Greetings from Finland: Land of Silence, Saunas, and Santa!

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

I’m writing to you from Finland, a place where coffee flows like water and saunas are our version of a weekend retreat. Living in Finland, I’ve come to love (and occasionally chuckle at) our unique customs. Let me share some with you, and you’ll see how different life here can be compared to the U.S. or anywhere else!

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Quiet Please, We’re Finnish!

First off, silence is golden in Finland. Whether you’re on a bus or sitting in your living room, keeping quiet is the norm. In the U.S., public places buzz with noise, but here, not so much. So, if you visit, you might want to practice your silent meditation skills!

Coffee is Life

We Finns drink more coffee per person than anyone else in the world. No coffee? That’s practically a national emergency! Workplaces here have systems to ensure no one goes without their caffeine fix — very unlike the desperate last-drip races you might find in American office coffee pots.

Sauna: It’s Serious Business

If saunas had personalities, a Finnish sauna would be the most respected elder in town. Leaving the door open? Big no-no. It’s like letting the warmth escape your home in the middle of a snowy day — just why? And remember, after tossing water on those hot stones, sit and enjoy the heat. It’s not just steam; it’s practically a Finnish baptism!

Santa is a Local Here

Forget the North Pole; Santa lives in Finnish Lapland. Yes, we claim Santa Claus, and we’re sticking to it. Over in the U.S., Santa might be everywhere during Christmas, but here he’s home!

Say What You Mean

When you make plans in Finland, those plans are almost set in stone. Saying “Let’s meet up sometime” and forgetting about it is a no-go. We Finns are literal folks; if it’s said, it’s planned!

Local Pride, Handle with Care

You can criticize your own Finnish town, but if an outsider does it? Oh, it’s on. It’s like telling someone their baby isn’t cute — we all think it, but don’t say it!

Nordic, Not Scandinavian

Mixing up ‘Nordic’ and ‘Scandinavian’ might get you some eye rolls here. Remember, Finland is proudly Nordic. It’s like calling a Canadian an American — close but not quite!

Personal Space Please

In Finland, personal space could be our middle name. Public seating is an art form of avoiding closeness. Unlike in the U.S., where you might end up with someone’s elbow in your side on a crowded bus, here we maintain a buffer zone.

Final Finnish Thoughts

So, that’s a little peek into the Finnish way of life! Quirky, quiet, and caffeinated — isn’t it fascinating how different cultures carve out their norms? What’s a unique custom from your country? Drop a comment below — I’d love to hear and maybe even share a laugh or two!

Until then, I’ll be sipping my coffee… quietly, of course, dreaming of Finland’s lakes and saunas. Want to join me for the next Finnish adventure? Subscribe now for free to get new stories in your inbox, and if you’re feeling generous, buy me a Finnish coffee to fuel more Suomi Unveiled tales!