Finnish people are usually defined as calm, quiet, outspoken, spunky and withdrawn persons. Of course that definition is a generalization of us, but not completely wrong assumption. We are not as talkative or outgoing as South Europeans, for example. We don't also prefer a small-talk conversations and the way of expressing feelings separates us a number of other cultures. I keep it as one of the weaknesses of Finnish culture, because I know that the expression of feelings is one of the most important issues for a person's health and a relation with other persons.
Of course, different cultures may have a different opinion of us as a person. I think that we do not keep us as withdrawn as a non-representative of the culture. I guess that introversion is for us as a normal thing when at the same time a foreign person wonders our personality or way to talk and express feelings. So, Finnish are generalized as a melancholy nation. Because of the introversion, some of us expresses themselves through art. So, we have much melancholy kind of art. And of course, Finnish people have also other ways of express their feelings and if you are a Finnish person or know something about us, you may guess what the tool of expressing feelings may be.....? Finnish have their own ways to relax and one way is getting drunk. With the help of alcohol opening up is generally easier for us. But that is a generalization. Of course, not every Finnish person is an introvert and have problems with telling their feelings.
I found an article "8 reasons Finnish people won't talk to you" that describes more about our behavior in social situations or environments. There are good points, that the writer of the article Violetta Teetor has brought up. Of course, the Finnish people want to defend and explain the way of their behavior. We don't want that a foreigner thinks that we are strange or quiet. Explaining the way of our behavior we give the foreigner a reason to understand us better. I also recommend to read the another article "How to piss a Finn" that has written by Maari Parkkinen. There are quite strong tones with both of the articles, but I recommend to read those with a humor angle. I don't know at least everything about other cultures and I understand if a foreigner surprises in several levels when he or she comes to Finland. What kind of experiences, assumptions or opinions do you have about us?
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