Since I have been living in Finland for 3 years, I have got a great impact of Finnishness on myself. When I come back to my home country, Ukraine, I find out that people behave in not proper “non-Finnish” way.
First of all, politeness everywhere on Finland is my favourite Finnish feature. People are relaxed and not usually in a hurry, easily stop to help or advise. For instance, shop assistants in Finland are extremely polite: they smile, wish you a pleasant evening, have a small talk with you or joke (which actually sound normal and nothing special), but.. it never happens in Ukraine! All people are in hurry, running, afraid of strangers on the street. Shop assistants are sometimes rude if you take too much time. When visiting Ukraine I always get mad on shop assistants because I think they are screaming on me, forgetting it is normal in this country.
The other things I extremely love about this country and people are:
-safety – I am not worried anyone will steal my thing on the street, public transport, I even can leave my bag on the chair and go order my meal! Poliisi is always around to help as well.
– fresh air and clean tap water – better health and money spent on water saved are guaranteed!
Although, some aspects of Finnishness I still don’t like:
– shops are closing early, closed on holidays, alcohol is selling only till 9
– salmiakki and any food with its flavour!!! why Finns always treat me with salmari shots at the bar??
-going to sauna before going to the club – how about looking fancy?make-up?
Anyway, I am getting more Finnish year by year and I like it! I think I could be a good representative of Finland at my exchange destination =)
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