The Irony of it All

The events of the past week have caused me to reflect upon the ironies of life.  This weekend, we had a nine hour cultural training course with one of the most interesting and animated people I have met.  She is a Finnish woman, in public relations, who has traveled the world.  Much of the discussion pertained to differences in culture and culture shock.  I must share a point from her presentation that I find amusing:
1.  When a stranger on the street smiles, a Finn assumes that he is:
-drunk
-insane
-or an American
Every time I look at this, I can't help but smile.  Finns are characterized as being quiet, shy and reserved.  However, Mirka was in true contrast with that characterization.  We had one of the longest conversations we have ever had, with one of the friendliest and liveliest persons, we have ever met.

On Sunday, Mike left for the US and will be gone for a week.  We all miss him terribly when he is gone, but it was especially hard to see him go on his birthday, a day we would typically celebrate together.  Also, Sundays tend to be especially long here.  First,  most things are closed or have very limited hours.  Second, the kids games are not on weekends.  Third, we live in a tiny apartment with little or nonexistent work/ yard work to be done.  We try to find something fun and interesting to do.  I thought that going to the local swimming hall would be a good way to occupy our time.

Part of experiencing a new culture is, inevitably, making a few mistakes along the way.  This can be frustrating and anxiety provoking.  It can make you laugh, or it may make you cry.  The following experience, did both...

So we paid for our pool/sauna admission and I notice a sign, in Finnish, that has a pair of swim trunks with a cross through it.  This sign bewildered me.  Could it mean men can't wear the typical "board shorts" to swim at the pool???  Surely not???  Yep!  That's what it meant alright.  Rather than go home and forfeit the day, I opted to play the dumb American card.  Poor Lane.  He came up to me and said, "Everyone is staring at me cuz I'm the only one with shorts on."  I told him not to worry about it and we would get him some "appropriate shorts" later.  I am cracking up to the point of tears as I write this.  I can't help but think back to the Ben Stiller moment in Meet the Parent's.  As I glanced around at all the spandex clad men and boys, and then Lane in his board shorts, I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the situation.  Then Alayna and I were off to the sauna to get naked with some "shy" Finnish women.  More on that some other time.

Part of our cultural training included noshing on this Finnish culinary creation.  It is called vety.  It is a meat pie with ground beef, smoked ham, boiled eggs and garlic mayo.  It was actually pretty tasty.