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The People of Finland From a Ronald Perspective. First Impressions “An orderly, peaceful, functioning society where most people see sense in developing their minds” – Virtual Finland
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The People of Finland From a Ronald Perspective
First Impressions • “An orderly, peaceful, functioning society where most people see sense in developing their minds” – Virtual Finland • “A deep reservoir of hidden strength, and you get a sense of peace and trust. But once you get to know them and after a few beers their hidden strength is a source friendship and fun.” – Ronald Lau • Being reserved, it usually up to you to make the first initiative, and are delighted when they have an opportunity to apply their other language skills.
Manners • Finland is an easy country to visit and customs and manners are clearly European, and the people are forgiving towards international affairs. • On a personal perspective it is very much like Canada
Identity • Honorable wartime achievements • Sporting activities and merits such as Finnish rally drivers and Formula 1 stars, football players Jari Litmanen and Sami Hyypiä. • Awareness and use of high tech in everyday life.
Language • Finnish which belongs to the Finno-Ugrian language family, Swedish, or small native speaking Sami. • English is widely spoken and common in the business world and on the radio.
Goal of Life Long Learning • Comprehensive schooling 7 to 17, free through funding, bilingual. • Higher education between polytechnic and university. • Emphasis on language study: English, German, French, Russian and Spanish. • Education system
Talking • Traditionally reserved brief silence is viewed as part of the conversation • In general I find they are better listeners and speak unhurriedly. • With the right situation, mobile phone, sauna, and night life can make them suddenly open and candid.
Eating • Finnish cuisine is a mixed element of European, Scandinavian and Russian. • Cuisine from any nationality can be found in restaurants, predominantly western. • Most shopping places close typically sooner particularly on weekends where restaurants and night life begins. • Finns rarely speak during meals, however are open, unhurried, and smooth.
Tipping • Tipping is rare • Bill considered part of service and goods purchased • Usually rounded to the nearest convenient number. • Tipping accepted where you know you have caused some inconvenience or asked for additional services.
Drinking • Consumption of wine and beer has increased in recent years. • Class 2 and higher alcoholic beverages: government-owned Alko. • Class 1 alcoholic beverages: local grocery stores. • Imports: restaurants • Homes wine reserved for weekends and guest. • Swedish speaking Finns almost always with meals • Finland leads the world in coffee drinking • A coffee (free refills) and a korvapuusti (translated ear slap) costs 4.20 euros @ Esplanad and Succès, my favorite being Karjalanpiirakat (a rice pastry).
Timing and the Seasons • Although Finn life is unhurried, they are quite punctual in the demanding business world. • Appointments are punctually kept, and being more than 15 minutes late even for meetings is viewed a hassle where train and bus, concerts and other public activities are very much on time. • The seasons of winter and summer is held unique in a sense it reflects the water activities such as fishing and ice sports.
Sauna • Having a sauna is completely natural, unhurried, to forget about work and talk about other things. • Although it is expected that guest may decline, medical and cultural reasons could be a justification, particularly where some public places have a sign prohibiting bathing suits (www.serena.fi).
What makes a Finn happy? • Seura (meaning good company), biggest circulated popular magazines a big survey.
Bizarre Sporting • Wife carrying, air guitar, swamp soccer, and endurance sauna. • Mobile hurling - And the prize for the longest throw? A new mobile phone. • Virtual Finland
Computing • Gaming won’t make the next big Nokia, but has nevertheless made it’s mark in gaming titles such as: • MaxPayne - RockStar • FlatOut - Bugbear Entertainment Ltd • Alan Wake - Finland's Remedy Entertainment Ltd. • Nokia N-Gage. • Changing the guard at Nokia – Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo takes the helm • Although gaming industry is risky, expensive, and viewed by tech leaders as a waste of productivity, new ideas are pushing towards “Edutainment” to increase language skills, job training, and physical fitness in a home and office environment.