Yesterday I had my first Finnish lesson with Aki and we immediately honed in on what I need to know: How to order coffee. This is no laughing matter. According to Cultureshock Finland, Finns drink more coffee per capita than any other country. In my idealized view of my life in Finland, I am in a coffee shop reading and knitting. No more school board, parole board, meetings of any kind, just me and a cup of joe.
Me: Haluasin kahvia, kiitos?
Finnish barista: Ole hyva.
Me: Kiitos. Saisiko olla kermaa?
Finnish barista: Ole hyva.
This could work though Aki warned that people in Turku speak faster than other Finns and tend to drop their endings.
Nakemiin!
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Hi Megan,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad Aki is teaching you the essentials. How to order coffee is the first thing I teach my students when I take them to Europe. Beer and Wine ordering is next.
The only Finn I knew until meeting Aki was my boss at the Library of Congress. Not a pleasant woman. She talked fast too. Maybe she was from Turku - called me Inezmcdermott - I think she thought that was my entire first name.