Matthew Clapham
Mar 22, 2024

Although oddly the country also has a higher-than-average suicide rate. But half what it was a decade or so ago. The Finns are supposed to be an introverted bunch - I was once told that the Swedes have a joke about their neighbours:

'How can you spot an extroverted Finn?

They look at your shoes instead of their own when they talk to you.'

But yeah, I think the education system must have a lot to do with it: late start, small sizes, but above all autonomy given to schools and teachers to accommodate their students' needs, rather than forcing them through a one-size-misfits-all sausage machine, resulting in lifelong anxiety and trauma for many, as is the norm in most countries.

Matthew Clapham
Matthew Clapham

Written by Matthew Clapham

Professional translator by day. Writer of silly and serious stuff by night. Also by day, when I get fed up of tedious translations. Founder of Iberospherical.

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