I remember reading an article a while back, about peach and coconut cultures. I thought that this idea rather nicely summarizes the cultural differences between human interactions. Essentially, a peach culture is more open to strangers and individuals that classify as peach, will more openly discuss with strangers and acquaintances. A peach culture is seen as initially more friendly but once you start advancing to deeper relationship you will hit the stone inside the peach. The true personality is protected by this hard stone and the initial friendliness was just the soft part of the peach.
We Finns are more like coconuts. We have a hard shell that protects our true personality, we don’t open up and interact as freely with strangers. However, inside this hard shell lies the true person – you just need to get past the hard shell protecting it. Also, we Finns like to complain often and thus may come across as a bit grumpy, but once you do get to know a Finn you will see the genuineness and hospitality shine through this grumpy façade and hard shell.
One more thing I truly appreciate about Finns and Finland is honesty. I have never had to be afraid of my stuff getting stolen despite leaving them out of my line of sight. I have even had complete strangers asking me to take care of their stuff while they need to do something elsewhere.
Having visited my exchange destination already this summer and having seen the multicultural environment, I’m sure I will blend in just fine with my Finnish mentality and habits! What I will definitely miss though, is the sauna during the winter time!
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