As a newcomer to Finland, I was in need of income and was eager to work. I was open to trying positions I didn’t have prior experience in, and a position at a restaurant caught my eye. If I got the job, it would have meant that I would need to commute more than I really wanted to, but I wanted to give it a shot. So I called the number. I fumbled through my broken Finnish (and probably added some English too) to introduce myself, ask more about the position, and tell them that I was interested in the joining the team.
The reply I received is something I’ll never forget. A frustrated voice answered me, and without even asking more about who I am or even my work experience, said something along the lines of, “We want a *real* Finn to work here!” I’m pretty sure they used the words “aito suomalainen.”
I was not welcome there.