8 Fascinating Aspects of Daily Life and Customs in Finland

Originally published on Medium (2024), now updated for Vocal!

Experience the serene beauty of Finland by immersing yourself in its rich culture and everyday customs. From savoring traditional Finnish foods to enjoying the endless summer nights, here’s a snapshot:

• Sauna Culture: A national pastime and social activity.
• Nature: Integral to Finnish life; hiking, skiing, and berry picking are popular.
• Food: Enjoy hearty dishes like salmon soup and rye bread.
• Language: Finnish and Swedish are the official languages in Finland. Also, English is widely spoken.
• Holidays: Unique celebrations like Midsummer and Vappu.
• Education and Work-Life Balance: Renowned education system, and a strong emphasis on family time.
• Sports and Hobbies: Ice hockey, football, skiing, and nature-related activities.
• Social Norms and Etiquette: Honesty, punctuality, and respect for personal space.

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In-Depth Guide to Daily Life and Customs in Finland

1. Sauna: The Heart of Finnish Culture

Finnish saunas are more than just a way to unwind; they’re a cultural institution. Almost every household has a sauna, and they are common in hotels and public swimming pools. The sauna is a place where people go to relax, socialize, and sometimes even talk about work.

The traditional Finnish sauna experience often involves heating up in the sauna and sometimes taking a cold dip in a lake. Brave ones even might be rolling in the snow, and then returning to the warmth. This cycle is repeated several times. The sauna is seen as a way to cleanse both body and mind.

If you want to learn more about the Finnish sauna culture, feel free to check out my earlier blog post about it. You can find a link at the bottom of this post.

2. The Finnish Love for Nature

Nature is deeply woven into the fabric of Finnish life. With vast forests, numerous lakes, and the iconic Northern Lights, Finns enjoy outdoor activities year-round.

• Summer: Berry picking, hiking, and enjoying the “Everyman’s Right” which allows public access to nature. This right, known as “jokamiehenoikeus,” allows people to roam freely in nature, pick berries and mushrooms, and enjoy the outdoors without the need for permission.
• Winter: Skiing, ice fishing, and enjoying the snowy landscapes. Winter sports are very popular, and many Finns participate in cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, and ice hockey.

Finns love nature and work hard to protect it. We do things to make sure nature stays healthy and beautiful, like living in ways that don’t harm the environment. We are also creating special places called national parks to protect Finland’s natural beauty.

3. Finnish Cuisine: Simple and Hearty

Finnish food is hearty and wholesome, reflecting the country’s agrarian roots and harsh winters. Traditional dishes include:

• Lohikeitto (Salmon Soup): A creamy soup with salmon, potatoes, and leeks.
• Ruisleipä (Rye Bread): A dense, dark bread that’s a staple at every meal.
• Karjalanpiirakka (Karelian Pies): Thin rye crust filled with rice porridge or potatoes, often topped with egg butter.

Finns like to eat a lot of fish because there are many lakes. We enjoy dishes like smoked fish, pickled herring, and gravlax. For dessert, I suggest trying korvapuusti, a Finnish cinnamon roll, or mustikkapiirakka, a blueberry pie made with fresh berries picked during summer.

4. Language and Communication

Finnish and Swedish are the official languages. Most Finns speak excellent English, especially in urban areas.

• Finnish: Known for its complex grammar and unique vocabulary. It’s a Finno-Ugric language, which makes it quite different from the Indo-European languages spoken in most of Europe.
• Swedish: Spoken mainly on the western and southern coasts. About 5% of the population speaks Swedish as their first language.
• English: Widely understood and spoken, especially among younger generations. This makes it relatively easy for tourists to communicate and get around.

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5. Celebrations and Holidays

Finnish holidays are a blend of pagan, Christian, and national traditions. Key celebrations include:

• Midsummer (Juhannus): Celebrated in late June with bonfires, dancing, and trips to summer cottages. It’s a time to celebrate the summer solstice and enjoy the near-24-hour daylight.
• Vappu (May Day): Celebrated on May 1st, it’s a festive holiday marked by parades, picnics, and wearing white student caps. Vappu is a large carnival-style festival in Finland. It is a time for students to celebrate the end of the academic year.

Other important holidays include Christmas, Easter, and Independence Day. Each of these is celebrated with unique Finnish customs and traditions, often involving special foods and gatherings with family and friends.

6. Education and Work-Life Balance

Finland’s education system is well-known for promoting equality, creativity, and critical thinking. Children in Finland start school at the age of 7 and have less homework while focusing more on hands-on learning. In Finland, teachers are highly respected and are required to have a master’s degree.

Work-life balance is a significant aspect of Finnish culture. The usual amount of time for working in a week is about 37.5 hours, and we really value spending time with family and having free time for fun and relaxation. Many Finns enjoy long summer holidays, often spending several weeks at their summer cottages or traveling the world.

7. Finnish Sports and Hobbies

Finnish culture values sports, with ice hockey being the most popular. Finland consistently performs well in international ice hockey competitions. Other popular sports include soccer, athletics, skiing, and ice skating.

Finnish people enjoy a variety of outdoor hobbies such as fishing, hunting, and foraging. Many also like to engage in arts and crafts, including activities like knitting and woodworking.

8. Finnish Social Norms and Etiquette

Finns value honesty, punctuality, and respect for others. It is considered impolite to be late, and personal space is highly respected. When visiting a Finnish home, it is customary to remove your shoes at the door. Gift-giving is not expected, but small tokens of appreciation, like flowers or chocolates, are appreciated when invited to someone’s home.

Conclusion

Thank you for exploring the daily life and customs of Finland with me. I hope you enjoyed discovering these 8 interesting aspects of daily life and customs in Finland. Which Finnish tradition or daily habit interests you the most? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s chat about it! If you found this content helpful, consider supporting me by buying me a Finnish coffee!

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