An old and drunk Finnish man sat down infront of me on the bus, asked me if I was from Iraq. I said no, and said I was from Colombia. Then he proceeded to insult me the whole bus ride from the city centre to Koskela, saying I and my country was a disgrace to society. Nobody on the bus said anything to defend me. I didn’t move from my seat, I wasn’t going to show fear. But I was so disappointed nobody defended me .
I was married to a Finnish man for 15 years. During those 15 years I would tell other foreigners what do you mean discrimination? I have been welcomed with open arms. I really never saw it. Until the first time I had to go to the bank after my divorce and changing my last name back to my maiden name. Then after being a client in the bank for 10 years as a property owner, they tried to refuse me bank codes. My ID that I had used was no longer valid (this was before the mandatory change of everyone needing Finnish ID and driver licenses no longer being a valid form). I got rather upset and new immediately the issue was my very foreign last name and the fact I was speaking broken Finnish. I told the gentlemen very clearly that these “issues” were not an issue when my last name was Finnish and my Finnish husband was with me. Which he then turned red and gave me my bank codes. This was the first case over another 10 years of being made to feel less then. “You’re a cleaner! Oh how wonderful. Oh wait, you got a marketing job? How did YOU get that? *insert repulsed pull back and snide smile* My sister (Finnish) has been trying for years” I have been spat on, I have been insulted and almost assaulted on a bus by a drunken young 20 year old because he could not understand why I needed to be here in his country. Thankfully there were enough YOUNGER generational people on the bus to get him to back off. The older generation (40+) sat there staring, ignoring or trying to explain his repulsive behaviour. I am trying to be fluent in Finnish. Languages are struggle for me and it will never be good enough. The only thing going for me is I “look” Finnish. Can’t imagine what life would be like if I didn’t. I have more faith in the younger Finnish generation.
I was waiting for tram number 3 in front of Helsinki Central Station. It was a beautiful summer afternoon, after work. Life was peachy and beautiful, and I was minding my own business, aka playing with my phone just like most millennials do while waiting for their ride to arrive.
Suddenly, a man (blonde hair, pale skin, not too tall) came closer to my face and whispered, “Go back in Thailand.” He left while mumbling something like “v*tt*.”
Let’s pause. First, I didn’t come from Thailand. (They are beautiful people, but I have never lived in Thailand. Way to make an assumption!) Second, I might not be a native English speaker, but I don’t think that’s the correct grammar. Third, how dare you!
I was shocked and spent the rest of the afternoon crying my eyes out at home. Years have passed, and I still wish I had said all the things I wanted to say to that man.
Ever since then, I’ve tried my best not to spend too much time in the central station area unless I really have to. I also stopped exercising by walking around the city center, afraid to stumble upon a similar incident again. COVID was a major help, because it allowed me to enjoy safe walks in the city center again.
Sent to HSL as feedback too:
My 11 years old child rides the bus xxx every day since 2 years on the same route to go to school.
Today at 7 in the morning, the driver of the bus (registration number) picked her up in xxx to kick her out after 2 km when he realized her monthly card had expired (note that we never received a mail warning that the card was about to expire as it usually happens).
He didn’t even leave her time to speak or suggested her to buy a ticket with the money on the card.
He was rude and he left her crying at the bus stop on the way to school on a Friday? Where is the humanity?? Was he racist? my kid is african-finnish so of course the first thing she thought is that the driver is racist (on top of being rude and heartless).
Who leaves an 11 years old girls on the way to school 2 km from home?? He should be fired!
Regards
