Certain stereotypes have taken root in the minds of each person: about countries, cities, places and, finally, about people, more precisely about nationalities. Stereotypes are born before us, they stem from the culture of the people, or rather a different view of people's lives. Before going somewhere, we have a baggage of stereotypes that someone imposed on us: the media, colleagues, friends, and so on in a vicious circle.
As many people, I've heard some stereotypes about Finland and the Finns in particular. So at the nearly end of my exchange experience I've decided to collect some of them in one post and to write if it's true in my opinion or not.
Here is my top-5:
1. Finns love strange competitions.
Definately true. There are many interesting competitions in Finland. Popular competitions for carrying wives, where the winner is given as many liters of beer as his wife weighs. Or mobile phone throwing competitions, swamp soccer. Finns also love a music contest, so to speak, which they play on an invisible guitar.
2. Finns are not responsive.
Not true. You can say that Finns are introverted, because the value their personal space. Finns are rather modest and always control what they say and do in order to “not lose face”. Finn needs to be confident that he has certain knowledge and skills before telling or showing something. But at the same time, if you ask for help, the Finn will be ready to help, and all modesty will dissipate in a moment.
3. Finns drink a lot.
Not true! It is believed that Finns are stronger drinkers and are even able to drink more than a Russian frequenter. But in reality, the Finns are lovers of just weak drinks: beer or cider. In recent decades, Finland has carried out many social programs that are aimed at improving the nation, so the level of alcohol consumed is falling.
4. Finns honor traditions.
True. Finns often have small home-based enterprises: cafes, souvenir shops, handicraft shops, and so on. Thus, in Finland traditions and the special relation to family business are traced.
5. Finns are patriotic
True. One of the patriotic nations is considered to be the Americans, who must have a flag or any other national paraphernalia in each house. Finns are also a patriotic nation that cherishes traditions and history. Only one attitude to artifacts, causes genuine admiration. It is also worth saying that until recently the Finns used a national product - Nokia phones, even when other modern phones appeared, a true Finn chose his own products.