1. Metal is not really them favorite music
I was thinking that Finland will be the country of metal music but no ! The only well know's group is Nightwish. I really wanted to watch an metal concert but I never find even in Helsinki. There exist some bar where you can listen to this music and sometimes some groups but not much than in another country I mean. In Turku, the only bar is Gong.
2. Movies are all viewed in VO with Finnish and Swedish subtitles
Young Finns speak English (and others languages) quite well. It is due to the education but also because foreign films / cartoons are not doubled. So English is most familiar.
3. There are no fishmonger or butcher
The only place I found a kind of fishmonger/butcher was in S-Market. So it is not independent butcher or fishmonger.
4. Alcohol is buy in specialize shop / liquor store
To fight again excessive alcohol consumption, in Finland, the government has set up a system of stores named Alko which have the exclusivity on the sale alcoholic drink. In the supermarket, there are only beer or cider cans. Alcohol is expensive, especially wine and hard drink. You will automatically be asked for your ID card, if you are under 30 years old, even if you just buy a can of beer. Also, Cans are subject to caution. You save 0,15 € per can by bringing them empty to the store 📷
5. Less formal
Here, Students call them teachers by them first name ! Moreover, Finns do not have any word to say "please".
6. No contact
Never try to say hello to a Finn by kissing him like in France, he would be terribly embarrassed! If you meet him for the first time, you shake his hand (whether a woman or a man), and if it's a close friend, it will be an accolade (and not sure... Mostly just say Moï, far).
7. Finns are lazy and slow
Now, I pretty sure that Finns are lazy and slow. I am sure it exists exception but I never met this person. I'm joking of course :) But I saw so many strange habits here such as some person who is always "sick", no need medical certificate, super slow processing during group work, etc.
8. Finns are crazy of candy
Indeed, they have plenty candy shop or big row in S/K-Market full of chocolate and candy. I think it is to give opportunities to people to have another alternative to the alcohol during winter. During my exchange, I think that was the moment I wanted the most eating sweet food and chocolate (You know... Confort food). They also love Salmiakki.
9. They believe in Sisu
Sisu is a unique Finnish concept. The word is used to typify the Finnish spirit. Sisu means loosely stoic determination, grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness. It is held by Finns themselves to express their national character. It stands for the philosophy that what must be done will be done, regardless of what it takes. Sisu is a special strength and persistent determination and resolves to continue and overcome in the moment of adversity. It is an almost magical quality.
"In the past, Finns were obliged to struggle against nature and foreign intruders. Despite all of the drawbacks along the way, the struggle gave a lot of strength. The early settlers found inspiration in the Finnish landscape, sky and in mythological heroes who taught them that it was possible to overcome obstacles. In more recent times the same sources have been the basic source of inspiration for athletes, artists, designers and architects who have made Finland known to the world." - Sisu Inc.
10. Sauna : really Finnish tradition/religion
11. Finns wear reflective objects
For a few months, night is a big part of the day and to be seen by others, Finns hang small reflective objects on their coats or backpacks.
12. Finns are not blond with blue eyes
Here, I saw some blond people with blue eyes but there are not the majority. Indeed, mostly, people have brown hair and brown eyes, so I don't feel really different LOL.
13.You have to take off your shoes
When you come to someone else home, no way of keeping your shoes ! We'll look at you oddly if you do not. Finnish friends were really surprised to learn that it is not done automatically with us: "but it's dirty! ".14. No modest/bashful
But then absolutely not! Except in mixed sauna, in the locker room or if it is a sauna unisex, everyone is naked !
15. Sport is really important
When you are a student, the access to sport is facilitated. Indeed, you just have to pay 40€/semester and you have access to ALL the sports hall and classes. Class stop mostly at 4pm and all sports classes begin at 4pm as well, so Finns have time to make sport and also do them homework.
16. Their double glazing is 2 windows (PICTURE)
To prevent the heating bill from exploding in the winter, the insulation of the buildings must be optimal. Most windows consist of a double-glazed window and another single-glazing a dozen more cm outside. This last window also allows aerating the summer while preventing the mosquitoes from returning. They have 2 doors as well.
17. Non smoker
I hardly ever saw Finns with a cigarette.
18. During winter, Finns put gravel on the floor and not salt or sand
This year was very cold: indeed, it was the first time since (if I remember well) 60 years that the winter came so early and was so cold! The first snow came on November 1st, and practically in the stride -14 ° C of RealFeeling. It has snowed well, but at some point, the temperatures have risen. At this point, the snow turned into a good layer of strong and sliding ice. This also means extreme caution, travel time multiplied by two, and some good falls (my knees are witnesses). To limit those misadventures, Finns do not put salt on roads and sidewalks but small gravel.
19. Student wear overall which have the colors of the study field
We will see in the street some student wearing quite strange clothes : an overall completely full of patches, balloons or pearls. Wearing overalls (haalarit) is a very big tradition among students in Finland. One could say that the official party outfit to Finnish students is overall. They represent you and your fellow students as a collective, especially since every study has its own overall color and / or design. Overalls come in all colors: red, purple, light green, green, brown, red and dark, orange and purple, blue, black, white, pink ... You can tell who belongs to your group just by checking out their overall color!The color of the overall matches with the study field. For instance, exchange student have shiny electric blue overall, well-being student has yellow mustard overall, etc.
And if you have an overall, you are most likely to have badges (haalarimerkki) on it too. Badges have meanings as well. They also know what to do and what to do to help you. Also other party gear - like handcuffs, whistles and bottle openers - can be attached to your overall. You can not find two of a kind - they are all unique! It is also commonplace to exchange parts of your overall (usually a sleeve) with other students. That is to show love, friendship, side subjects or even having two main subjects. You can see people wearing in every major student happening, like parties, meetings, excursions to other cities ...
20. Finns respect rules
You can see on the street many bicycles without anti-theft or a self-service cafeteria. It would not occur to a Finn to use without paying.
21. Children wear Ski suit
You can see on the street, at the elementary school or children's square, that absolutely all children wear a ski suit. That so cute ! I saw twice an elementary class walking on the street, and all the school children have the same ski suit.
Comments