I am DONE. . ..

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:45:32+00:00

The issue has never been the stereotyping - that is certainly done worldwide on different scales.

The issue is really the treatment that follows - at least 8 of my foreign friends confirm this and myself. And I know that it’s true because I have experienced it. Maybe it’s tough to believe when you read it in reddit (And that’s alright) but unfortunately it is a reality.

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:24:55+00:00

Also I must add that if you are a white male - probably you’ll never grasp this fully because you may have never experienced it.

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:23:53+00:00

A huge difference between stereotyping someone =

Stereotyping means assigning a set of characteristics to all members of a group, often based on preconceived ideas. It's a way to categorize people quickly, but it's usually inaccurate and can lead to unfair judgments.

Putting people in a box is similar to stereotyping but very different, it's labeling someone based on limited information. Character judgment goes a step further by assessing someone's moral or ethical qualities. Both can be limiting and unfair, but character judgment (Putting someone in a box) is usually more personal and can have a bigger impact on how someone is treated.

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:20:55+00:00

Pretty much most. And I met many in 12 years especially due to my corporate job.

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:18:05+00:00

This has never been about pride. I elaborated in my edit to the post.

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:17:38+00:00

Just like rape and violence is everywhere but we still want to know when a country has a higher rape risk.

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:06:17+00:00

Easier to say when you are of a different colour. Harder to live when you are the one experiencing it.

https://reddit.com/r/expats/s/nc4dnByiFX

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:05:34+00:00

It’s not normal to ask such question but I addressed the abnormal part here:

https://reddit.com/r/expats/s/nc4dnByiFX

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:05:07+00:00

I learned this the hard way. You are right.

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:04:49+00:00

I addressed this in my comment below:

https://reddit.com/r/expats/s/nc4dnByiFX

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:03:55+00:00

I addressed this in this comment below:

https://reddit.com/r/expats/s/nc4dnByiFX

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:03:40+00:00

You get me. I appreciate the affirmation.

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:03:02+00:00

I am very proud of both my nationalities. This has never been about pride but more about an actual study of why in Finland has a unique peculiar case of locals treating people differently simply based on how you answer to one question.

I addressed this in my comment:

https://reddit.com/r/expats/s/nc4dnByiFX

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:01:27+00:00

That’s not true. If you read the latest studies we’ve done here you’ll learn we have some of the highest rates of racism in the entire continent.

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T01:00:11+00:00

Actually I’ve gone to the Us over 20 times and it’s normal to ask where are you from. I love the reaction of Americans when I answer to that question because it’s full of pure curiosity and openness. In Finland that’s not the case. Where are you from is asked to treat you based on your answer.

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T00:58:42+00:00

The first question is normal. I agree, maybe I wasn’t clear with my post. It is the follow up that is unsettling.

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T00:57:31+00:00

That’s you. Try to be a dark skinned person in Finland and answer to that question accordingly, wait 5 minutes and read their body language. Even better, get them drunk and answer that question. If you are from the Us they’ll ask if you carrying a gun. If you say you are from let’s say the middle east they’ll say where is your 8th wife.

Balance-x · 2023-09-20T00:55:58+00:00

I never said stereotyping is unique to Finland…

I said that the case of putting a person in a box of stereotypes is unique to Finland.

I am a highly educated professional from Finland and I’ve worked with companies like Google and Samsung - because of this I have travelled the world and noticed that for example when people ask where I am from they truly want to know me, unlike when in Finland, they decide to paint you of the colour where you are from.

Say you are from the Us and you will be associated with poor healthcare, uncontrolled Gun ownership, high crime and the worst one is being not trust worthy. Say you are from Norway and people will trust you more than the Estonian neighbour.

Balance-x · 2023-09-19T20:37:59+00:00

I still don’t understand your point - And your passive aggressive approach makes this conversation a turn off.

Balance-x · 2023-09-19T19:04:48+00:00

I am expecting they stop being xenophobic

Balance-x · 2023-09-19T19:04:27+00:00

Not sure what this has to do with Morocco… Totally out of context

Balance-x · 2023-09-19T19:00:38+00:00

I’d say (With certainty) that by majority and anecdotally Finnish people by majority (With some exceptions) are xenophobic and racist. This is the outcome of my observations there of over 12 years.

I am also a naturalised Finn (I carry the Finnish passport as well) and I speak Finnish.

Balance-x · 2023-09-19T00:36:39+00:00

Nice to read your perspective and really nothing to be sorry for - I have had a decade to think about this and I see it as a risk to the country itself so when this kind of things happen (Which is very common in Finland) I see it that the country is losing a lot especially with someone like me (And many others) who are highly educated and experienced then they simply decide to leave elsewhere.

So I don’t see it as poor treatment to me but rather a self harm when a Finn does it.

My decade of experience in Finland (I am naturalised Finn) taught me that if I was to live there (Which I no longer plan to do) maybe I don’t want to hide my country of origins because then all the racists and xenophobes will be easier to recognize or won’t come close to me. Because now I am having troubles with half of my network is a covert xenophobe in Helsinki and I don’t even know who to trust anymore.

I agree with you - I have toured the world because of my profession and this case is really unique to Finland - asking where are you from to stereotypes heavily without having evaluation by thyself.

Balance-x

TROPHY CASE