Post
by cliff » Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:03 am
Attitude towards immigrants in Helsinki... well, it is a really cosmopolitan city with different cultures. Many students from abroad, many refugies, many tourists. I guess it depends on the people you meet, it's like everywhere, some of them can be really ok about immigrants, and some of them can be really rude and other stuffs (especially if you date a finnish girl or look for a job there, you can expect to be insulted by few brainless finnish guys)
If you study at the International departement of the University, you can always stay with some other students from abroad which I don't recommand. It's a real trap. It's so much better to have local friends.
Finnish people... they can be REALLY cold from the outside, but if you get to know them a little (especially after a drinking party), they can appear to be extremely warm!
Talk. They consider that talking is good when it's only necessary. If you meet some finnish pp and they are silent, don't consider it's rude, it's just normal
The rule #1 if you plan to go there, is DON'T act like Canadians are the best persons ever, or talk proudly and stuffs. Finnish people usually have lot of respect (it's one of their values), but they also expect you to respect them. Don't scream on them, it is really impolite. They appreciate when you talk to them and listen to you really carefully, but you also have to ask questions to them (but of course not too private), try to get to know them, let them finish their sentences, and try to avoid the kind of "Me.. Myself.. I..." conversation.
Don't lie to them, be honest, without being too straight.
Finnish language. It's difficult and not too difficult. But if I was you, if it's just for studies, don't try to learn it, except of course the usual words (finnish people will teach them to you). You can survive with english.
But telling "kiitos", or at least speak a little finnish, is polite.
You mentionned Tarja's husband. Well... "Tarja" herself is a sufficient reason to learn finnish language!
Helsinki is a really nice place. it is a "big" town (which shops and other stuffs) but it has also lot of nature around. For ex, you only have to walk 5 mn from the railway station to arrive to a park in front of a lake! Personally I wouldn't say that Helsinki is a "beautiful" city, at least it is nothing compared to other typical finnish places, like country side in the middle of nowhere, like Jämsä or Loimaa!
<b>This is wrong</b>
I'm kidding about the last one!
That's what we said in a lesson... Anyway if you like for example hockey the Finnish elite league is the best hockey league after NHL. Come to Finland I bet you'll enjoy it ( my lesson was crap but look for the previous ones) Cut.
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