You all know the funny stereotypes – always drunk, always quiet, always scared of people. Those are funny unless repeated ad nauseam. I am Finnish, but I lack the things that supposedly make a person Finnish. When I’m going abroad to study, I will present as myself first, but inevitably also as an ambassador of Finland. I chuckle often at stereotypes, but should we really plant this image in everyone’s minds? Imagine if everyone presented themselves as knife-wielding drunkard misanthropes abroad?
I suppose this is part of the Finnish sense of humour. I believe it is good to have a sense of self-irony and joke about ourselves every now and then. But I also believe we should try to present or create more positive stereotypes in addition to the old. Finland is a country that has succeeded in rising from devastating conditions and create a welfare state with low corruption and high living standards. We have created many technological advancements. We even created the perfect pizza, Berlusconi. Amongst ourselves we often call each other fair, honest and hard-working. But why must we always push ourselves down when presenting us to foreigners?
I am guilty of this humbler-than-thou behaviour as well. And after having studied for two years and gotten to know plenty of non-Finnish students, I have learned that people are generally more annoyed at people who constantly present themselves as worthless, ironically or not. I will strive for balance in this regard and become more positive. If you have done well, you should recognize it even if it’s not the best. You got the silver medal? Wouldn’t you like to hear “a job well done” instead of “well, you did everything you could.”
Finnish vs. US reporting style (credit Jocka Träskbäck)
I will do my best to present the more positive aspects of being Finnish to the world – but I don’t even drink coffee or like salmiakki.
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