Traditions of Finland: features of Finnish communication, culture and recreation. Traditions

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Features of the Finnish national character: customs and traditions of Finland
Culture of Scandinavian countries

Finns are often seen as somewhat conservative, even old-fashioned. For example, such a seemingly anecdotal feature of the Finns as the slowness of colloquial speech - the unhurried pronunciation of words, the tightening of vowels.
The fact is that aristocracy is manifested not only in the ability to keep your back straight, but also in the ability not to open your mouth, where it is not necessary. According to Finnish customs, loud speech, laughter without restraint were allowed only to a commoner. The Finnish aristocrat is a silent, sedate gentleman. He's not in a hurry, so he speaks slowly and deliberately. In general, Finnish culture is a culture of calm people, which we will discuss below.

Until now, Finns are wary of those who speak too loudly or too quickly. Moreover, they consider raising their voice as a manifestation of rudeness. Finns prefer to resolve disputes at the negotiating table. Also, if during a conversation you look away, look around, then for a Finn this will be a clear sign of your cunning. These traditions are already in the blood of Finns. When communicating with a Finn, it is worth remembering another rule: "The laughter of a clever man is not heard, but seen."

In fact, the Finnish tradition provides for a rather scrupulous attitude to words. "The bull is taken by the horns, but the man is caught at his word" - this is how an old Finnish proverb says. "Small talk about nothing" is a relatively new phenomenon in Finnish culture, and an abstract sentence can be taken seriously by a Finn. Interrupting another is impolite, and if in Russia such behavior has already become commonplace, in Finland it is still not welcome.

Finnish hospitality

Another interesting tradition in Finland is a special attitude towards visiting. If we, in Russia, do not have anything reprehensible to drop in on a friend for a cup of tea, just because he lives along the way, then the Finns are different. The Finnish tradition includes a long process of preparation for receiving guests. Sometimes it can take up to two weeks, during which the Finns prepare the table, the meeting program and gifts. Speaking of gifts, Finns prefer Finnish goods. You can consider this kind of patriotism as much a Finnish tradition as slow speech. If you present a Finn, albeit a very expensive, but foreign product as a gift, he will not be particularly grateful to you.

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Traditions and customs

Actually, today it is not uncommon when people consider their own national customs to be something outdated, uninteresting. And they generally prefer a foreign culture. You yourself can verify this by the abundance of elements of oriental color, especially Chinese and Japanese, which can be found in our homes, on our streets and in shops. Finns treat their national customs much more carefully. You will never see a Finn show a dislike for Finnish culture, or try to isolate himself from the traditions and customs of his ancestors.

The Finns are far from the punctuality of the Germans, whose national feature this very punctuality has long been recognized by everyone. However, being late for a meeting may be perceived as frivolous by a Finn, which is unlikely to add to your respect.

Relations between the sexes, according to the customs of Finland, are built on the basis of equality and partnership. In Finland, it is customary for everyone to pay for themselves in a restaurant. However, asking your companion to pay for her is a perfectly acceptable option. Not the fact that I agree, but the courtesy will appreciate. As well as if a woman offers to pay her own bill, your categorical refusal will not cause irritation. Finnish women greatly value politeness in men, but the final conclusion about a gentleman is made by his attitude to her independence. Girls also consider kissing hands to be a manifestation of gallantry, but it is far from always possible to meet such a gallant Finn.

Tipping in Finland

Speaking of restaurants, Finnish traditions and customs involve tipping. In principle, no one is particularly waiting for them. As they say, "service included in the bill." But leaving a small amount for a tip is considered a sign of courtesy. No one will recalculate whether you gave 10, 15 or 20 percent, so you do not need to have special mathematical skills. It is customary to leave a tip to the bartender and the taxi driver (the latter - in the form of rounding the amount in his favor), in hotels this gesture can take place, but it is not accepted here. In hairdressing salons, tea is traditionally not given.

How do Finns say hello?

Finns greet each other with a handshake - in this they are not much different from Russians. But then some differences follow: for example, women often greet each other in the same way, both among themselves and with men. But various reinforcing gestures, like touching the shoulders, forearms, patting on the hands - Finnish customs do not provide for all this. However, women in Finland can "smack" each other on the cheek - this is not considered reprehensible. Of course, men do not say hello.

In general, touching on the topic of kissing in Finland, one can also note the fact that on the streets of this country one can not often see kissing people - both couples in love and just good friends. Kissing, like hugging, is considered a clear sign of the townspeople. Strictly speaking, the Finns do not really like to show their feelings in public, they do not like to put the interlocutor in an awkward position.

Addressing each other

Between themselves, the Finns usually communicate on "you", even if the subordinate is talking to the boss. To the older generation, this seems like nonsense. They are usually addressed by first name. There is no practice to pronounce the patronymic, as they do in Russia, in Finland. Also, various titles are not widely used. They are rarely inserted by anyone when addressing, they are rarely pronounced by anyone when meeting. As for friendship with a Finn, it is quite difficult to earn it. But if a Finn has become your friend, then this is forever.

Customs in Finland are changing with fashion trends. As in most European countries, individualism is now in vogue in Finland, which Finnish culture did not know before. Smartphones have become another newfangled feature for Finnish culture. On the one hand, the thing is extremely useful and convenient, on the other hand, it is clearly unpleasant for others. Therefore, Finland has already developed its own culture of handling "mobiles" - they are prohibited in hospitals and airplanes, inappropriate in restaurants, and rude in movies or churches. The Internet has also changed existing modes of communication, becoming an integral feature of Finnish youth culture.

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What we love: fishing and sauna

So far, everything we have talked about has not touched on what our person usually associates the word "Finland" with. Yes, yes - these are the very traditions of the Finnish bath and sauna. And, of course, fishing. The Finnish sauna is not much different from the Russian bath, although they are sometimes contrasted, saying that in the Russian bath the steam is wet, and in the Finnish sauna it is dry. Of course, this is not so, because both there and there steam is obtained in exactly the same way. In Finland there are now about two million saunas, including private and "for personal use". According to the old Finnish tradition, such saunas are built of wood, but monolithic stone structures, as a rule, are called baths.

The Finns have preserved the proverb "build the sauna first, and then the house." The most interesting thing is that in rural areas they did this for a long time. The sauna has always meant a lot to the Finns - here they rested after a hard day, gave birth and raised children, washed, slept and even smoked sausage. The Finns have managed to preserve and increase their bathing culture, and now I am actively exporting it to all other countries of the world. As you can see, Finnish culture has a significant impact on world culture.

By the way, in Finland itself there are more saunas than cars. They are built everywhere - in private homes, schools, universities, at airfields, but they prefer picturesque places near lakes, of which there are 188 thousand in Finland. With these same lakes, another Finnish tradition, widely known outside of Finland, is fishing.

Even traditional skiing in Finland is much inferior to fishing in popularity. At the same time, a careful attitude to nature - at least in the sense that a Finn will never catch more than he needs, unlike a Russian who catches until he bites - allows Finnish fishermen to say: "In our lakes a year from more and more fish every year. According to Finnish customs, fishing is a sport, a competition. And numerous technical devices - which, by the way, are not so expensive by Finnish standards - turn this activity into an exciting recreation and sport. Every year in Finland, competitions are held for the largest fish in five categories: perch, pike perch, pike, whitefish and trout. At the same time, there is a division into the catch obtained by active or passive methods.

For tourists, both of the above Finnish traditions are often presented in one bottle - after fishing they are immediately taken to take a steam bath in the Finnish sauna. This is especially true in the winter season, when it is cold and jelly outside.

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Hunting and love for dogs

Traditionally, the Finns also love the echo of another fishing activity - hunting. This love, among other things, is expressed in a special attitude towards dogs, which in ancient times were an indispensable assistant to a person on a hunt. Today, 20% of Finnish families have a dog at home. Kennel clubs have existed here since the 19th century. In general, the "dog" culture in Finland is very developed - numerous shops specializing in the sale of goods for our four-legged friends, even more numerous dog walking areas, well-functioning cells of organizations for the protection of the rights of our smaller brothers.

Sport and health

Another good tradition in Finland is regular sports, regardless of the age and gender of the person involved, as well as the weather conditions and place of residence. The country allocates almost 7% of its budget for the development of mass sports! Skiing remains the most popular sport, which is understandable for a northern country. In Finland, about 140 ski centers of various sizes are regularly operating. Finns traditionally go to Lapland in February to enjoy skiing.

In this attitude to sports, another Finnish custom is manifested: taking care of your own health and the health of those around you. For example, Finland has long banned smoking in public places. But even in a private house, the guest must ask the host for permission to smoke, even if ashtrays are displayed in a conspicuous place. Smoking You can be sent to the balcony or courtyard.

As you can see, there is nothing particularly complicated in the traditions and customs of Finland, in many ways they intersect with global ones. On the other hand, a confident orientation in the traditions of Finland greatly simplifies the life of a tourist - he will not look stupid in the eyes of the locals.

Finland is a country with rather specific traditions. Finnish customs are sacredly observed and passed down from generation to generation, so, at first glance, they seem somewhat conservative. However, this, perhaps, is the originality of Finnish traditions.

There are legends about the restraint and slowness of this people, but this way of behavior is not only a feature of the temperament of people. This is an ancient, ingrained custom - in the old days, loud conversation and behavior were permissible only among commoners. Silence, thoroughness, equanimity served as signs of aristocracy. Our fast-paced time has hardly affected this way of assessing, and the Finns are still somewhat wary of loud-voiced and overly mobile people.

It is not customary for Finns to visit for any trifling occasion. Even a visit to friends and relatives is a significant event, for which both the hosts and guests are preparing for almost two weeks. Everything should be thought out to the smallest detail - the program of the evening, and the table, and the gift.
By the way, about gifts. It is undesirable to give the Finns any imported thing. They are great patriots, and they are sure that the goods of local producers are the best in the world. Therefore, even the most expensive and exclusive gift from some famous foreign couturier does not cause them special delight.

Finns are punctual. We can say that accuracy for this people is the key to well-being. Being late for a meeting without prior warning, which among some of us is considered commonplace, the Finn may regard as frivolity, and simply cease to treat the delayed person with due respect.

The most traditional hobbies of Finns are considered to be fishing, skiing and sauna. Finland's relatively small population of about 4.8 million people has almost 1 million saunas. A visit to the sauna is a ritual for a Finn. Therefore, saunas are mainly built for a small number of people.

For a bath, they usually choose a quiet, peaceful place somewhere on the lake. Here the Finns not only wash themselves - they recuperate and find peace of mind.

The Finns are equally passionate about fishing. In Finland, there are several tens of thousands of lakes, so there is where to turn around! However, the Finns are very sensitive to nature, so they never allow themselves to catch more fish than they need at the moment, no matter how good the bite is. Real fishermen - Finns use only basic fishing gear and do not allow the use of electronic rods or similar modern arsenal of fishermen.

Fishing in Finland requires a license. They are sold anywhere - in police stations, in the relevant city departments, in special machines and even libraries.

Finns love dogs very much. This is also one of the unchanging traditions, because they are the descendants of hunters, for whom the dog is the first assistant and friend. Every fifth Finnish family has a dog that is as phlegmatic and well-mannered as its owners.

There are almost no stray dogs in Finland - the animal shelter service works very well here. Kennel clubs established in the 19th century are actively working in the country. For dogs, special areas for walking are being built, there are many specialized stores selling dog care products and food. The Finnish Animal Welfare Society diligently monitors the condition of dogs, their nutrition and health.

Finns are very fond of sports. Love for him is instilled from childhood. The country allocates almost 70% of its budget for the development of sports. Sports and health work is very actively developed here.

Physical education, to one degree or another, is practiced by all Finns, from the smallest to the elderly. On the streets of Finnish cities, you can often see a very elderly person who enthusiastically does sports exercises in any weather.

Finns especially love orienteering and skiing. There are more than 140 ski centers in the country, where ski runs are for everyone - both for those who are professional skiers and for those who just love skiing.

In February, most people in Finland go on a so-called ski vacation to Lapland.

Each Finn is very careful about the traditions of his people. Perhaps this is the most basic Finnish tradition - to honor the customs of one's own country and be true to one's culture.

There are many different countries and nationalities in the modern world. Each nation, state has its own history, culture, customs and many more interesting things. If you get together and travel to all countries of the world, it will take a lot of time, but the journey will be very interesting.

One of the most beautiful historical countries is Finland, which is close to us. The inhabitants of Finland are one of the happiest people on the planet, as in recent years the country has been confidently leading the list of the happiest countries. All conditions for a good life of people are created here!

Population and features of mentality

Finland is not a big country and the population is also small compared to Russia. The current population is five and a half million.

Like any nation, the Finnish have their own characteristics and customs. Any Russian person immediately comes to mind sauna, thinking about Finland. But there are many interesting moments that many have not heard of.

Here are some of them:

1. Finns are very fond of reading newspapers. The country occupies a leading position in terms of the total circulation of the press to the population. In addition, the Finns are the complete opposite of the chatty Italians, they are silent lovers.
2. The inhabitants of this state are very fond of coffee and, according to statistics, drink one liter per month. Perhaps the reason for this is the climate, in this country from autumn to spring there is a very short daylight hours, besides, most of the year is cold - the release of coffee will warm and give cheerfulness.
3. The Finns are a reserved and modest people, they do not recognize familiarity, familiarity.
4. Almost all of the Finnish people love to sing - in chorus! This is a national trait of this people since the 12th century. Choirs here are a variety of male and female, mixed, children's, student, church, military, professional and amateur.
5. A feature that is inherent in the Finns is that they easily tolerate frost and cold. If a slight thaw sets in, the population is in a hurry to undress immediately, without fear of a cold.
6. An exceptionally national Finnish delicacy is licorice lozenges. They are black in color and are made from licorice root.

It can also be added to the characteristics of the Finnish mentality that the inhabitants of this northern country do not like to rush - everyone knows the Finnish slowness!

An extra point in favor of this nation for pedantic punctuality. In the blood of this people - a bad tone, if you are somewhere late.

The people of Finland are very responsible and reliable. And this is a very valuable quality for business relationships in business.

Name of people in Finland

And how to write "inhabitant of Finland" Finn or Finn correctly? Inhabitants of Finland are correctly called - Finns, and a man and a woman: Finn and Finn. That's what it says on Wikipedia.

Previously, the inhabitants of the country were called by the name of the country - Finnish and Finnish and Finnish.

Finns call their country Suomi. Suomma - there are several versions of the translation of this word: a swamp or fish scales, or even the name of a small people living in Lapland and in northern Norway.

The inhabitants of Suomi are nomadic tribes of reindeer herders with their own language and customs. From the Swedish translation finnland is a beautiful land.

Language composition

It will be very unexpected to find out that until the beginning of the 19th century only Swedish was spoken in the state. For almost seven hundred years Finland was ruled by Sweden. And after joining the Russian Empire in 1809, the Russian language was added. After the issuance of an imperial decree in 1863. before the revolution of 1917. There were three official languages ​​in the Principality of Finland:

• Swedish;
• Russian;
• Finnish.

After gaining independence in 1922. and there are still two official languages: Finnish and Swedish.

Nowadays, almost all of Finland, the main part of the country - about 92% speaks Finnish. Slightly more than 5% are native Swedish speakers, while 1% each speak Russian and Estonian.

Culture and art

Finland is a country where traditions and national customs are loved and respected. In culture, however, there is the influence of Sweden, and there is very little Russian culture.

After secession from Russia, national patriotism intensified in Finland. Finns love everything domestic: from manufacturers to ethnic folk holidays.

Popular and interesting in culture:

1. Many literary works have received worldwide fame. The most popular of them is about the fairy-tale creatures Moomins, the wonderful writer, artist Tove Janson. Mummy troll fan clubs exist all over the world, and there is even a park of the same name in the country.
2. The pride of the country is the famous Kalevala epic, based on which filmmakers and artists have been inspired for their work over the past century. And the country hosts the beloved Kalevala carnival, with an ethnic theme.
3. Finns of the 21st century adore everything related to the Middle Ages, Scandinavian myths. And of course, that's why there are many themed festivals on the Middle Ages.
4. The pride of the Finns is the founder of the Scandinavian style - designer Alvar Aalto, who created the famous Paimio chair in 1933. It is relevant to this day. Ero Aarnio, another famous designer in the 60s of the last century, conquered the world with his ball chair. And now Finnish furniture, design is popular and respected in the world.
5. Fashion designers are also popular in Europe and the US. Original things with traditional thematic ornaments are always in demand!
6. The culture of Finland is well developed, only in the capital of Helsinki it is possible to visit twenty theaters with classical and modern repertoire, as well as opera. As a rule, in any large city there is a symphony orchestra.
7. Finnish museums exhibit canvases by domestic artists, and painting in the country began to develop only in the middle of the 19th century.
8. Finns are very musical people. There are annual festivals of both classical and rock, jazz, pop music. Among the Finnish contemporary musicians, Apocalyptica is famous for playing metal on the cellos!

Education. Religion

Finland has a very high level of education. According to OECD research in 2013, the Finnish population over school age ranks second in terms of knowledge after Japan and Sweden. But, unfortunately, fourth-grade students began to read much less (possibly due to gadgets), which corresponds to 45th place among countries, and these are the bottom lines of the ranking.

Education in a general education school lasts nine years, the academic year is from August to May inclusive.

Interesting! In Finland, there is a law that says that when a child (up to the age of 6th grade) gets more than two kilometers to school. He must be transported back and forth by taxi at the expense of the municipality.

Religion is not very widespread in the country. The bulk of believers are more than 75% Lutherans, no more than 1% Orthodox, and the same percentage for other religions.

It should be noted that among Lutherans a large percentage of Laestadians (conservative direction). Due to the large migration of Muslims, the construction of mosques is now planned.

Composition of the population

Currently, the state is inhabited by approximately equal numbers of both men and women.

The average life expectancy for Finns is quite large, it is:

• in women under 83;
• in men under 77 years of age.

In recent years, the number of centenarians of 100 years of age has increased.

A large number of Finns, up to 70%, live in cities and adjacent areas. This area represents 5% of the entire territory of Finland.

Population census

Since the middle of the twentieth century, the population has grown at a rapid pace, over the past 65 years, the increase has amounted to one and a half million people.

In recent years, according to statistics, the number and birth rate of Finns has been declining, while the increase in migrants has been increasing.

Video: interesting features of the inhabitants of Finland

Customs, manners, concepts and topics of communication that will help you better understand Finnish society.

Time

Finns are punctual and value time. They stick to appointments, preferably to the minute, and being more than 15 minutes late is already considered impolite and needs an apology. It is customary to adhere to the appointed time in private meetings with friends and acquaintances.

In transport, train and bus delays are exceptions.

Equality is characteristic of gender relations in Finland, expressed by a relatively large representation of women, in particular in politics and other public activities.

According to the generally accepted etiquette, women should be treated without chauvinistic arrogance and condescension, although such an attitude still occurs in practice. Women appreciate the traditional courtesy of men, but they often give the final assessment of men on the basis of their attitude towards issues of equality. In money matters, women are usually independent and may, for example, express a desire to pay their share of the bill in a restaurant, however, rejecting such an offer is not at all considered impolite.

Greetings

The most common form of greeting in Finland is the handshake. Both men and women are greeted with a handshake, and women also shake hands.

The Finn's handshake is short and firm, without reinforcing gestures such as touching the shoulder or the arm above the wrist.

Like other nations, Finns kiss. But during the greeting, kissing, in general, is not accepted. The hand is rarely kissed, although many women consider this old display of gallantry to be a charming gesture. Friends and acquaintances can hug each other when they meet, and kisses on the cheek are also not uncommon: in Finland, this custom betrays the townspeople. Etiquette does not specify the number of kisses on the cheek. Finnish men, when greeting each other, do not kiss, especially on the lips.

Talk

Finns have a special attitude towards words and speech: words are taken seriously, and people's statements are taken seriously. “The bull is taken by the horns, but the man is caught at his word,” says a Finnish proverb. By carefully weighing their words, Finns usually expect the same from others.

Small talk about nothing is a relatively new phenomenon in Finnish culture. Many Finns are not accustomed to this and, for example, may take the received abstract invitation seriously. And a verbal promise is a promise in Finland.

Finns are good listeners and consider it impolite to interrupt others. They don't mind pauses in conversation.

Having met a new person, the Finns willingly communicate on any topic, neither politics nor religion are forbidden. As readers of books and newspapers and visitors to libraries, Finns are among the world's leaders and therefore quite well aware of what is happening both in their homeland and in the rest of the world.

On you or on you?

Referring to "you" in Finland is generally accepted, not only among friends and acquaintances, but also with strangers, as well as at work. To colleagues, people usually turn to "you", up to the top management. In the service sector, it is quite common for employees to address customers as “you” and vice versa, although the older generation does not always like such familiarity.

When introducing themselves, Finns rarely name their titles, titles and professions.

Also, the appeal to the interlocutor "mister" or "madam" is extremely rare. The Russian practice of using patronymics in Finland is generally unfamiliar.

Religion

The guest usually does not encounter difficulties even in those issues that are often rather delicate in relations between different cultures. The main part of the population is highly secularized, although the majority of Finns (about 83% of the population) are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 1.1% of Finns are Orthodox. The Finnish Orthodox Church belongs to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, but in Finland there is also the Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. The attitude towards the religious beliefs of neighbors is respectful and, despite secularization, the church and its ministers enjoy authority.

Visits

The home is the center of social life in Finland. This is due to both cultural and financial considerations. The guest should be prepared for a rather relaxed and informal atmosphere. The hosts will be pleased with a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers brought with them.

Country house

Finns are happy to invite guests to their dacha.

About a quarter of Finns have a dacha, which in many cases is essentially a second home.

Living conditions in the country can be very ascetic, so it makes sense to dress comfortably and practically on the road. The best reward for hosts is that the guest is satisfied and enjoys life, whether it's rain or shine. The guest will act wisely if, on the third day of the visit, over morning coffee, he starts talking about returning to the city. He should cancel his departure only if the protests of the owners are very convincing.

Sauna

Sauna is important to Finns along with nature and silence. Saunas are everywhere - in private houses, apartments, cottages. According to statistics, there are one and a half million saunas in Finland with a population of five million. The sauna is visited both with family members and with friends or business partners.

It is important to remember that sauna has nothing to do with sex. Men and women go to the sauna together, but only within the family. Shared saunas, where men and women bathe together, are not familiar to Finnish bathing culture.

In Finland, there is no separate sauna etiquette, because Finns learn to go to the sauna as naturally as they learn to speak.

The temperature in a Finnish sauna is usually between 60 and 100 degrees. The amount of steam to be delivered depends on habit or stamina. Many people prepare brooms from fresh birch branches in summer and dry or freeze them for the winter. Caps in the sauna are not practiced. Refusing to visit the sauna is not at all a manifestation of impoliteness.

Bath evening is held without haste. After the sauna, it is customary to continue communication with soft drinks, sometimes a light snack.

Mobile phones and information technology

The use of mobile phones in Finland, as in other countries, is subject to rather vague etiquette, which aims to mitigate the risk and discomfort associated with their use for other people. The use of mobile phones on airplanes and in hospitals is prohibited, in meetings and in restaurants it is not accepted, and at concerts, in theaters, at the cinema or in church it is considered a manifestation of barbarism.

The Internet, e-mail and chat rooms have radically changed the way people get information and keep in touch in Finland. For young people, the use of constantly updated information technology applications is part of the daily routine and a major factor in youth culture. More and more politicians and business leaders create their own Internet sites, talk about their lives and share their thoughts on personal blogs.

About smoking

Smoking has been on the decline in recent years, and mass attitudes towards it are becoming more and more negative. The law restricts smoking in public places. Smoking at work, in bars and restaurants is prohibited. As law-abiding people, the Finns observe these prohibitions.

Smokers are expected to be tactful. A guest invited home asks the hosts for permission to smoke, even if ashtrays are displayed in plain sight. In private apartments, smokers can be directed to the balcony - or, if smoking on balconies in a multi-storey residential building is prohibited, simply to the courtyard. This can, especially in the winter cold, significantly reduce the consumption of nicotine in the company.

About tips

The custom of giving tea has not taken root very well in the Finnish way of life. A fairly simple reason for not tipping is that the payment includes all services, including for friendly service, in other words, "service is included in the price." However, in Finland they also give you a tip. This does not require complex calculations from the client, since no one pays much attention to whether the tip is equal to 10-15 percent of the bill or not.

Tips are rare in hotels, but you can leave a few coins at the bar for the bartender. A taxi driver generally does not expect a tip, but customers often round up the fee in his favor.

It is not customary to tip the hairdresser.

Languages

Finns speak Finnish, Swedish (Swedish is the native language of 5.6 percent of the population) or the Sami language, which has about 8,000 native speakers. There are also some Roma (Gypsy) speakers. Finnish is part of a very small Finno-Ugric group of languages.

Many people in Finland speak English. It is generally accepted in business life, and in some international Finnish companies even as a working language. Little is spoken in Russian.

Finnish-Swedish bilingualism

Throughout the entire period of independence, Finland has retained two official languages ​​- Finnish and Swedish, although the Swedish-speaking population is a very small minority. The reasons for the country's bilingualism are rooted in history. From the Middle Ages until the 19th century, Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden. All those in power were Swedish-speaking, so knowledge of the Swedish language was a prerequisite for admission to a university or public office. And although in 1809 Finland became part of the Russian Empire, the position of the Swedish language as the language of culture was preserved - the Finnish language received the status of the state language only in 1863. Many members of the Swedish-speaking population who have lived in Finland for many generations have no ties to Sweden left. When the young nation was at the stage of spiritual self-determination in the 19th century, many enlightened representatives of the Swedish-speaking population actively supported the development of the Finnish language and culture. One of the then Swedish-speaking figures uttered the immortal words: "We are not Swedes, we will not become Russians - so let's be Finns." Some representatives of the Swedish-speaking population began to speak Finnish for ideological reasons, despite the meager vocabulary, and even changed their names and surnames to Finnish. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, violent language conflicts erupted, as a result of which, after the country gained independence, it was decided to guarantee the right of the Swedish-speaking population to their own language by law.

Swedish-speaking Finns have retained their language and culture, but do not consider themselves Swedes at all. They are a very viable minority with their own TV channel, newspapers, schools and kindergartens, societies, organizations and even an active political party.

In Finland, there are a huge number of different specific traditions, which can be called somewhat conservative. But the most basic feature of Finnish traditions is the veneration of the ancient customs of their country.

Almost everyone has heard about the restraint and slowness of the Finns. In addition, the above traits of character and temperament of the locals are not only in features, but also in ancient customs. Indeed, in the old days, silence and equanimity were considered the main signs of an aristocratic nature. Traditions have not changed in the modern world.

When you first meet with representatives of the local population, you need to shake hands with the interlocutor, and the fair sex is no exception to this tradition. When communicating with the Finns, try not to avoid the gaze of the interlocutor, then the locals will consider you a sincere person. In addition, be sure to be restrained, do not raise your voice, do not pat the Finn on the shoulder, do not gesticulate actively and do not show excessive emotionality.

Remember, Finns are incredibly punctual, if you want to earn their respect, don't be late for meetings, otherwise you will be considered frivolous.

When visiting your Finnish friends or business partners, keep in mind that locals have a negative attitude towards gifts in the form of imported items. After all, the Finns are special patriots who firmly believe that the highest quality goods in the world can be produced exclusively by local manufacturers.

Residents of Finland are very worried not only about their own health, but also about the health of others. For example, smoking in public places is strictly prohibited here. In addition, the state should also take care of nutrition - the state often advocates for citizens to use certain products that do not grow in Finland. We also advise you to diversify your diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. For example, turn your attention to the pomegranate - oh the benefits and harms of pomegranate juice you can read the link. In addition, this portal will be able to provide you with information about other juices, as well as other products and their effect on your body.

The traditional hobby of the locals is fishing. At the same time, the Finns are incredibly frugal with the natural resources of the country, so they prefer to catch as much fish as they need right now.

A useful Finnish tradition is sports. In the country, fans of physical education are all residents without exception: from children to adults. Her favorite pastime is skiing.