How Foreigners Make Finnish People UNCOMFORTABLE (unintentionally)

Visiting or moving to Finland is exciting because you will get to meet Finns! However, there is several mistakes you can make in by accident that upset Finns. Make sure to watch the video to learn more!
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[@AleksiHimself]

Watch next: Don't Do These Things in Finland! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGXFo4Nvea6fmsk

[@rajsouth101]

500 years is a long time..I think on surface level majority of Finn's & swedish share the same ethnicity,religion & somewhat of culture & language too..why exactly u 2 countries got seperated..?to better govern the all the lands administratively..?

[@Mp57navy]

The first time I asked a finn how they're doing, they invited me to a tentlike structure with a bonfire in the middle and handed me something to drink. I had no idea what it was, it was probably about 65% alcohol and tasted like distilled moss. 10/10 would ask again.

[@davidthomas22121]

Siitos, thanks for the good tips!

[@else9164]

As Finn I don't talk about religion for 2 reasons: 1. I think that it is private matter. And 2. I don't really care about religion that much.

[@briseboy]

I NEVER initiate such conversation, as i have observed and smelled bodies melting into the ground over 6 month periods, not tending to credit religion as preventative of this drawback, however slight religionists sem to regard it in others' activity.

[@lucone2937]

Besides many Finns have become the members of the Lutheran Church automatically as little babies without their consent, and the official Church just want to keep as many adult members as possible and it doesn't require them to do anything for it. Only some overreligious people act like a cult and talk about Jesus, and make questions like "are you ready for the eternity". Personally I prefer to call myself as a Pagan just like great ancient Greek philosophers. Philosophy, history and biology give good arguments to deal with any religious debates.

[@tomijaroli8781]

The Finnish face of disapproval cracked me up 😂

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@briseboy]

Finns have me with their smile, as i have lived among lemon trees while thirsty.

[@livinginthetropics8470]

Good video Aleksi. I am Finn living in Australia and I had to adjust my "Finnishness" - so I think I am half Finnish and half Australian now. I had to adjust to the more cosmopolitan lifestyle, we probably have people from every nation living here. We are always greeting one another in the street, hugging & kissing etc. I married my Aussie GF but she still thinks I am "different" - that's the Finnish half. I don't think I will ever totally lose my "Finnish Roots".

[@AleksiHimself]

Stick to your Finnishness! :)

[@LeeKings-u9w]

Kiitos paljon. from America

[@briseboy]

You MUST record your acquired accent for distribution!

[@ev721]

Finns seem to be very quick with compliments when you pronounce words correctly. They almost seem...happy 😮

[@AleksiHimself]

Indeed! The problem is that we don't know how to receive them. :D

[@KawaiiCat2]

Lol as a Chinese person who speaks mandarin, I am the same. I get so excited when people who are non native speakers get words correct!

[@ev721]

@@KawaiiCat2 😄

[@polarblade1159]

​​@@AleksiHimselfthe more I watch your videos and read comments like this, the more I'm convinced someone at the soul distribution center screwed up and gave me the soul of a Finn😂 helps a lot that I'm also a black metal enjoyer who loves cold temperatures

[@kasseesmythe8738]

This just popped up in my feed -- the first one since you decided not to continue posting. It reminded me of how much I've enjoyed watching your videos. Hope things are going well for you, Aleksi. And thanks for all the insights you've given to us here!

[@briseboy]

And how is your second head?

[@ThatRecreationGuy]

HEIIIII ALEKSI miltä tuntuu tänään. en ole katsonut täällä videota vähään aikaan. toivottavasti teillä oli hyvä pääsiäinen

[@AleksiHimself]

Kiitos!

[@AleksiHimself]

About the average net worth image, the numbers are average net worth per household, not per individual.

[@kulcsarandras5406]

We pronounce "sauna" the same way in Hungarian, it is so obvious! 🙂 Your videos are great, it is so interesting to gather some insights into the culture of other countries.

[@AleksiHimself]

Thank you! 😃

[@gegixogegixo674]

Awesome video! I like these kind of videos because honestly when I travelled for the first time in another country I wasn't aware that you are not suppose to occupy all the escalator space and I felt so bad when a guy pointed that out to me. So I would love to see more videos on the finnish etiquette for all kind of situations, even if it seems trivial for you! 😂thanks gor the video!

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff!

[@ninaj6051]

I am from Serbia, much more extroverted country, but not nearly like the USA. Here "how are you" is a weird greeting, too. I remember when I went out and in a small shop that I went to that worked during the night, there was someone speaking in English, asking the woman who worked there "how are you?", and then started to ask more and to chat with her all smiley, and I think he called her "dear", and she giggled and was all blushing and it was so funny and awkward, even to me, it looked like flirting then. But I now think that's just how the American's behave with everyone. 😂

[@Blue_22511]

So you dont ask kako si. Are you albanian maybe?

[@theintrovert6343]

As someone who is from the US, "how are you" is weird for me too. It may just be a social awkwardness thing I presume..

[@poweredman]

Hi Aleksi! Great video and I really like the effort you made with the angles! Made it quite captivating! I just wanted to suggest you look into introversion in countries of Europe. I always thought I, as a Portuguese, couldn't possibly have a lot in common with Finns, but it turns out I feel quite at home with you guys and that's because we are one of the most introverted countries in Europe!

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks!

[@SoloTravelStory]

I feel the anglophone greeting of "how are you" as a form of hello is really just limited to anglophone nations. No other European nation asks this question without expecting a long and honest reply. Germans do it, the Spanish do it and we find it irritating too when we get asked "how are you" by Brits but they don't care when you start unpacking your inner conflicts. 😂 Honestly everything you've mentioned and explained sounded perfectly fine to me. I'm German and I also don't give out many compliments unless I really mean them and the person has earned it. Maybe there's a Finn inside my soul because everything you mentioned is part of my culture too. Kiitos!

[@florenna]

Funny, if it's limited to anglophone nations only, then why has it become a worldwide "rule" to say "how are you"?

[@Bear_the_shepherd]

you don't give compliments unless someone has "earnt" it. fair enough, my darling. I can't relate, but fair enough.

[@SoloTravelStory]

@@Bear_the_shepherd No need to be condescending just because I grew up in a different culture and yes, I don't go around dishing out fake compliments if I don't mean them. Have a nice day!

[@SoloTravelStory]

@@florenna This is MY perception, if yours is different than that is ok too. Funny how you seem to love spending time on the internet being unnecessary snarky to strangers on the internet.

[@Bear_the_shepherd]

@@SoloTravelStory I wasn't being condescending. I was simply confused by the "earnt" comment, that's all. I didn't mean for it to come across as rude, I'm sorry.

[@unrealdev2800]

The finnish smile never gets old

[@marugochan131]

The escalator thing is also a big city (people) thing. I'm originally from the region of Paris, I moved to a German town that's 10% of what I'm used to in Paris in the public transports. If I take an escalator, most times I walk the stairs up/down and there are some people in the way, so I have to do the fake throat clearing or I just bluntly say sorry and move forward (cuz we don't care for waiting in Paris).

[@ArtesetLinguæ]

Hello Aleksi, thanks for sharing these useful news and details on life in Finland. I have always been captivated by life there. It is quite interesting that, as a European American, I do not find several things you mention, uncommon or weird. Here they are. I do not use the expression "How are you? when greeting and I never reply to it when I am asked. I typically use it for people I care for, surely not as a conventional greeting. "Hello" is enough for me. Passing on to the next thing, I would like to ask on how to behave when boarding a seat on a bus, when crowded. I am sure that what you mention does not apply on coach or train, as you will not be allowed to stand. I understand that kissing on the cheek is not customary: what if that two individuals are originally from another country and just end up meeting in Finland? I am surprised that even between family members they would not do that. I hope though at at least hugging is normal. Queueing is not odd at all. That is the norm in most European countries (perhaps a bit less in Mediterranean area, like southern Italy). Speaking few words of Finnish would surely help, and that is quite normal for me, especially when travelling abroad, overall. At last, spending time in contact with nature, would be, for me, the primary reason for me to travel to Finland. I appreciate your answers. Regards and best wishes.

[@kostasplaneart]

thanks Aleksi...really informative and funny video!!!!

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks Kostas!

[@Hukkahanska]

Talking about money (for example your salary) is also a difficult topic for most of the Finns.

[@AleksiHimself]

Good point!

[@jackz.5656]

Kiitos, very helpful and cool video

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks Jack!

[@harrycslau]

Love to watch your video again!

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks Harry!

[@Crevettola]

I just found out your channel and I really love your videos! It's so funny to me how almost everything you describe about finnish culture was a culture shock to me when I moved from France to Canada hahaha. Getting used to all of it was really weird at first, but nowadays for example when I go back to France the thought of cheek kisses just… u r g h, no thanks I guess that harsh winters make people more similar than they would think!

[@AleksiHimself]

Welcome to the channel!

[@josealbertorio5533]

It's all true, and I learned some of this finnish traits the hard way and others by instinct, I'm Puerto Rican/American and felt very confortable as if I was born in Finland I could simply relate to most of it. And fell in love with Finland

[@arlynsumugat7580]

Even for cultural differences i found Finnish people nice and easy to deal with. Just minding your own business sometimes or personal space is one way of creating a healthy environment. Love this country so much and the people we met along our journey ❤️

[@janus1958]

As a Finn born and raised in one of the few small regions of the US(I have since moved) where it is actually pronounced correctly, I have made it my mission to educate people on how to say "sauna" correctly.😐

[@oyeveer]

Welcome back aleksi!

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks!

[@buckwheatINtheCity]

If I travel to Finland, I'll come looking for Aleksi.

[@AleksiHimself]

Nice!

[@Harvey142009]

when you find out you're maailmanmestari (Finnish for world champion) or the like and you react in the most Finnish way by not celebrating it like crazy let alone mention it. Finnish modesty, Finnish humility, Finland at its finest. An example of that is rally driver Marcus Grönholms reaction to winning the WRC title. To him it was just another day, nothing too extravagant. What I've seen in a video that you refer to as modesty in Finland, is referred to as humble/humility in the English speaking countries. In Finland its people let their work and results do all the talking, no need to toot your own horn. If foreigners mention a Finn's achievement so much at most the Finn would say 'I get that alot'. I'm glad that you encouraged your fellow Finns as well as foreigners to do to Finns, to do genuine compliments.

[@thedanceplant]

Your videos are hilarious - I just subbed and clicked the bell!

[@AleksiHimself]

Yay! Thank you!

[@davehenderson6125]

This video was acceptable Aleksi. Just kidding, it's excellent - very thoughtful & well done, but I don't want to make things uncomfortable! 🙂 It really makes me think about the way I've behaved around my Finnish cousin (we definitely never do the cheek kissing thing, though). I wonder if some of the things I've done have made her facepalm a little from time to time. Being Canadian I guess I can be more the opposite of "reserved" every now and then!

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks Dave!

[@ninaj6051]

So, we should go constantly on dates with different people if we like to kiss. 😂 I like your humor. And regarding that, the compliments, I really struggle to believe how the Finns are so surprised and happy to hear that I like Finland and Finns. I mean, you guys are so awesome, it's just how I feel it's so obvious to me. 😁 💙

[@chaiyan9656]

I am English and so many of these are the same in Britain, so I know that when I go to Finland, at least it won’t be too much of a culture shock! Good video :)

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks Chai!

[@marijavelickovic8740]

I agree with all of these! Luckily, as a shy person I don't think I made too many Finns uncomfortable xD great video Aleksi! Also, love Goku vibing with us :D

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff Marija!

[@cherutojune]

You have just highlighted as it is! Suomi life is interesting though. I love it.

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks June!

[@Mark_Kuckerberg]

The mentioned points just make me loving Finland. Pretty much everyone of these is different in Germany, but I like them neither 😂

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@thenordicjamaican]

So I have been pondering this question for years now about Finland. As you mentioned, Finns don't know how to handle compliments and that they are shy 8:27 . How on earth do Finns find their spouses? How do they flirt? How do they express interest?

[@mookfaru835]

Fins passively diffuse

[@Folkgrunge]

You are honest when you have good manners and no matter if you re finn or not, we are humans and no matter the flag, first is education.

[@mistr_dk_]

Olen iloinen, että teet näitä videoita, kiitos! Onko sinulla ehdotuksia hyvistä kirjoista, jotka voisivat auttaa minua oppimaan suomen kieltä?

[@kenegan7649]

I love the Finns...they are the most interesting people I've met..in Australia

[@gambit_toys6554]

Nice Dragonball towell 😊

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@worldcomecream5490]

Nice video 👍

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks!

[@papyrus1113]

Addition to the escalator point: Don't stand on the staircase right behind the next person. Leave at least one, better two empty ones in between

[@AleksiHimself]

Because of Finnish personal space? :D

[@papyrus1113]

@@AleksiHimself Yeah, I feel like strangers feel super uncomfortable if I stand right behind them in the escalator :D

[@PhucNguyen-yn7ng]

I really like these characteristics! Finns are awesome!

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@TurboLerssi]

The "don't talk about religion" is ~80% true in my opinion. Mostly we don't since it's just common courtesy to let others live their life and trust in what ever it is, even if it is different to ourself. But the 10% we talk about it is while drunk, but nobody takes it too seriously, because, after all, it's a drunken conversation that nobody remembers, and even if they do it's just normal to ignore it, like all drunk talk. Not to mention it's often just saying the same thing but using a different term, like most drunken debates. And the other 10% is because it's just talking with decent, not semi-friends, but before best friend level, and it happens to come up because of a random topic. But we most often take it as not a personal attack, and since most people don't take religion too seriously or make it a huge part of their personality, compared to my friends from countries like Israel, USA, or Iran, (obviously different religions and personality types in question for most parts per country, just my personal experience with my friends from observing them, limited sample supply). Here in Finland religion isn't a massive thing. Nobody really cares if you are Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Satanist or Atheist. Just let others be and believe who they want. Except if you say swedes are better. then it's a fight And about compliments, I think a large part is that we also massively use sarcastic compliments, and empty compliments. Like if someone does a reasonably amount of work, we might say "helvetin hyvää työtä et oot painanu tätä duunia, eihä meitä ees tarvita tässä, teet tän yksin" (not a word to word translation, more to explain the tone), "Fucking great work doing all the work on this stuff, we aren't even needed, you'll do this yourself". So we are so used to those sarcastic compliments, that if someone says to us "hyvää työtä", it basically sounds like "hey great work, NOT".

[@lennartdahlback]

On compliments; there is a swedish saying that 'Those who reject praise want to be praised twice.' It works. I'm introvert, (having lots of thoughts spinning in my head) and I've learned that if I accept and thank for the compliments people will leave me alone sooner than if I had rejected the compliments as they would go on and on about whatever trying to make me feel good.

[@jixxytrix1705]

Det har jag aldrig hört. va ere på svenska?

[@FINNSTIGAT0R]

Why do we sit alone, searching for seats that are not taken at all? I mean, why would you seat yourself beside a stranger if other seats are available? I'm really asking. This is not a Finnish trait at all; it's just common sense. However, I have no problem sitting next to someone if all the double seats are each already taken by one person. Like, why wouldn't I then sit next to someone? I don't get why this, which is a very common trait among people, has to be turned into a "Finnish quirk." I mean, if you go onto a bus, would you choose the seat next to someone if the whole bus is otherwise empty? Now, why would you do this if the bus has only 6 passengers? 16? 20? Why wouldn't you try to find a double seat that is completely unoccupied?

[@itsnemosoul8398]

I'm German and I feel like there's so many similarities. Grumpiness, sincerity, punctuality, no smalltalk are also all German qualities. I like that Finns are less confrontative/judgmental and more content. Germans constantly consplain and it's almost... Socially expected to complain about something and join the other persons complaints

[@saalvosegg8171]

I’m Swedish and Finnish the person I am married to someone from the American South (Tennessee and Georgia) yes we are polar opposites of each other. But it wasn’t official after the third date it took some time for it to be official. The meeting of the families was certainly unforgettable. It some time for my family to really warm up and the hugs. Do not hug us.

[@AleksiHimself]

Haha good stuff!

[@nhuck_corris8885]

9:24 The moment when i (as an introvert) meet Finns for the first time (who have never seen me IRL) and then get a big hug by a lady as a greeting. I probably looked more Finnish in the moment than all the Finns in the room. So happened on my vacation trip end of January in Finland. 😁🙈And I thought that at least in Finland I would be safe from hugs.🤣 Terveisiä Saksasta!

[@AleksiHimself]

Haha good stuff! It seems you got to know each other via internet? That makes sense cos you had established some sort of connection before meeting.

[@nhuck_corris8885]

​@@AleksiHimself yes, but just a little bit, actually only 2 things were known about me, my chat alias at a well known streaming platform 😅 and that I am the guy from Germany.😂 At some point I told them that I will come to Finland for 2 weeks and suddenly I was invited to join a community meeting. 😵‍💫That was already a surprise for me. 🤯😱

[@wielderofspoons]

Hearing Finnish social convention's makes me think of our 'British politness' so often. It feels quite similar in a lot of areas. (Even some of the alcohol habits XD) Thank you for mentioning more Finnish companies too. I end up doing 'Suomi mannitu!' On Finn's behalf when if I notice any now 😅

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks Arky!

[@wielderofspoons]

@@AleksiHimself Eläköön Suomi ^^

[@kulcsarandras5406]

I know Finnish and Hungaruan languages are distantly related but not very similar. However me and my wife were talking Hungarian at a café in Portugal and a Portuguese gentleman came to our table and asked if we were Finnish. He spoke Finnish very well and from a fair distance our Hungarian speech reminded him of Finnish.

[@HadriansWallNZ]

I’d love to visit Finland, I have 6% Finnish in my DNA and would love to learn a bit more about my ancestors and their culture 👍

[@Folkgrunge]

Anteksi, Sauna ei ole Suomalainen, se on SPA "salut per acqua" ja se on vanha Romalainen prosesia, ennen 3000 v. on Uruk. On koko Europassa ennen Suomi ollut maa, ollut Sauna Aleksi. Kiitos

[@alisasnag7097]

Cheek kissing are just awful! Completely understand you guys. Just suffering here in Spain!

[@markus10X]

@@alisasnag7097 you don't have to do it if you don't feel comfortable, just tend you hand out and we usually will take the hint.

[@alisasnag7097]

@@markus10X Yes, I agree, I realised that I should not force myself ) thanks for comment!

[@valhoundmom]

Yes, my Finnish friends will say How are you ? To me followed by - That is a question not a greeting. If you speak Finnish as a traveler in Finland they think you are just a wonderful magical being. Google Translate...oh dear... Sit in your assigned seat!! No exceptions!!

[@liamgabrielides2802]

I spent 2 months here in Jväskyla, from England.. and I've broken so many rules, I'm only realising now just before I leave the country 😭

[@AleksiHimself]

No worries, next time you know better. :)

[@oplkfdhgk]

7:47 funny thing about that is it actually can cause damage to the escalator if people only stand on one side and yet people do it also it reduces the amount of people that the escalator can move per minute.

[@AleksiHimself]

I think no one knows that.

[@midnightjay]

4:26 I absolutely hate when someone sits right next to me and the waiting room or whatever has so many available seats. I don't know why people want to cluster when it's unnecessary lol It is very uncomfortable even if the people who do it mean no harm. I wonder why people choose to sit next to me too. It makes me nervous, not that I think they want to do something or fear but I can't relax when a stranger sits next to me. Good to know that if I ever visit Finland that's not something I'll have to worry about lol

[@ferdiesevilleja4097]

How about simo hayha???

[@briseboy]

Since the only 3 Finns i have known were engineers working on securing a nuclear power plant, i felt it essential to compliment them effusively. There is a possibly better probability that my area and i may become less radioactive, and reducing that probability may be advantageous. I would even kiss them on the cheek, were this to induce reduced radioactivity, though as far as i can tell, the gesture may not have ben necesary, so far!

[@PinkFloydMuser]

Finnish smile 😂😂 Aussie here trying to learn your beautiful tongue-twister of a language, thanks to a certain band hailing from your country (H.I.M) lol

[@AleksiHimself]

Rock on!

[@Underthewoodd]

In 2007 I picked up a Sonata Arctica cd in an FYE store and now I’m here

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff!

[@FINNSTIGAT0R]

As my last comment on this topic (I've commented enough) is to say that what sets Finns apart from the Scandinavians, especially the Swedes and Norwegians, is our tendency not to be so politically correct in informal settings. We can engage in pretty rough humor, and we are not so risk-averse when discussing the potential impacts of mass immigration on a country, even though this is increasingly made taboo by our mass media. So, what sets us apart is that we're not so cautious and afraid to speak about subjects that can be completely taboo, for example, in Sweden. The downside of this, however, is that we can also see pretty open racism in our internet comments. But as long as people keep their heads on their shoulders, they understand that the racist comments represent but a small portion of people who are terminally online.

[@looiooplant]

Very similar to Britain in a lot of ways, just when ppl jump the queue here we just stare awkwardly

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks for the comment!

[@KawaiiCat2]

This just made me realize that during Covid, it was probably easy for Finland to social distance lol. I feel a few of these are also common in Chinese culture. I have never understood why people do the cheek kiss thing in some countries and it frightens me lol.

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff!

[@mossyrock7467]

Dude literally made videos about how Finns hang out naked, in those saunas, and I am the one who should be concerned about making Finns uncomfortable. Hahaha

[@AleksiHimself]

Yep, we don't like talking to other people unless they are naked.

[@ZadenZane]

How are you? I hate it when strangers say that.

[@oplkfdhgk]

5:11 yeah i will literally carry extra stuff with me to put on the seat next to me just so i don't have to sit next to someone :D

[@AleksiHimself]

Haha nice :D

[@michaelsuhonen2940]

Most I agree with here but a few points like queuing, Finns are not good at this, especially in supermarkets. If one new cash desk opens to shorten the line then people will dash from the back of the existing line to the new cash desk 🙄 😅 blood is often involved. Also cheek kissing (like a kiss on the cheek) is fine if you are friends, hugs too. Its more often or not that friends hug each other, even guys.

[@jimmyolsenschannel6263]

Here's a compliment: Finnish rock groups in the 1970s were in general way better than the Swedish groups.

[@technicolorgiallo1111]

Regarding the whole thing of "We Finns don't know how to handle compliments": This is entirely an issue of skill. Simply having it a cultural standard doesn't mean there's no room for improvement in this area. For instance, the example you provided sounds like it's rooted in perfectionism. Perfectionism is the distorted perception of reality where one expects a perfect outcome and focuses on what went wrong despite meeting satisfactory results. Now, I'm not telling Finns how to live or how to think, but there really should be a broad exposure to alternative formulas which can reduce preventable stress.

[@AleksiHimself]

I agree. This won't apply to everyone but you see this quite often.

[@mekhet83]

Kimi Räikkönen is the master of Finnish smile 😂

[@AleksiHimself]

Yep!

[@Mur-zoUxw]

I am a Filipino, but this video can be an example on more reasons why I want to move to Finland despite the difficulties I would have living there (like the language barrier, high taxes, cost of living is so expensive and the heavy snowfall). Although the Philippines is one of the countries that is popular for tourists, Filipinos, are generally extroverted and like to have a lot of friends (and sometimes, introverts in the Philippines are seen as different, anti-social, selfish or self-centered, rebellious, weird, lonely, having a problem with their brain or thinking or even a standout). And yeah, you can consider that Filipinos are generally the polar opposite of the Finnish when it comes to personality or character I guess. And Filipinos (not all of them of course) have the strong notion of "pakikisama" or spending time with people you would not be with like those who are flexing on their achievements in schools or even those who are arrogant. Sometimes, there older Filipinos tend to ask you awkward or personal questions like "do you have a girlfriend" or even make comments like "you got fat" (I can say this is gossip that people despise as well). And yeah, a person who has honors makes the seniors congratulate them and they are impressed by the achievements of that person, while those who have no honors get nothing (and they feel like they are left behind). And toxic positivity is largely prevalent in the Philippines.

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks for the comment! There are quite a few Filipino people living here.

[@Mur-zoUxw]

@@AleksiHimself, yep, there are only a few of them. If you go to the Philippines, I'm afraid you might experience idle chit-chat (which might be uncomfortable) and the extrovertedness of some Filipinos.

[@crystalbrashears760]

We don’t do the double kiss thing in the US either

[@IamSleepyFr]

As a Finn, if some stranger talks to my, my entire mind just shuts down. I just get insanely anxious, but it ain't their fault. I just have anxiety.😅

[@FINNSTIGAT0R]

Again, I have to disagree; it's not religion that we don't talk about, at least in my experience, it's money. I have never heard even the highest earners say what they make or how much they are worth. Seriously, I've had debates over religion with people about their beliefs and my non-beliefs. But money never gets discussed, even when it's apparent that the other person is very well off. And I think that's a very good thing.

[@fatihyildirim4802]

My question is :Do Finns get shy and keep space or do Finns hate people or people relations and keep space ? Same action( keep distance) but 2 different feelings in my question 😊

[@j3mixa]

Neither. We keep space to respect the other person. We feel that it's disrespectful to go into another person's personal space and culturally our personal space is a bit bigger than in many other cultures. That's why we try not to sit or stand too close others. So that they wouldn't feel uncomfortable. Also small talk is seen as wasting the other person's time as you really don't have anything important to say. We do sometimes talk about mundane things (like the weather) with other people but only when it's obvious that neither one is busy. Usually we just think it's more polite not to bother other people without a reason.

[@rainn5571]

The cheek kissing thing is not popular in the U.S., either. Some Americans have adopted this practice, to try to be "cool" like certain Europeans, but it is not an American custom, at all.

[@DNA350ppm]

You'd probably would like to avoid "How are you?", "What's up?", but you can say "Howdy! Hello!, hei, Hi, Hejsan" or whatever you like to mutter (one of these are long enough phrases) or just nod with a very little smile, but you may make eye-contact, and wait for the response and then just repeat it. Or try to say "Mitä kuuluu?", like try with "meeta cooloo" as a pronunciation approximation - it means "how are things" but verbatim - "what sounds" or what's new? The proper answer to "mitä kuuluu" is simply, "Kiitos, hyvää!" kiitos= thanks and hyvää = fine, good well. As a response to this just nod and smile a little and be ready to be asked the same in return and respond with the same words: Kiitos, hyvää! It's simple, no need to add problems! 😀

[@DNA350ppm]

@KarvanenKassi True, for sure, it absolutely depends on the context. My main point was to show that also Finns ask questions that aren't meant to be answered in full and truthfully; just quickly noticed as a politeness, and the reply should be short and meaningless, and as you are a caring and well-mannered person you'll ask something very similar back. For foreigners I sure recommend to *do exactly as your peers do* and not to translate verbatim from one's own language, nor to invent something original and new. And as a foreigner you don't need to take the lead. Just say: hei! as the first thing to open the contact. Wait. And wait! If your peers say: Häh, äijä? to you, and they reply: Ei mittää. - Do exactly as they do. But in some contexts, be prepared for a shift to more formal speech - as one would in any country. I always recommend these two ways; learn the formal speech first, and later whatever the spoken ways are in the group you belong to. Almost all informal speech is derived from standard Finnish these days. It is altered to signal group-solidarity, which you learn in a group-setting. *All Finns today learn standard Finnish in school for at least 9 years*. There are hundreds of ways to speak informal Finnish (puhekieltä), depending on the regional, occupational, gender, and age setting. Use your common sense. A random example: I saw a video where a tough guy made home-baked rye-bread. He spoke almost standard Finnish, but to show himself manly, he sported muscles in a cowboy-checkered shirt, with upped sleeves, and out of the blue he talked about "slicing" (English!!!) the bread, he didn't say something about "leikata" or "viipaleita", or even "siivuja" which all are normal ways to talk about bread. Slicing is not a normal loanword in Finnish, like bussi, bändi, tori, kapteeni, auto, or lusikka. He just showed off, meaning that he wasn't an ordinary house-wife, or something. 🙂Language has many functions, for sure.

[@vonHannersdorf]

I'm Czech guy, but after watch your videos... I think that I'm some lost Finn down there... 😂😂

[@KROB3LO]

And you can also get up and find another seat if group of people or parents with kids come in to public trans and it would be better to them to get close to each. I remember when I was in army that was first thing to do if you have the uniform on.

[@MRiitta]

Talk about yourself only!

[@andreballon7362]

So we must say instead terve, moin ?

[@Resident-cb3yz]

Finns are more "hienovarainen" subtle way of and seeing things. You just have to see the nuances. We speak a lot, but many things are told just by gestures and where you are in that situation. We have this our own language of space, posture, feel and touch.

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@seandalai3413]

I told my Finnish friend that his English was good. He indicated to me that he didn't think I was being honest (maybe even lying)..!!!

[@AleksiHimself]

Lol that's very Finnish :)

[@AVKnecht]

I need and explanation why Franconians from Germany and Finns are so cultural the same people. We don't talk to other people. We always sit alone on the public transport and rather stand then sitting next to some stranger. We don't know how to compliment. Our highest compliment is "Bassd scho" (it was alright). A classical joke about our people is that a Franconian tries to book 15 persons for his birthday party in a restaurant and the host says: Sorry, I only got 14 tables. And most of our people are, let's say very thirsty.

[@englishmadeeasy6515]

I also can't handle complements like Finnish people. From Pakistan🇵🇰

[@FINNSTIGAT0R]

I'm here to offer an insightful comment, one that you must take to heart. Finland is a highly conflict-avoidant culture. Because of this, we are not as "honest and straightforward" as we like to perceive ourselves. If you behave in a way that Finns around you consider improper, you’ll likely be given a pass initially. However, if you continue to behave in a way that the majority disapproves of, you will never be directly told, "What you did in this and that situation is wrong; we don't like it." Instead, you’ll notice a gradual decrease in interactions with Finns. Little by little, your contacts will become fewer and eventually may cease altogether. This doesn’t necessarily mean you are doing something universally considered bad; it could simply be that your behavior is uncomfortable for the majority. You might be too forthright, too confrontational, too opinionated, or even hold unpopular political opinions. Whatever the reason, you will never know unless someone, perhaps under the influence of alcohol, tells you why you have lost contacts. The truth is, Finns are not as sincere or direct as we think we are, simply because we avoid small talk or pleasantries. In reality, when it truly matters, we often remain silent. We maintain a straight face while someone does something we disapprove of and make a mental note that this person is no longer acceptable. This is far from actual sincerity, honesty, and straightforwardness. Written by a Finn

[@FINNSTIGAT0R]

The reasons for conflict avoidance in Finland, particularly in my generation and as a Finnish male, are not exactly the same as in many other countries, at least as I interpret them. We do not avoid conflict because it’s embarrassing or because we’ll lose face. You see, beneath the civility and tolerance of a Finn, and a Finnish male in particular, is a deep-seated hatred and rage towards being told what to do by another person. I feel this in myself as well; there is nothing I hate more than someone having the audacity to tell me I must behave differently or to directly say I am wrong. In my opinion, and this may be outdated, Finns are highly emotional and deeply feeling people. This is precisely why our culture emphasizes being mellow and not showing emotions, because when we do, we often overdo it. We can be really aggressive when we finally feel we’ve had enough, but that breaking point varies from person to person. I know there are Finns everywhere who are just on the brink, counting the months, days, hours, and seconds until they finally let it all out. This is not a pleasant cultural trait, but at least my generation has it, and I have seen it happen many times-when someone just loses their composure and goes off.

[@FINNSTIGAT0R]

For all its ridiculousness, the relatively new Finnish movie "Sisu" actually provides a quite descriptive portrayal of a Finnish man. He just wants to mind his own business, but then outside forces intervene. Once he sees that he has been clearly wronged, there is an intense violent backlash, and the man simply won’t let it go. When it’s so clear that he’s been wronged, he just goes "to an all out war."

[@turpasauna]

Very true. I see a lot of similarites in our culture and the Japanese "meiwaku" one.

[@Nyctophora]

As a British person I can relate to most of these, especially the queueing. It is a sacred art.

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@Jota-we2is]

I think spanish vowels sound nearly the same as finish ones

[@Vera----]

Terve ✋🏻 I am from Istanbul Turkey, which is , if you know, a very socially active place😅 and I can easily talk to anyone without stress, just like many Mediterranean people. But I also never liked the idea of people sitting next to me while there were other empty seats out there. Actually that must be common sense 🤷🏻‍♀️ that is too annoying. 🫥

[@mylifeisinhishandsamen4167]

I like this video

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks!

[@TheTruth-rh3kn]

0:30 What could be an alternative to "how are you"?

[@AleksiHimself]

You can use "how are you?" but just keep in mind how we Finns approach it. :)

[@TheTruth-rh3kn]

@@AleksiHimself sorry I misspoke, I meant to say what could be the alternative to "mitä kuuluu ". Or some finnish expressions like "whats up?"

[@gargaritaladybug6997]

The cheek-kissing thing intrigues me🤣😂🤣😂please tell me if there's a reason for it - does it mean something bad for Finns ?! Why hating it ?🙏🤣😂🤪thanks

[@badboys_sa9547]

Brother how to find a. Job in Finland Helsinki I am looking for job please help

[@nikhilrathod1096]

Hello Aleksi. Great content 👍 Learnt a lot about Finland from it. I have got a PhD in University of Oulu with 2800 gross salary. Is it enough to manage expenses for me and my spouse in salary in Oulu?

[@harrycslau]

Hi I am living in Turku. In my experience, I think it is fairly ok for two persons, if you don't need large apartments and lots of entertainments. Eventually, at this amount, I believe it does depends on your lifestyle more than the salary itself.

[@Whatshisname346]

I agree with Harry, we lived as a family (one kid) on something similar in Tampere for a year and that was with full price rent, not student housing which is cheaper. But I’d say if the person isn’t working, it’s good to get out and try to find something, a part-time job, do a free Finnish course or even some volunteering as the winters can drag if you’ve nothing to do. Also nice to have a social life.

[@nikhilrathod1096]

@@harrycslau Thanks

[@nikhilrathod1096]

@@Whatshisname346 Isn't there some allowance for Finnish integration program which can support families?

[@nikhilrathod1096]

What sqm size apartment would be comfortable (don't want it to be too small) for two persons?

[@usmanahmad5649]

hi how can i get work visa of finland

[@AleksiHimself]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXTKoIeCj7uKqqs

[@paulodell4063]

American here . I got REALLY stoned in Helsinki and walked through Kampii laughing at people. Last i heard was "wanna see something funny cowboy" and I got knocked the f*ck out. I learned the hard way not to make jokes about the finnish language and definitely do not mistake Helsinki for Moscow.

[@gregandre148]

Here in Italy this cheek kiss thing is really common and I hate it