larsenjw92286 wrote:
I read that you are from Finland. Well, my ancestors are from Denmark! It's a small world, isn't it?
It definitely is a small world, and in the Nordic countries it's even smaller. I should probably point out that I'm not actually Finnish, I just live here. I was born in Maryland, USA, and lived there until I ran away to Finland. My family's ethnic background in pretty extensive: my mom is 3/4 Polish and 1/4 Ukrainian. On my dad's side we have everything from Irish and German immigrants (also
Pennsylvania Dutch) to a bit of Cherokee.
One thing I really like about Finland is that I find it a lot easier to fit in with the culture here. The average Finn would never dream of starting a conversation with a stranger (anyone that outgoing is assumed to be drunk, crazy, or a tourist). Silence is normal and expected in conversations (it's a sign of good listening), and small talk is generally seen as a pointless waste of time (if Finns have something to say, they say it).
Quickduck wrote:
I like badminton too. Organising a game might prove a little difficult though, since I live in the UK.
Yeah, I don't think I could hit the birdie (shuttlecock) quite that far.