10 CULTURE SHOCKS IN FINLAND AS AN AFRICAN | ZAMBIAN |

Hi,
My over due video is finally up. I talk about the things I found shocking when I moved to Finland some 7 years ago and I had to adapt. Comparing Finnish culture to my home country Zambia, here are the 10 cultural shocks I found.
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[@0Flow0]

Being naked is natural! We see all kinds of bodies when we go to the swimming hall or family sauna etc when we're young. It creates a healthier body image.

[@alicehautanen7317]

0Flow0 you right👍 I have come to adapt the Finnish way of living and I must say alot of confidence has been boosted in me.

[@emmaonfire]

I wish we had stronger sauna culture still! Seeing people from all ages and stages of life would really impact positively to out body image. I feel like as time has passed, our sauna culture has changed, younger women and girls want to have their own saunavuoro, when I was younger, all women went together.

[@osamedennadi6309]

No it's not.

[@user-oi1fr5ed1l]

Being naked is dangerous and unnatural

[@eetuvaha5897]

in finland, in smaller areas, people know their neighbors and greets strangers but not in cities or the metropolitan area

[@alicehautanen7317]

Eetu Vähä true 💯

[@jarno1thomander]

born and raisd in Finland... allmost 40y old and im STILL not used to the Dark long days in winter... so no stress ! ;)

[@alicehautanen7317]

I know, I can say the same about my country zambia. I was born there and lived my whole life there but still the heat in livingstone town was so unbearable

[@gladyschilenga8159]

@@alicehautanen7317 hai Alice am Zambian too and will be coming to Finland too this year.... Hope to meet you

[@keepcreationprocess]

Please get some sunlight from warm countries you need this.

[@Ilona_Ke]

Great video🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 learnt alot about Finland

[@formatique_arschloch]

Pro tip from a finn to all you foreigners from the south: It's VERY important that you have vitamin D pills/drops during the winter. We have so little sunshine and ultraviolet light during the winters, that the skin can not produce enough vitamin D. This is extremely important, especially to small children and people with darker skin.

[@alicehautanen7317]

I totally agree 👍 I remember the first year moving here, I didn’t take that serious and i noticed some changes in me such as my nails would have a crack right across the middle. It was so weird and terrifying. Then the school nurse advised me to take vitamin D everyday

[@formatique_arschloch]

@@alicehautanen7317 Yes, exactly. Vitamin D is really important. It helps calcium to absorb to your bones, which is important to women with kids, because of all the calsium loss due the breast feeding. Essential to immunology etc. etc. Some studies show that it even has something to do with depression and overall levels of energy in the dark.

[@tommisaaristo7105]

Isn't that weird, we are not comfortable talking to strangers, but we are comfortable being naked around strangers. Normally people are comfortable talking to strangers, but not being naked :D

[@alicehautanen7317]

I know right? 😂 very weird. Well i guess that’s just in Finland

[@haisulful8245]

When you are naked sitting next to a strangers you are truly equal. No hiding behind uniforms or expensive jewlery. That kinda fits to the Finnish culture of honesty.

[@osamedennadi6309]

@@haisulful8245 strange.

[@boogalooloo]

Sounds like an introverted heaven

[@oscargold1554]

Nobody has the right to spend *your* time. Even rich people can't have more time. That's why punctuality is important.

[@alicehautanen7317]

I agree. you can't buy time.

[@ralfhaggstrom9862]

@@alicehautanen7317 Dear Alice H, and I do not have any to sell .............

[@standaone8088]

Thats beautifully put! My father taught me to be punctual- you have no right to waste another person’s time by making him wait. It is that simple.

[@aefinn]

about the awkward silence. That is the big key difference: we don't see it awkward. We can be very comfortable in complete silence with another person for long periods time without it becoming awkward.

[@companyjoe]

I think the reason we always take our shoes off when entering a house is that very much of the time the shoes will be covered in snow or slush or if not that then the sand we spread on the streets to make it less slippery. So basically we have streets that have stuff that sticks to your shoes that you don't want on your floor.

[@companyjoe]

oh and also if you live in an apartment building as many of us do the shoes make a "floor noise" when walking around and it can be heard in the apartment below.

[@oscargold1554]

Here respect is kind of earned.

[@alicehautanen7317]

kinda good thing, respect should be earned

[@wtfronsson]

A nice thing that helps with the winter darkness is having a fireplace. When you get a fireplace going, you basically need to spend some time sitting near the fire. Starting it and then making sure it will keep going etc. And this natural light and heat source will be a bit like enjoying the sun. It's a good time for a bit of contemplation and silent relaxation, similarly to the sauna. Other than that, you'll want to make sure you get lots of vitamin D throughout the winter. And fish oils.

[@alicehautanen7317]

Dismissive drive-by posting in a sensitive topic. True. Our fireplace has helped 👍

[@ozsfi]

Somehow as a Finn I have got used to the long winter days. It is better if there is snow, then it is not quite so dark. At home you can burn candles. Also it is in winter when all activities start, like choirs, theatres, concerts etc. During Covid of course it has been different. 😥

[@f1nn0]

A Dane here: Your entry is very nice and comforting. And almost all points are the same here - only the sauna thing . not at home here in general but in swimming halls. Many of my friends are from Finland, Cultural differencies are the language (mostly overcome through English language) food: so lovely and appreacited with all I know; very relaxed people, though the Finns speak a little less although same at heart - no small talk and respectable and comfortable distance. I am male 77 years old now, and some Finnish friends I have had since the last 30-40 years ;.) ,,, so all in all the same here. You are very cute and I understand the differencies between one and the other of our cultural habits. But not as barriers, but as delights :-) - I have 2 coloured "children" with a Cuban lovely woman - they're now 20 and 22 and never problems, and only only have trusting and truly friends. Keep up - we're all learning from eachother - stay independent and enjoy the differencies :-). You're a nice girl, and very sweet - that counts for everything!

[@kuru9157]

You have a lovely accent! It's nice watching these culture shock videos to get some perspective.

[@alicehautanen7317]

Kuru Sutinen thank you so much 😍

[@Raqdolll]

My girlfrien who works at a daycare and works with many immigrant families has really seen the difference in time management and being punctual. If a new family is coming to have a trial period in the daycare, my girlfriend may say to them meet me at the lobby 9:00 sharp. Many times the families have arrived at 9:15, 9:30 or later, and some families even have not showed up and have called later that day to explain how they felt like staying at home today. It really really frustrates her as she has the day planned to a minute, and has to be back at her group as calculated to help with lunch etc.

[@alicehautanen7317]

I totally understand that.. its a common thing too where i come from. Being punctual is not something that most people follow. I have really adjusted since i moved here, I used to be the one who shows up late all the time.

[@siphumelelekhulemkhize9689]

Mhhhh that’s interesting. I used to hear people talking about African time thought everyone did it. To us when someone says 1:30 that’s when we bath meaning we will arrive 2 hours late

[@Arskanbooki]

Thanks for your great videos. It is always educational to hear the comments of those from other countries. By looking at them, you also learn about yourself.

[@alicehautanen7317]

Thank you for watching. I like to look back and see how much i have changed ever since i moved here. Its a great thing to learn news things and adapt to certain things too

[@Lexikeksi]

Its always funny to see how different we are compared to other cultures. :D

[@villejaaskela1038]

I hope you have long and good life here In Finland :) you are very beautiful

[@alicehautanen7317]

Thank you so much 😊 I love it here

[@0Flow0]

I love Finnish punctuality 💕

[@alicehautanen7317]

0Flow0 I do too 👍

[@m_a7164]

@@alicehautanen7317 really?🤣

[@Raqdolll]

@Mia Smith In many cases, it's fine to be late, but just remember to mention it. If you are 15 minutes late and haven't mentioned it, they will be very frustrated. But if you send them a message you are runing late, you'll be there 15 minutes later than planned, then they can have a nice 15 minute break, go outside or get coffee or what ever the case is. But there are many cases when being late isn't good, especially if there is a schedule to be followed

[@laurikotivuori1585]

Fascinating to hear these perspectives from a new Finn like ya. I'm used to silences with people I'm really comfortable with, I'll talk to them all the time and we'll legit have 3-5 hour conversations about random shit like the second world war or space travel, but if we're out n about going somewhere, a silence doesn't mean anything, don't even notice it. I do tend to keep the conversation alive if it's a new person though, and especially if it's a foreigner or a first gen Finn who speaks English. I don't really notice doing that either, but I guess that's the way our brain adjusts to situations without us noticing.

[@siphumelelekhulemkhize9689]

Mhhh conversation you all have are quite complex. We talk about who is dating who, celebrity gossip, new funny show on TV, trend on TikTok. Then serious things like Politics of the country but there is always a topic to participate on especially social media or on our usual small/large gatherings

[@veli-pekkakultanen2353]

One of the best youtube videos ever!

[@alicehautanen7317]

Oh my😊 thank you so much 😍

[@claraboston9510]

I Enjoyed this video😃

[@alicehautanen7317]

Clara Boston thanks kiddo😍

[@ozsfi]

The thing is that for a Finn silence is not akward unless it is terribly long. You can be silent with friends and relatives. It is a nice video. I loved the baby sounds in the background. I know some Zambians, they are lovely people.

[@myriammompoint2527]

I’m from Canada and most of your culture shock aren’t so shocking to me. We have those long dark night in winter but here it’s colder. We have the nudity in specific places not everywhere but I’m down with it. I have a crush on a Finnish man and he’s intriguingly mysterious.

[@SurpriseFin]

just as cold here in winter

[@85DrFeelgood]

Respect isn't in titles, but in people's behaviour. If you respect me and I respect you, there's no need for titles. Sauna is THE place, where there are absolutely no titles whatsoever. It doesn't matter who you are when you're sitting naked in sauna next to each other, everyone's equal.

[@osamedennadi6309]

If one needs to be naked to feel equality then I believe there's something seriously wrong.

[@internationalfranchisealli5547]

You are great. Well done.

[@Journey.3104]

Love your videos

[@sabinablackkm7682]

Love it❤️

[@alicehautanen7317]

sabinablack M 👍👍😍♥️

[@Sophia.K]

Im half greek, half finnish , 30y.o. and I ve lived all my life in greece.. Im finally moving to finland as it is something I ve wanted for years and I know I ll regret if I dont try. I ve been there for my practice for 6 months ,and then only for holidays... finnish people are total opposites from greeks too.. I agree with everything you said. I m a bit nervous , but we have to try things in life/ try to improve life etc... glad I found you :)

[@alicehautanen7317]

Sohvi is wow that’s great, you right we have to experience new things rather than keeping away. I can only imagine how different the greeks are from finns, but am sure with time you will adapt easily. Wishing you all the best 👍 enjoy your summer too 😍

[@lologhren6002]

How did you make freinds In Finland?

[@tahinisauce3595]

Happy to see another Greek here!

[@markusahlstrom1691]

Nice video, and I like your accent! I guess English is an official language in Zambia? Or do you speak another maternal language as well?

[@alicehautanen7317]

Markus Ahlström thank you so much 😍 yes English is Zambia’s official language, we also have 72 dialect and languages

[@peterabeshi9450]

Why do I fit into Finnish culture perfectly. I'm basically living a Finnish in an African country 😂😂😂

[@keyalpha1]

By God you're pretty. Welcome to Finland and I hope you like it here.

[@alicehautanen7317]

Thank you 😊 i do like it here

[@nzilamiyoba]

Girl sauna...same here 😆enjoyed this video

[@alicehautanen7317]

Inna forever 😆 its not easy but guess we have to just accept this new culture

[@petrirantavalli859]

Main reason is chlorine that evaporates in heat when coming from a pool plus the usual hygiene reasons also swimsuit fabric eventually gets "see through" when exposed to chlorine and heat.

[@alicehautanen7317]

that's the first time am hearing of that reason. I thought it was just a tradition to be naked in sauna..(lol) well, that's a more comforting reason.

[@just42tube]

@@alicehautanen7317 many things that are commonly viewed as traditions are likely to have some more practical historical purpose. Sauna has very old history. It is considered culture nowadays, but it has originally been very practical and much needed. Bathing naked has been very practical when people didn't have much and clothing is essential in Finnish climate. Modern fabrics and high standard of living has made it possible to have clothes in sauna. But one has to consider the symbolic values also, which are important for some. When you go to sauna you are supposed to leave behind things like position in society, wealth etc. Those things do not belong to sauna, which is very egalitarian. We are there just as humans, stripped of status, all equal and respectful to each other enjoying löyly together. That is the ideal approach. To what degree it is followed, some do and some don't even understand that much. However, Finnish sauna etiquette is not quite as uniform as some sources make it look. www.sauna.fi/in-english/finnish-sauna-culture/

[@alicehautanen7317]

just42tube wow. Thanks for the education, didn’t know that. 👍 Kiitos

[@just42tube]

@@alicehautanen7317 have you tried savusauna? If you have, I am sure you see one very practical reason to be naked. I am not sure how it is in today's multicultural student culture, but in the past having sauna together was a big part of building tight community feeling and trust between students coming from different parts of the country. I have spent some time with university students, researchers and staff in a fairly remote research center. The center had usual facilities, including lakeside sauna. However we had also a deserted farm where we had savusauna. I have spent many summer afternoons warming it up. In the evenings people gathered there to make food, to go to savusauna and just to have fun. I was still young and inexperienced, so that was the place where I learned not to lean on the walls in savusauna.

[@adaikonen]

@@alicehautanen7317 It's just public swimhalls :) Chlorine evaborating can make the sauna into a toxic gas chamber so that's why no bikini. In other places it's just tradition :)

[@juha-petrityrkko3771]

Thank you for your valuable feedback video!

[@alicehautanen7317]

Thank you for watching 👍😊

[@lfr2112]

@7:50 - To be honest, I would be in seventh heaven --- I come from a very talkative culture, so it would be a breath of fresh air for me!!

[@apuuvah]

I gotta get my old Merc 310 van up and running and drive to Africa.

[@LilacGlo]

Lol! I hear you sis about nakedness in the saunas and swimming pool changing rooms. I experienced that when I visited my friend in Iceland. It was definitely a culture shock for me too.😂

[@alicehautanen7317]

Lilac Glo 😂 am glad am not the only shy one when it comes to being naked among strangers 😆

[@LilacGlo]

Alice Hautanen yess! We were raised that way sis. 😂👍🏾❤️❤️

[@izu-kanji]

I can relate to every single thing. You had me at “Sauna Nudity”🤣..most traumatizing experience of my life

[@alicehautanen7317]

Izukanji Nawale 🤣 it really was traumatising for me too 😂 its crazy how they are so comfortable with that

[@LilacGlo]

Izukanji Nawale 😂I know sis! 👍

[@0Flow0]

It's natural 💕

[@pahakasvivenuksesta2653]

sorry to say, It´s not compulsory. If you do not want to be naked in sauna, you just use your swimming suit.

[@oscargold1554]

don't you feel it's "unnatural" to be traumatized by the absolutely natural human body that we all have? Clothes are more unnatural than nudity 🤔

[@wigewee4685]

proud to be finnish

[@kariarpiainen1262]

Good Luck for the Babe 😀

[@kingNamoonga]

I had the sauna shock when I was in Busan. I didn't go through with it. I was too shook

[@alicehautanen7317]

Namoonga Shikapande 😂 I feel you sis 😍 its not always easy considering how we brought up.

[@suomenpresidentti]

Remember that crossing the zebra crossing on the red light is not just a rule but actually illegal and if you do it, that makes you a criminal because you brake the law.

[@giraffebatman9924]

I once saw a woman crossing the street on the red light because there were no cars coming except for a police car that then went to have a little chat with the lady ;)

[@juhalaakso5835]

You are so beatiful..!!

[@alicehautanen7317]

Juha Laakso thank you so much Juha 😍

[@suomenpresidentti]

P. S. But in the other hand, I am really comfortable to talking strangers etc... Even when I am from Pori town, where should live the most introvert finnish people.

[@tinasiyauya5805]

Hei lam new on this channel,also from Zambia,do you aslo give advice on relocating as a care giver?

[@erikajasinski4633]

I am just curious how is side rate in Finland????

[@gladyschilenga8159]

Watching this video 2021 😊😊😊one zed

[@delilashapaka8104]

I appreciate the insight of comfort with nudity, woman are safe their children are safe from being molested and rape. Finland anytime for me.

[@Sipsnobandla]

Gorgeous gorgeous lady..this was interesting - atleast a bit more about Finish people, I'd love the personal space, I'd never ever visit the saunas😂😂

[@alicehautanen7317]

call me_ mrs trpkoski 😂😂thank you

[@millijolli8349]

5:07 That's kinda true but It depends on the person. It actually is VERY true but I just want to remind you that like some of the people are very okay with it and somepeople are like "dudeeee what the heck are u doing"

[@Exodusses]

You do speak respectfully to older people you don't know (using plural conjugation instead of singular), but if you know the person it seems rude to not call them by their name, it's like you're treating them as a stranger. I would feel terrible if I was formal with my grandmother, but I do know people that are formal with their grandparents, so it's a preference

[@alicehautanen7317]

That’s nice to know. Thanks for the information 👍

[@redbean2946]

You are so pretty

[@alicehautanen7317]

Thank you 😊

[@apuuvah]

U gotta be starring some Finnish tourism marketing movie. Well, even better if you team up with a Chinese woman and you find out what Finland has to offer.

[@alicehautanen7317]

😀 ok, that would be interesting

[@jounik]

Kiitos näkemyksestä! Suomalaiselle arvokasta on nähdä mikä on muualta tulleelle yllättävää, eihän mekään näihin normeihin synnnytty olla. Osa on outoa, osa odotettua, osa... voiko sen noinkin nähdä? Kiitos joka tapauksessa.

[@alicehautanen7317]

Jouni Kosonen Hei. Kiitos kun katsoit videon. On mielenkiintoista oppia kulttuurieroista eri maissa. Minä henkilökohtaisesti olen sopeutunut ja oppinut arvostamaan suomalaista kulttuuria.

[@hagit33]

Everything you says it's completely like In Israel, everyone talk together, everyone greetes each other, everyone knows their neighbors, we talk fast and loud. So funny. Someone said to me it's common to an hot weather countries. The only thing different is that we don't call older ppl sir or madam

[@delilashapaka8104]

Personal space, 🙏 10 commandment is being practice; “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

[@You22238]

In Kenya we take off shoes at the door 😂

[@paulfitzpatrick3136]

Thumbs up for the use of hoohaw lol

[@alicehautanen7317]

😂 thanks for watching

[@m_a7164]

Sä puhut asiaa, kaikest samaa mieltä suomalaisena

[@apollosmartyn]

Great work hope to collaborate with u on KZbin Namibia🇳🇦❤❤❤❤

[@helenashley1531]

What are you thinking About, it's scandinavian culture

[@alicehautanen7317]

I understand it alot now

[@helenashley1531]

Nzuri sana

[@toinenosoite3173]

Isn't it interesting that personal space is important but not in the sauna? And vice versa for you - in combination with nudeness. What does that say about your culture? Or, actually, why you find most of the things you mention shocking? BTW, the worst "nude phobia" I have ever experienced was in England. The English are such prudes that I do not understand them at all.

[@alicehautanen7317]

Its very shocking that finns are very comfortable with this considering half or even the whole world would find weird. I was in Spain in sauna, almost everyone had a towel on. In my home country we have saunas as hotels. I went to one, i was instructed to go in with a swimming suit.

[@toinenosoite3173]

@@alicehautanen7317 You should absolutely not go to Germany then :-) OK, an explanation is probably in order: When I lived in Berlin I used to play badminton and squash with both men and women, both friends and people I learned to know through our playing together, and after the game we went to the sauna. And there it wasn't separated at all, i.e. everyone regardless of gender sat totally naked in the same sauna together. Have to admit that I had a tiny initial shock, but more because of it being unusual than anything else.

[@SRBOMBONICA86]

@@toinenosoite3173 i despise seeing naked people ,it's assault on the eyes lmfao 😂😂

[@toinenosoite3173]

@@SRBOMBONICA86 I am so sorry for you - hopefully you will get rid of your phobia soon! :-)

[@SRBOMBONICA86]

@@toinenosoite3173 ha ha thanks ,hope I wouldn't have to ugh 😫 😜😜

[@-xnnybimb-9398]

Finland aka West Mongolia

[@ayomideayomide7339]

Hello , is it possible to reach your directly ?

[@sydneydudikoff1631]

The way I see it, if I move to another country, I would embrace the new culture and not be comparing it to "home."

[@alicehautanen7317]

You are interpreting this the wrong way. There is no negativity in this entire video, no matter where you go cultures are different. This is more like shading light on the Finnish culture as i get to be asked alot what i find different living here. I have embraced the Finnish culture and adapted to it. But this shouldn’t stop me from telling what I found shocking when i first moved here. Am only sharing my experiences

[@bloo4448]

Naked sauna…..oh my that’s a lot to adjust to….

[@cubaaldia5390]

Your English accent sound like Spanish 🤔

[@miikkavalimaki]

"Nobody cares about your huuhaa" =)

[@alicehautanen7317]

Miikka Välimäki 😂😂

[@ristovirtanen6396]

Typical Finn always thinks twice before he says nothing.🤐 Acceptable excuse for keeping shoes on is if you have embarrassing holes in your socks…🙄 When you really feel the need to express respect for a person you can address them with: Korkeasti kunnioitettu, jalosukuinen …

[@Astrofrank]

Please reduce eye shadow. It look artificial while you seem to be a natural beauty.

[@alicehautanen7317]

Thank you for the advice but I like it like that.