Finnish People in Retrospect
I have always considered my self to be a fairly alert sort of person,I look at Finnish People on the streets,the Helsinki trams,Helsinki Metro,markets,and just about anywhere where there are people passing by going about their daily business,even Helsinki drunks.However as I see the Finnish People and have done so for many years now,they are known to be a quiet,if introvert race of people.You only need to look at Kimi Räikkönen in interviews to get the idea
Finnish People,Are They Introvert?
After dining a bottle of vodka nearly all peoples from what ever country become far more excited and extrovert!leading to a lot of banter and laughter.Finnish People are no different.What about in sobriety?Well I got to realizing that Finnish People when sober are in fact quite insecure or appear to be.When traveling on most forms of public transport,they will sit and listen to just about any one else’s conversation,rather than get actively involved.I am not for one minute promoting the idea that people should ingratiate themselves in to nearby peoples conversation.I am guilty as charged when it comes to listening in on others conversation,only for short bursts of time and usually due to hearing something interesting,a name,news or event currently being staged in or around Helsinki
Finnish People and no small talk mentality
Many Finnish People that I know or have known have left one indelible that stands out more so than the others.This being the belief that silence is a sign of a wise man and idle talk,that of Squaws.I remember only to well the first days I set foot in Helsinki Finland as British Expatriate,I talked and talked for months.The Finnish People that I met just sat and listened.After my first few months here in Helsinki,I actually began to doubt myself.Was I being belittled or were they really interested.Well after some years and many conversations with The Finnish People,I came to realize that they had listened and remembered 99% of what I had spouted forth
When on a visit to Finland,pay attention to the way a few of the local Finnish People are talking and a lot if not all near by are appearing to be browsing the paper,staring in to a lost void or watching for Helsinki tram or bus inspectors..Try as you dare but should you attempt to initiate a conversation,more than often times you will be seen as clinically insane or a Helsinki Drunk
I half understand the Finnish People mentality,hell I am actually succumbing to it myself.Whether its the effects of cold,dark long days and as a result seasonal affective disorder or just plain antipathy I keep an open mind open.What I do believe is that plain old eavesdropping on others chit-chat is not only amusing at times but occasionally down right hilarious,the danger being here is should you uncontrollably burst out in fits of laughter you again risk being seen as clinically insane or a deranged Helsinki Drunk.
Wise men find life amusing
After intense debate a conclusion was made by me a British Expatriate and Finnish FinnishPeople.It is both safer and more amusing to listen to others talk,however I feel the need to speak at some point.Listening can at times be very reveling and amusing.It is also a very effectual way of keeping up to date with all the news about a total stranger,one conversation on the right may reveal lewd details about last weekends bi-annual granny derby dash at the local S-Market store,on the left you may have two Helsinki Drunks arguing over who holds the last 50 cents for a bottle of liquor before the Alco closes.Whilst pre-occupied,two Helsinki ticket inspectors board the tram,and your nabbed.Welcome to Finland! 
and the Finnish People
Gregory Barr
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