Culture and social norms - yhteiskuntaorientaatio.fi
Customs and social norms define, for example, thoughtful and polite behaviour, suitable ways of greeting people in in different situations and good table manners. They also determine how close you should stand to the other person in a regular conversation and how openly emotions are displayed.
Today, social skills as well as ability to interact and collaborate are more important than before. When you move to a new country, familiarizing yourself with its customs and social norms will help you work with people more smoothly. Knowing local customs increases self-confidence and the faith that you will manage in the future, too.
When defining what it customary in Finland, it is good to remember that people of different ages, from different localities and different language backgrounds and, for example, from different fields and professions may have different customs. Cultures are never unified, instead, individual’s perceptions of their own culture may vary.
However, there are some customs that are often considered to be typical in Finland. By getting to know them, you can get an idea of what someone coming to Finland can expect to face in most situations.
In Finland, personal space and boundaries are important
In Finland, courtesy means, for example, that everyone is allowed to have their own boundaries and that other people’s affairs are not unnecessarily interfered with. At face value, this may seem cold or indifferent. However, it means that the other person’s boundaries and privacy are respected.
Respecting personal space is also seen in everyday situations where people do not usually get physically very close to each other in Finland. People here are used to giving others room at a bus stop, bus, lift, standing in queues or in even in private conversations.
Giving space also involves allowing the other person to finish speaking without interrupting. Interrupting or talking over someone are considered impolite, at least in formal interaction. Conversations with friends are more relaxed and interrupting the other can tell you more about the fact that the interlocutor is enthusiastic about the things that are being said and that they enjoy the discussion.
Calm and collected behaviour is appreciated
People from elsewhere often think that Finns are quiet and peaceful. Many believe that strong emotions are a private matter in Finland, and outside the home people behave in a calm manner. Also, when dealing with authorities, it is expected that the customer will present their matter calmly.
Finland tolerates even very long silences, which sometimes happen during a dialog. Many people used to other styles of conversation may find this uncomfortable and feel that something is wrong or that the party in the conversation is angry.
People who have moved to Finland from elsewhere often think that Finns are shy or serious. Then again, locals often think that Eastern Finns, for example, are more talkative and extroverted, while Western Finns would be more subdued and outspoken.
As any country, Finland has many stereotypes of people living in different parts of the country. For the most part, such views serve as a basis for friendly jokes and competition as to which region or city is the best and most authentically Finnish.
Getting straight to the point saves everyone time
Discussions often get straight to the point. Time may not be spent on compliments or small talk. This may seem harsh, but people usually mean well. For example, at the workplace, it is considered good practice if you skip the small talk at the beginning of the meeting and get to the point quickly. This will save time for everyone sitting in the meeting.
People like to have informal chats with each other, for example, during coffee or lunch breaks. In Finland, people are somewhat rule-oriented and may be rather rigid in their views that the meetings are intended for matters related to work.
Handshake is a sign of trust and equality
When you greet in Finland, you look in the eyes and often shake hands. If you do not know each other yet, you can also introduce yourself, say your own name. Handshake is also related to equality and equity. In Finland, everyone shakes hands, and it is not important who initiates the handshake.
In Finland, it is thought that the way someone shakes your hand can reveal their character. For example, in a job interview, you should smile, have a nice firm handshake, and a good eye contact. If you just give them a limp hand, the interviewer may think that you are lazy, tired, or not at all enthusiastic about the interview.
Handshake is not only used to introduce yourself, but it can also be a symbol of closing a contract or agreeing on something. A handshake can express trust and respect for another. Handshaking is such a well-established way in Finland to greet other people and to close contracts that if someone refuses to shake hands, the other person may feel offended or taken aback. Refusing to shake hands with other genders can be considered impolite.
In recent years, hugging has become a habit of greeting between friends and acquaintances. The hug is often fast and light. It is not customary to give cheek kisses in Finland.
Punctuality shows respect for others
Like in many other Northern European countries, punctuality is important in Finland. People are expected to arrive on time for scheduled appointments meetings, and they usually start on time. Being late is considered impolite. People feel that by coming late, you disrespect others and waste their time. In Finland, people tend to be always aware of the time. Sometimes people can feel rushed and get stressed unnecessarily.
Everyone in the queue is equal
In Finland, when visiting, for example, a doctor or an authority or a shop, you often have to queue. Many places use a number system. When people come, they take a number tag from a device. Then their matters will be dealt with in a numerical order. Even if there is no number system in place, people are waiting for their turn in the order in which they have come to the queue. An exception is a hospital emergency department, where a professional decides the order in which patients are treated. The most urgent cases are prioritised.
Cutting in line is considered very rude because everybody in the queue is equal. People who cut the line, put themselves above the others and indicate that the common rules do not apply to them.
In many ways, equality is important for people in Finland. It is reflected, for example, in the way people address each other. Nowadays people are mostly addressed by their first name, including leaders and teachers. In Finland, people in leading positions are given relatively little special treatment.
Sauna relaxes the mind and body
Sauna is an important part of everyday life and celebrations for many people living in Finland. The sauna tradition is so central to Finnish culture that it has been included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. In the sauna you wash, relax and spend time with friends, relatives or even colleagues. In Finland, women and men usually go to sauna separately. If you are enjoying a sauna together, you can use swimwear in the sauna.
According to various estimates, there are over three million saunas in Finland, and a large proportion of Finnish residents enjoy sauna every week. Many traditions are attached to sauna. Sauna is included in many holiday traditions, such as Christmas or Midsummer. Sauna is also an everyday thing. It is common for a house or flat to have a sauna. Apartment buildings can have a shared sauna, where the residents reserve a slot.