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Come as you are

Some think Finns are a little strange, in a good way. Yes, it's true. We host the world championships in swamp football, take a dip in icy water in the winter, are fanatics about saunas and have the most heavy metal bands per capita in the world. Finland is the home of the Moomins, Clash of Clans, and Angry Birds. And Santa Claus, of course.

Social norms

While Finns might seem a bit reserved at first, once you get to know them, you’ll find warmth and care. Sometimes a bit of quirkiness, too. Apart from talking about the weather, small talk isn’t exactly our superpower. We love our personal space and can handle long moments of silence without feeling too awkward about it.

In Finland, punctuality is taken seriously: From workplaces to meetings with friends, people are expected to be on time and stick to agreed plans. Being direct and honest, yet polite, is the way to communicate with Finns.

Cleanliness is relative, but people in Finland are generally quite organised. It’s the norm to clean up after yourself and take care of shared spaces. Finns also always take shoes off inside, except in public places. When the weather gets cold, we love to hang out in a pair of wool socks or slippers. 

Everyday life in Finland

Finland is known for a strong sense of trust, and we tend to expect reliability from people, infrastructure, and services. The public transport system is exceptionally punctual. Many cities like Helsinki are designed to be "15-minute cities" where most essentials are reachable on foot, bike, or tram in a quarter of an hour.

Self-service checkouts, cashless payments, and in-app purchases are the norm here. Finns really appreciate well-designed digital services – particularly when they offer the opportunity to avoid social situations (yikes)!

You might think a nation that loves practicality and simplicity would have a simple language. Let’s be honest – learning Finnish can take a fair bit of doing. The good news is that English works perfectly for day-to-day life. If you’re staying longer, learning Finnish will help you settle in and find work more easily. 

Nature and seasons

Nature plays an essential role in the daily lives and identity of Finns – it’s never too far from your doorstep even in cities. Finns and visitors alike love the Baltic Sea, the archipelago, lakes and forests that offer the chance to hike, cycle, ski or run – and freely pick berries and mushrooms.

Finland is a nature lover’s paradise, with everything from the mystical Northern Lights and midnight sun to the serene lakes and sprawling forests. Characteristic for Finnish nature are the four distinctive seasons, and we are especially known for our winters abundant with snow and cold weather. The cold can seem intimidating, but fortunately Finns know how to build houses that stay warm and toasty during the winter. You, too, will quickly embrace the attitude that surviving the outdoors is merely a question of dressing in appropriate clothing. Still, in the depth of winter, even the simple task of leaving the warm comfort of your home can take sisu. Sisu is a Finnish word that refers to a special quality of resilience, courage and grit that enables you to push through even the greatest challenges.

And luckily, our summers of midnight sun and autumns filled with colour counterbalance the cold, dark winters. Spring usually arrives in southern Finland sometime in April and the days quickly grow longer and warmer. The amount of daylight peaks during midsummer, with the sun staying above the horizon for 19 hours. During the summer months, Finns like to retreat to their beloved summer cottages, known as ³¾Ã¶°ì°ì¾±, which are often nestled by peaceful lakesides or in the tranquil countryside. They enjoy the slow-paced lifestyle by engaging in activities like gardening, playing ³¾Ã¶±ô°ì°ì²â, and fishing. The evenings start getting cooler towards the end of September, and the days become noticeably shorter.