The Language Barrier

Obviously, learning the basics of Finnish communication are key in surviving in the great city of Jyvaskyla..."Moi," means hello and goodbye (kind of like aloha), "Kiitos" means thank you, "Si sincu sinun puhelinnumeron?" is just how you ask an extremely attractive bank teller for her phone number...we're ballin' at this point. We become a little rattled, however, when this extremely attractive bank teller asks "why?". "wait," I replied, "you're not even impressed with the fact that I asked you in your native language??? You're not even flattered??" I began to think this was a huge mistake, until she handed me my bank statement with her name and phone number and told me that I can call her anytime...the scoreboard reads: Team James 1, Finnish Guys 0.

If you're anything like me, you know the importance of "smack" talking or "slang", and if you ask me, these are both necessary on and off the field. Needless to say I learned some stuff...so I started using it in our 2nd game against the Butchers. One of the Butcher's players (a Finnish tackle that played 4 years at Nebraska and stands at a petite 6'7 330lbs)who I had know idea was Finnish, and figured he did not know what I was saying actually did. He then proceeded to take it upon himself (during one of my interception returns)to bench press me about 10 yards out of bounds...lesson learned. Now the scoreboard reads Team James: 1 Finnish Monster: 1

Until next time...

-FinBaller1