This comment is Finnish: This comment lives in the happiest country in the world,first place in education,this comment going to sauna,lives in apartament close to a lake,in winter have sixteen hours of night and the summer sixteen hours of sun,this comment love salmiakki and adore Heavy Metal,coffee,languages,Nokia smartphones and tecnology. SUOMI🇫🇮
I agree with Aleksi in some cases but I feel that these facts tell more about Aleksi Himself than Finns in general. There are tons of gamers and coders who never spend time in cafes or go out. Instead of learning social interaction skills in real life, they study life through memes, discussion boards, and dating books. These type of guys use to be always too drunk in student parties.
Wow, there are so many same things that share with Japanese society, such as don’t speak roundly in public, don’t get too close to the others, and be on time! Which is very interesting 🤨
@Atsuko Well, I think there is a fundamental difference, though, since I feel we Finns are more independent and individualistic than people from f.ex. Japan who seem to be all about respecting older ones and being a part of society. I feel we do what we do more because it is how we were raised and because it feels appropriate and good to us and nature, than to please other people and answer to their expectations. So I think the symptoms may be the same, but the disease is different. :)
Everything you've mentioned sounded normal to me. I'm German, we also don't tip (it's included in the costs), we take off shoes, are respectful when someone talks and prefer quietness in public spaces. Littering is frowned upon, too. The more I watch your videos the more I feel at ease tbh. I lived for many years in the UK and was often labelled as "weird" and ostracised because I was reserved and respectful instead of loud and extroverted. It made me question if something was wrong with me but ever since I spend some time in Finland and also back in Germany again, I noticed it wasn't me I was just not compatible with anglophone nations.
I don't know where you lived in Germany, but I grew up here learning that you do tip most of the time. Being introverted seems pretty common here though, but I still get labeled as a weirdo because I do not talk randomly
@@polarblade1159 Yes, same opinion. I live in the UK now but grew up in Germany as well and tipping is very common practice. So is walking into homes with your shoes on. I think SoloTravelStory grew up in a very polite household, which is great, but definitely an exception.
Here in the US if a person is quiet and introverted they assume he is depressed and needs meds. This is how far it went. You have to be loud and fake-friendly 100% of the time if you want people to like you.
I'm form Hungary and here wearing shoes at home or wearing a hat inside is considered rude too 😁 It's so weird that it's considered normal at some places
@@youraveragemexorican I think that the hat thing comes from a Medieval tradition or from old (outdated) etiquette. But I think that only older people consider it disrespectful
@@youraveragemexorican I have not found much information regarding the history. It's likely based on the religious Christian custom of removing your hat upon entering a church but it could very well predate Christianity. It's just a gesture of respect.
@@youraveragemexorican People also remove their hats during lowering of the casket in a funeral and during the national anthem playing. I think those might be more universal rather than just Finnish customs.
Having moved to Finland from Japan, I never needed to worry about any of the points you made :D But many of the Finns that I personally know are often late when I meet up with them, and they also interrupt me a lot and talk over.
If you are close friends with someone, interrupting happens in Finland ALL THE TIME. Especially listen youngsters and women (adult men generally behave more calm, that's just the way Finnish culture trains men). I think interrupting is more a good behavior custom, show of respect, with strangers, people you know superficially.
I was in Helsinki 3 years ago for the 100 year independance celebration. We went to the president's place to hear his speech and see the firework. There were sooo many people, but it was so quiet! It was crazy! Lol!
About punctuality: I left 15 minutes early for a Finnish concert here in Canada. I ran into a large bit of road construction but could still make it by 7:30. I got to the door of the hall at 7:30:31. I was 31 seconds late.
I live in São Paulo, Brazil, and I hate when I see people in buses talking loud and listening to music loud as well. This is so annoying and disrespecful.
All of these rules are true for me except the hat wearing rule: While I wouldn't wear a hat when eating myself, I personally don't mind when others do. Regarding table manners, I find it important to wait until everybody has their meal on the plate, wait until everybody is finished (except if there is a really good reason to leave earlier) and to close the mouth while eating so that others don't have to see and hear you chewing.
The thing about being late usually applies more on the countryside. In bigger cities (Helsinki, Turku, Tampere) I have found that being a little late is usually okay, because of the distances and the buses time schedules
I'll be visiting Finland and distant family soon for the first time, so I started watching your excellent videos. As you explained the customs and norms, I suddenly recognized how closely my behavior and traits match Finnish culture. Two of my grandparents were Finnish and one was Swedish, but I don't recall picking up any behaviors other than enjoying pickled herring. At work and at home I am considered a slow talker (think Seinfeld) and one of my coworkers would tell others "Quit interrupting! The man hasn't finished a sentence in forty years!" Your videos have tweaked my perspective on nature vs nurture. I'm looking forward to seeing Finland and my people. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and advice.
I don't need Finnish DNA to be Finnish, these are all relatable and I felt bad I wasn't born in a place where my personality fits. Same thing about Norwegians. I think these two are like twins when it comes to habits.
Well one could become a member of Finnish society, but never a Finn...unless one had been adopted and raised by a kantasuopmalainen or Native Finn parent. However, one could have Finnish children if they are completely immersed in the Native Finnish spouse's culture (it does happen)... it's reality and there's nothing wrong with that. Just as a Finns cannot appropriate someone else's culture. Now, between Swedes, Danes and Norwegians it seems to be almost interchangeable...but not with Swedish Finns, you should see them in Sweden, they still assert their identity... Personally, I don't identity with anything...my wife and kids constantly remind me of holidays or traditions, so I go along with it. Except going to the sauna without shorts, just can't do it; but everything else from eating määmi to eating Porvo Licorice I embrace. To quote Reemu Aaltonen "Pää asia on, että tossu nousee".
Oh you absolutely need our DNA to be Finnish. You are making a mockery by claiming otherwise. I know these days people like to play to be something just by saying it out loud, but that really isn't how stuff works in reality. You can live like a Finn, sure- but which one? This is an old tribal culture and each area has its own habits.
Love your sense of humour! We are moving from UK to Finland in 2025 and your video is awesome to get a little bit familiar with the culture. As someone being born in Russia and grown up in Germany most of my adult life, a lot of what you say overlaps with Russian social rules and habits that I grew up with: Russians are always being called grumpy and unfriendly at first, they take off shoes in the houses, take off hats when coming in or sitting at a table (although I don?t know about the army haha), never talk about money, and bein loud in public is also considered rude etc....
I’m Australian with a Finnish wife. Born and raised in Australia but both parents from Finland and can speak Finnish etc. a lot of these are pretty true, we were living with my parents at one point while our house was getting built and with Australians generally being more outgoing and friendly my Dad struggled with the fact that when she came home from work she would not go over and acknowledge him or talk to him straight away (Even though he was in a different room most of the time. I tried explaining that she’s just taking some time to herself for maybe half an hour to an hour before she comes and talks to people but it was like I was speaking Chinese to him 🤪. And said “Dad, if you’d just come home from a tough day and had to do the funeral of a child (He’s a funeral celebrant) we wouldn’t be offended if you didn’t talk to us straight away”. Although with punctuality my in-laws are the exception to the rule, they’re always late 😆.
I once sat on a mall bench in Canberra, Australia. It was quite quiet there, the only loud shouts I heard were in Finnish. There, Finns think that others do not understand them, and shout at the other end: "osta sipulia ja juustoraastetta (buy onions and grated cheese)". It was kind of weird, there aren't many Finns in Canberra.
I love it when Finns speak Finnish on the London Tube or bus. And I love it even more when I offer an Anteeksi when I move past them, and they twig a few seconds later. I speak Finnish adequately but it is clearly not native. I did have to scold two Finns in Paris, in Finnish, for blowing smoke over me and my family. That freaked them out! My cousin, also a Finnish speaker loves a loud Terve with a really rolled R to any Finnish speaker he hears in London.
9:35 I disagree. As a Finn myself, I’d say its polite to leave tips if for example the service in a restaurant was 5/5. My dad’s working in a bar on a cruiser, and he gets tips actually quite a lot. Altought they may be turists but most of them are finns. He also himself gives tips if we are in a restaurant. But yes this kinda correct what he said. Mostly its because people just dont use cash that much anymore, and credit cards instead, so it has became more common not to give tips.
The other thing about manners at that concert was when some people started talking during the music they were told in no uncertain terms by several people that they needed to be quiet and listen. I have had concerts ruined before by people talking so this was refreshing to me as I didn't have to shush them myself.
All the nordic countries deserve praise! Safest, happiest and super advanced! Swedish music does kick ass just like our music in Finland! You've probably heard of Zara Larsson and Avicii! 🇫🇮🇦🇽
Great video like always. These always keep me informed and it makes it easier to find Finnish friends. Honestly, they make great friends; They keep it straight and they are loyal. Much love to Finland!
Could you elaborate a bit on the 7:15 segment where having a hat on while eating is not just "disrespectful" towards people, but towards the FOOD?? Is there a cultural layer where you treat the food itself as an entity needing its own respect, devoid and separate of those who made it or served it? Wearing a hat being disrespectful towards the *food* has me very intrigued and curious
I'd love to elaborate. Finland has only one harvest per year, and very harsh climate. What happens when that harvest fails? You become very, very hungry...we've suffered from horrible famine years many times, the latest recorded ones being in the 1800's. In some areas, over 80%(!) of the population died...😔 Taking off your hat/cap at the table is like saying thanks for the fact that there is food. Saying grace doesn't quite cut it, as we were an animistic pagan culture until the last century or so.
Also (this is not common knowledge to even Finns, I just happen study it) in some areas, Savonia in this case, there was similar worship culture to some Asian regions: we would sacrifice food to our ancestors, to sacred trees and even rocks. One of our Easter traditions was to ask for food (usually the head of the house did this), and then to sacrifice the received amount. This tradition changed during time into a more selfish one where the asker eats by himself.
Finland is an amazing country indeed. I do not live there but have friends and have visited several times. Besides Helsinki which i love, I have been to Oulu, Kouvola, Kotka.. you miss a lot if you don't actually travel outside Helsinki.
One little side note I'd like to add to your point about visiting more than just Helsinki, don't just visit the big cities, Finland has some of the most beautiful nature in the world in my opinion!
This punctuality topic is so different here in Mexico. When my friends invite me to a reunion at 4 PM. If everything goes well, I'll arrive at 4PM, but they're all like "why are you here so early?" Jobs interviews the same. They might schedule me at 3PM, but the interviewer won't meet me until 3:15/3:30PM. Doesn't mean I'm never late, but I believe here in Mexico being fashionably late is QUITE expected.
@@AleksiHimself It is interesting, but also quite annoying. The good thing is that in case you are late, nobody will be angry with you. At most they will say "Hey, don't worry, it happens to everyone". Its rare that someone gets angry for being late unless you arrive at a party 2 or 3 hours late or you are going to pick them up, in which case, you are expected to arrive 5-10 minutes before.
My list based on living there for just two months: - don't drink salmiakki. - be prepared for mixed gender sauna - play sport (the more the better). Finns are some of the most hospitable and friendly people I've ever met in my life. Hyva kiele!
Aleksi, actually my experience was different when it comes to money. I found people very honest about having or not having money for a particular activity (I was your tutee btw😊)
This Finnish channel has English subtitles for Finnish comedies, I just found out and recommend (learn Finnish with comedy) ruclips.net/channel/UCwSbEvLAVDZfsqadXRHkSWg
Filipinos like me will really have to adjust since we are extrovert and sociable people. We love talking and we easily make friends. But we know how to adjust to any culture. I am excited to be in Finland hopefully next year to study.
Even Americans know you shouldn’t weR your hat inside especially when you’re at the table but unfortunately this has become a fashion statement for the young and the well, rude
I've read about the not tipping on different tourist guide websites, and I don't tip when I'm in Finland, but it feels a bit uncomfortable, especially if I got a meal and it was really good or so. So thanks for the clarification. One small exception about the distance: The Finns dance closer than middle Europeans. I love the Finnish music and I often go dance when I'm there, and that's what I've noticed. Whether it's disco or tango or whatever, the position is closer. Aaand a comment about the cities: Tampere and Turku are definitely worth seeing, but they're still quite international and tourist-oriented (less than Helsinki, surely).
Tipping isn't rude, it is simply not needed. If you want to tip, no one will be offended. Just don't tip loudly. Not "HERE IS YOUR TIP" more like say quietly "great service/food, here is some extra for you/staff" or "great place/excellent work, keep the change" Or just smile and "Thank you very much, here is some extra/keep the change" With the compliment, you acknowledge that you know you don't need to tip, but are doing it anyway, because you feel that the service was just that good. Otherwise some Finns might feel obligated to tell you that you don't need to tip here, and that might create a moment of awkwardness. (But not if you are a tourist, the awkwardness is on the Finn, and many might just take the tip so as not to make you feel embarrassed.)
I'm currently learning Finnsh and thinking about doing a semester abroad in Helsinki. Thank you so much for this video, I can't wait to be there next year !!! :)))
Hi from the USA! Love Finland and its people. re don't forget to visit Finland outside Helsinki - similar to how people worldwide, Finns and others would visit the USA and only see New York City when there are other cities and states. Similar if we all went to the UK and only see London.
I experienced the soft talk and conversation, while in Lapland in a cafe, I loved it because I can actually hear what that person is saying unlike here in the States
Quarter Fin living in the UK here and I personally agree with most of these points, especially about being (mis)judged as unsocial (like it's a worse thing than it actually is) and also I HATE it when someone asks me about money or employment. I'm allowed to complain to you if I'm struggling but never ASK me. If things were better in that area and I wanted you to know I'd tell you.
The other day a friend of mine living in the Vantaa area in Helsinki, told me that he crossed the street while the red-light was on, because no cars were coming from either side of the street. At the exact moment he started crossing, a finnish woman started shouting at him telling him that he should be more respectful XD
That woman was just being racist, Fins do jaywalk especially in city center, just not as often seen as in other countries, but still , they do jaywalk, and no one would ever give a damn about it, since they are very“ preserved ”, so that woman who shout at him just found herself a chance to express her feelings about foreigners and that’s all about it , BTW, Finland is the most racist country in the whole Europe (least immigrants employment rate in EEA - 30% )
Ok..I'm definitely a true Finn-at-heart! (American born Finn here) because I've always followed 'almost' every Finnish rule you've mentioned in the 'DON'T Do' video... except for the American habit of wearing the stupid hat at the dinner table... I promise to fix this one before I visit-- or the local Finns will know where I'm from!
As a foreigner I still get upset when some people are so bloody loud on their phone, that I can still hear them whilst wearing headphones. There are signs on the bus FFS, but teens and many nonWesterners seem to forget that one should be quiet on the bus. Among Finns, it's teenyboppers and juoppot (professional drunkards) who act and speak loudly on the bus, but even then it's an exceptio to the rule. Maybe laws in the form of infractions are needed to remind people to behave...and by that I mean adults.
"Don't be loud." I am so unintentionally screwed. lol I have since a small child have had a hard time recognizing my own volume level, so this is going to be a big challenge for me.
Another thing I've learned. Do NOT praise the Ice Hockey team Jokerit Helsinki. Unfortunately I am a big fan of the club as they ran my team in Newcastle so Aleksi do you have any comments?
The 1st time a Finnish friend hugged me I was shocked! But after, is now very normal.i do have a Finland hockey shirt, I DO NOT have a Sweden hockey shirt. My family is irish anerican, and if you enter my mom's house with shoes on she will hurt you! Come to my house...I just hand you socks, but shoes come off. We Also have really strong personal space, like arms length from each other is good.
I really like finland and i hope one day move and work there, my only concern is whether I will be able to socialize, maybe the local people don't like me idk i also trying to learn finnish by myself, hope i can do it without much trouble
I always thought the easiest or most common way to end up dating a Finn (or any Nordic person) was because you ended up going home with them very drunk at a party. And then only after that, you try to actually have a daytime date. :)
@@AleksiHimself I'm staying with a friend that lives there. We will be hiking to porvoo though. Unfortunately turku and tampere are a bit too far to hike to.
Japan, Finland , Britain ... it's us 20 years ago ( the shoes thing is dependent on each family l think)! Apart from the tipping ( although we never tip if service is included ...many find this too presumptive), and interrupting, we are very similar. Oh and l'm always late for everything ...but l am considered rude 🤣
Eastern European are kind of like that. I am half but don’t really show emotions unless I know the person. It’s reserved for more intimate moments. My English professor thinks I am angry I am not. In a lot of Romance cultures Like Italian and Spanish it’s normal to interrupt. I heard the same thing for “tipping “ in Japanese culture that it’s rude to tip.
My first trip to Finland was actually to visit Estonia (there were cheap flights to Helsinki then but not Tallinn) and I stayed with a British friend who was studying how Finnish is changing phonetically and he was using transcriptions of phone-in programmes and he explained it to me on the bus from the centre of Helsinki and he got a lot of stares talking "quite loudly" plus the topics from the transcriptions were funny / very rural and he was imitating the accents. That was when I learnt that Finns are very quiet in public, LOL My Finnish friends have often said that I laugh at everything I think they mean I laugh a lot more than Finns.
I have heard some scary things about Oulu. I don't know about going to that city. Perhaps I would just need to know someone ahead of time and then I would take a chance.
I have avoided most of these mistakes in Finland, but I have kept my hat while eating outside in the Summer Sun because I'm bald, and I want to avoid burning my head!
I do not think most of the finish people really hate Swedish or Russian culture.. but who would not like little playful rivalry? I think it is just for fun. And who can say that Russian literature or tea culture or architecture is not great or the Swedish habits and architecture and history? And anyways Sweden and Russia are part of Finland’s history too. We have many things in our culture and architecture and habits which are from one of these cultures. Both of these cultures have also many beautiful and interesting things. And I am personally quite interested about Swedish and Russian history and culture, because those cultures are also part of my country’s culture.
To the food topic: Isn't it also considered rude to eat meanwhile walking? But sitting somewhere outside, like on a bench and eat is okay, right? I was always confused about this a bit
No, in Finland walking and eating is not seen rude. I know in East Asia it is, but in Europe it isn't. I don't know, but does it have something to do with waste baskets? I hear in Japan it is difficult to find waste baskets. But in Finland you can find them plenty.
On the interruption part, well, I have that down pat, I guess. I've had "don't interrupt" drilled into me to the point that there are people who have known me for years who were shocked to learn I CAN speak.
Even if they don’t say I love you or act overly expressive like latin guys, their love runs deep. They are action over words. Also they are happy to help with chores, that is the equality bit.
I did witness a Finn drinking a beer while walking on Sturenkatu ja Hämeentie in Helsinki and he just dropped the empty beer can on the sidewalk. I was shocked to see this😮He littered shame shame!😆
dropping empty beer can is usually some how acceptable as if you return it to shop you will get money from it , so there is people who are happily collecting those.
@@MM-kz9pd Worst is when drug users stick their used needles into the ground under grass in parks. Like the pointy part pointing slightly out, so any park goer might accidentally step/sit on it.
Just a question when everyone from other countries understands fins and tries to learn fin culture Why fins don’t change some of their bad habits like not talking and smiling when meeting someone also being shy infront of another nationality and some more Maybe I’m wrong on this but learning and understanding should be always from both ways ❤
If you would like to help language learners learning Finnish, all you have to do is create Finnish videos with Finnish subscripts, about subjects that you like or you think your public likes and it will help learners that have passed the beginners stage. Check the subject "comprehensible input" or checkout a video of Steve Kaufmann or the channel of "matt vs japan" to get more info on one of the most fun ways of learning languages, specifically Finnish. Thanks for the video, I like it!
Re-reading this a year after I wrote it, I realize it took a lot of hubris to write this. I have never created a video in my life and I am giving you advice about how to create videos?? That is bold. What I probably meant to say was something like, I like Finnish videos with Finnish subtexts so I can export them to my language tool. I apologize for my post: arrogant and unwitting. I hope it did not put you off too much! I really do enjoy your videos in general!
WATCH NEXT: Weird things that are normal in Finland: ruclips.net/video/HZ0_56oW1N8/видео.html
@@danmarlovsky1977 you can send me an DM on instagram @aleksihimself
This comment is Finnish:
This comment lives in the happiest country in the world,first place in education,this comment going to sauna,lives in apartament close to a lake,in winter have sixteen hours of night and the summer sixteen hours of sun,this comment love salmiakki and adore Heavy Metal,coffee,languages,Nokia smartphones and tecnology.
SUOMI🇫🇮
I agree with Aleksi in some cases but I feel that these facts tell more about Aleksi Himself than Finns in general. There are tons of gamers and coders who never spend time in cafes or go out. Instead of learning social interaction skills in real life, they study life through memes, discussion boards, and dating books. These type of guys use to be always too drunk in student parties.
Wow, there are so many same things that share with Japanese society, such as don’t speak roundly in public, don’t get too close to the others, and be on time! Which is very interesting 🤨
Yeah I know! When I lived in Japan, I noticed the same.
@@AleksiHimself Hey Aleksi. Keep up the great work! I'm also a big fan of your channel.
I am wondering that we finns (finnish-ugric populations) have 6% of very-very old Asian genes.
@Atsuko Well, I think there is a fundamental difference, though, since I feel we Finns are more independent and individualistic than people from f.ex. Japan who seem to be all about respecting older ones and being a part of society.
I feel we do what we do more because it is how we were raised and because it feels appropriate and good to us and nature, than to please other people and answer to their expectations.
So I think the symptoms may be the same, but the disease is different. :)
@@vilidious Such an interesting point of view. Thanks.
Everything you've mentioned sounded normal to me. I'm German, we also don't tip (it's included in the costs), we take off shoes, are respectful when someone talks and prefer quietness in public spaces. Littering is frowned upon, too. The more I watch your videos the more I feel at ease tbh. I lived for many years in the UK and was often labelled as "weird" and ostracised because I was reserved and respectful instead of loud and extroverted. It made me question if something was wrong with me but ever since I spend some time in Finland and also back in Germany again, I noticed it wasn't me I was just not compatible with anglophone nations.
I don't know where you lived in Germany, but I grew up here learning that you do tip most of the time. Being introverted seems pretty common here though, but I still get labeled as a weirdo because I do not talk randomly
Finns usually get along great with Germans. Another one is the Japanese.
@@polarblade1159 Yes, same opinion. I live in the UK now but grew up in Germany as well and tipping is very common practice. So is walking into homes with your shoes on. I think SoloTravelStory grew up in a very polite household, which is great, but definitely an exception.
Here in the US if a person is quiet and introverted they assume he is depressed and needs meds. This is how far it went. You have to be loud and fake-friendly 100% of the time if you want people to like you.
Falling cows are a pain! They make me late all the time so its totally something that you should watch out for 😅
Maybe the reindeer taught them to fly?
I'm glad I'm not the only one!
Lots of bipedal cows blockin your way in stores too.
I made it 69 likes- sh*t
😂😂😂
I'm form Hungary and here wearing shoes at home or wearing a hat inside is considered rude too 😁 It's so weird that it's considered normal at some places
Wait- but how is it rude tho? What does a hat mean- have i offended people by wearing a hat before? ;-;
@@youraveragemexorican I think that the hat thing comes from a Medieval tradition or from old (outdated) etiquette. But I think that only older people consider it disrespectful
@@youraveragemexorican I have not found much information regarding the history. It's likely based on the religious Christian custom of removing your hat upon entering a church but it could very well predate Christianity. It's just a gesture of respect.
@@larryd473 oh
@@youraveragemexorican People also remove their hats during lowering of the casket in a funeral and during the national anthem playing. I think those might be more universal rather than just Finnish customs.
And NEVER sit in the sauna with a swimsuit on.
@@natashacastro71 miks nää emojit
We are wearing swimsuits in public ice swimming sauna (Rantalan sauna).
swimsuits in public but if not then u HAVE TO BA NAKED
Or a towel its weird
@@sorsaanimation5542 Yep, towel is even weirder than swimsuit
Having moved to Finland from Japan, I never needed to worry about any of the points you made :D
But many of the Finns that I personally know are often late when I meet up with them, and they also interrupt me a lot and talk over.
Some finns have that habit when we get too exited about the conversation (or when we're drunk) and I apologize on behalf of all of us :D
Good stuff!
If you are close friends with someone, interrupting happens in Finland ALL THE TIME. Especially listen youngsters and women (adult men generally behave more calm, that's just the way Finnish culture trains men).
I think interrupting is more a good behavior custom, show of respect, with strangers, people you know superficially.
But I admit, we Finns aren't as skilled in talking over (and listening same time) as Mediterranean culture people are.
tell them they are late
I was in Helsinki 3 years ago for the 100 year independance celebration. We went to the president's place to hear his speech and see the firework. There were sooo many people, but it was so quiet! It was crazy! Lol!
So true! Same thing when your plane lands in Finland and everyone is standing up to disembark. Even on a packed flight - complete silence!
It was a big party back then!
@@tbirdparis that sounds so nice! I’m from the states and everyone here yells so much and are loud and rude.
About punctuality: I left 15 minutes early for a Finnish concert here in Canada. I ran into a large bit of road construction but could still make it by 7:30. I got to the door of the hall at 7:30:31. I was 31 seconds late.
”Finnish streets are so clean”
Kouvola:
@산드라 ainakin manskarin lähel on paljon roskaa
*Laughs in Helsinki: Vuosaari*
@@mabussubam512 kato puhosta itiksessä
LMAO IKR?! I've been to Helsinki and amazingly... seen quite some littering.
I think not and smells like urine.
I live in São Paulo, Brazil, and I hate when I see people in buses talking loud and listening to music loud as well. This is so annoying and disrespecful.
Thanks for sharing!
That is the reason headphones exist. And I feel you totally here in finland
Also, I would say one should visit Finland outside the cities too, if possible.
Sure!
All of these rules are true for me except the hat wearing rule: While I wouldn't wear a hat when eating myself, I personally don't mind when others do. Regarding table manners, I find it important to wait until everybody has their meal on the plate, wait until everybody is finished (except if there is a really good reason to leave earlier) and to close the mouth while eating so that others don't have to see and hear you chewing.
Thanks for the comment!
I agree, but I suppose it depends on the people.
Tipping in the USA is ridiculous. Employers are permitted to pay low wages and we are expected to compensate.
Same on cruises.
The thing about being late usually applies more on the countryside. In bigger cities (Helsinki, Turku, Tampere) I have found that being a little late is usually okay, because of the distances and the buses time schedules
I'll be visiting Finland and distant family soon for the first time, so I started watching your excellent videos. As you explained the customs and norms, I suddenly recognized how closely my behavior and traits match Finnish culture. Two of my grandparents were Finnish and one was Swedish, but I don't recall picking up any behaviors other than enjoying pickled herring. At work and at home I am considered a slow talker (think Seinfeld) and one of my coworkers would tell others "Quit interrupting! The man hasn't finished a sentence in forty years!" Your videos have tweaked my perspective on nature vs nurture. I'm looking forward to seeing Finland and my people. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and advice.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing this.
"This COW fell on me from the blue sky" lmfao (1:52)
Of all reasons to be late, that's hilarious and amazing
I don't need Finnish DNA to be Finnish, these are all relatable and I felt bad I wasn't born in a place where my personality fits. Same thing about Norwegians. I think these two are like twins when it comes to habits.
Well one could become a member of Finnish society, but never a Finn...unless one had been adopted and raised by a kantasuopmalainen or Native Finn parent. However, one could have Finnish children if they are completely immersed in the Native Finnish spouse's culture (it does happen)... it's reality and there's nothing wrong with that. Just as a Finns cannot appropriate someone else's culture.
Now, between Swedes, Danes and Norwegians it seems to be almost interchangeable...but not with Swedish Finns, you should see them in Sweden, they still assert their identity...
Personally, I don't identity with anything...my wife and kids constantly remind me of holidays or traditions, so I go along with it. Except going to the sauna without shorts, just can't do it; but everything else from eating määmi to eating Porvo Licorice I embrace.
To quote Reemu Aaltonen "Pää asia on, että tossu nousee".
Oh you absolutely need our DNA to be Finnish. You are making a mockery by claiming otherwise. I know these days people like to play to be something just by saying it out loud, but that really isn't how stuff works in reality. You can live like a Finn, sure- but which one? This is an old tribal culture and each area has its own habits.
Love your sense of humour! We are moving from UK to Finland in 2025 and your video is awesome to get a little bit familiar with the culture. As someone being born in Russia and grown up in Germany most of my adult life, a lot of what you say overlaps with Russian social rules and habits that I grew up with: Russians are always being called grumpy and unfriendly at first, they take off shoes in the houses, take off hats when coming in or sitting at a table (although I don?t know about the army haha), never talk about money, and bein loud in public is also considered rude etc....
I’m Australian with a Finnish wife. Born and raised in Australia but both parents from Finland and can speak Finnish etc. a lot of these are pretty true, we were living with my parents at one point while our house was getting built and with Australians generally being more outgoing and friendly my Dad struggled with the fact that when she came home from work she would not go over and acknowledge him or talk to him straight away (Even though he was in a different room most of the time. I tried explaining that she’s just taking some time to herself for maybe half an hour to an hour before she comes and talks to people but it was like I was speaking Chinese to him 🤪. And said “Dad, if you’d just come home from a tough day and had to do the funeral of a child (He’s a funeral celebrant) we wouldn’t be offended if you didn’t talk to us straight away”. Although with punctuality my in-laws are the exception to the rule, they’re always late 😆.
I once sat on a mall bench in Canberra, Australia. It was quite quiet there, the only loud shouts I heard were in Finnish. There, Finns think that others do not understand them, and shout at the other end: "osta sipulia ja juustoraastetta (buy onions and grated cheese)". It was kind of weird, there aren't many Finns in Canberra.
😄😄
I love it when Finns speak Finnish on the London Tube or bus. And I love it even more when I offer an Anteeksi when I move past them, and they twig a few seconds later. I speak Finnish adequately but it is clearly not native. I did have to scold two Finns in Paris, in Finnish, for blowing smoke over me and my family. That freaked them out! My cousin, also a Finnish speaker loves a loud Terve with a really rolled R to any Finnish speaker he hears in London.
9:35 I disagree. As a Finn myself, I’d say its polite to leave tips if for example the service in a restaurant was 5/5. My dad’s working in a bar on a cruiser, and he gets tips actually quite a lot. Altought they may be turists but most of them are finns. He also himself gives tips if we are in a restaurant. But yes this kinda correct what he said. Mostly its because people just dont use cash that much anymore, and credit cards instead, so it has became more common not to give tips.
The other thing about manners at that concert was when some people started talking during the music they were told in no uncertain terms by several people that they needed to be quiet and listen. I have had concerts ruined before by people talking so this was refreshing to me as I didn't have to shush them myself.
Finntastic is awesome word! 😂 pretty cool rules, I'm glad for this youtube recomendation.
Everything you describe are, to me, indications of an advanced culture and society in which I would be grateful to live.
Damn those stuff sounds exactly like me maybe that's why i want to live there.
Good stuff!
You are always welcome to Finland! :D
All the nordic countries deserve praise! Safest, happiest and super advanced! Swedish music does kick ass just like our music in Finland! You've probably heard of Zara Larsson and Avicii! 🇫🇮🇦🇽
Good stuff! 😃🙌
finnish underground metal scene kicks ass too
Most punctual? I'm sure Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, the Japanese and Koreans have something to say about that.
Sharing the #1 spot with them!
I am from the Netherlands, but I am having such difficulty too be exactly on time🤭😬😁. Only 5 minutes... but still .
Great video like always. These always keep me informed and it makes it easier to find Finnish friends. Honestly, they make great friends; They keep it straight and they are loyal. Much love to Finland!
Thanks a lot!
Could you elaborate a bit on the 7:15 segment where having a hat on while eating is not just "disrespectful" towards people, but towards the FOOD??
Is there a cultural layer where you treat the food itself as an entity needing its own respect, devoid and separate of those who made it or served it?
Wearing a hat being disrespectful towards the *food* has me very intrigued and curious
I'd love to elaborate. Finland has only one harvest per year, and very harsh climate. What happens when that harvest fails? You become very, very hungry...we've suffered from horrible famine years many times, the latest recorded ones being in the 1800's. In some areas, over 80%(!) of the population died...😔 Taking off your hat/cap at the table is like saying thanks for the fact that there is food. Saying grace doesn't quite cut it, as we were an animistic pagan culture until the last century or so.
Also (this is not common knowledge to even Finns, I just happen study it) in some areas, Savonia in this case, there was similar worship culture to some Asian regions: we would sacrifice food to our ancestors, to sacred trees and even rocks. One of our Easter traditions was to ask for food (usually the head of the house did this), and then to sacrifice the received amount. This tradition changed during time into a more selfish one where the asker eats by himself.
@@turpasauna all very good information to learn!! Thank you for explaining that so well!!
@@meganw6007 No problem!
Absolutely useful points n video. Thanks for sharing!
Poljon kiitos! Great and very informative video! Thank you so much!!
Glad you liked it!
Finland is an amazing country indeed. I do not live there but have friends and have visited several times. Besides Helsinki which i love, I have been to Oulu, Kouvola, Kotka.. you miss a lot if you don't actually travel outside Helsinki.
5:12 would they look at me weird and isolate me and stuff if i acted too expressive?
Great video Aleksi. I'd love to meet you Aleksi!!!
One little side note I'd like to add to your point about visiting more than just Helsinki, don't just visit the big cities, Finland has some of the most beautiful nature in the world in my opinion!
Thanks for the tips!
This punctuality topic is so different here in Mexico. When my friends invite me to a reunion at 4 PM. If everything goes well, I'll arrive at 4PM, but they're all like "why are you here so early?"
Jobs interviews the same. They might schedule me at 3PM, but the interviewer won't meet me until 3:15/3:30PM.
Doesn't mean I'm never late, but I believe here in Mexico being fashionably late is QUITE expected.
That's interesting!
@@AleksiHimself It is interesting, but also quite annoying. The good thing is that in case you are late, nobody will be angry with you. At most they will say "Hey, don't worry, it happens to everyone". Its rare that someone gets angry for being late unless you arrive at a party 2 or 3 hours late or you are going to pick them up, in which case, you are expected to arrive 5-10 minutes before.
Mediterranean culture...
Bro, you completely missed the most important thing you should NOT do in Finland: Never, under any circumstances, call Finland - Scandinavia!
My list based on living there for just two months:
- don't drink salmiakki.
- be prepared for mixed gender sauna
- play sport (the more the better).
Finns are some of the most hospitable and friendly people I've ever met in my life. Hyva kiele!
"- don't drink salmiakki." :D That black vomit is something else yes.
Aleksi, actually my experience was different when it comes to money. I found people very honest about having or not having money for a particular activity (I was your tutee btw😊)
Interesting!
Really? I wonder who. :)
@@AleksiHimself it's Niusha😍
@@Neoantinfluence Ahh it's been a while! How's life?
@@AleksiHimself Fine😇 how are you? I have been enjoying your youtube videos and thinking about beautiful Finland😍
Tack för en informativ video!
Tack dig!
Terve, Aleksi! Could you make a video about Finnish humour please? It'd be interesting to see if Finns are as fluent in sarcasm as Canadians...
Good idea!
This Finnish channel has English subtitles for Finnish comedies, I just found out and recommend (learn Finnish with comedy) ruclips.net/channel/UCwSbEvLAVDZfsqadXRHkSWg
@@dalbellinho The channel is gone...
@@coolvania it was available two weeks ago! But of course it’s gone - was a good channel.
Easy win for Finland.
Thanks for sharing bro.
No problem 👍
Glad found your channel,learning a lot ☺️
Welcome aboard!
Filipinos like me will really have to adjust since we are extrovert and sociable people. We love talking and we easily make friends. But we know how to adjust to any culture. I am excited to be in Finland hopefully next year to study.
Thanks for the tips!
Happy to help!
Hey i live in Finland and i just wanted to say this video IS vety accurate (perkele)
Perkele good stuff!
Excactly!
Even Americans know you shouldn’t weR your hat inside especially when you’re at the table but unfortunately this has become a fashion statement for the young and the well, rude
Thanks Tina!
I've read about the not tipping on different tourist guide websites, and I don't tip when I'm in Finland, but it feels a bit uncomfortable, especially if I got a meal and it was really good or so. So thanks for the clarification.
One small exception about the distance: The Finns dance closer than middle Europeans. I love the Finnish music and I often go dance when I'm there, and that's what I've noticed. Whether it's disco or tango or whatever, the position is closer.
Aaand a comment about the cities: Tampere and Turku are definitely worth seeing, but they're still quite international and tourist-oriented (less than Helsinki, surely).
You can tip if you feel so. :)
Tipping isn't rude, it is simply not needed. If you want to tip, no one will be offended.
Just don't tip loudly. Not "HERE IS YOUR TIP" more like say quietly "great service/food, here is some extra for you/staff" or "great place/excellent work, keep the change"
Or just smile and "Thank you very much, here is some extra/keep the change"
With the compliment, you acknowledge that you know you don't need to tip, but are doing it anyway, because you feel that the service was just that good.
Otherwise some Finns might feel obligated to tell you that you don't need to tip here, and that might create a moment of awkwardness. (But not if you are a tourist, the awkwardness is on the Finn, and many might just take the tip so as not to make you feel embarrassed.)
@@Sienisota Selvä, kiitos. Asiakin on vähän se että yritän ei esiintyä liian turistina. But I think I'll find a way to tip more tactful.
Please do a detail places to visit outside Hensinki that has good accees, also love to learn about local festivals of all kinds
Nice video! Someone knows the rock song playing in the background? Thanks in advance!
I'm currently learning Finnsh and thinking about doing a semester abroad in Helsinki. Thank you so much for this video, I can't wait to be there next year !!! :)))
I hope you made it here. :)
Savonlinna is awesome. The locals know how to cook muikku to the perfection :)
So good!
I love going to Espoo its where some of my Finnish family live aswell
Hi from the USA! Love Finland and its people. re don't forget to visit Finland outside Helsinki - similar to how people worldwide, Finns and others would visit the USA and only see New York City when there are other cities and states. Similar if we all went to the UK and only see London.
Good stuff! 😃🙌
I experienced the soft talk and conversation, while in Lapland in a cafe, I loved it because I can actually hear what that person is saying unlike here in the States
Good stuff! 😃👌
Helsing is imitating rest of the world. You can find some cool stuff if you travel east part and especially in north you will find true culture.
Nice Educative!
Glad you think so!
What's the song that you put in this video when explaining?
* Please let me know
Quarter Fin living in the UK here and I personally agree with most of these points, especially about being (mis)judged as unsocial (like it's a worse thing than it actually is) and also I HATE it when someone asks me about money or employment. I'm allowed to complain to you if I'm struggling but never ASK me. If things were better in that area and I wanted you to know I'd tell you.
Thanks for sharing this! 😃🙌
😂 love the resting Finn face at 4:50 I’m currently in the U.S. Midwest and it would be such a relief to not have to be “on” all the time, in public.
The other day a friend of mine living in the Vantaa area in Helsinki, told me that he crossed the street while the red-light was on, because no cars were coming from either side of the street. At the exact moment he started crossing, a finnish woman started shouting at him telling him that he should be more respectful XD
omg 🤣
That's really rare! :D Finns cross the street on reds all the time.
That woman was just being racist, Fins do jaywalk especially in city center, just not as often seen as in other countries, but still , they do jaywalk, and no one would ever give a damn about it, since they are very“ preserved ”, so that woman who shout at him just found herself a chance to express her feelings about foreigners and that’s all about it , BTW, Finland is the most racist country in the whole Europe (least immigrants employment rate in EEA - 30% )
Finns are big jaywalkers. Makes no sense to wait if the road is empty. 😅
Ok..I'm definitely a true Finn-at-heart! (American born Finn here) because I've always followed 'almost' every Finnish rule you've mentioned in the 'DON'T Do' video...
except for the American habit of wearing the stupid hat at the dinner table... I promise to fix this one before I visit-- or the local Finns will know where I'm from!
Must be in the DNA. Im half Finnish and i get told i look grumpy and unfriendly 😂. But I open up once i get to know someone.
Good stuff!
Can you eat with your hands? In Romania the staff gets tips, salary is low so it is expected to tip.
As a foreigner I still get upset when some people are so bloody loud on their phone, that I can still hear them whilst wearing headphones. There are signs on the bus FFS, but teens and many nonWesterners seem to forget that one should be quiet on the bus. Among Finns, it's teenyboppers and juoppot (professional drunkards) who act and speak loudly on the bus, but even then it's an exceptio to the rule. Maybe laws in the form of infractions are needed to remind people to behave...and by that I mean adults.
"Don't be loud." I am so unintentionally screwed. lol
I have since a small child have had a hard time recognizing my own volume level, so this is going to be a big challenge for me.
Another thing I've learned. Do NOT praise the Ice Hockey team Jokerit Helsinki. Unfortunately I am a big fan of the club as they ran my team in Newcastle so Aleksi do you have any comments?
The 1st time a Finnish friend hugged me I was shocked! But after, is now very normal.i do have a Finland hockey shirt, I DO NOT have a Sweden hockey shirt.
My family is irish anerican, and if you enter my mom's house with shoes on she will hurt you! Come to my house...I just hand you socks, but shoes come off.
We Also have really strong personal space, like arms length from each other is good.
I really like finland and i hope one day move and work there, my only concern is whether I will be able to socialize, maybe the local people don't like me idk
i also trying to learn finnish by myself, hope i can do it without much trouble
You can find friends if you just keep apporaching people, get hobbies etc.
Finnish culture is very similar to the German one. The difference is we have so many foreigners and migrants changing it
All of these things should be around the world haha. These are great rules to live by!
Thanks Gia!
I always thought the easiest or most common way to end up dating a Finn (or any Nordic person) was because you ended up going home with them very drunk at a party. And then only after that, you try to actually have a daytime date. :)
That happens too. :D
I'd say that alcohol has probably caused more births than deaths in Finland :D
@@finnicvoice4974 As we say in (my part of) the US: Don't drink and park. Accidents cause people.
hehe, you could make this video about denmark to, especial the swedish part..
Nice!
1:22 ADHDers be freaking out rn
I would say, generally speaking, don't tip at all
Only time I "tip" is when in a bar and my order costs 9,90 or similar, I pay with a 10€ bill and say "keep the change".
I'm coming to finland next month and plan to avoid Helsinki. I'll be staying in loviisa and exploring that area. Maybe some of the surrounding towns
Loviisa has nothing really. Try Tampere, Turku, Porvoo
@@AleksiHimself I'm staying with a friend that lives there. We will be hiking to porvoo though. Unfortunately turku and tampere are a bit too far to hike to.
Japan, Finland , Britain ... it's us 20 years ago ( the shoes thing is dependent on each family l think)! Apart from the tipping ( although we never tip if service is included ...many find this too presumptive), and interrupting, we are very similar. Oh and l'm always late for everything ...but l am considered rude 🤣
Eastern European are kind of like that. I am half but don’t really show emotions unless I know the person. It’s reserved for more intimate moments. My English professor thinks I am angry I am not.
In a lot of Romance cultures Like Italian and Spanish it’s normal to interrupt.
I heard the same thing for “tipping “ in Japanese culture that it’s rude to tip.
Thanks for sharing!
Not really. I am half Baltic Latvian and half Finn and let me tell you, Russians and other slavs are very loud and annoying in public spaces!
Most of the rules are totally understandable and easy to follow if you're not completely dumb.
Except the last one, that's the most challenging.
Thanks for sharing!
But i'm so social! I can't help it! I'll walk up to anyone and say hi! Or i'll be very shy... it really depends.
My first trip to Finland was actually to visit Estonia
(there were cheap flights to Helsinki then but not Tallinn)
and I stayed with a British friend who was studying
how Finnish is changing phonetically
and he was using transcriptions of phone-in programmes
and he explained it to me on the bus from the centre of Helsinki
and he got a lot of stares talking "quite loudly"
plus the topics from the transcriptions were funny / very rural
and he was imitating the accents.
That was when I learnt that Finns are very quiet in public,
LOL
My Finnish friends have often said that I laugh at everything
I think they mean I laugh a lot more than Finns.
Good stuff!
I have heard some scary things about Oulu. I don't know about going to that city. Perhaps I would just need to know someone ahead of time and then I would take a chance.
Oulu is a good city. There are many members of this channel living there and like it.
I have avoided most of these mistakes in Finland, but I have kept my hat while eating outside in the Summer Sun because I'm bald, and I want to avoid burning my head!
I have a finnish friend, he is one of the few Finns who loves the cultures of Russia and Sweden 😅
That's great!
I like also the Swedish and the Russian culture and I'd like to learn more Russian in the future. Greetings from Finland! :-) Terveisiä Suomesta! :-)-
I do not think most of the finish people really hate Swedish or Russian culture.. but who would not like little playful rivalry? I think it is just for fun. And who can say that Russian literature or tea culture or architecture is not great or the Swedish habits and architecture and history? And anyways Sweden and Russia are part of Finland’s history too. We have many things in our culture and architecture and habits which are from one of these cultures.
Both of these cultures have also many beautiful and interesting things. And I am personally quite interested about Swedish and Russian history and culture, because those cultures are also part of my country’s culture.
@@lauraairaksinen5682 I have quite a few good friends among sweds and russians
That's rare. I can not sympathize with that tho.
To the food topic: Isn't it also considered rude to eat meanwhile walking? But sitting somewhere outside, like on a bench and eat is okay, right? I was always confused about this a bit
It´s not rude to eat when walking, but it is odd to us. So you are not insulting anyone 😊
Walking and eating is OK. I used to live in Japan and there it's not seen as a good thing.
No, in Finland walking and eating is not seen rude. I know in East Asia it is, but in Europe it isn't.
I don't know, but does it have something to do with waste baskets? I hear in Japan it is difficult to find waste baskets. But in Finland you can find them plenty.
Another proof that I am Finnish spirit trapped in Czech body :)
And I am Finn traped in Czechia for over twenty years 😆
We Meet Czech Team - several Times - at Ice Hockey Every Year !
In asia we have inside shoes/slippers.. ☺️
I watched this video before moving to Helsinki, now that I m here I understand your points! Finns are very different from other people :-))
Good stuff! 😃🙌
almost everything you said is the same in Lithuania
Good stuff!
(3:31) hehe, nice, with the "even better FINNtastic experiences..."
Creative
On the interruption part, well, I have that down pat, I guess. I've had "don't interrupt" drilled into me to the point that there are people who have known me for years who were shocked to learn I CAN speak.
Rrr.. it's true i just go to Helsinki and around it & say Finland is really cool 😅 maybe i should go to another place like Lapland and Tampere
Good choices!
Even if they don’t say I love you or act overly expressive like latin guys, their love runs deep. They are action over words. Also they are happy to help with chores, that is the equality bit.
Good stuff! 😃🙌
"...a friendly rrlrllrlRRLLRrllrlr between sweden and Finland..."
:DD
Words with r are difficult to pronounce :D
Looks like a kinda drum roll
I did witness a Finn drinking a beer while walking on Sturenkatu ja Hämeentie in Helsinki and he just dropped the empty beer can on the sidewalk. I was shocked to see this😮He littered shame shame!😆
he was drunk give him a break 🤣
And they piss in the parks under the trees without hiding.. I don’t know which one is worse;)
dropping empty beer can is usually some how acceptable as if you return it to shop you will get money from it , so there is people who are happily collecting those.
I forgot to mention it in the video but Finns do it themselves too but not that often.
@@MM-kz9pd Worst is when drug users stick their used needles into the ground under grass in parks. Like the pointy part pointing slightly out, so any park goer might accidentally step/sit on it.
Just a question when everyone from other countries understands fins and tries to learn fin culture
Why fins don’t change some of their bad habits like not talking and smiling when meeting someone also being shy infront of another nationality and some more
Maybe I’m wrong on this but learning and understanding should be always from both ways ❤
No litter, polite, reserved, quiet people. I want to move there!
If you would like to help language learners learning Finnish, all you have to do is create Finnish videos with Finnish subscripts, about subjects that you like or you think your public likes and it will help learners that have passed the beginners stage. Check the subject "comprehensible input" or checkout a video of Steve Kaufmann or the channel of "matt vs japan" to get more info on one of the most fun ways of learning languages, specifically Finnish. Thanks for the video, I like it!
Re-reading this a year after I wrote it, I realize it took a lot of hubris to write this. I have never created a video in my life and I am giving you advice about how to create videos?? That is bold. What I probably meant to say was something like, I like Finnish videos with Finnish subtexts so I can export them to my language tool. I apologize for my post: arrogant and unwitting. I hope it did not put you off too much! I really do enjoy your videos in general!
It's funny because a cow falling on you out of a clear blue sky could actually happen in Ohio.
Haha :D
Lol. Hurricanes?