I get that it must feel frustrating to constantly be spoken to in English when Finnish is your native language. That would definitely get old. At the same time, I wonder if sometimes people are just trying to be polite or helpful rather than intentionally marginalising anyone. Feels like there’s a real conversation to be had here (about feeling like an outsider even though you were born here, or that you should feel grateful), but maybe it’s a bit more nuanced than the headline makes it seem…
Demented_CEO on
Born and raised, with slightly different ancestry. Almost always people speak in English to me. When I respond in Finnish, most look surprised as if I caught them in the middle of something. Then, a select few idiots actually open their mouths to say “*sähän puhut hyvin suomea*” (“*oh, you speak Finnish well*”).
No shit, I’ve only ever spoken Finnish since I was in diapers. We’re in Finland. It’s only natural to be spoken to in Finnish first and if it’s apparent that Finnish doesn’t work for the situation, then try English or whatever. Just by removing the tendency to try to accommodate (too much), you actually become more inclusive.
Yes, there are idiots who look at you like “don’t you see I’m obviously not Finnish” and fuck those people. It’s better to make a few idiots suffer than marginalize those who actually are Finnish in their own fucking home country. It’s also the same pretty much everywhere you go.
When I lived in Germany, nobody even questioned if I knew German. And even if I struggled, they would still speak to me in German and not immediately switch to English. Which was actually very helpful! I don’t know why we try so hard to please everyone in Finland.
Just be yourself!
hulaQuez on
take it as a compliment – youre native speaker, you know what sort of people finns are.
die_by_the_swordfish on
It is what it is. These things are the result of multiculturalism
Better-Ad4149 on
Anyone here who’s half Finnish, has been feeling the same way?
suolattu-saatana on
I get that it must feel awful, but I think it’s kinda dumb to attribute malice to it.
There’s an increasing number of people in the country that don’t speak finnish, and people make assumptions about what language someone speaks before choosing which language to start with.
Sure, those guesses are often based on appearance, but I would guess the guesses are also more often than not correct. Not always, obviously, but it’s more taxing to start in finnish with everyone and then switch to english, even with groups where based on appearance a vast majority don’t understand finnish.
nikanjX on
It’s not as simple as it seems, as the next article will be from a tourist lamenting how they always get an opening salvo of finnish and have to ask for english
vitsimiekka on
I’m on the benign end of this spectrum. I don’t look distinctly non-Finnish, but there is something to the way I look that makes people on occasion assume I’m not local. It typically happens in touristy spots and at the airport. Also, back in the day I used to wear suits for work and ride taxis. In certain spots the drivers seemed to assume it was the safest bet to greet me in English. Nobody has ever complimented my Finnish, though… I hope it’s not shit.
maddog2271 on
I run into the opposite issue as an immigrant with a 100 percent Northern European background…people sometimes get confused and a bit surprised when we start talking and then I inevitably start making the mistakes common to non-native Finnish speakers. occasionally then they helpfully suggest we speak swedish since they conclude I am probably a Swedish speaking Finn and then I habe to explain that I am an immigrant. For me I just accept it but I can definitely understand how these folks would get frustrated.
hdzaviary on
In my workplace there is this blonde Finnish girl who once got the same interaction like this.
Our customer told her you speak very good Finnish, her thought was the hell if I don’t speak good Finnish it would be catastrophic for Finnish people.
In my workplace most of the workers are 2nd gen immigrants born in Finland or foreigners. She is one of 3 workers who are native Finns (no visible immigrants look).
Weird but funny.
Neutral-frame on
Oh my God, are you communicating what you intend to communicate? Good. That is the idea of languages. Not everything means you harm. Jesus Christ. Communication is to convey what you want to say and the other one understands it. Done. Nothing more to it. Do it in whatever language.
Puzzleheaded_Let7206 on
Haha people are never happy. I have the opposite problem. What ever white country I visit people always think I am a local one and speak local language. They come and ask where is some street, or house or hotel. Sorry I dont not understand and I do not know.
12 commenti
I get that it must feel frustrating to constantly be spoken to in English when Finnish is your native language. That would definitely get old. At the same time, I wonder if sometimes people are just trying to be polite or helpful rather than intentionally marginalising anyone. Feels like there’s a real conversation to be had here (about feeling like an outsider even though you were born here, or that you should feel grateful), but maybe it’s a bit more nuanced than the headline makes it seem…
Born and raised, with slightly different ancestry. Almost always people speak in English to me. When I respond in Finnish, most look surprised as if I caught them in the middle of something. Then, a select few idiots actually open their mouths to say “*sähän puhut hyvin suomea*” (“*oh, you speak Finnish well*”).
No shit, I’ve only ever spoken Finnish since I was in diapers. We’re in Finland. It’s only natural to be spoken to in Finnish first and if it’s apparent that Finnish doesn’t work for the situation, then try English or whatever. Just by removing the tendency to try to accommodate (too much), you actually become more inclusive.
Yes, there are idiots who look at you like “don’t you see I’m obviously not Finnish” and fuck those people. It’s better to make a few idiots suffer than marginalize those who actually are Finnish in their own fucking home country. It’s also the same pretty much everywhere you go.
When I lived in Germany, nobody even questioned if I knew German. And even if I struggled, they would still speak to me in German and not immediately switch to English. Which was actually very helpful! I don’t know why we try so hard to please everyone in Finland.
Just be yourself!
take it as a compliment – youre native speaker, you know what sort of people finns are.
It is what it is. These things are the result of multiculturalism
Anyone here who’s half Finnish, has been feeling the same way?
I get that it must feel awful, but I think it’s kinda dumb to attribute malice to it.
There’s an increasing number of people in the country that don’t speak finnish, and people make assumptions about what language someone speaks before choosing which language to start with.
Sure, those guesses are often based on appearance, but I would guess the guesses are also more often than not correct. Not always, obviously, but it’s more taxing to start in finnish with everyone and then switch to english, even with groups where based on appearance a vast majority don’t understand finnish.
It’s not as simple as it seems, as the next article will be from a tourist lamenting how they always get an opening salvo of finnish and have to ask for english
I’m on the benign end of this spectrum. I don’t look distinctly non-Finnish, but there is something to the way I look that makes people on occasion assume I’m not local. It typically happens in touristy spots and at the airport. Also, back in the day I used to wear suits for work and ride taxis. In certain spots the drivers seemed to assume it was the safest bet to greet me in English. Nobody has ever complimented my Finnish, though… I hope it’s not shit.
I run into the opposite issue as an immigrant with a 100 percent Northern European background…people sometimes get confused and a bit surprised when we start talking and then I inevitably start making the mistakes common to non-native Finnish speakers. occasionally then they helpfully suggest we speak swedish since they conclude I am probably a Swedish speaking Finn and then I habe to explain that I am an immigrant. For me I just accept it but I can definitely understand how these folks would get frustrated.
In my workplace there is this blonde Finnish girl who once got the same interaction like this.
Our customer told her you speak very good Finnish, her thought was the hell if I don’t speak good Finnish it would be catastrophic for Finnish people.
In my workplace most of the workers are 2nd gen immigrants born in Finland or foreigners. She is one of 3 workers who are native Finns (no visible immigrants look).
Weird but funny.
Oh my God, are you communicating what you intend to communicate? Good. That is the idea of languages. Not everything means you harm. Jesus Christ. Communication is to convey what you want to say and the other one understands it. Done. Nothing more to it. Do it in whatever language.
Haha people are never happy. I have the opposite problem. What ever white country I visit people always think I am a local one and speak local language. They come and ask where is some street, or house or hotel. Sorry I dont not understand and I do not know.