10 WEIRD Things that are Normal in Finland

There is a number of things in Finland that are normal for Finns but can be shocking for foreigners. Today I will teach you 10 of them.
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[@krunoslavkovacec1842]

I remember that, at the end of 2020 you said that you were feeling tired of You Tube and making videos. I hope that has changed because I realy enjoy all of them and I'm sure so do all other people that follow this channel. Here's hoping for more finntastic content in 2021. All the best.

[@Artbyerikaa]

Me too his Vidoes are the best

[@hiimain7932]

Making tax information public is such a strategic approach for transparency. Well done Finland.

[@AleksiHimself]

I think so too!

[@HolgerJakobs]

That's the case in some other countries as well. Sweden for instance. Unfortunately not in my home country.

[@bishopi2000]

Once you visit Finland and get past the initial WTFs, it is one of the most enjoyable places on earth. I’m hoping we get to where we can travel again so I can come back, see my wife’s family again, and enjoy a bit more time on the archipelago.

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff!

[@_kimimaro7]

Im going to Finland to do my intenrship and I quite hyped😁

[@anatitan5546]

I was planning my trip to Helsinki to experience the Ecology friendly culture.And Covid hit the world.Speaking Finnish doesn't exist in the U.S.but , it should. Lake Tahoe is going to host the NHL in the Lake area on the mountain by aerial drones in nature! So,let's see what happens.

[@sudundar475]

Hey me too ı will go maybe 1 year later 😊

[@alibushell6762]

Go to sauna naked as soon as you can - just realise that it's fun and perfectly not scary and you'll be able to participate in a huge part of Finnish culture during your stay. Don't be afraid to talk to people, just skip the small talk and go into something interesting to talk to. Finns don't mind talking, but they can't stand small talk.

[@_kimimaro7]

@@alibushell6762 Thanks for the advice. I used to be very confident but by the time I got more anda More shy. Ill do my best to get fun and make finnish friends :). Greetings from Spain!

[@eeeeeeeeeeeee9651]

@@_kimimaro7 Also, Finns are mostly very polite people, but don't be surprised if nobody looks you in the eyes when walking across you on the street or if nobody comes to sit next to you in a bus, we're always like that to everyone around here :) We tend to be somewhat shy and reserved but that doesn't mean we don't like you!

[@jussikout1n]

1: Nuditity 0:27 2: Gambling 1:42 3: Cash 3:52 4: Sports 5:21 6: No alcohol 6:27 also 6: Burping on KZbin 7:16 7: Taxes are public 8:07 8: Bilingual 9:56 9: Informality at work 11:04 10: Pedestrian politeness towards drivers' actually following the rules 11:53 11: Abloy locks everywhere 12:44 Conclusion: Aleksi cannot count

[@sanni725]

That flat heirarchy system is something that our country,Philippines should learn to use and instill forever. After working here in Finland for years, I’ve noticed how that no ”title” kind of system at work but just plain respect to whoever you are talking to makes sense. Nothing else matters than just your job performance and the way you treat people,right? No one should be entitled to be superior just because you belong to a certain profession. 👌🇫🇮

[@sell3100]

I agree!

[@GnosisDharma]

Even though Swedish speaking finns do also adress people with first name, sadly in my experience there are much hierarchy where I live. For example in school you get bullied for not wearing brand clothes. If I be honest I kind of wish I was not born as Swedish speaking finn, maybe my life experience would have been better if I would have been born in a Finnish speaking family. As child when I said Hej to my neighbor he said då back. Hejdå is what you say when you say bye. I had a lot of these experiences as child and I have also been bullied at jobs so I had a hard time keeping jobs because of that. Probably you have still more hierarchy in Philippines but still in Österbotten hierarchy is very much alive. I wish I could move but my husband don't want to move but if I could I would try to move somewhere where Finnish is more of the standard to see if Finnish speaking finns actually are like they say because that would be fantastic, I want that.

[@elderscrollsswimmer4833]

Key to just about everything in Finland is what I call the least amount of bother for everyone. Titles tend to be used when yes, in the big picture, you are doing something important even if it seems more like "my party is better than your party" because everything is actually more or less fine.

[@sanni725]

@@GnosisDharma that I didn’t know. Sad to hear that you’ve experienced being bullied. No one deserves that. Luckily though, in the area that I work here in Finland, I always feel that there’s no hierarchy in the workplace. Sometimes I tend to address my workmates the way I did back in the Philippines not realizing that I don’t have to do that anymore.😁

[@sanni725]

@@elderscrollsswimmer4833 Somehow yes. I tend to wonder sometimes. Has it been really like this even before or all these came post-war?

[@RoadtoFinnish]

A great list for anyone coming to Finland! Especially the fact that the use of cash in Finland is decreasing all the time. As you mentioned, there are many restaurants that actually do not accept cash. This is also true for many student restaurants so many international students get super confused when they go for lunch 😅. Also, thumbs up for the excellent burb!

[@HolgerJakobs]

In Germany we have adopted the Finnish sauna culture somewhat. And of course we go there naked. We even have public mixed sauna - men and women - all in the nude. I was in Finland several times. Of course I have some money on me, but I never used it. Only credit card or mobile payment. It's very convenient, but there are too many cash-free places. Some people may have no credit card. Swedish writing on grocery products can be very helpful when doing daily shopping. As someone fluent in German, English and Dutch I can figure out what a product is. If there was only Finnish, I would have a hard time unless it's lakrits (which I hate) or yoghurt. 😅

[@aikkuluukkainen3866]

Tosta lukkohommasta tulikin "hauska" juttu mieleen. Asuin rivarissa ja olin jättänyt lukon avoimeksi että voin nyt jo edesmenneen koirani kanssa mennä helposti ulos ja sisään tarvittaessa. Siinä sitten olin nukkumassa sängyssä melko vähissä vaatteissa erään miespuolisen henkilön kanssa kun yhtäkkiä mun ulko-ovi avautui ja makuuhuoneen ovelle ilmestyi eräs vanha kaverini joka oli asunut vuosikausia ulkomailla. Oli siis täysin yllättäen tullut Suomeen ja ainoa kenen osoitetiedot sai jostain Finderistä oli minä joten käveli keskustasta yli 10km mun kämpille. No sanoin sille et meepäs tonne yläkertaan niin mää puen jotain päälle ja tuun sinne. Olin siis ihan ilahtunut kaverin näkemisestä. Lupasin sitten majoittaa sitä pari kuukautta koska kaveri ja mulla oli tilaa kakskerroksisessa rivarikämpässä ja tiesin et se hoitaa mun koiran ja kissat sillon kun oon ite poissa. Tosin koiran otin yleensä aina mukaan mut siis kissat se ruokkii yms. Long story short, alkoi vituttamaan se että se oli siellä koko ajan ja asens mun koneelle jotain paskoja ohjelmia vaikka sanoin että ei saa niin tehdä ja sit viimein sanoin sille et nyt on homman nimi se et sun pitää lähtee. Pari viikkoo kesti et se lähti viimeinkin ja varasti multa samalla joitain tavaroita. Eihän siinä sitten kauaa mennytkään että hän murhasi äitinsä yli 60 puukoniskulla ja yritti murhata isänsä, myöskin puukottamalla. Asun nykyään kerrostalossa mutta kyllä tuon jälkeen muistin aina tarkistaa edellisessäkin asunnossa, maantasalla, että ovi on lukossa.

[@aapomaatta9211]

joo tosi hauska juttu :(

[@dollie9018]

Nyt oli kyllä kunnon plot twist mitä vittua

[@slightlystressedoatmeal4291]

Actually I have never learned to appreciate the locks we have in Finland before I lived in Spain for a month. It took me 15 minutes to learn the logic of how the lock of my apartment door works. And that was only the 1st lock! 😂

[@frozenmadness]

The attitude to nudity is quite common in Europe, at least Northern and Central Europe. I mean, no one goes to the sauna with clothes on. And in showers / dressing rooms of public baths it's also normal to be naked. And addressing people by the first name is common at least in the IT sector in Germany (was the case everywhere I worked until now). But not with customers (Business partners, yes, but not end customers). That's the difference I think: In Finland, as a customer, I've been very rarely teititellyt (or addressed formally). Happened, but I think only once or twice.

[@xosmokey]

i was thinking the same, eastern europe is also quite comfortable with public nudity in the aforementioned situations. im always astonished how insecure north americans are about human anatomy

[@laratomoon1837]

this is interesting! in italy we tend to thank drivers when they let us pass on the pedestrian crossing too... even tho... it’s not exactly because we are respectful, but because it often happens that drivers won’t let people pass even if they should, so it’s an “event” when it happens😂 okay, i’m exaggerating a little bit, but that’s the mindset for real😅

[@julesverneinoz]

Here in Melbourne, Australia, the road rules state that when there's a pedestrian crossing, you must give way to pedestrians at all times. When I drive, I look around and slow down around a crossing and when I am a pedestrian, I just confidently cross after a quick check. Pedestrians and drivers don't necessarily interact with each other. The less interaction there is, the crossing time is shorter. After driving like this for more than decades, in the last few years I noticed a few people wave or smile. I didn't mind it, but I found it strange and thought, "This is what I'm supposed to do as a car driver anyway? But thanks I guess?" Do note that the road rules in Australia differ in each state, so I'm not sure what it's like in other states.

[@lala75ful]

Gambling for charity seems like an awesome idea! Also, Abloy locks are like the Ferrari of locks in the world, haha, we sell them in Romania too only that they are adapted for our local lock system, which is great and yes, I work for them, that s how I started to get interested in Finland. Thanks for sharing, Aleksi!

[@AleksiHimself]

Interesting!

[@rigobertogomez25]

Amazing video as always dude! 🤘🏻

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks a ton!

[@klaussteinberghaus8684]

that’s good you don’t need to address superiors by their last names! it is also permitted in Argentina (where I come from) and I do it quite regularly. Now I know that the several times I’ve written ‘Herra Pöllönen” in the Duolingo app where not worth my time 😅. Your channel is super cool, keep it up!

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff!

[@JoanaCompletoND]

Thank you so much for your wonderful content!! I think you saved me now with the door lock trick! I'd probably get locked easily if i went to Finland without knowing this! 🙏

[@Wanderlens-Mae]

There’s a chance that I might go to Finland to study for my masters. These videos are very helpful. I think I’ll be fine. Most of these WTFs are no big deal to me.

[@elenaperez6588]

Even though I have been watching your videos for some time now, you always surprise me with new fun facts. Thanks for the video!

[@keigezellig]

When i was the first time in Finland i encountered the no-alcohol-after-21-hours thing. Me and my (Dutch) colleagues wanted to buy some beer for the evening, so we went to the supermarket at let's say 20:50. We were discussing which beer we wanted to take and then i noticed some written note with 21.00 on it (in Finnish of course so i didn't know what was written). When we got at the cashier, he said: no you can't have this... It was 21.05... :D So basically we had discussed too long and the written note obviously said the no-alcohol-after-21-hours, oh well... Lucky for us we ended up in a nice bar later that evening :)

[@DoxxTheMathGeek]

All those videos with [x] thing that are normal in Finland always make me smile. The rules there and the culture just seem so nice. :3

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@aaronstavern]

I think the amount of metal bands and love for metal was really a wtf moment for me, A cool wtf 🤣 I think another wtf moment was how everyone goes about there day as normal in -30°c, Kids still go to school everyone still goes to work, that's another cool wtf, In Ireland we had a little snow 3 years ago and it got to -5 and schools and work closed 🤦🏼‍♂️🤣

[@kissa15.]

Wtf! -5 and everything were closed... Im from Finland🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮

[@aaronstavern]

@@kissa15. crazy shit man 😂 The country went crazy haha

[@kissa15.]

@@aaronstavern haha😅

[@KohaAlbert]

Absolutely you should participate. Meanwhile in Estonia: I know You only asked about gambling, but as so unfamiliar with that particular field, I try to give you wider sight: * We have those sauna rallies as well (but covid tho), and long history and cultural heritage (and spiritual) with saunas. Have experienced this cleaning woman situation at male shower room in mine work place as well, I weirded out immediately. * I'm oblivious about gambling, seams more biased here and I think whats taxed is used similarly (for sport and culture). Guessing most popular is various lotteries (keno, viking, scrappers, etc). Casinos has higher age limit: 21 (but guessing). Several other limitations for gambling exist. * Usage of paper money in grocery lines (and in general) seams to loose very heavily for cards, to point you hardly see any one using paper money at all (haven't met anyone not accepting, but occasionally you may get annoyed looks if dealing with cash). Being part of €-zone, hard to see cash going anywhere any time soon. Actually pay-with-phone (swipe as card) and automatic-cashiers are gaining lot of popularity now. Personally still prefer to be serviced by humans and do not trust phones for swipe-cards, while it is become irreplaceable for ID and online banking. * Estonians have their own style for wife carrying: wikipedia. Those Finnish sports have at least some popularity amongst Estonians. But perhaps heard about en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiiking which originate from Estonia. * Estonia was alcohol sale limit from 22:00-10:00 and they may require ID for age validation (even if you think you look like 40), but covid affects this alot: www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/emergency-situation/restrictions-on-the-sale-of-alcohol-in-estonia * More guessing then knowing, but: Business and Institution tax data is available freely to some extent. Personal tax require justified reasons (court validation/permit) (for protection of privacy of individuals). Basically people seems to be on similar opinion here like commented at 9:28 . * Estonia had lot of Coastal-Swedes, but WW2 happened: www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/coastal-swedes-on-the-west-coast-of-estonia. Today Estonia has lot of Slavic-minorities, of which Russian ones are biggest. Estonia also has (native-)Estonian minorities (eg: Kihnu and Võro/Seto) and other ethnic (finns, swedes, others) or religious minorities (Jews, Tatars, etc). Following shows only largest groups: www.worldatlas.com/articles/largest-ethnic-groups-in-estonia.html * Addressing people, kinda same thing. Exceptions exist, but not "hard-coded" (again exceptions, like military): student addresses teachers as teacher [last name], soldier addresses officer by rank and last-name (or person to police), etc. Estonia has history of code of addressing others by titles, based on German influence. Historically when approaching someone unfamiliar, plural form of you (Finnish teidän) was (and to some extent is) used (was considered good manner and show of education). Also sometimes (often unknowingly) when alienating from someone (as being offended or pissed at someone, even today, but not common). Analogs of Mr (härra/herr), Mrs (proua/frau) were in use, but considered indicate belonging into nobility and feels rather weird considering history of natives being under slavery for 700 years. * Thous locks are quite popular here, but lot of variations. Typically depends on location and purpouse: office building, common apartment entrance, farm house, etc. For the first two it's also common to find code-locks instead. On more personal level found variation depend on owners preference. + If one happens to be familiar with Finnish language, you can find some amusing moments due to linguistic false friends. Comparison of languages : kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ2qe55vf6h6aZo + Punctuality: Do not be late, your not there for scheduled time = meeting is over (and insult taken). + Tallinn is only part of Estonia, go to east and you find Narva which is basically Estonian-Russia, go to far south along the eastern border and you find essentially whole other nation (and culture, perhaps comparable to Karjalan or Samy peoples differing from other ethnic Finns), etc: fiu-vro.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%B5ro. Have you noticed fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viron_vanhauskoiset and city of Tartu or Otepää on the way there. That's just tip of iceberg along Eastern border. Start your discovery along western coastal line and you get whole other perception of the land and people. Deeper you delve more there's to discover as Estonia might look small, but is surprisingly vast (even weather). + Random people at streets are no walking encyclopedias, to not expect them know much (if any) about local history or cultural inheritance. If you expect other vice, you end up with disappointment. You need guide and as far as I'm aware they aren't all-in-one package either.

[@fabyalvarez7225]

I live in Mexico City, hearing what’s strange for you makes me laugh. I love Finland, I love how people is kind and walk through the streets without feeling insecure. In fact it’s very practical not to have to use change, here in Mexico you have to pay in cash for most of the things BUT no so much change people hate have to much coins. One thing that I miss so much is beer and ciders wow so many options! I didn’t care about cold maybe because it’s the less of the problems.

[@valo2872]

To be clear. The main reason why Swedish is spoken is not because Finland belonged to Sweden. Along the coast of Finland, a form of Swedish has always been spoken. The nation's borders are one thing. But languages ​​have more diffuse borders and in some places several languages ​​have been spoken, such as different Sami variants, different Finnish variants and different Swedish variants.

[@poweredbymoonlight9869]

There were ALOT of trades between Finland and Sweden in older days over Kvarken and Östersjön (i'm sorry, i can't remeber the finnish- nor english mer names at the time) between the two countries and partly thereby too connects to why there's so much spoken finlandsswedish in Ostrabotnia and along the coast of the country. Both Finnish people and sweds use to trade various things all the time.

[@oonavuorio6247]

If anybody wonders why theres time limit when you can buy alcohol. Its because so we can prevent drunk accidents and kids buying alcohol. Children rights and protection system is taken seriously in Finland so every store what wants to sell alcohol(I dont remmeber if bars are included) cannot sell alcohol in 9 pm to 9 am or the other time.

[@AleksiHimself]

Hey Finntastics! Should I participate the 10km naked run? Also get started with Finnish language with my Quickstart guide: aleksihimself.com/fuf

[@aaronstavern]

Yes, you absolutely should! 🤟🏻💪🏻❄

[@tinasWindow]

Tota kai !

[@tamaraelinaartist]

Yesss! Lol 😊🙌🏾💙🇫🇮

[@tinasWindow]

And it’s good!🙌🏻

[@-.-4]

Use a bandaid at least

[@xosmokey]

lmaoooo your description of alcohol culture in Finland was simply priceless 😂😂😂😂

[@krunoslavkovacec1842]

There is a cool video called The finnish way of drinking

[@carolcote8472]

I am learning so much about Finnish culture and that is mostly thanks to listening to you It helps me to understand my fiance and the way he grew up in Turku

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@maryrhudy9250]

Yes. You must definitely do the NAKED RUNNING RACE. And don't forget to post a video. And is there a way for us to bet on whether you will win or not? What is Finland's historic alcoholic beverage for which it is best known? Like for us in Tennessee in the US it might be whisky.

[@OldMan_PJ]

In Illinois they started putting slot machines in restaurants. In California we only have to drive 30 minutes in any direction and we're at an Indian owned casino.

[@johnh.tuomala4379]

@@OldMan_PJ I’m from Nevada, where gambling is so common, I don’t really notice it.

[@mikkomohonen6150]

Estonians have crazy road rage here in Southern Finland.

[@Priyajubli]

Fantastic video! You had told these wow stuffs before but truly a mash up! 👌🏻

[@AleksiHimself]

Glad you liked it!!

[@DiegoSierraMusic]

Love your videos! Keep them coming

[@ninovsqz]

This was awsm! Oon ite Espoosta, muutin Suomeen 10vuotta sitten, ja nautin tästä tosi paljon. More please! ahaha

[@sshadyh]

idk what it is like in other states in the US but in Kansas you can only buy beer from gas stations and grocery stores and you can only buy alcohol before 11pm and only beer before 12am and no alcohol sales after 8pm on Sundays

[@jokat872]

Pretty much the same in norway with the alcohol but Vinmonopolet closes 3pm on Saturdays

[@jennifertiitinen9006]

My husband and I did a Carrying the Wife Competition a few years ago ! It was fun. This was in Lake Worth Beach Fl❤orida

[@Kodii20]

Thank you very much!

[@eevelot12]

Thankyou for another Awesome video Aleksi 🙏 Not sure about 10 km naked run though .....

[@KatsyKat]

Watched the full thing and as a brit i prefer all of these cultural differences! (Especially with some of the corruption here) im learning some Finnish now and i hope to visit in a few years time!! :00

[@piecerich7628]

Good video👍Does ‘hølken kølken’ actually mean ‘cheers’ in finnish?

[@AleksiHimself]

Yes! Hölkyn kölkyn!

[@akyeren]

Your housing manager company has the key to your house or apartment, they literally can come anytime for valid reasons and it’s totally normal and legal.

[@AleksiHimself]

Yes but they cannot come in without a proper reason and without agreeing on a time with the owner.

[@Alexander-987]

I don’t know if it’s like this in other states but in Wisconsin you can’t buy alcohol after 9 until 9 like in Finland - there is like 2 stores I know of though that don’t care about this rule and sell alcohol as long as they’re open

[@Sparklywonderfun]

In Minnesota it’s after 10pm with the exception of bars being 2am

[@johnh.tuomala4379]

I used to live in Georgia. Back then, they had “Blue Laws” which restricted certain activities on Sunday. I don’t know about these days, but back then, liquor (at least package sales)was not sold on Sunday. Back then, Georgia had “dry” counties; where liquor sales were totally illegal, and you had to go to the nearest “wet” county for your alcohol.

[@ewelinakopystynska4572]

🇵🇱 This year I started going to co-educational saunas in Warsaw. I was surprised no one was covering up😉

[@dmh20002]

Lol I live in Nevada USA and there are slot machines everywhere. So it wouldn’t be weird. The differences is that your losses don’t go to a public cause.

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks Dave for sharing this!

[@gillc6576]

We always split-pay restaurant bills on our individual debit cards (or part cash) in the UK - it's quite usual 🤔

[@AmateurPeanutButter]

I know about flat hierarchy here in Finland, but I still address my supervisor by Prof. [insert last name] on email. On conversational level, I just call him by first name. This reminds me of a story when I lived in Singapore. This student sent an email to the supervisor by saying 'Dear Dr. [insert name]' and then that supervisor was not happy because she was a Prof and wanted to be addressed accordingly 😂😂

[@SoloTravelStory]

I was wondering about the name situation. From your videos so far I understand how well mannered and respectful Finns are so was hoping you guys also start with formal address and then once you gained trust "offer" your first name. I'm conservative in that way and don't like it when strangers call me by my first name. In Germany calling each other on a first name basis means we know one another well. It creates familiarity and intimacy. This goes even further with nicknames which implies people have known each other for very long and have a solid friendship. You don't just offer your first name and identity to just anyone. I was completely shocked when I started work in the UK and one colleague started calling me "babes". It was so uncomfortable since I didn't know her at all. I also feel addressing someone at the start of the relationship with Mr/Ms Surname shows respect and builds trust. You know how it is people cross a line and will disrespect you if given the chance. Calling a German by their actual name is earned and then cherished and valued which in turn creates stronger and longer lasting relationships. Hope that makes sense 👍🏽

[@AK-jm1sc]

In Finland/Nordics we see it the other way around. Everyone is equal to begin with, so you don't need to earn equality from anyone, it's the starting point. To us, it's polite to treat everyone already as if they were a peer and to be on the "same level" so to say. When you approach someone by their first name, you're decreasing the barrier between you two, which makes it easier to communicate in a more relaxed manner.

[@victorchaos3558]

I'm half finnish and live in the uk at the moment. Im starting my national service in july in lapland and I'm staying after

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff!

[@itsVilu]

I've myself made a habit of closing the door with my keys (instead of just pushing it close), just to avoid forgetting my keys. Plus it makes a bit less noise late at night, so there's that too. Forgot my keys once and had to walk 3km to get my spare key from a relative, in heavy rain... never again! :D

[@Artbyerikaa]

Finland is the best!!!!!!!!

[@jradfole93]

The part about just addressing superiors by their first name is the same in Australia too; in America they seem real big on calling them “Sir” or “Ma’am” or “Mr.” Or “Mrs” whereas in Australia we would call our boss either his first name or “Mate”, we’d probably almost call King Charles mate if we met him 😆. The part about waving to say thank you when someone lets you through is also big here too although on the other hand we have terrible road rage in Australia 😂.

[@PinkkRosey]

It is quite common to use last names in work places etc as well, like saying something like hei Eerikäinen would not be too out of place, it not just first names!

[@AleksiHimself]

Interesting. I've never seen or heard that.

[@marilehtinen1495]

Pedestrians are being careles walking to "suojatie". Some people doesn't even check if the driver has noticed you crossing the road. Suojatie accidents are the most lethal ones to pedestrians. And about finnish driving culture...

[@PotatoPieOver9000]

If you pick your beer before 9pm but there is a huge queue, you are allowed to purchase those even if it's after 9pm when it's your turn.

[@cbushin]

When I went to a public sauna in Tampere, there were rules requiring swimwear. Nobody was naked. I had a list of public Saunas and all of them required swimwear.

[@AleksiHimself]

Usually they require if they are mixed saunas.

[@cbushin]

@@AleksiHimself I just made that same comment in another of your videos. The sauna I went to was mixed.

[@AleksiHimself]

@@cbushin Yep I noticed. Thanks for the comments!

[@moxzarzpa]

Wrong. Many people still use cash. I m working at grocery stores, restaurants, bars and nightclubs and almost 1 out of 4 use still cash. Especially women and old people. Most of young men pay by card tho, like i do.

[@luanaforrest8238]

Hi Aleksi, What about addressing teachers? My boys will be 8 and 6 when we move to Tampere in summer. Here in London kids never even learn what their teachers' names are, only the surnames. Will they be calling their teachers by the first name in Finland?

[@AleksiHimself]

With teachers it's the same. No surnames needed.

[@Vansjoo7966]

Often even ope isn't necessary since you can ask teacher without calling them anything

[@luanaforrest8238]

Thanks for the helpful comments! My kids won't know any Finnish at the start, but I'll prepare them to ditch the Mr and Mrs titles! yay!

[@LauraTrauth]

As some have implied below, in the US many things are dependent on the state. So in Nevada, there is gambling everywhere. In Maryland, only at approved casinos of which there are just a few (and only in the last 10 years or so). In my state, you cannot buy alcohol at all in grocery stores. But across the state line a few miles away, you can - again just at certain hours though. When I lived in Ohio, you could get beer and wine in the grocery stores, but had to go to a state-run store for anything else. I'm a runner and often wave to cars to thank them for not hitting me - usually the driver waves back too. And at my place of work, I usually call my immediate superiors by their first name. Highest level - I tend to use their academic title (Dr.) out of respect. I wouldn't get in trouble for not doing that, though.

[@KawaiiCat2]

I guess the bathrooms here in the states at least where I am have opposite people cleaning them too. I live in California, so all the gambling stuff is at the Indian casinos. We have a card system out here too for restaurant. But the strange thing about where I am is there a lot of advanced restaurants and stores that have card or contactless payment and then you have some restaurants and stores that only accept cash and it’s like huh? In Chinese language, we address people with last name aka family name then the profession they are. So your boss would be addressed something like…. Smith Supervisor. Family name is very respected in Chinese culture as it is high end professions.

[@ButterFly-zh8ho]

In France it made me weird to see that the slot machines are parked in reserved spaces, guarded with age control for access to these areas, impossible to access with the family, in Finland I accompanied my grandfather to the store and sometimes he let me try my luck.

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks for the comment!

[@Sillilesshells]

Questions: Say if you are buying alcohol, Will I be able to use my pre driving liscence as my id. What are mental health services like in Finland for people with long term conditions? Now that the UK is out of the EU, do you have any idea how someone could move there?

[@AleksiHimself]

I think driver's license is accepted when checking ID at the store. I don't know exactly because I have never used them but check this link: mieli.fi/en/mental-ill-health/how-to-seek-help/ It's the same as for any other citizen outside of the EU: getting a residence permit. Usually this means getting a job, admission to a school in Finland or getting married.

[@camjkerman]

The crossing thing is also in the UK, if a car stops for you at a crossing without lights its not uncommon to give the driver a wave or something to say thanks. Not everyone does it, but its not that rare.

[@mreuben3]

Never understood the 9 and 6 alko closing. Instead people just load up there grocery karts with alcohol, and yes the alko's have grocery karts.

[@SilverJyan]

The first-name basis thing works the same in Israel. It's great

[@iliketowatch.]

(00:23) I am so embarrassed to admit that I declined to join my girlfriend's family in the sauna, all due to my stupid American hangups about nudity. I feel like I was so rude to people who were so kind to me despite our inability to communicate verbally. This was a long time ago. If I was faced with a similar situation again, I would go for it!

[@fepotvlogs]

In my country,, the boss and professors are address as sir or maam. thats why during my first days here in finland, it's kinda weird that I only call my boss with their first names. But later on, find it cool. 😊 and yes, one thing I appreciate here is when you are crossing the streets! 👍👍 In my country, you really gotta be careful when crossing the streets, because cars won't stop for you, as if they own the road. 😔

[@netsong2239]

My grandmother actually used to be quite a swamp soccer beast.

[@ProjectCreativityGuy96]

I would like to move to Finland one day, because Finnish women are the best of my category! 😉 Not only that, Helsinki seems like a fun city! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇫🇮🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇫🇮

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff!

[@ProjectCreativityGuy96]

@@AleksiHimself Plus, your content is awesome! 😉👍

[@artsuomi]

What I can tell... It is not possible to buy any alcohol in Lithuania... On Sunday... So, buy it from Estonia. It is sold until 22:00.

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff!

[@wullxz]

I went to a turkish kebab place in Finland with a few people and wanted to order take out. One of us wanted to sample the finish beer but it was a couple of minutes after 9pm so they told us that they can't sell us the beer (it was somewhere around 5 or 10 past 9pm and we even entered the store before 9pm). After he explained it to us and we told him about how we didn't know and that our guy just wanted to sample the beer, he reluctantly sold it to us. When I paid, I wanted to honor him being nice to us and gave him a tip of 2 or 3 € for a 20€ order and he was reeeeally confused about that :D Then I thought he might not have understood us since his English wasn't that good either but now I know why he was so confused :D

[@fyve2806]

3:43 - As a Vietnamese living in Vietnam, I confirmed that the only legal gambling activity in Vietnam is lottery. Edit: WTF - Welcome To Finland

[@drasiella]

I've seen slots in S market and it was a wtf moment but I was too shy to ask And I noticed everything had 2 names but Im pretty used to it coming from a multicultural area where everything is written in at least 3-5 languages My sexy finnish boyfriend would extent his hand im gratitude towards cars when we crossed the road

[@rafaelbriganti502]

Not only in Japan but also in Germany the payment is almost always in cash.

[@artsuomi]

May I remind you who is damn good in a carrying wife? 🇪🇪

[@josefk7437]

If your potential employer knows how much you made in your last job, can they use that against you when negotiating your salary? An American potential employer will intentionally offer a low salary as a trap. An initial low salary will determine what future employers offer and all raises are percentage based. Is that a problem in Finland too? I imagine a low salary would be a trap in a place where everyone knows your salary.

[@Aurinkohelmi]

The thing is that we have these TES contracts on every business area that determines lowest salary, holidays, extra rates etc that all companies should follow. There are some companies outside TES, but usually people don´t even want to work in place which doesn´t have TES in use.

[@josefk7437]

@@Aurinkohelmi What is TES?

[@MottiMage]

@@josefk7437 A collective agreement between employees and employers of specific field that is negotiated through trade unions. These agreements are made to protect employees rights, and they regulate working conditions and minimum or recommended salaries for specific jobs.

[@Aurinkohelmi]

@@josefk7437 In Finland, collective labour agreements (TES as short from Finnish word työehtosopimus) are universally valid. This means that a collective agreement in an economic sector becomes a universally applicable legal minimum for any individual's employment contract, whether or not they are a union member.

[@mooiodn]

12:20 We also do that in Poland

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@khanji5233]

I like the gambling money idea. Good job Finland 🇫🇮 👏 👏

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks for the comment Hamid Khan!

[@winifredclarke1977]

Hi Aleksi I live in the UK, and the gambling industry is massive here (well or before coronavirus, because now slowly a year ago everything shout) £14.3bn/year. We pay massive tax, any serious gambling regulations involved, including game care, anti money laundry, kyc, edd, ecd, licence involved all way through What I found shocking the amount of 🎰 slot machines you have in 🇫🇮, and basically one proper casino in Helsinki, what I more would call as a cabaret with gaming tables. I guess online games like online poker, various betting also huge in there. Probably because in your climate people don't really want to go out? Just easier from home devices??

[@AliceShiraki]

I'm a small finnish potato and I use cash when I go to our local K-Market xD (usually, not during corona time)

[@MaxHohenstaufen]

Where I live, people are using cash less and less everyday. But even cards are getting out of fashion in favor of smartphone transfers and payments. Everytime I get my salary in my account I pay the bills and spend the rest of the month buying most things on my phone and this year I have barely touched any cash at all.

[@julesjma]

I was raised to call Seniors by Mr or Mrs. How would you address the older population?

[@Rides4Freaks]

Naked 10km run would be hard to film I think. Pretty sure it would make for a great story/experience video though haha 😅

[@nad-een]

Maybe in Poland we have shitty government, but still, we have also 24h shops

[@AK-jm1sc]

We have 24/7 stores in Finland, in the cities at least, but they don't sell alcohol past 9pm. You can buy cigarettes whenever though.

[@ValleyPooch]

How is it in your culture. Well let me tell you. My family moved to Canada (from Finland) in the late 50's. My parents found the less formal culture in Canada kind of amusing and refreshing. I think at that time people in Finland were referred to by their titles and other niceties were exercised. From a child's point of view, girls had to curtesy adults and boys had to bow. It sounds like nowadays Finland is even a bit less informal than Canada.

[@VampiraVonGhoulscout]

In Scotland you can't buy alcohol between 10PM and 11AM.

[@AleksiHimself]

That's interesting!

[@VampiraVonGhoulscout]

@@AleksiHimself Yeah, it's supposed to stop people from drinking heavily like in Finland. Same issue here. There's still pubs though so it doesn't really work.

[@cohlfleischhacker2814]

My heritage is very finnish. I Iive in Canada people think I look native, but I tell them i'm finnish. I have black hair and brown eyes. My finnish grandma and great grandpa also had black hair from Finland. They come from Western Finland. Punkalaidun and Lapua. Is it common to have black hair in Finland?

[@Dumptruck70]

Do bars and restaurants stop serving alcohol after nine or is it just the retail stores?

[@AleksiHimself]

Just retail

[@Dumptruck70]

@@AleksiHimself Thank goodness! In December my family and I are moving to Espoo and your videos have been very helpful for our cultural preparation. Many thanks!

[@lauranijakowski3684]

Sounds like Finland really knows what they are doing! I think the US can learn from Finland. Like Gambling $$$ going to good causes and the education system👍 The only WTF that would bug me is not being able to wine after 9pm. Great video thanks!

[@weirdshibainu]

I live in Nevada and yeah, while the Casinos and the politicians they own brag about how much money goes to education, upon closer inspection, it's pennies on the dollar.

[@Hope_Maphosa]

Hey...id like to make finish friends before i travel. Any tips??

[@artsuomi]

Using gambling money for charity and science - is an honest and wise way.

[@Jemppu]

Since the COVID restrictions put a stop to using shared gambling machines, I've actually been worried how much of that charitable money might be lost to these organizations / causes :/

[@nedludd7622]

People complain about taxes countries around the world, but in many of those people pay voluntary taxes through gambling especially lotteries.

[@thatsmeeh]

haha I laughed when you mentioned the "weird sports" ! Don't you have a sack race too?!

[@joelallonen5501]

yes xD

[@thatsmeeh]

@@joelallonen5501 haha he skipped it

[@ejnix7874]

Coins needed for public toilets?? If one doesn’t carry cash, then what?

[@AleksiHimself]

Many of the public toilets have become free since then.

[@lucianapimenta9602]

That interesting!!!

[@saaiagrawal1838]

Hey aleksi...I'm really struggling with in my Finnish class...I'm on level A2.1 but I feel I'm below tht...doing another level from TE office n really struggling.....I feel so disappointed ..but I love your videos.....Indian girl in espoo

[@GnosisDharma]

I understand that it is difficult I studied in school for about 9 years and I thought that maybe I won't pass the classes to get out of school, I made it but it was barely. I still don't speak fluent Finnish but I can talk everyday conversations quite well now, kind of surprised sometimes because I thought I would never learn. But studying books about grammatical rules did not make me progress it just made me confused. To learn to talk you kind of need to dare talking to people, the main point is not caring to much if it is correct because this will make it to hard for you to learn, be okay with doing mistakes and you will start to learn, over time I think you learn to speak more correctly too. 👍for you!

[@saaiagrawal1838]

@@GnosisDharma kittos...paljon....

[@GnosisDharma]

@@saaiagrawal1838 Olka hyvää

[@Englandrules83]

Ei kaikissa kaupungeissa puhuta ruotsia esimerkiksi Jyväskylässä.

[@domonkor7667]

In my country people are not much familiar with gambling . But some people illegally play gambling in old bamboo houses.Then, When police comes all are running . Gamblers who are caught by police were got punishment from police . And police hitting in there ass with stick. But some police get some money from gamblers and give them a chance to escape from there.

[@oukunpoika3741]

I didn’t know that these things is rare :D 🎅🏻🇫🇮🇫🇮

[@AleksiHimself]

Kiitti kommentista Mr Vekex!

[@alexandrufrandes.]

In Romania there are special places for gambling. In towns under 15 000 it is not allowed. If you run naked you run faster? When I will meet the president of Finland I will say hey Alexander how is the economy?