tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3896195978622826735.post450571496614349590..comments2024-03-12T12:35:37.484+00:00Comments on Finnish from Afar Blog: The Taciturn FinnsTelefinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416099919182532105noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3896195978622826735.post-1879646040509032542012-06-10T06:49:10.278+01:002012-06-10T06:49:10.278+01:00I had a busload of Finnish and Estonian cardiologi...I had a busload of Finnish and Estonian cardiologists for a city tour of San Francisco. They were men and women of the most taciturn type - nothing, not even the icechest full of champagne, seemed to open them up. Lucky for me, I'd lived in Finland in the 1980's for six months, and knew better than to try. I just gave my usual lecture and drove them far out into the headlands past the Golden Gate Bridge, far away from crowds. It's the silence of the landscape that made this bunch finally start talking. In front of others - there's nothing to say, apparently, let them make fools of themselves. <br /><br />One did have a suggestion: for the upcoming US election for president, he recommended that Finland, nation of 5 million, could do the whole campaign and election for a much smaller price, and the whole world would be happy with the result, which probably would be a better pick for Leader of the Free World than Americans could do.<br /><br />I have to admit that this doc was probably right. Yksi ongelma: the Finns are too socialistic. They'd probably vote in an alcohol allowance on the welfare checks.Mary Mekkohttp://frwhiskey.diaryland.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3896195978622826735.post-13444509539644623322012-05-21T12:08:56.088+01:002012-05-21T12:08:56.088+01:00Excellent story! I can just picture it :)Excellent story! I can just picture it :)Katriinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08403719183047819222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3896195978622826735.post-51630439836637207802012-05-21T10:14:23.064+01:002012-05-21T10:14:23.064+01:00Ah. Desperately trying to catch peoples' atten...Ah. Desperately trying to catch peoples' attention when you already have it is the biggest mistake you can make. It's all about the exchange of information. When you keep trying to engage the audience, you're not conveying that information. Yet, that's what the audience is there for.<br /><br />Looking for external signs of validation is useless. The onus is on the audience to listen and you can't force it anyway. So, unless they're clearly not paying attention, it's a valid assumption the audience is listening.<br /><br />I suppose it is important for a speaker to learn to recognize whether the situation they're in is about conversation and interaction or if the audience is there for a lecture.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3896195978622826735.post-91558293127031043812012-05-21T07:28:50.101+01:002012-05-21T07:28:50.101+01:00Excellent :D I'm not surprised. A couple of ...Excellent :D I'm not surprised. A couple of years ago, I followed a course at the University, with twenty-something years old students. The teacher was desperately trying to engage with his audience as well, but nothing ever happened, I was usually the only one to raise a hand. It didn't seem to bother the (Finnish) teacher much, though, but it lasted for the all several weeks long course.Nathaliehttp://nathalielefever.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com