LaCroix

Points: 765, Level: 14

Activity: 0%

I am a American and I have met quite a few Finns. They seem to be quiet when they are first meeting you but then so are most people when they are meeting new people. But, once you are past the first meet stage Finns are quite warm and friendly. In my opinion easy going...calm, much calmer than Americans.

And, as far as being moody...no I do not think that Finns are moody in general.

Ekenäs

Points: 1,173, Level: 18

Activity: 14%

Certainly calmer than Americans.....

LaCroix

Points: 765, Level: 14

Activity: 0%

"lol" Must have met a few Americans in your time, have you?

Snow

here is an article about the Silence of Finns:
Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition - Home

Does language seperate people?

Catacang

Points: 154, Level: 3

Activity: 99%

When I first visited Finland in 2007 I didn't know much about their lifestyle neither their silence habits.
When my friend introduced me to a few Finns we shook hands and exchange a few words and stuff, and then suddenly nobody is talking anymore.
Being a Portuguese (with the southern european habit of non-stop talking) I said something like "Come on people, why is everybody so quiet and sad? Cheer up folks!", they reacted nicely and laughed for a moment but then everyone is all quiet again. That was one of the first moments I did realize they were not sad, it's simply the Finnish way of living, after some conversations with my friend and other Finns they explained me how different people interact, how Finns appreciate silence, and can be with another person not saying a word for quite some time.

Luke Kelly

Points: 599, Level: 11

Activity: 99%

Yes ! but only as much as there is in any other country , the old people here in finland are like the teenager's in dublin, ie quiet and moody and sometimes rash ! that's my opinion .

natsumi382

Points: 1,906, Level: 26

Activity: 50%

Well we use to say: "The longer you can be quiet with somebody without either of you getting uneasy the better friends you are." ...that's because then you now the other person so well that you don't feel worried about what he thinks about you if you're not in the social mood, also then you don't feel that you would have to act something you really aren't... I mean for some reason talking doesn't usually come naturally from Finns and you really have to do work for the words when meeting new people.^.^ And when you don't know people the probability that you offend them is quite high so it's better to be quiet. Also sometimes it's very annoying if people talk when they haven't got anything to say, it takes time from thinking.

Blazco_

Points: 3,360, Level: 36

Activity: 25%

It's better to stay quiet and be thought an idiot than to speak out and remove all doubt

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¡El día que me muera me vas a escuchar, porque yo desde el cielo te voy a alentar!

natsumi382

Points: 1,906, Level: 26

Activity: 50%

You always get the point<3

Blazco_

Points: 3,360, Level: 36

Activity: 25%

Well, thanks to Mark Twain

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¡El día que me muera me vas a escuchar, porque yo desde el cielo te voy a alentar!