Here are 10 unique habits that Finnish people often do — a blend of cultural traditions, everyday customs, and national quirks that make Finland stand out:
- Going to the Sauna — A Lot 🔥
Sauna isn’t just for relaxation; it’s a way of life. Many Finns go weekly (or even daily) and see it as a place for both solitude and socializing. - Enjoying Silence Comfortably 🤫
In Finland, silence isn’t awkward — it’s valued. Long pauses in conversation are normal, even among friends. - Taking Shoes Off Indoors 👟
Almost all Finnish homes have a strict no-shoes policy, with indoor slippers or socks instead. - Drinking Coffee — The Most in the World ☕
Finns drink more coffee per capita than any other nation, often several cups a day, usually light roast. - Celebrating Midsummer (Juhannus) with Bonfires & Lakeside Time 🔥🏞️
In late June, Finns escape to summer cottages, light bonfires, and enjoy the midnight sun. - Swimming in Ice-Cold Water ❄️🏊♂️
Winter swimming — often right after sauna — is believed to boost circulation and mood. - Queueing Politely 📏
Finns take turns very seriously. Cutting in line is considered extremely rude. - Adding Milk to Coffee & Even Tea 🥛
While black coffee is common, milk is a frequent addition — sometimes even to tea. - Foraging for Berries & Mushrooms 🍓🍄
Thanks to “Everyman’s Right” (Jokamiehenoikeus), anyone can pick wild berries and mushrooms in nature. - Speaking Very Directly 🗣️
Finns value honesty and clarity — they tend to say exactly what they mean, without sugarcoating.
Going to the Sauna — A Lot 🔥
In Finland, going to the sauna 🔥 isn’t just a leisure activity — it’s part of the national identity.
- Frequency: Many Finns go to the sauna at least once a week, but daily visits aren’t unusual, especially in rural areas or during holidays.
- Where: Almost every house, apartment building, and even some offices have a sauna. Public saunas are also common in cities.
- The experience: A traditional Finnish sauna involves heating a wooden room to around 80–100°C (176–212°F), sitting or lying on wooden benches, and occasionally throwing water on hot stones (löyly) to create steam.
- Social and solitary: It can be a quiet, meditative experience alone, or a friendly gathering with family and friends — sometimes even including business discussions.
- Extra traditions: Many people jump into a lake, roll in the snow, or take a cold shower between sauna rounds for an invigorating contrast.
In Finland, the sauna isn’t just about getting warm — it’s about cleansing the body, relaxing the mind, and connecting with others.
Enjoying Silence Comfortably 🤫
In Finland, enjoying silence comfortably 🤫 is a deeply ingrained social habit — and it says a lot about Finnish culture.
- No pressure to talk: Silence isn’t seen as awkward or rude. Two people can sit together for long stretches without speaking and still feel perfectly at ease.
- Why it matters: It reflects Finland’s values of personal space, respect for others’ thoughts, and the belief that words should have meaning, not just fill the air.
- In conversations: Long pauses between sentences are normal, and nobody rushes to “fill the gap.”
- In public: On buses, trains, and waiting rooms, it’s common for people to stay quiet, sometimes even avoiding eye contact — not out of coldness, but out of respect for privacy.
- Cultural contrast: While in many countries silence can feel uncomfortable, in Finland it’s a sign of mutual trust and understanding.
For Finns, silence isn’t empty — it’s a comfortable space to just be.
Taking Shoes Off Indoors
In Finland, taking shoes off indoors 👟 is a strict and universal habit — more about practicality than formality.
- Why it’s done: With Finland’s snowy winters, muddy springs, and rainy autumns, outdoor shoes bring in water, dirt, and slush. Removing them keeps homes clean and floors in good condition.
- How it works:
- When you enter someone’s home, you step into a small entryway (eteinen), take off your shoes, and leave them there.
- Many homes offer slippers (tohvelit) or expect you to walk in socks.
- Social etiquette: Forgetting to remove your shoes can be seen as impolite or careless — especially in someone’s home.
- Beyond homes: The habit extends to certain daycare centers, schools, and even some offices, where people swap outdoor shoes for indoor footwear.
In Finland, this small act shows respect for the host’s home — and also saves you from tracking half a forest across their living room.
Drinking Coffee — The Most in the World
In Finland, drinking coffee ☕ isn’t just common — it’s practically a national sport, and Finns hold the world record for coffee consumption per person.
- How much: The average Finn drinks 8–12 kg of coffee beans per year, which equals about 3–5 cups a day — every day.
- Type of coffee: Mostly light roast filter coffee (suodatinkahvi), which is milder in taste but high in caffeine. Espresso culture exists, but filter coffee dominates homes and workplaces.
- When they drink it:
- Morning at breakfast.
- Mid-morning coffee break (kahvitauko).
- Afternoon break — often with pulla (sweet cardamom bread).
- Sometimes even after dinner.
- Cultural note: Coffee breaks are considered almost sacred in workplaces — skipping them can seem antisocial.
- Fun fact: Even government offices and serious meetings pause for coffee, because it’s seen as essential for productivity and social bonding.
In Finland, coffee isn’t just a drink — it’s a rhythm that structures the day.
Celebrating Midsummer (Juhannus) with Bonfires & Lakeside Time 🔥🏞️
In Finland, Midsummer (Juhannus) 🔥🏞️ is one of the most beloved celebrations of the year — a magical blend of nature, tradition, and togetherness.
- When it happens: The Friday and Saturday closest to June 21, during the summer solstice, when the sun barely sets in most of Finland.
- The vibe: Cities empty out as people head to their mökki (summer cottages), often by a lake or the sea.
- Bonfires (kokko): Lighting huge bonfires by the water is a key tradition, symbolizing light, warmth, and warding off evil spirits.
- Sauna & swimming: People take a sauna, swim in the lake (sometimes at midnight!), and enjoy the fresh air well into the early hours.
- Food & drink: Grilled fish, new potatoes with dill, salads, and plenty of beer or cider are common.
- Folklore: In the past, young women would collect seven different flowers and place them under their pillow to dream of their future spouse.
- The magic: In Lapland, the midnight sun means it stays bright all night — no need for candles, just golden sunlight on the water.
Midsummer in Finland isn’t just a holiday — it’s a celebration of light, nature, and being together, marking the peak of the short but intense Nordic summer.
Swimming in Ice-Cold Water ❄️🏊♂️
In Finland, swimming in ice-cold water ❄️🏊♂️ — often called avantouinti (ice swimming) — is a popular and invigorating tradition, especially in winter.
- When it happens: Mostly from late autumn to early spring, when lakes and the sea are frozen. People cut a hole (avanto) in the ice, sometimes with a ladder for easier entry.
- The ritual:
- Warm up in a hot sauna.
- Step outside (often barefoot on snow).
- Dip into the icy water for a few seconds to a couple of minutes.
- Return to the sauna to warm up again.
- Why they do it: It’s believed to boost circulation, improve mood, strengthen the immune system, and give an intense endorphin rush.
- Social aspect: Many towns have winter swimming clubs where members meet regularly, combining the dip with coffee, pastries, and conversation.
- Cultural mindset: For Finns, this isn’t about being extreme — it’s about feeling alive and connected to nature’s raw elements.
For a Finn, that shock of freezing water followed by sauna heat isn’t torture — it’s a blissful balance of cold and warmth.
Queueing Politely 📏
In Finland, queueing politely 📏 is almost an unspoken law — and breaking it is socially unthinkable.
- Order matters: Whether it’s at the bus stop, supermarket, post office, or festival food stand, people stand in a clear, orderly line and wait their turn without pushing ahead.
- Personal space: Finns keep a comfortable distance between each person — no crowding or standing too close, even in tight spaces.
- No cutting in line: Jumping the queue will earn you disapproving stares or a cold silence (which in Finland is as serious as being scolded).
- Silent patience: Most queuing happens quietly — no loud chatting, just waiting calmly.
- Why it’s respected: It reflects Finland’s values of fairness, equality, and respect for others’ time.
In Finland, a well-formed queue isn’t just about order — it’s a sign of social trust that everyone will get their turn.
