"Finland, it is quite fine land, may I say" Finland by Scandic

Finland Travel Guide: 11,746 reviews and 20,195 photos

Sauna, Sibelius, Nokia - that is my home country

Since being abroad, my Finnish identify has increased a lot. After all I come from quite unique place, althought sometimes I wish my ancestors would have picked up a country slightly warmer than this ;)

I have noticed that there are lots of good vibrations about Finland and I'm of course very flattered about that. I don't mind if somebody calls me Swedish or Norwegian, it is true that Scandinavia is a very homogenic area, but Finland is Finland. It is a country with long history under Swedish or Russian rule. It is a country with an unique languages. It is a country of Santa Claus, Midnight Sun, lakes, reindeers, shy people, blond people, blue-eyed people and people with cellphones and saunas everywhere.

5-minutes Finnish course for you by Scandic:

Hello - Hei
Thank you - Kiitos
Nice to meet you - Hauska tavata
Goodbye - Näkemiin
Good Night - Hyvää Yötä
Great - Hienoa
It is cold in here - Onpa kylmä
Can I borrow your cell phone - Voinko lainata kännykkääsi
Cell phone - Kännykkä

Blue

Finnish lake, sky and forrest

No matter what, blue is the main color of Finland. It can describe our lakes, sky, feelings, winter mornings, politic color or eyes. It is just so Finnish color. You could think that because of lack of sunshine in the winter, people would like to cheer up the daily life with brighter colors, but not in Finland. People dress very earth like.You noticed that easily while walking in the streets of Finland or visiting in the homes. White and blue, that is very Finnish.

What is a typical dream for a Finnish? Having a house near water, having a peaceful night there in the summer, listening to nothing else than birds after sauna and swim in the lake.

About Finnish mood. Of course the are some very typical and generalized things, but those charasteric things that I have notice are quite common in us. Finnish doesn't say 'I love you' if they don't really mean it. We don't end up phone calls like 'I love you'. That doesn't mean that people don't love, it just the sentence you say when you REALLY need it.
Other thing is hugging. Finnish men don't hug each other, ok maybe in drunk, but not very often. And not even women do that much, maybe younger girls, but how often I do hug people? Not very often actually. Only my beau. Not that I don't like it, but it is just not in our culture.

Finnish tend to be very shy and little hard to make a friend. But once you get a Finn for a friend, it will last lifetime. And remember, if somebody invites you to home party or any other celebration: it means 'i like you and i really appreciate your friendship'.

That is how Finnish life goes.

Nature

Fall hike with my friends

Where ever you go in Finland, no matter is it a city or little village, people have something in common. Love of nature, especially love in forrests. I have never met a Finnish who wouldn't like nature(nor drinking;) ). Nature means home for Finnish, that is why you find parks in Helsinki and there is even National Park just 20 minutes away from Helsinki (Nuuksio, Espoo).

Pros and Cons

Pros:Clean, peaceful, safe and friendly
Cons:Expensive

Intro Updated Feb 7, 2006
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Reviews (23)

Coffee - Kahvi Local Customs (4)

Finns do really drink coffee. The latte's and pressos are still quite new around, the most used thingis just a plain... more travel advice

Finland's National Parks Sports & Outdoors (4)

There are several national parks in Finland and my tip to you is to enjoy them. Even if you are visiting in Helsinki,... more travel advice

Tap water Favorites (4)

Is is totally safe and even recommend to drink a good tasty tap water in Finland. It is clean and tastes good. You... more travel advice

Northern Wilderness Areas Sports & Outdoors (4)

It can be confusing with all these hiking areas, national parks and wilderness areas of Finland. All of them are anyways... more travel advice

Comments (9)

hunterV Nov 9, 2008 at 12:26 AM Report Abuse

Hello, Niina! Thanks for your deep insight into your beautiful country! Suomi for ever!
Wild_Orchid Aug 7, 2006 at 5:30 PM Report Abuse

it's beautiful! can't wait to visit, see the blue and white lakes and drink kahvi ;-)
plannersis Apr 15, 2005 at 5:43 AM Report Abuse

Your info and tips and pictures are very helpful and informative; your English is very good and it shows that you are a caring person!
whitecliff62 Mar 26, 2005 at 5:48 AM Report Abuse

Breathtaking sceenery, Finland surely has the WOW factor.
morninglory Jul 30, 2004 at 1:31 AM Report Abuse

I love your page! Ihana! well i guess what i'm trying to say have been said by you.Lots of fun reading them!
Yubert Jul 9, 2004 at 6:35 PM Report Abuse

Finland looks beautiful, just like you. I hope to visit Finland soon!
zrim Jan 29, 2004 at 5:17 PM Report Abuse

Looks just like home. Lakes. Ice Fishing. Snow. Ice. No wonder we have lots of people in Minnesota with Finnish heritage.
tatyanap Oct 26, 2003 at 5:21 PM Report Abuse

Very interesting!
Gili_S Oct 26, 2003 at 2:42 PM Report Abuse

Wonderful :))) I hope all is fine for you, Finland is surely missing you.