Sisu

One very particular aspect of a Finnish person's daily lives that struck me, is "Sisu". It's a word that means perserverence and inner strength. Finn's live by it, seemingly, in sort of an unspoken way. Though the word is known, it appears that it's meaning is more often seen in the actions displayed by a Finn than within his or her conversation. A specific way of living seen across this culture includes having the guts to face a challenge, not back down, and face the enemy. As I have done a bit of research on the country, I have come across this concept many times. I think that a clear divide in culture between America and Finland is demonstrated by it's wide acceptance throughout its native land. Not to say that all Americans have no ability to persevere or don't appreciate the concept of inner strength, rather, it isn't understood as part of being an American.