What I like about Finland

 July 2022

As I´m getting along with Finland and exploring Finnish culture, I´m noticing various things that I find sympathetic and that I think make life here more enjoyable. I haven't included the big topics like the level of education etc; it's more about experiences and observations from everyday life.

Giving space to others, both physically and mentally

It will hardly happen that someone would stand a metre away from you at a bus stop or pass you very closely, and thus break the personal bubble. Also, the rule of sharp elbows doesn't apply here, nobody´s pushing anywhere, breathing on others necks, not in queues or when leaving a bus and still everybody gets where they need to.

But even more important is the mental space that gives people a sense of freedom. There is no judgement to other people's lifestyles or plans. That's why I think people are so happy here, because they are their authentic selves. Whatever they decide to do, the surrounding mostly accepts it and doesn't try to undermine their vision by looking for why it has no chance of succeeding. If someone is different in some way, chooses a different path for themselves than most of the society, that's fine. And for example, if you'd rather have a non-alcoholic drink at a party, no one asks about possible pregnancy or alcoholism. Not even if you don't want to have a cake at a celebration. No negative comments or persuasion. Just the way how everyone wants it and feels it.  

Second-hand purchases

Second hand shops in Helsinki are absolutely great. You can get beautiful, quality clothes at low prices. I bought three beautiful skirts, a longer jacket and I saw a lot of other nice pieces. Some of the stores also have household items, furniture, books, etc. I even bought a second-hand bike online and had it shipped to a store.  Very convenient system. Moreover, l have from a second-hand a stained glass candle holder and a glass baking bowl. When searching for some home decorations or dished, it is good to have a look firstly in some second-hands as the products there are often nicer, more quality, personal and cheaper compared to stores as for example Ikea. Plus, it´s good for the environment.

Second hand Kierrätyskeskus where I bought my bike

Small gadgets that make life easier

I encountered many things here that are very simple and very handy. I don´t understand why they are not spread in the whole world yet. For example, the cupboards above the kitchen sinks have a wire floor underneath so the water can drip out of the cups after they have been washed. Brilliant. Or a shower by the toilet that connects to the sink. I don't understand why there are still bidets when this genial invention exists. It saves space in the bathroom, and it is handier. And a mushroom knife that has a brush on one top to easily clean mushrooms already in the forest.

A bicycle as a city transport

I like cycling in Helsinki very much. There are bike paths everywhere and connectivity is good, so there's no need to worry about getting hit by a car. I have a bike with a basket where I put my purse, additionally some small grocery. Using a bike is an easy way to keep fit, save money on public transport and reduce one’s own ecological footprint. Moreover, many ways are faster by bike than by public transport. In Finland the criminality is low, so no worries to leave the bike somewhere. Some people even don´t lock it, but I rather do. Finns ride in all weathers, they don´t even mind rain or snow.

Food in Finland

Finnish cuisine is something for me. In general, I would say it's based on simple meals made from essential ingredients that are filling without being greasy. Rye, oats, barley, legumes, turnips, mushrooms, potatoes and sour dairy products are used a lot. I really like the dense rye bread and the huge selection of knackebröts. In the shops, low-fat milks and yoghurts are more abundant than fatty ones. The canteens always have a big selection of nice vegetarian and vegan dishes and often there is the option of just having soup with salad and bread. For those who don't avoid meat there are a lot of various fishes.

And I love the fact that cardamom is added to the yeast dough. And the cinnamon buns are fabulous.

Typical Finnish rye bread

No need to excessive talking

Silence is part of the conversation, it's normal to think longer about the answer and not feel pressure to constantly saying something just to avoid quiet. But you need to get used to it, at first you will think that no one heard you and you will tend to repeat the question like I do to my Petri. I still sometimes find the time lag between question and answer unexpectedly long. Also, people generally don't shout so much here, we hardly know about the neighbours.

Men are not louts

I can honestly say that I have not experienced anyone here staring inappropriately, making harassing comments, or whistling in the street on women. It's just not done here, it's socially unacceptable. I was only twice closer to something which was above the average standard.

The first time it happened when I was in a train and my skirt got attached to a fold down seat. When I stood up, the skirt came up to my waist. I had both hands full, so it took me a while to solve the situation. At this point, I earned an intensive look from a man sitting nearby. The second situation happened when I went for a walk. I was wearing leggings. Something pinched my butt and when I turned around, I found that there were two boys about ten years old and one of them threw a nut or whatever it was at me. He was purposely aiming for my butt. These are all my experiences of slightly inappropriate behaviour from men in Finland.

The magic of rituals

I used to think rituals were not my thing. I tend to do things irregularly. However, rituals give a sense of order and harmony, and something to look forward too. Rituals add importance to ordinary things. For example, when I did my internship at the University of Helsinki, I found that it is a habit for the department staff to meet in the morning and afternoon over coffee/tea in the common room. Another ritual is perhaps to have a beer and a sausage after the sauna. During the year certain types of sweet pastries start appearing in cafes and shops and no one thinks of having anything else. Examples are Laskiaispulla, Runebergintorttu, Tippaleipä together with the drink Sima.

Laskiaispulla and Runebergintorttu

Punctual recycling and no unnecessary wasting

There are returnable plastic bottles and cans. Bio-waste is consistently recycled, containers for it are everywhere, even at workplaces. There is an excellent reuse system of things. In cafes and a in a lot of restaurants, buffet-style serving is common, so customers only take what they eat.

Important conversations take place in the sauna

This is a bit of a curiosity that I really like. In the Czech Republic, we are used to the idea that the sauna is for relaxation and not speaking. Many times, we were with my friend scolded for talking there and disturbing others. Here in Finland, the sauna is a place where interesting topics are discussed, as well as sensitive topics, and where partners make decisions. I would say that the nudity and the calming feeling help to express/share thoughts and to see things from an objective perspective. It's a safe place. I adapted to this habit very quickly and started to practice it. I was amused when we opened with my dear Finn a discussion just when we were about to go to the sauna, and he said to me: "That's very interesting. Wait till the sauna."