The Finnish language is pretty much incomprehensible to almost everyone outside of Finland. Finland has two official languages: Swedish and Finnish. Turku is called Abo in Swedish, so that can be confusing. You may see a few things in Finland that really make you wonder. Small things seem to lack logic in Finland. For example, at a ski resort, the line for the ski lift may cut right across the ski slope, in the path of downhill skiers.
Or the escalators may stop at every floor on the way up, but not so on the way down. Alko also has odd hours, so if you are attending a party, or just want to make drinks at your hotel, be sure to plan ahead. These are just a few fun tidbits about Finnish culture. For more Finland travel tips, check out some of our other blog posts and videos:.
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Facebook Comments. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Please join us on our journey to help other travelers. Happy Travels! This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can find more info about this on Eurostat. Of course no one will be offended by someone being polite in this manner but coming from a native Finnish person it would be very odd. I just returned a couple of weeks ago from a three week vacation in Finland.
I spent the first 8 or 9 days in Helsinki, then a weekend in Lahti, and from there to Tampere to stay with a friend and his wife. I experienced several of the items on your list. I was also impressed with how children go out on their own, even when riding the bus to or from school.
They got on, used their pass and then knew where their stop was. If children here did that someone would call the police. Overall, I was impressed with how efficient everything is and how well it all works. I plan to go back. I have to. Before I left, my friends wife was planning what we would do when I returned. Hi Steve! Your observations are spot on! I love that we bring our own bags everywhere.
So great that you are already planning a second visit! I love your blog. It has given me a lot of insight. I have lived in the US my entire life, but my maternal grandparents were Finnish. Now I understand some of my ways—hugging a stranger, no thank you! My grandma always wanted me to drink coffee even when I was little. I am so happy to have found you.
Thank you so much, Janice! And oh, I so understand your habits. You are totally a Finn! The difference between either or both? Aaaand you totally dissed kotikalja. XD 17, re: recycling: inaccurate! And lastly my real reason for commenting, re: B.
The first photo is not explained. It is ok to pick your neighbors fruit and berries if they are growing on your side and sometimes even close to your side of the fence. But there are marked differences in food. Pots and bowls of food are not put on the table and there is great care in presentation of food. One waits to be invited for second helpings. Like in Finland, sweets are not usually part of breakfast. Such an interesting article. It helped me to understand a bit more of why I am as I am..
A Finn. Hi Jackie! Yes, I feel that Finland is the Japan of Europe. Certainly, there are things that are different but so many things are the same! I am planning to move to Finland and wanted to know about finance companies Investment Banks over there. You forgot the scariest thing when you go to the swimming pool! All people are naked on the shower and you also change in front of everybody!
No changing cabins. Great points! When I was 11 and first time in UK swimming hall, I was the exact opposite. My daughter sleeps so much better outside in the cold. Odd, huh? Wow, finally, someone with deep insight has done a splendid job. Very handy, can I use your article to educate and bring about awareness of Finnish culture among Indians? What an accurate depiction of the Finnish people. I am very happy living here in Finland.
I quite like the Finnish way. Always good to learn a bit more about other cultures, thanks for sharing. Friendly handshake from Brazil! Growing up in Northern Michigan.. Hi Deanna! So fun to learn that you have a tiny Finland there in Northern Michigan! I remember the first time I saw the lack of a proper vestibule in the US and people throwing their coats over whatever was around the door. How uncivilized! I still miss the genius dish drying cabinet and absolutely hate the drying rack that takes up valuable counter space.
I have to admit that I was laughing when people here in the US finally were introduced to front loading washers, especially considering that us in Europe had them decades ago. Silly sods…. I love your blog and have sent links to it to many of my American friends, for educational purposes, of course. Hei Riitta! Wow, iso kiitos for sharing my blog! Hi Varpu! Great article! There is a certain logic of sitting when you get on a Finnish bus.
Sometimes the whole sitting process looks like a fascinating game of chess. Vera, you are so on point here! Great adds! I also love, love, love the Finnish bus sitting game. So effortless! In Finland we always rinse the dishes after washing.
Wow, Irina, this is really interesting! Sounds that one might eat soap in that case? This is so good to know! Which others nations seem to do quite a bit, bizarrely. Well, I have a new flatmate from Finland — the third one in the span of the last two years. And, just like the other two girls before her, she ONLY rinses the dishes.
So it came to my mind that it could be something cultural. I guess it is. We do wash and rinse our dishes in general. In that order. Happy holidays!
A lovely list not just for us foreigners, but also for Finns to see what some of their everyday activities might seem strange to someone from abroad.
Love it. Although I have lived in Australia most of my life, your blog was great reading and funny I can relate to most. Handshake are firm and you look the other person in the eye. Finns are super aggressive drivers because they al think they are rally champions. Harri, so funny and great additions. I laughed so much! Every Finn has a rally champion inside them, right?! Speeding in Finland is rare compared to any other country. This is my opinion, with many decades of experience. You can see your friends, family, unknown people or whatever, naked in sauna and no one cares.
Hmmmm… This is new to me that Finns ask you to turn around? Maybe you have met very, very shy and modest Finns. Thanks for letting me know! What yer man says is quite true! Hi Morgana, thank you for your comment! You are a hidden Finn, maybe?! Hi, very useful and funny. I think there might be some problem with the placing of the picture. On my computer the picture overshadows points 21 to Have a look if you have time.
Hi Judit! Thank you for your letting me know — that appeared out of nowhere!? Now it is fixed. Hello: I very much enjoyed your article and your website.
Both my husband and my families immigrated to America from Finland, and we love to visit our Finnish relatives as often as possible. Drives my wife crazy! Hei Tom! Your email address will not be published. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Pin 6K. Share 5K. Warm wishes from Finland, Varpu. Did you find this post informative? Save it for later on Pinterest! About Me. Paulette on July 16, at Varpu on July 28, at Irene on March 17, at Varpu on April 1, at Sandy Keeler on January 21, at Varpu on January 22, at Susana Rodriguez on January 6, at Varpu on January 12, at Haha Susanna, thank you so much for this comment!
Varpu on November 17, at Lek Dean on December 6, at Varpu on December 7, at Gurwinder on November 12, at Hei Gurwinder, thank you so so much for your kind words.
They mean a lot to me! Kiitos so much. Karen on October 16, at Varpu on October 30, at Airi on January 17, at Barbara on March 13, at Rita on January 16, at Shawn on January 16, at You missed the beautifully clean lines and minimalist aesthetic of Finnish design! Arabia, Aarikka, Marimekko, Iittala: ihana ovat! I agree with you Shawn!
Thank you for sharing this in the comments! Tori on September 11, at John Russel on July 24, at Thank you so much John! Jones LeFae on April 20, at Eila Marsy on April 16, at Eila, thank you for commenting! What lovely memories you shared, kiitos!! Sven In Kentucky on April 12, at Nichole on June 16, at Initially, on the way to the airport closest to my house, I was incredibly excited to know what had changed while I was in Finland. However, the moment I left the Finnair airplane, the things outside made me disappointed to have to endure the month that I was required to be there.
These days the other shocks toward Finland has started since I came back here. To be honest, the funny adventure in which I evaluated my home countries, Finland and Japan, from the different viewpoints that comes from two cultures, provided me with a smooth adjustment to another culture.
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