Culture Shocks in Finland as an American // Finnish sauna, food, etc.

In Finland you can just say "Sorry, I don't like this food. I'm not going to eat it." We don't take it personally. If someone doesn't like something, then she doesn't.

[@flyfin108]

in finland we empty our plates no matter what

[@cynthiaquintana9660]

It's just the American way lol "complaint " or "bit...ing" about anything lol.

[@janus1958]

As far as saunas in America goes. I grew up in Northern Mn in a region with a higher than normal population of Finnish descent. A lot of people had saunas, and being Finnish ourselves, so did we (ours was built into a detached garage). Weekly sauna was a tradition, as was having relatives over for sauna, or going to relative's homes for sauna. We also always took our sauna in the nude. It seemed perfectly normal to me.

[@cassu6]

Huh... That's kinda cool to hear

[@holoholopainen1627]

The past year - I have been to sauna 7 times a week ! Wednesday two times - after work - and the at Home too !

[@earthwaterfall1498]

I'm from The Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Houghton) I completely understand this. I absolutely love the sauna.

[@janus1958]

@@earthwaterfall1498 I had a Great Uncle who lived in Ironwood. He was born in Finland.

[@pasit1738]

"Rocks in the box" means 'kiuas' which is, like the 'sauna', also a original Finnish word without corresponding words in any other language.

[@henkkahenrik4183]

i tought the english word for ”kiuas” was sauna stove....

[@pasit1738]

@@henkkahenrik4183 I've never heard that one, which doesn't tell that it couldn't be true. But I do lean towards the word kiuas, though.

[@henkkahenrik4183]

@@pasit1738 i mean honestly same since i am a finn after all, but i’ve succesfully used the word ”sauna stove” to find them online.

[@pasit1738]

@@henkkahenrik4183 Well, well. Everyday is a learning opportunity, isn't it! Thank's for this maybe someday useful information. 👍🏻

[@earthwaterfall1498]

I'm from The Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the Finnish culture is very much lived here. I grew up Finnish in the states. I relate t ok Finnish culture more than any other culture. I'm very much a proud Finn. 🇫🇮 and sauna is a must it's the best!

[@pvahanen]

I have traveled in America many times and always my stomach misses Finnish rye bread it is so healthy and my skin sauna! When I get back, the first thing to do is to get rye bread and a sauna.

[@mikkolaine4883]

Smoke sauna dry and no water? Not quite :D Smoke sauna is actually the original version. You put a fire under the big pile of stones and run it several ours to get the stones hot. There is no chimney either. The fire will be shut down before you enter and water thrown on the stones to clear the stones, wait for 15 minutes and then start bathing there. The stones keep hot for very long time. The steam feels very different compared to nowaday's regular stoves. There is also a version where the stones are gathered in a high metallic cylinder but the idea is the same. The fire goes trought the stones and the mass restores the heat for a very long time. The regular wooden heated stove differs from that by having smaller amount of rocks in it and the fire doesn't hit the stones but the chimney line circles the stone well and heating the rocks. This version heats up in an hour but needs constant fire to keep the heat. I prefer this style stove and it gives the best steam in my opinion. The steam is softer and the height of the stove is less so it is lower compared to the seats so the steam hits your body by the whole length when original stove sauna hits mostly in your head. Electric stoves have about the same amount of stones that are heated by resistors. The "problem" with this one is that the water can hit straight in the resistors which flashes to steam very quickly which creates quite hard and rapid attacking steam. Nowadays there are two other versions of this: the tower stove with more rocks in it and the panel version. The tower style stove is better than a regular boxy stove due to higher mass and also very nice design. Panel stove has wide tilted plate in front of the resistors and it gives very much like steam as regular wooden heated does, so that is my suggestion if having an electric stove.

[@stoner84x]

I have gone To sauna butt naked after knowing someone less than 10 minutes and allso met new friends in the sauna Who are compleatly differend from me and still friends because of sauna. Greetings from Finland and happy holiday's to everyone🌲

[@sondoddy9275]

even in winter? Sauna in winter is even better. Imagine doing outdoor activities for hours in minus 20 celsius ( 4F ish ?) That hot embrace of sauna after that feels godlike. In the summer it feels also good to dip in to cool lake water and swim for a while and go back to hot sauna and repeat. Saunas has been kind of spiritual places in Finland back in the day. They would wash up the bodies of dead there and also give birth in sauna. Circle of life encraved in saunas. Its no wonder tradition of saunas lived on

[@temenurminen]

The mucus you were describing is propably "kiisseli". Water, potato starch, little sugar and berries.

[@kallekonttinen1738]

"They go to sauna even in winter!" Go outside and ski or run in -10 celsius weather for hour and sauna after that! Best ever!

[@TheArseen]

Karjalanpiirakka in toaster... that's genius, gotta do that.

[@Skatha]

5:30 you were thinking about ''kiisseli''/ or soup =)

[@m.v.4845]

most likely eaten around xmas time (with rice porridge), usually ingredients include dried fruit like prunes, raisins and apricots (+ maybe apple), potato starch is used to thicken the soup/custard

[@getafuckinlife]

@@m.v.4845 we call it "Sekametelisoppa"

[@holoholopainen1627]

Its KIISSELI - flour with berries !

[@TheParez]

@@m.v.4845 Corn-starch OR potato starch as you mentioned, to be specific. Corn starch is very commonly used product in Finland to thicken sauces and these "kiisseli's", called "Maizena". I bet it is used in other neighboring EU countries as well >.>

[@ilesalmo7724]

Many chocolates nowdays use powdered milk etc. to cut on the cost. Fazer uses the real stuff

[@harrysvensson2610]

How does using powdered milk save money? I'm actually curious.

[@ilesalmo7724]

@@harrysvensson2610 It takes less space to store when all of the liquid is taken out and can be stored in room-temperature and for longer time without spoiling. Unfortunately it changes the taste

[@chryssalidbait8765]

The 'little fish' when talking about kalakukko were probably muikku, or, in english, vendace. Now, I'm not from eastern Finland, so I'm not a kalakukko expert, but I'm fairly sure there are kalakukkos with salmon or perch filling as well. The 'fruit soup' was likely kiisseli. The starch for that is usually from potato flour.

[@albertsarala1715]

The fruit soup is called soppa and its just a fruit soup and we put cream on it :)

[@janikarkkainen3904]

As a Finn, only Swiss-chocolate gets close to Finnish chocolate. Finnish chocolate is smooth and tasty, and that's all because of Karl Fazer.

[@timomastosalo]

The reason you go naked in to sauna is the same as with the shower, or bath. You're going for a wash. In a swimming suit you'll leave some dirt there - you'll have to take a separate shower then. Going for a swim is just one way to wash it off - and enjoy a swim, plus to cooling after an intense heat.

[@zami8827]

Those wire racks are Finnish invetion by Maiju Gebhard. Thats why almost every Finnish apartment have them.

[@chryssalidbait8765]

Huh, putting karjalanpiirakka in the toaster. Never thought about doing that before. Thanks for the idea!

[@holoholopainen1627]

When it heats up - the crease drops on the bottom ! Is this causing FIRE - in The Long Run ?

[@maito3348]

Riisipiirakka is really karjalanpiirakka

[@holoholopainen1627]

The Story goes - That a Finn invented FIRE - because it is easier to heat the sauna with fire ! We always ask which was 1st fire or sauna ?

[@topi85]

Missä muka noi sanotaan, koskaa kuullukkaa eikä kyllä googlekaa antanu mitää perää tuohon...?

[@markblix6880]

Swedish rye is Limpa. Just butter and cumin ost on it at my Norsk grand parents in northern Minnesota.

[@moppi6]

I guess you are talking about nøkkelost? Cheese seasoned with cumin?

[@margaritarobertson6737]

I live in Georgia, USA. Just got a sauna. Perfect timing because it's now winter. Can't imagine using it in the summer..I'll be in the pool!

[@kimmopainokallio3799]

Smoke sauna you also need make steam

[@rosas4971]

I really hope you tried riisipiirakka with eggbutter, it will change your life 😍

[@flyfin108]

dont forget to add salt into that eggbutter!

[@sebastianherbolsheimer4746]

Wait where can you buy ruisleipa in the US? I've looked everywhere online.

[@dennislindqvist8443]

She said five days so maybe it's outside the US? Wouldn't it be easier to make them yourself? Then you can also taste them fresh, depending on what you prefer. There are certainly recipes for Finnish rye bread out there.

[@takoja507]

Sorry but who would have known if you went to sauna first time you were in Finland? I mean only you and the people that were with you. This is one big problem of religions, they make normal human interactions seem bad and evil and make you feel guilty for nothing just because some books claim that there is an ultimate being who will judge you if you this and that. Sorry but that's ridiculous way to live and think. I'm glad you enjoyed Finland tho.

[@margaritarobertson6737]

Going to the sauna is not prohibited in the Bible btw

[@Sambieman]

It's freaky when your Churhc demands you to act certain ways.

[@JUMALATION1]

I have that exact same necklace! ♥

[@Sambieman]

Come back to Finland! Please!

[@KhansKitchen]

👍❤️

[@teromattila72]

I've read that some americans think that the finnish drying "thing" is some kind of disgusting.

[@svendahlsten3132]

🙌🙌🙌🙌🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮

[@juhahaapala6835]

heeyyy I know you! :D

[@progeda666]

You don't wear a thing when you go to a sauna.

[@holoholopainen1627]

There are two million saunas ! Do You have to be NUDE - if You are ALONE at Sauna ?

[@antcommander1367]

@@holoholopainen1627 * 3 million saunas

[@Ayuori]

Have you tried mämmi

[@scottmedwid1818]

I spent two weeks between Helsinki and Hanko . I love the sound of the Finish language and the food too. What is civilization !

[@scottmedwid1818]

Saunas and drying racks are really cool too

[@pvahanen]

@@scottmedwid1818 Finns are convenient to come up with practical things.

[@pvahanen]

@@scottmedwid1818 I have traveled in America many times and always my stomach misses Finnish rye bread it is so healthy and my skin sauna! When I get back, the first thing to do is to get rye bread and a sauna

[@nicolasrusila4004]

You forgot the perkele

[@mysteriousme3006]

I just want to say, I love the color in your hair. That's all. Have an awesome New Year 2021!

[@Finlandlion]

Nothing screams mental issues than hair like that

[@mil-fpv4931]

8:18 What would have happened if you did?

[@memoredspectrum]

salmiakki = ammoniumcloride

[@mohammadalamgirhossainmozu1172]

Hi Iam not in Finland.....

[@jan-olesnabb2174]

Actually using bathing suits in a sauna is very unhygienic.😒

[@m99-b3v]

People from outside Finland think putting their naked genitals on bare wood inside a hot humid box is unhygienic, so each their own.

[@riina4739]

@m 99 That's why they lay "pefletti" (seat cover) on the seats in sauna. So no contact with the wood and genitals😊

[@Nuinwing]

Also dangerous in swimming halls. The chlorine from the pool is soaked into your swimsuit and when you go to the sauna it vaporizes in the heat and that vapor is bad news.

[@sket179]

Why couldn't you bathe beforehand? Was it like a religious, insurance, modesty thing or what?

[@TheParez]

Tradition. You will be born in the sauna and if lucky, you will die in a sauna.

[@taliruth8947]

8

[@leipajuusto2964]

Riisi piirakka Are realy karjalanpiirakka

[@mikeh2772]

If you don't get riisipiirakkaa and sauna then just come back to USA and be done with it. Sorry...