As said in the previous post of The Onnibus, I’ve noticed Finnish people aren’t that good at small talk. It’s sometimes still difficult for me to accept the fact Finnish people often only say what needs to be said and can enjoy silence.  I still struggle with this although not as much as in the beginning of my Erasmus. I can now appreciate the silence and don’t necessary take it as a punishment anymore.

In communicating with each other Finnish people are tennis players – when someone speaks the other one listens. When Italian people talk to each other they both speak at the same time. There will almost never be a silent moment.

In the model of Lewis, Belgium is between linear-active and multi-active when Finland is placed nearly between the linear active and the reactive but still more to the linear active. This explain why I as a half Belgian and Italian girl sometimes have difficulties when Finnish person don’t use body language and I find it difficult to know what they are really thinking. I think the Finnish tend to appreciate their personal space. For example when waiting for the bus don’t get to close- I went to sit next to a lady who then stood up and waited for the bus to arrive. Next time I will keep in mind not to get in the comfort zone of another and instead I will ask if I can sit there.

Oh yeah and for next time I will remember these as conversation topics as they seem to have a good reaction :

• Your business background and experience.
• Positive travel experiences in Finland and other countries.
• All current events of a global nature
• Finnish history, sports, and other aspects of the culture

But the most important thing I learnt is Less is more… keep small talk minimal and don’t try to fill silent moment! + don’t interrupt people when they are talking each his turn (finnish people are tennis player in the conversation )!!

Friendly greeting from the cold Finland

Olivia