Read stories from Vaasa residents about positive encounters

• “The sauna by the ice swimming spot is the perfect place for new encounters and conversations with strangers. The shared activity brings people together, and it’s easy to start a conversation by talking about how great it feels to take a dip in the icy water.”
• “I was at Prisma, and after doing my shopping, I sat on a bench for a while before heading out to the bus stop. Next to me sat an elderly man, and we exchanged a few words. It made us both happy. That’s all it takes. The smallest things can brighten the day.”
• “I am from Morocco, and I always speak with Finns and with people from other nationalities. It’s really good when I speak with them. I chat with new people, and I learn about new cultures, and pick up new languages. Most of these people are now my friends.” 

At the Main Library, I met a Ukrainian artist who had brought photographs to be displayed in the display case. It made me happy when they shared their story with me. The encounter took on special meaning because of the story behind their art. When you can only return to your home in your thoughts and memories, I hope that as many people as possible can find the home they’re looking for in Vaasa.

• “I moved to Vaasa this summer. While I was walking around in the city centre, a young stranger stopped to compliment my jacket. My girlfriend and I then went to Hesburger, and I overheard a woman queueing in front of me complimenting the clothes of someone sitting at a table. It made me feel happy to see how friendly people in Vaasa are.” 
• “I was sitting on a bench in the park on a warm autumn day. An elderly couple walked by and asked if there was room on the bench for them. I said yes, and they sat down to join me. At first, we just chatted about the weather, the unusually warm days for that time of year. Soon we started talking about travelling in Europe. We soon found out that we had visited similar destinations and shared an interest in experiencing exciting new adventures. It was a truly rewarding encounter! It was nice to chat with two strangers and realise how similar our experiences were. I really didn’t want to leave and go back to work. I would have loved to chat with them longer!” 
• “I smile at people a lot, and it’s an easy way to approach strangers as well. Often, someone will start a conversation, and sometimes it can lead to a long chat. This way, I’ve brought joy to myself, and hopefully also to the stranger I chatted with. Happiness stems from the little things.”

A foreign woman was sitting at Hovioikeudenpuistikko with a playful dog wagging its tail at her feet. I approached with a smile and asked if I could greet the dog. We chatted for a while, and the dog eagerly sniffed me. I wished them both a nice autumn, and went on my way feeling all warm inside.

• “Just today, at the outdoor gym in Onkilahti, I chatted with a young Vietnamese man who had come to Vaasa to study. We were working out side by side on the machines, our eyes met, and we smiled. I asked if he was doing a heavy set, and then we naturally started chatting for a moment about Vietnam, Vaasa, and the Finnish winter. It was such a lovely encounter. He was so happy and open. And when he left, he waved to me.”
• “I am an international student at Vaasa and I had a nice experience on my first day at Vaasa, Finland. I was alone and the city was new to me, I was struggling to find the routes of the bus, I decided to talk with the stranger at a bus stop and asked for help. She politely helped me and showed me the bus routes. Later in the night, she texted me if I was able to find the location and said if I needed further help, she is ready. That day I realized humanity do exists, and the best part is now we are good friends helping each other.”