If you were to ask a fish in a sea about the sea that surrounds it, it will tell you there is only water around. The same applies to Finns and Finland. That what we call “Finland” is besides the functioning institutions within the recognized borders is also a number of messages, postulates of truths that apply to the certain area and make its inhabitants unique from others. For instance, what is happiness for a Finn? What is success? What is the role of association in Finland? – and there are many more one might want to know in advance. The institutions are easy to identify and interact with; however, revealing the nature of the mysterious messages that form the culture of “Finnish-ness” is often quite a challenge.
There are some truths about Finland that not a single Finn will tell you in part because of political correctness, in part, because they are often unaware of these truths themselves although they follow them unconsciously and, in large, because these messages are a taboo for discussion though they form the natural fabric of their life. I struggled and had to learn many of these lessons on my own skin. I wish, I knew this before coming to Finland. It would save me from a lot of headache. So, if you are a foreigner and you read it, do yourself a favor – learn the environment. You are welcome to disagree with me, reasonably argue back or stay silent, but, please, choose to learn the environment you either plan to experience by moving or have already settled in.
Finland is for Finns. Finland is such as it is because it is built in such a way by the Finns/locals and for the Finns/locals. If political, social, economic or any other domain of life in Finland does not fit in your “ideal-small-little-Finland”-box or your perception of this country – the problem is in not in the country, it is in “the box”; adjust your understanding by taking everything you see here as a given. Learn to live with it if you choose to stay. If you do not like something, nobody holds you down nor holds you back. Move to your dream land! You are not a tree. If you do not want to move, stop winning and look for opportunities as there are plenty. If, however, you still want to bring a change, find and join other people with the same agenda. This is a bitter pill to swallow, but once you digest it, it will turn into a remedy and help you to carry on.
Did you get an invitation? In many cases, an immigrant in Finland is here by his own volition. Let me assume something – nobody called you to move to Finland, which is true about the majority of foreigners in Finland. Even if you were invited, nobody promised your dreams to come true, nobody promised anything. If you decide to pursue your luck here and failed, do not blame the system. Blame yourself for the poor research. If you were actually invited, you have experienced the warmth, kindness and generosity of Finns in full as they truly know how to impress those one they are truly interested in.
Learn the laws of Jante. Finns are Scandinavians (well, kinda), but the laws valid in those countries still have their place in daily life here as well because of Lutheran background and the Swedish heritage. They serve well as a tool for social control inherited from the Swedish past. The laws might not form openly the ground for social interactions, but knowing these will help you manage yourself, when needed.
As defined by Sandemose, Law of Jante includes ten specific rules:
- You’re not to think you are anything special.
- You’re not to think you are as good as we are.
- You’re not to think you are smarter than we are.
- You’re not to convince yourself that you are better than we are.
- You’re not to think you know more than we do.
- You’re not to think you are more important than we are.
- You’re not to think you are good at anything.
- You’re not to laugh at us.
- You’re not to think anyone cares about you.
- You’re not to think you can teach us anything.
Get the tough lip. No need to wack – Everyone struggles. You are not the only one going through pains. Those pains might not be exactly as yours, but there are many locals around you with their own tough stories. Be kind. Be nice. Be positive. Produce value. Contribute to the common wealth. Suddenly, you will realize that this is exactly what other local people around you do. If you as a foreigner demand special treatment, you will get some, but it will come with a price often invisible. Believe me, you do not want to see the bill. People that form your social surroundings will distance oneself from you as you become a social liability. This is the least you want to get in Finland and I will tell you why in the next post.