[FINN-1] A comment on Finnish customs and manners

Source: finland.fi

Read about Finns and their habits and manners. Then write a short text (in English) about what you read and what interesting things you found there. Do you agree with the text? You can compare Finnish culture to those of other countries. Write a comment about Finnish habits and manners and a short comment about your own use of Finnish and communication with Finnish people. Upload your comments to this forum. Follow the comments of other students and take part in the conversation. Comment at least one observation.

1. Do you agree with the text? You can compare Finnish culture to those of other countries

The article gave me interesting information about Finnish people. Some facts I have heard before and some are new to me. Because I have never been to Finland so far so I can not clarify the information. I just can say that the characteristics of Finnish people attract me strongly.

Being a language teacher, what I notice the most is the part about conversing: "Finland is a country where considerable weight is attached to the spoken word – words are chosen carefully and for the purpose of delivering a message." It is really good that people here appreciate the value of language that we speak to each other and try to put as much as meaning in the words. Only talking when necessary means that Finns are deeply aware of saving time for each other and respect the personality. I wish that I could visit Finland sooner in my young ages and learn this valuable lesson because most of my troubles in the past came from the unconsciousness in using words.

The second thing that I choose to discuss is the very high awareness of time that Finns have. The reason is that I am not good at time management, and usually be late. I realise that being punctual begins from the deep consciousness about self-esteem, the respect toward other people in the community. Finns seem to have their own philosophy for everything. I will keep this in mind in order to be more serious about the meeting time in the remote learning time.

2. A short comment about your own use of Finnish and communication with Finnish people

Because I have not made myself to the journey yet so it is too soon to comment about talking with Finnish people. My experiences mainly come from 3 different programmes in Finland as well as the lessons from the University of Oulu's teachers. 

I feel that Finnish people are really nice, not talk too much but have bright smiles which make visitor's heart warm and create the feeling of a safe atmosphere and friendliness. The manner of their speaking is not hurried but not boring because Finnish lectures chose carefully the things to share. Brief, precise and useful. 

The Finnish language is a little bit challenging for me because it is not familiar to other popular languages like English, therefore it is hard to remember. But the sweet thing about using the Finnish language is that it is quite easy to speak, sounds fun when we speak aloud and we all feel very proud when we can make a very first and simple conversation in Finnish.