Finns have a reputation for not doing small talk. Half true: they do less of it, and they do it about fewer things. Weather, the weekend and coffee are always safe. Salary, religion and why you are single are not. Here is the small talk that exists, with the answers that work.
Openers
| Onpa kylmä tänään! | It's cold today! The universal opener. Works from October to April. |
| Onpa kaunis ilma! | What lovely weather! |
| Sataa taas. | It's raining again. |
| Mitä kuuluu? | How are you? |
| Miten viikonloppu meni? | How was the weekend? |
| Mitä teit viikonloppuna? | What did you do at the weekend? |
| Oliko hyvä loma? | Was the holiday good? |
| Otatko kahvia? | Will you have coffee? The answer is yes. |
The questions you will be asked
Every Finn asks a newcomer the same three questions. Prepare the answers once and you have a conversation for a year.
| Mistä olet kotoisin? | Where are you from? |
| Olen kotoisin Nepalista, Kathmandusta. | I am from Nepal, from Kathmandu. |
| Kauanko olet ollut Suomessa? | How long have you been in Finland? |
| Olen ollut täällä kaksi vuotta. | I have been here for two years. |
| Mitä teet työksesi? | What do you do for a living? |
| Olen sairaanhoitaja. Työskentelen Meilahdessa. | I am a nurse. I work in Meilahti. |
| Puhut hyvin suomea! | You speak Finnish well! You will hear this after one sentence. Answer "Kiitos, opettelen vielä" (thanks, I'm still learning). |
| Miten olet viihtynyt Suomessa? | How have you liked Finland? |
| Tykkään, mutta talvi on pitkä. | I like it, but the winter is long. This answer makes every Finn laugh and agree. |
Keeping it going and ending it
| Niin. | Yes, indeed. (the listening word) |
| Aivan. | Exactly. |
| Ai jaa. | Oh really. |
| Mielenkiintoista. | Interesting. |
| Entä sinä? | What about you? |
| No niin, pitää mennä. | Well then, I have to go. The polite way to end. Nobody is offended. |
| Oli kiva jutella! | It was nice to chat! |
| Hyvää viikonloppua! | Have a good weekend! |