Thread: misunderstandings in communication and culture in Finland

terve
I need your help about cultural and communicational misunderstandings you face when you are abroad as a Finn or in Finland as a foreigner (greetings, eating, gestures, religion, marriage, work etc.) That's for my final paper please help )

Small talk is not that common in Finland

most finns are atheists.Thats just one reason why Suomi is best country in the world
And no,language isnt related with turkish (except pronounciation).
People prefer living together instead of marriage.No one needs to *prove* their love to the state anyway.
Genders are equal in every way.Another reason why Suomi is best country.
They dont talk much,even close/best friends.Females are different though:P.They speak little *more* than males.
When finns drunk,they become totally different character,talkative,warm,etc:P.They dont remember it tomorrow of course.
About food,i never liked salmiakki,but mammi and pulla is great.Havent tasted reindeer and bear meat.
Finns are very humble and shy.If you can break the *ice*,they can be great friends.Lot better than friends you got in your home country,believe me.No one will talk to you unless you start talking first,this must be number 1 rule for a foreigner in suomi.
Finns cant understand *hidden* messages in sentences,or indirect meaning in a sentence unlike turkish people.So,if you want yourself to be understood,speak directly and clearly.
As a Turk,your best friends will be Armenians and Greeks in here(if you dont have stupid prejudices about those nationalities).We have the same culture anyway.
Culture is TOTALLY DIFFERENT than Turkey,in every way(exception;you have to take off your shoes when you enter a house).Finns are also very emotional,but they're very good at masking it,so you cant see it unless they tell you.Most of the time,they never talk about their problems with anyone,result:suicide.
Being naked isnt rude in Suomi unlike Turkey.You have to be naked to enter saunas anyway(yes,fully naked.You can cry now:P).Because of this reason,many finns are kinda nudist.Many times i saw naked girls/guys running on the beach at night for example,or swimming naked in a lake.
If you want to understand finnish way of thinking,google *SISU*.Watching finnish films also help a lot.
Hope this helps,im sure that i forgot many things tho:P