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Finland is often considered to be a nation of introverts, and the Finnish people are usually the first to make fun of themselves about it. "An introverted Finn looks at his shoes when talking to you," goes a popular Finnish joke about their personality types. "An extroverted Finn looks at your shoes.”

You don't need to be from The Land of the Midnight Sun, however, to appreciate Finnish Nightmares, a series of funny comics created by Finnish artist Karoliina Korhonen. After all, who doesn't feel at least a tiny bit of social anxiety when standing in an elevator with a stranger? Or what about that awkward moment when you accidentally touch the salesperson while collecting your change? A real horror story for the anti-social Finn. See below for more examples of socially awkward situations that all Scandinavian people and introverts, no matter where they're from, will relate to.

More info: Finnish Nightmares | Facebook | Twitter

#1

Finnish Nightmares

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Daniela Fernandes
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I go into that TALKATIVE neighbor and I say "Hello!" while walking fast, and she starts telling me her whole life and I say "I have to catch the bus, it's almost there. Sorry, bye, see you later. Sorry." and I end up waiting shitloads of time for the said bus and she's there staring at me.

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Marton Lakatos
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you want to leave your room, but your flatmate is in the living room/shared space

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Ege Gursoy
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was probably born in the wrong country, I must be a Finnish cause this is typical me listening the hallway through the door and wait people to go to elevator. even to think about sharing the elevator and a possibility of small talk give me goosebumps.

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ozzy ceth
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you surely know which proverb i do intend to write here that belongs to your country. Just smile and say hi and do not use elevators. :)

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Barbara Ellen Young
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember when i first got married, moved to CA with my new husband. He was gone to work every day and I was a lone. I was terrified. I would peek out the door and if no one was out there I'd run down to the mailbox and run back up. After I was there for a while I got so I could go to the store on my own. I was walking down the upstairs "hallway" outside, and someone else had her door open. I could see her doing some golf putting. She saw me and ran over and closed the door. She was as terrified as I was. We were a bunch of young women, closed off in our apartments, while our husbands were on base. How sad that we could not get together and be friends.

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geraldo costa
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finnish should live at least 3 months in Brazil... they will overcome all that!

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Adria Sorensen
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ha ha ha. what's really horrendous is when they see you peeping through the shades outside (if you live in a house).

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Adria Sorensen
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ha ha ha. yes, even more horrendifying if they see you peeping out your window. : )

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Debra Keller
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in the U.S. and I hide out until there are neighbors around anywhere, even when I want to check the mail.

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Sara Fina
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, if so many of you are like this (so am I, too)... How come none of my neighbours are like this??? Did I just win the "lottery" with them or what? Pffff.

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The Alchemist
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could be worse. I was locked out of my hotel room waiting for my roommate to get a key, then the four year old from across the hall started running up and down the hall naked.

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Lauri Kare
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, our Mrs neighbor are waiting in their porch and looking at the window when we are leaving. It's f*****g creepy when she notices that we are walking cross way and our eyes meet, then she turn her head up and sideways.

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#2

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#3

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over opinionated
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't take a compliment either for some reason... I just play it off and change the subject...

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Sua Kang
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think I would have survived in Finland. Boy they gotta take a bus here during rush hours and embrace...everyone...

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Luis Milian
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

or just pray to all the gods that someone else has the same stop as you and wait for them to yell.

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Amanda Pack
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also when you run into someone you know unexpectedly. Sometimes I pretend to not see them and get away.

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#10

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#11

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.gas.
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do this all the time. The thing is, they ask you when you first walk in, so of course you don't need help until you actually start shopping.

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Crystal Vaughan
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or 'tell me about yourself'. My mind immediately goes 'AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

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#13

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Daniela Fernandes
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's me, I use to move a little bit further from the person so (s)he doesn't have to touch me but the person get closer... One day I'll get hit by a car or fall into the metro rails idk.

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Daniela Fernandes
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know that feel! Sometimes I go away without being noticed, and sometimes I'm really not noticed. So sad x'D

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Shruti Naik
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

haha.. exactly this a few days ago on my promotion... I was really happy and kept wondering why everyone said I didn't look happy...

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.gas.
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you actually have to 'hail' buses in Finland? Here, we have designated stops. They won't even stop unless you're at one!

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#19

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Enxari Krux
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't relate to this. Someone not accepting your generosity can be quite annoying.

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Anne Nyman
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The usual way is to start stirring, take out your gloves, cough. I hate it! Oh and of course there is the option of just getting suddenly up at your bus stop without saying anything and charging through.

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#23

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Daniela Fernandes
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I must have some Finnish blood in my veins. I have to check that out!

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Amanda Panda
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd rather catch pneumonia and die, than engage in idle chit chat with a complete stranger!

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Ilona Bencze Gál
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate it. It sounds for me like: "Do you want to buy something seriously or just make a mess here?" Somtimes I just look around to see what is available in that shop and when I really need it I just go in and buy it. If I need help, I can ask for help, you don't need to ask me.

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Co exist
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually I tend to look down, smile awkwardly and say "thanks" lol

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Pia Eerikäinen
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OH MY GOD, THIS! The worst. These are all pretty dead on for us Finns, but this one really gets me.

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Janie Due
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg thats me. I tought I was the only one. I live in Italy and this is seen as you have some kind of mental disorder . i tought I was a crazy weirdo t.t I wish I were born in Finland

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#33

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Sarah Joseph
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate this so much! People trying to sell you something do it all the time - it's taught as a method of 'building rapport' - which will instantly kill my desire to buy whatever they are selling, even if I desperately need it!

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Daniela Fernandes
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shaking inside. But it gets worse when I open my hands to get the change and they put it in the table... Sometimes it takes time to pick up the coins... They get stuck on the surface and there I am blushing as hell!

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#39

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Risto Laitinen
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That damn bus that is always 10 minutes late... except when you are 5 minutes late yourself!

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#40

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Addie Tamsyn-Hunter
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah! Riding on polar bears and listening to metal. That's epic! I want to do that every day of my life. 😂😂😂

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#42

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KateandAllison HW
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I let most strangers think I have a husband when in fact I have a wife cause I don't wanna embarass their assumptions or come out to a stranger I will never see again. We both do it!

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Sami Sipilä
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I usually just tremble in the corner and keep the door triple locked ;_;

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Daniela Fernandes
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope, I like when it's a person totally grabbed to her/his phone. Muahahahah!

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Michał Sienkiewicz
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahhh, bottle recycling machines... Briliant thing to save up to 10 euros for bigger shopping or some night out ;)

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#48

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Carly Noelle
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not the lack of milk that's nightmarish, it's the fact that you just asked for something thwy don't have.

#49

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