Posted by Carissa Shaul on April 11, 2012 - 11:55pm
After escaping Los Angeles to Helsinki, Finland for almost a year - my return has been filled with nothing short of a serious case of culture shock.
The basic mentality between the two locales is essentially the complete opposite.
Finns: As little small talk as possible. Always say what you mean. Stick to your small social group. Drink way too much.
Loss Angels: As much small talk as possible. Only small talk if possible. Never say what you mean. Stick to every social group. Drink way too much.
Ok, so there are some similarities.
This transition has made for some funny grocery store interactions on both ends and many awkward situations. I'm trying to maintain the straight forward Finnish attitude that I learned to love in the Land of Plastic.
We wouldn't want to stereotype an entire region of course but as I am living in the heart of Hollywood and every time I go out I encounter the most self-centered, creepily perfect people it is hard not to compare.
First observation: Women.
The overall look and attitude of women in both regions is unbelievably different.
Finnish women have a kick ass, fuck off attitude. They have no time for being hit on. They dye their blonde locks pink or black and stick with the other tough ladies for a beer or seven. When men approach (which is unlikely given their spiked belongings) they are only kept around temporarily and are screamed away if their (guaranteed) drunken behavior gets out of line even the slightest.
LA women: dye their hair blonde, even if already blonde. The whiter the hair the better. Actually clear colored hair would be ideal. It has to be as light as possibly to counteract the orangeness of their stupid faces. Did I say stupid? I'm sorry I should have reserved that adjective for their overall composure and attempted persona. See most of these girls actually have a degree but talking about something of substance is very forbidden. Ken might become intimidated! Best to shut your trap and stick to the safe topics: celebrities, the weather, their dog. I'm serious this place has a dog grooming facility on every block. I'm pretty sure they have tanning beds in there as well. Spoiled little fucks. Oh, the women. Right. Well, I want to remain as objective and open minded as possible. But it's difficult when every last one of them is a stuck up, spoiled, little snot.
Not saying Finnish women are better than the Barbie folk of Loss Angeles - okay yeah that's exactly what I'm saying. Because it's true. Prove me wrong. Bitches.
The basic mentality between the two locales is essentially the complete opposite.
Finns: As little small talk as possible. Always say what you mean. Stick to your small social group. Drink way too much.
Loss Angels: As much small talk as possible. Only small talk if possible. Never say what you mean. Stick to every social group. Drink way too much.
Ok, so there are some similarities.
This transition has made for some funny grocery store interactions on both ends and many awkward situations. I'm trying to maintain the straight forward Finnish attitude that I learned to love in the Land of Plastic.
We wouldn't want to stereotype an entire region of course but as I am living in the heart of Hollywood and every time I go out I encounter the most self-centered, creepily perfect people it is hard not to compare.
First observation: Women.
The overall look and attitude of women in both regions is unbelievably different.
Finnish women have a kick ass, fuck off attitude. They have no time for being hit on. They dye their blonde locks pink or black and stick with the other tough ladies for a beer or seven. When men approach (which is unlikely given their spiked belongings) they are only kept around temporarily and are screamed away if their (guaranteed) drunken behavior gets out of line even the slightest.
LA women: dye their hair blonde, even if already blonde. The whiter the hair the better. Actually clear colored hair would be ideal. It has to be as light as possibly to counteract the orangeness of their stupid faces. Did I say stupid? I'm sorry I should have reserved that adjective for their overall composure and attempted persona. See most of these girls actually have a degree but talking about something of substance is very forbidden. Ken might become intimidated! Best to shut your trap and stick to the safe topics: celebrities, the weather, their dog. I'm serious this place has a dog grooming facility on every block. I'm pretty sure they have tanning beds in there as well. Spoiled little fucks. Oh, the women. Right. Well, I want to remain as objective and open minded as possible. But it's difficult when every last one of them is a stuck up, spoiled, little snot.
Not saying Finnish women are better than the Barbie folk of Loss Angeles - okay yeah that's exactly what I'm saying. Because it's true. Prove me wrong. Bitches.
Comments (3)