Response: Ramblings 9

Nice to see comments, and o you copycat Jane! Heh

Well I didn't meant to imply this behavior was just towards North America, that's just my immediate. And I get it, I really do, it's far away, Canada doesn't get much coverage and probably doesn't play as big a role in history books.

But it's done all over. I often hear negative comments about people from different countries, like Italians are lazy, wifebeaters, uneducated and never move out of the home. People from Africa are all criminals. And stuff like that. This is what I find appalling.

It's just that the Canada/USA thing strikes the closest to home.

And yes, it is partle ignorance and inexperience with other cultures. And what irks me a bit is that a lot of Finns consider themselves worldly, experienced, sophisticated and educated. And then they talk about peopl from other countries in such away!

A lot of Finns go on exchanges to different schools and universities when they are young. They talk about their experience frequently from their times in Finland.

But a lot of what I heard is that they didn't experience, sure they were there 4 years but they still see only stereotypes and make massive generalizations.

Yeah, I know we all do this from time to time. And not all Finns are like this, I've met a lot of great ones. But the fact that this attitude is in the Media, newspapers, television and what not kinda just shocks me.

And yes Henri, I totally get what you mean, it's like the Finns that went of exchanges and just didn't live it.

Next post I should say a little about the other Canadian I met here and his reaction to Finns!

My apologies to all the Finns that don't think at all like this.

And don't let this post turn you off visiting Finland. It's a lovely country. Finns love practicing their language skills on all the people they meet and taking you out to a bar or a party of some kind. And if you just step up and ask, they love to help and assist as well. Not all of course, but quite a lot.

I have had a lot of positive interactions with Finns. 

Also in recent years Finland has had an great increase in immigration, due to the EU and the wars. So they have two types of foreigners living with them, refugees and immigrants.

Finland has been for a very long time a humogenous country, so I can understand the struggle to adapt to the change. Canada and the USA pretty much grew up on immigration. European countries have not.

Older generations are much more likely to stereotype and have negative views whereas younger generations are much more relaxed, and many are open to getting to know the newcomers. 

Still the media needs a kick in the ass, since a lot of it is controlled by the older generations.

I guess a large part of my strong reaction comes from my cultural sensitivity. And as we know media doesn't always reflect the majority view.

Ramblings 9: Semi-Rant About MC

More on being Multicultural

I don’t want Finns to take too much offence, but I think you’re a bit snobbish in your world view.

Yes, Finland is a great place to live, great education, social structure, communications, transportation and what ever else I am forgetting. But your mindset towards “foreigners” really gets to me.

I come from Canada, I am a Finnish-Canadian, my parents were born and raised there. I am a mixture of both cultures.

Finns are highly educated, smart, practical people, they frequently go on student exchanges and visit with people from other cultures.

But for some reason a lot of Finns just use a very broad brush stroke and just label and categorize people in a way that has my job dropping to the floor.

It's not with cruel intent, it's not to be malicious or that they really think they are better than people from other countries. It's just how it comes across. This is not just individuals. I've seen this behavior on the News all over the media and about how people I meet talk about foreigners and immigrants.

I have the dubious honor of being both a Finn and also a foreigner. I can see it. I just don't understand the mass blindness.

For people that are so enlightened about most things I just can't understand that they can just be so... stereotyping.

So when I get called a “yank” or an American, I get a little insulted. I am Canadian, you can call me a Canuck but that’s a really outdated term. For people so educated I am astounded at the lack of consideration. Saying Canada should be shoved in with the USA is just… well insulting to me.

It would be like me saying “Oh you Europeans,” or “Scandinavians” and yeah I am aware how Finns can get outraged at the latter. Oh or better yet I will call you a Swede. Because hey you are neighbors, share the same culture and viewpoints right? Oh they might take offence!

I can get being called American, since Canada is in NORTH AMERICA, however when that American is meant to mean the United States of America, I get rather annoyed.

I have lived in the USA, but I have lived far longer in Canada, I was born and raised there.

I am very aware of the differences between the USA and Canada.

It may sound trite but it is exactly as we learned in school. USA = cultural melting pot and Canada = cultural mosaic.

What does that mean? Well if you want to be an AMERICAN (USA) then you need assimilate to the culture and have your own native culture take a back seat. So-called native born Americans dislike immigrants. Generally, though it is a bit broad, after all US is made of immigrants so they are more tolerant than other countries.

Now Canada, lets you keep your culture. It expects you to glory in it and share in it. And just come together as Canadians being from around the world. There are some 3^rd generation families or more that don’t call themselves Canadians they call themselves their native ethnicity. However, the second you take them out of Canada? Then they are Canadian.

Canada is pretty much the MOST successful country is realizing cultural diversity. How many countries are you comfortable living in where you feel you can wear your native dress? Speak your language, practice your own religion? (Of course there is hate, and it is not perfect but a large portion of it has been successful)

All Canada asks is that you accept others, tolerate them as well and to maybe, just maybe learn the English language so others can understand you. *You need to know a little to be able to pass the citizenship test!

Here is a quote that at first I thought was ridiculous, but latter on realized the truth of it.

Excuse me but I can’t recall the exact quote, but here is the gist:

“How’d you know she was Canadian?” “She was nice for no reason.”

I am not saying Canada is perfect, but it is a lot more accepting of people from other cultures and ethnicities. More aware. You have to be to live in Canada. Sure you have the stereotypes, biases and bigotry. But in the end most people end up learning about other cultures if not consciously, just by osmosis.

And yeah, Canada has a lot of stuff to work on, health care, education, communication etc etc. But at least we don’t put our noses in the air when we meet a foreigner.

Of course I should add that my sensitivity to all this is probably brought on by having lived in Canada for so long. We become very, very aware of others and about preconceive notions.

Sorry about the semi-rant but I don't like seeing this behavior.

And no, it wasn't directed at me.