before they start opening up. It takes a long time and it's tedious but it works.
@@sanher20 I am sure for some it will take 30 minutes talking smalltalk or b.s. until finally saying something marginally relevant and interesting enough to make engaging a conversation with them interesting. 😄
Did you know in Finland we have More saunas than road leagal cars?
Ilkka K I knew you have loads of saunas, but, no, I didn’t know this fact. It’s very funny😂
Btw, I like saunas😍
Are u mixed Asian/Tatar?
Finns like leadership. When government gives recommendations, it means nothing. I think many finns would like that the government gives ORDERS so there are no misconseptions, everyone needs to abide, or is reprimanded not just by government, but all the people too. Then things are simple and it's a united effort. Finns like a united effort, but the means and goal must be clear to everyone. That same applies to the group-work in school too, haha. Someone needs to start piledriving stuff through, then you get conversation.
An interesting comment which I can completely agree with after living here for 4 months, especially with the last point😂
@Jouni Korhonen, I agree that we Finns - along with many other nations - tend to appreciate and follow clear instructions as long as they're based on rational thinking (although non-rational thinking seems to be on the rise here as well). Then again, I feel Finland is one of the least hierarchic countries in the world, for example in education and working life. You don't need to address your teachers or bosses as if you're in the army or a royal court. A business leader who can't bear to have the staff talk to her/him on first-name terms isn't usually going to get very far. At least that is my experience - I'm sure there are very different ones as well.
@Bronza, a hopefully-not-creepy observation about Finns being quiet and distant around you - it might have something to do with you being unusually attractive, which can be intimidating to us mortals. Most of us are somewhat shy country boys or girls at heart.
@@thisworldofwater8017 Thank you for sharing your opinion about Finnish people. As for the hierarchy, or to be more precise its absence, I agree with you that it's really felt here, and it's the thing that I really like because you can feel comfortable and say what you really think.
Haha, thank you so much! It's so so pleasant to hear such a compliment!
@@thisworldofwater8017 My point sort of was that as Finns are quite shy and not prone to step in the front, a team-assignment might well start off like the last gunfight in "The Good, Bad And the Ugly"... Everyone just gazing eachother for minutes on end for who is going to start this. Haha.
I would certainly hug you!...loll.....
The lake bodom is near for your residence
As an autistic person, Finland seems like heaven to me 😄
Yes, maybe, you'd like this place!
You are a very beautuful girl and smart.
Thank you so much!
I think every in country people drinks a lot. I´m a Finn living in Sweden and they drink here too and I don´t think Finns drinks more than swedes and so on.
I completely agree with you. It's more stereotypes than the truth.
It sounds like a very strange culture. I would never recommend Finns travel to New York City. They would hate it. The density of people is overwhelming.
Finn's are shy. Finn's have a greater concept of society because of the low population with a harsh climate, which can be dangerous. So like the concept of Mediterranean hospitality to turn someone in need away could be death they understand this and is part of culture. You also have to consider the history of the people as to why and how they act. The drinking as in Russia can be understood by the fact the harsh winters lock them down and inside. The shy factor is also in play, a shot of courage. The law issues are part of the collective survival they had to work together to survive in the past, this still resonates thru the people. Finn's love to laugh have a very silly sence of humor too. They are loyal and hard working . As a people I have never met others so at home and peace with nature. The school system is excellent there so in in professional setting listening and following directions like your reffing to is from the educational background as well. Step back from yourself look into the history of this beautiful land and you will see why they act like this. Enjoyed you video.thank you. I'm an American with a very Finnish mother who did hug and kiss me but on and for occasions ( meaning there was a reason to hug and kiss). It was never an everyday thing but I always knew I was loved and valued greatly. It just made her smiles more valuable to me, and those hug more memorable.
Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. It’s always very interesting to listen to other people’a opinion!
I thought eastern europeans r the coldest ppl until i came to finland
All the negative stereotype things about the finns are true and the positive ones is false. It´s a fact and I´m finnsh. Thank you for your videos.
haha, why are the positive ones are false?? Thank you!
How old are u? (Just curious)
I’m 18
@@bronza8689 oh nice, I'm 18 as well (turning 19 next January) took a gap year after h.s because i was confused lol and I'm moving to Finland next year to study! Hopefully I get admitted to the universities i will apply to. How is Finland soo far? Greetings from France.
@@chimpodabananalover4031 Oh, interesting! Then I wish you to have a good gap year and understand what you really want. I completely understand you how it is NOT easy to do it.
Great! If you prepare for the exam, you have all chances to enter the university in Finland because the exam is not hard.
Finland is a country that has its pros and cons, so as all other countries. I don't know about work, but at least for studies it's a good place to choose.
I am more social and talkative than average Finns do.
am sorry that u seem to be heartbroken
I've only hugged my dad once in my whole life
It’s still very strange for me)
That's very very strange for a human!
Zanimiva punca si
Waa 你好漂亮 😍
I must go to Finland for interview with music/entertainment group. I'm a very hyper, loud, spastic, fast, talky, laughy, outgoing person that's always trying to get everyone smiling, and laughing. My propensity to talk to, and touch people I do not know is legendary even for the most annoying of us Americans. Please wish these poor, innocent, silent creatures well. And you are absolutely adorable!
haha, it's very funny. I recommend you to be a little bit less open, energetic and try to avoid touching here. Wish you good luck with your interview!
Thank you:)
@@bronza8689 Oh, absolutely. And thank you, dear! I plan to keep my mothers face in my mind. And the words she said to me constantly. "Sit down somewhere, and shut up!" lol.
@@ritualafterlife haha, sometimes a good thing to do
@@bronza8689 And you said something about always looking to better your English. But don't ever try to cover the accent. You have a soothing, beautiful speaking voice anyway. But that accent and slight struggle for the right English word here, and there is so exotic, immersive, and just plain cute. It takes me straight to an action packed, adventuresome, double agent Russian spy operative movie or something. Hahaha! Mesmerizing
@@ritualafterlife haha, omg, it's both very funny and at the same time so nice and pleasant to hear such words. Thanks!
I'm a Finn and have never consumed any alcohol, not even a bottle of beer in my entire life. I could hug you all day. Don't give up hope. :) Don't believe in the covid lies though, there is no pandemic. It is all about control. Good luck with everything!
Finland's alcoholconsumption has gone drasticly down anyway. 31st place now. In Europe forinstance Moldova,Belgium Russia, Hungary, Estonia ,UK etc. are far ahead of Finland drinking alcohol. Finland is in the middle. You can watch The video "Country alcoholconsumption comparison".
i liked ur video but was 1 question in my head what u thought was for nudity in sauna.. only asking coz i know some1 who dont undertand it
Hah, it's ok, I'll answer. I know that German people are also prefer being naked in sauna. Well, because I'm Russian, it's a little bit confusing for me because I'm not used to it. But, in general, I don't have any negative attitude to it.
Yes you have a really hard time. Maybe you want to go back to Russia, the dream country of Europe.
I hope I won't have to come back)
get drunk wrestle bears > Russia
непон,ты русская что ли?!🗿🗿🗿
Да))
@@bronza8689 ты так красиво по английски говоришь,я влюбилась в это произношение😍😍😍
@@user-bm4se5nw5u Ааа, как приятно такое услышать! Не думала, что кто-то такое скажет даже, потому что не сказать, что сама в восторге именно от акцента своего английского, но особо на этом не зацикливаюсь)) Спасибо большое за такие слова!