Damn old people

[Pekka]

Yeah... so.. my dad is coming to visit, we agreed he would come somewhere in the middle of the day (meaning from 12.00-14.00 or so). Well, I just called him to ask when he will leave, so I know. It's a two hour drive so.. so I called. "I'm already here. So, are you coming to half way, I can't remember what door it was..".

****!! We AGREED he'd call me, so I would prepare, that is, to clean a bit. It's 10 in the morning, it means he left before 0800.. wtf? So he got up like EARLY in the morning, just to drive here.. nice one.

OK, so that means over and out, and discussion, what is wrong with you old people?

[Addled Platypus]

So he got up like EARLY in the morning, just to drive ....you nuts

remember, it's all about the payback

[Pekka]

The point is, he was supposed to call me when he leaves, so I get heads up. In the US, it might be rude to force a heads up, but in here it's actually considered polite and the opposite is rude.

It's OK though, but. yeah.

[Pekka]

Well, regardless, it was nice to see my dad visit my place.. he was in a hurry though, but that suited me well, because I need to go to sleep (none last night). So, that's cool.

I kind of feel stupid for whining about this anyway

But still! When in Finland, ALWAYS give heads up. Take this seriously. It's like Japan, you don't go into someone's house, unless you give a notice. In fact, when ever you think cultural differencies in behaviour, think Japan, then you know how to behave in here as well. Silence is gold. Give space to others. No one smiles at you? They aren't being rude, they are giving you your own individual space and freedom. We're not some smile commies 'here have a smile, it's free'... nah man. Mind your own business.

[Footie Mad]

Finns consider Swedes to be outspoken and lively, that says it all really.

[SlowwHand]

You should feel like crap. I'd love to see my dad.
He died when he was 56 and I was 28. My daughter, his granddaugher, was 3.

[Grandpa Troll]

Re: Damn old people

Originally posted by Pekka
Yeah... so.. my dad is coming to visit, we agreed he would come somewhere in the middle of the day (meaning from 12.00-14.00 or so). Well, I just called him to ask when he will leave, so I know. It's a two hour drive so.. so I called. "I'm already here. So, are you coming to half way, I can't remember what door it was..".

****!! We AGREED he'd call me, so I would prepare, that is, to clean a bit. It's 10 in the morning, it means he left before 0800.. wtf? So he got up like EARLY in the morning, just to drive here.. nice one.

OK, so that means over and out, and discussion, what is wrong with you old people?

I can't even fathom why on earth a Parent (i.e.OLD PERSON) would come early to visit a family member?
So he told you in advance he was coming, which of course you had insufficient time to prepare, so as to only "tidy" up..wait maybe his soul purpose was a surprise inspection?


Pekka, your are often flamboyantly entertaining..I enjoy the way you pull peoples strings and push peoples buttons...Most times


I remember the day i got the news my Mom passed away, just wish i had been more considerate and yes more faithful as a son, I'm not even talking about my failure as a child mind you.

I got a chance with my sweetheart about a month ago to visit my 78 year "Old person" Dad just to sit and hear his voice, spend time enjoying his company while I could still be with him in person.

Perspective on importance I reckon.

or maybe just another Pekka-ism..not sure...

Here is a nice short story to contemplate in your haste to not be interrupted.

pekka, please read and understand it really doesnt matter, if they forgot or wanted to surprise you or whatever, please just take time to open your arms and greet with a hug and kiss you family..for eternity is a long time to be without them

Best Prayer I Have Heard In A Long Time...

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic
last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and s rushing
home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few
precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who
can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student,
balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his
student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same
spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions
that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the
store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment,
knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will
be the last year that they go shopping together .

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the
greatest gift is love . It is not enough to share that love with those we
hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all
humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience,
empathy and love.

Gramps

[Zero]

old ppl wake up early and go to bed super early.

he probably couldnt wait because he woke up probably at lik 6am and had nothing else to do for the day.

he probably didnt call you cause he probably thought u were still sleeping and it'd be rude.


just a my hypotheiss/

[Pekka]

What the hell, I loved ot see my dad as well?!?!?

What are you, monsters?

My only problem was the timing. Other than that, it was great. The only bad thing was that he had so little time to visit.

[Pekka]

Now I read your posts entirely. What's wrong with you, can't you people read?

IT SAID, that is it POLITENESS to do that, and even if in the States and other few places, this might be seen as rude, it is the opposite in here. GOT IT?!?!?

Jeesh!

[Pekka]

ok, so now you really have to understand the cultural differencies here. Don't try to figure it out because 'it doesn't make sense'. OF course it doesn't make sense to you. That's why you do it differently in the first place!

In here it is common courtesy to _always_ call or inform in others ways beforehand (exact time). Because it is convinient for many reasons:

- I might be in the city, doing something, shopping, what ever. So, when I know the time, I can be home waiting.

- I know who is at the door. Believe it or not, this is important to a Finn. To be expecting the door bell ringing.

- So that I can TIDY UP MY PLACE! This is double courtesy, I first off get the warning, so I can make the place nicer, for example for my dad.

- So that I don't have any friends visiting, or that I don't invite them to come. Because then I'd have to dump them. It is also common courtesy to let people come and feel like home, so you don't want 'strangers' hanging around, so they'd have to be introduced. Very inconvinient. If in some places you'd get a call and then turn to your friend after the call, "my dad is coming over", they might say, "cool, I'll say hello and leave". In here, you don't stay to say hello. You go before the visitor actually comes. Common courtesy.

- I might be at sleep. I might be in the middle of some work. I can fix myself if I get a heads up, I don't reserve any stuff to do. Or, if I'm already doing and I get a heads up, I can stop wha tI'm doing with control and not leave things in a mess.

etc etc etc.. so there are tons of stuff, why it makes sense to us. It is important. It is being polite, no matter who you are, oh, and do note that peo ple who come over and usually only friends or relatives, so this does apply to ALL people.

[Grandpa Troll]

Thanks
Pekka

This clears up for me

Glad you enjoyed yourself with your Dad!

Gramps

[Pekka]

Of course. It was too bad he had to leave so soon.

Next time, don't be a racist.

[SlowwHand]

Time out, slick. Racist? Besides that. who started a thread on Damn Old People, then ranted?
Why, I believe that was you, Mr. Pekka.

[Tuberski]

Originally posted by Pekka
What the hell, I loved ot see my dad as well?!?!?

What are you, monsters?

My only problem was the timing. Other than that, it was great. The only bad thing was that he had so little time to visit.

It seems to me that if he had come when you expected, you would have had even less time with him than you did.

I see my father once a year if I'm lucky.

Feel blessed.

ACK!