Are You Socially Awkward, or Just "Spiritually Finnish?"

Back in my youth, I was in a Summer Student Exchange program where I lived with a Finnish family for 6 weeks .... I found this phenomenon of Finnish introversion to be basically true! I still keep in touch with the girl whose family I lived with.

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If you find it awkward to make small talk, you may be “jingfen” (精芬 or “spiritually Finnish.” That’s the newly coined Chinese buzzword for a burgeoning identity taking hold among millennials.

The term “jingfen” is inspired by a comic from Finland called “Finnish Nightmares,” starring a cartoon figure named Matti who prefers minimal contact and avoids social situations. His creator Karoliina Korhonen describes Matti as “a stereotypical Finn who appreciates peace, quiet and personal space. Matti tries his best to do unto others as he wishes to be done unto him: to give space, be polite and not bother with unnecessary chit chat.”

I can't copy the cartoon, but there is more at the link....

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/are-you-socially-awkward-or-just-spiritually-finnish?utm_source=pocket-newtab