Finland: The Country of EXTREME Cultural Contrasts

Finland never ceases to amaze with its quirky and unique culture. Today I will share 5 EXTREME cultural contrasts we have in Finland. Finns are usually shy, but not always.
Videos mentioned:
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[@AleksiHimself]

Watch Next: Don't Do These Things in Finland! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGXFo4Nvea6fmsk

[@EdgarVi1608]

there is nothing more pleasant as just learn your language by my own, than the such heroes of the days and prominent, as selfish Finns will consider me as a dummy. thank you so much!

[@MrAlienAssassin]

You should do a video on the urban vs rural cultural differences in Finland

[@sallyedwards3872]

That's a great idea actually because it can be very different

[@espotpod]

I would love to see that video!

[@ash-ko7cn]

Yes! I just moved to a rural area and I see numerous differences as a foreigner.

[@jussimustonen6829]

I can confirm that Finns do get more talkative the less they have clothing. Like always when you go to a hotel's sauna or spa sauna the people never talk when they come there fully dressed but when they take clothes off and get into the sauna they talk about pretty much anything even with strangers.

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@treeoflife91]

Speaking as a finn about the relationships and dating thing, me and my fiance were one of those couples that met at a mutual friend's party and boinked the same day we met. Ten years together and going strong! Dating isn't really a big cultural thing here, just people meeting and clicking and hanging out and seeing how far it goes. It's a very intuitive caveman approach to coupling instead of the complicated mating rituals my foreign friends seem to wrestle with lol. Same thing with friendships kinda, if it's meant to be it will be and if not then no harm done in being nice to someone for a while anyway. Trusting the process and being chill is how we do things here lol

[@AleksiHimself]

Well said!

[@unikeko96]

We are Neanderthals, lol 😅

[@Jenkkimie]

My friend met her fiance similarly. They were looking for friends-with-benefits arragement in their university and soon after they fell in love. Been together for 10-years soon.

[@nokhtdoom_]

I've been in Finland for almost 2 months now, and definitely the best moment to establish a social interaction is when a Finn already have a couple beers inside, haha. That kinda makes a little hole in the coconut shell.

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@AleksiHimself]

Note that even if I said sex happens on the first date, I didn't mean it happens 100% of the time. My point was to highlight that even if we are shy (that depends on the person, too), it's still possible that sex happens on the 1st date.

[@iza8056]

And sex is on the first date is totally Okay! Both only need to be honest with each other and avoid annoyances! 😊

[@AleksiHimself]

@@iza8056 exactly! 🙌

[@AleksiHimself]

@C EP 🙌

[@Aquelll]

I want to extend that notion that you should share an interest with a Finn to befriend them more easily. Because we do not like small talk there has to be something worthwhile to talk with us to get our interest. I think that is the reason why finding people with similar interests works so well here.

[@AleksiHimself]

Good tip!

[@happychick94]

Can you please make a 'Beginners guide to taking a Finnish Sauna'? What are the do's and don'ts for someone who has never even seen a Sauna before. Like how do they work? Is there a temperature control, and if there is who chooses the temperature? At what point do you take your clothes off? Is there a locker-room that you go to first? Is it ok to wear a bathrobe in the sauna or should you just wear a big towel? Will people think you are weird if you are shy and cover-up or is it ok if you are foreign?

[@AleksiHimself]

There you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3W6lXWpnchsnZo

[@happychick94]

@@AleksiHimself Ha ha Amazing! That's great thanks!

[@ilkkak3065]

Finland land of contrasts, in winter -30°C and sun don't rise at all for long time, in summer +30°C and sun won't go down for long time. Darkness of November when even the brightest lamp don't seem to light anything and brightness of March when sun meets the fresh snow that fell the night before.

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff Ilkka!

[@valhoundmom]

Sigh* I miss sauna. Finnish dating culture summed up- get right to the point. All of Nordic countries have this thing about friends. It's not easy, but worth it. I have made about 6-8 friends in Finland. Very special people I value so much. I appreciate that is a little unusual and I am very grateful for this.

[@damascus9876]

Thank you for these! I recently got bought about moving to Finland for graduate school, so I’ve been watching a couple of your videos to get a more balanced look at life in Finland.

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@jesoppo444]

The making friendship part is universal I guess. After studying and school making friendships is difficult. You forgot the sense of humor Fins have 😇

[@AleksiHimself]

Good points!

[@jesoppo444]

I have been blessed studying and living in your beautiful country in 2002 for 1 year. Absolutely loved it and still am in contact with most classmates. Also had to deal with different type of teachers. 1 inviting me to tell about my country of origin the Netherlands, and when I was there kind of bashing the drug and porn industry that is so 'open' in the Netherlands. But when I went to the local disco there were women offering their services to my male friends, I that's prostitution as well 😅😅😅😅 My hostmom said: well like in every culture you have judgemental people closing their eyes for what's in front of them and you have open minded people. I couldn't agree more. I do think Fins in general have a very healthy lifestyle. At least, mainly the people I met 😅

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

I love my Finnish friends, they're awesome! Where I live in the 'states we have a heavy Nordic Countries' ties, lots of similarities (including the Winters HAH) but we're a little more, animated, or openly friendly right out of the gate heheh. Finnish culture connects with me very well. Some other video ideas to cover that I suggest: - Music!!! Finland has more Music bands and artists per capita of the population than anywhere else in the world, and I LOVE Finnish Metal bands!!! - Food and Diet. Is is easy for tourists to find food that meets dietary needs especially if they're Gluten intolerant? Since Rye and Grain/ Wheat is so prevalent, knowing there's good options and accommodations for legitimate dietary needs is very very helpful. Kippis/ Cheers!!!

[@Ho_Lii_Fuk]

Kippis is used in Finland in only one context. In a party right before drinking. Similar word used for same context quite often is the swedish skål.

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

@@Ho_Lii_Fuk Gotcha, I'm still learning Finnish so that context helps (i'm familiar with skal from Norwegian so that works lol), kiitos.

[@philliphoffmann2190]

Very interesting. I actually found it quite easy to meet new people and make new acquaintances in Suomi (but I also only spent time in Helsinki, Turku and Tampere - so I don't know about the situation in smaller cities/ villages). Estonians on the other hand are rly reserved.

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks Philipp!

[@emfen]

As the child of migrated finns, I can heavily relate to the social norm.

[@MDobri-sy1ce]

I have a Finnish friend I met online years ago back when MySpace was a thing. It was a slow brew at first. We used to talk more during high school years but we are both busy now so, I message once in a while.

[@dafnemeneses9593]

Kiitos Aleksi!! So true ❤

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks Dafne!

[@hopoheikki8503]

Also the nakedness in sauna in a way equalizes people, so the kind of etiquettes or hierarchy won't ably in sauna the same way as it does in the outside world.

[@ev721]

Finns are anything but shy at Christmas parties 🤣

[@AleksiHimself]

Yep!

[@oscaragustinvarela1455]

Moi Aleksi. I miss your walking videos. Great content. Greetings from Argentina !

[@AleksiHimself]

More to come!

[@jonnekallu1627]

In Finnish conversation "icebreaker" means a large ship that breaks ice.

[@AleksiHimself]

It can also mean that :)

[@fredneecher1746]

It is also the home of wife-throwing contests and smallest fish competitions which take place on the frozen lakes. So I was told when I worked there. By the way, sharing a sauna with your boss the day after you start work is a great leveller!

[@AleksiHimself]

That is awesome!

[@JuNe-uk6iv]

It is wife-carrying contest we do not throw our wifes around 🤣 allso the price for winning is your wifes weight in beer.

[@Bawamba]

We have the same in Sweden. Public info on taxing. Your social security number is also open for the public, and I mean all of it, even the 4 last security numbers.

[@AleksiHimself]

Wow!

[@aldaron1021]

Hi Aleksi, can you make a video about the Finnish concept of "sisu". I found about it while watching the Finnish Documentary about the five cave divers, their ordeal in the cave ( I don't want to go in details since this movie is about traumatic experience). I was amazed about how tough the guys from the movie are and since modern men are mostly weaklings the concept of "sisu" blew me away. Also another interesting topic might be about the mandatory military service.

[@LarryKpija]

Que bueno el vídeo, loco.... Saaaappeeee

[@kahimbimushaukwa2575]

Awesome video. How do I find the list for 2023?

[@gambit_toys6554]

THANKS :)

[@AleksiHimself]

You're welcome!

[@paavoviuhko7250]

Hello. I used to live on Kuusitien Katu (back in the 50's). We had a sauna in the building where we shared public nudity, but just male. But there were women there who did the washing. I expect times have changed. The neighborhood bully lived on the ground floor. I threw a rock through his window but it only got me in trouble with the parents.

[@cristiangirbea]

Your consistency in showing the "Finnish smile" scares me :))) I'm about to move to Finland from Romania and I always believed you are joking around :)) Now I'm not so sure :))

[@AleksiHimself]

It's a recurring joke on the channel. :)

[@cristiangirbea]

@@AleksiHimself I watched a lot of your content in the past 2 months ever since I received an interview opportunity to work from Helsinki. Thank you for the great content! Will keep watching even if I do end up not coming to Finland!

[@ferdiesevilleja4097]

Thanks again, for those info.😅

[@AleksiHimself]

You're welcome!

[@user-cv4qc1qb6j]

Hi Al, I've been friends with Jarno, for 2 and half years now. When I start writing to him I use his first name first and when he said anything to me he doesn't use my first name first is there a reason for that.

[@RandyWHorton]

I am traveling to Helsinki next week. I am a IRL Streamer and always have my phone streaming my life everywhere, is this OK in Helsinki?

[@AleksiHimself]

Just be respectful and don't stick the camera to anyone's face without permission and you'll be okay.

[@jenn2524]

Aliksi how much a apartment costs in turku for example a small one

[@AleksiHimself]

Vuokraovi.com is your site 😎

[@ladaylyn]

You are very funny. I like your sense of humor!

[@AleksiHimself]

Oh thank you!

[@maribeldahan5302]

Great topic! Kiitos I would like to know how would Finnish felt if some foreigners are trying hard to speak Finnish language mispronounced etc. 😅Are Finnish people feel annoyed or think us funny. I'm open minded. I'm wondering. I'd love to hear your response or do a topic about emotions.😊

[@AleksiHimself]

Finns love it when foreigners try speaking Finnish. Doesn't matter if you make mistakes.

[@Enoch1970]

In my opinion Finland is an ideal society. I wished I could join such an awesome place!

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@Snofey1]

Are you perhaps introvert by nature if I may ask? Finnish culture definitely supports introverts. No one here finds it weird if you are not into small talk or prefer eating alone at work place. If you like being alone and enjoy other peoples company in small portions, it can easily be arranged in Finland 👌

[@leonalynazucena3311]

Another reason why Finland kinda reminds me of Japan is that both are cultures of contrasts.

[@Yudentheepicboy]

"If you've had trouble making friends with Finns until now, you're probably wore too much clothes" I don’t think I will ever forget that

[@muruseni912]

Hey aleksi, this is more recent video lol so I'll say it here; I found a fin in the wild today! Here in Edmontom Canada in a busy mall I saw two rlyyyy tall Finns speaking finnish :D I wanted to say moikka but... that would be weird :c

[@AleksiHimself]

I think they would have been positively surprised if you had explained you're into Finnish stuff. :)

[@muruseni912]

@Aleksi Himself - Videos about Finland well I hope so lol, my Finnish isn't conversational yet so i might just sound like a child babling with bad grammer lmao (the only person I can talk toin Finnish half way through his military service)

[@arturgouveia3491]

Olen Brasiliasta ja opiskelen suomea :)

[@komseakombamaphinda]

I just applied for a Finland scholarship. I pray I'm granted because I wanna live among the amazing Finish

[@AleksiHimself]

Best of luck!

[@sallyedwards3872]

I'm pretty much an introvert so making friends is near to Impossible for me anyway! I have been brought up to believe that nakedness is shameful and sex is dirty and sinful - my family have strong Christian beliefs, unfortunately. I'm still quite reserved about all that at the moment. I should imagine that it's so freeing the sauna culture. Maybe I can try it but I'd be super nervous!

[@AleksiHimself]

It's worth to try!

[@eltonsalvador7620]

ha ha ha that last part statement was funny

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@votilop-video]

[@hirvimetsae]

No hei. Täytyy sanoa että annat hyviä vinkkeijä strangereille tulla toimeen suomessa - mutta puhut liian nopeasti.

[@AleksiHimself]

Kiitos palautteesta!

[@MDobri-sy1ce]

I had Swedes say, to me on “Oh, you must be American having everyone telling you they love you!” Actually, no just because I speak English doesn’t mean I am American. I am Canadian and despite stereotypes Canadians are collectively we are more reserved than our American counterparts. And from a heritage standpoint I am mostly, Italian, Ukrainian, and Polish but I associate more with my Eastern Slavic heritage than Italian in terms of personality. For example, I am not overly friendly, do not smile, want to be left alone most of the time, and don’t need many friends. I am open to meeting more people but if it doesn’t happen it’s like, I am good either way. I usually keep myself busy with school and hobbies.

[@sleeperboi8701]

Canadians are NOT "more reserved" at all. Yes, we Americans can be talkative, but too many people assume all of us are. I'd say it's a 1/4 chance that an American will be talkative, and Canadians are roughly the same. We are literally alike dude. You're not Russians.

[@nicheva417]

American Canadian. Tomato tamato.

[@pritammalakar5904]

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@AleksiHimself]

Thanks Pritam!

[@mik91_N8]

Moro, Aleksi! I find many similarities between my personality and that of a Finn. For me, the ultimate test is the HUMANITY TEST. Few manage to pass this test, which is why in my home country I can't even come close to 1% of my fellow citizens. So I have very few friends, the rest are contacts. Most of the time, I'm REALLY COLD AS ICE (like a song by Foreigner) , preferring to have more professional than friendly relationships. I only have a smile face and laugh, when I've a real reason (which means very rarely), and I've a relatively balanced life. I'm a 100% NON-SMOKER and non-alcoholic Maybe, a glass or two-three of dry wine only when I have serious reasons to celebrate (For exemple: I got a job in Finland, that would be a serious reason to party). Yes, I'm not a drinker or smoker, but I'm a heavy consumer of entertainment with lots of music. Without false modesty, I can easily recognize over 5,000 songs from all time, almost any genre of music. I could be a good DJ. But to get to Finland, I have to retrain in construction, interior design, until I learn Finnish. Trust me, it's different if you come to Finland with construction experience and then start developing and doing Suomen Kieli and Svenska courses in Finland. It's more useful !!! If I will be a therapist or if I will become a DJ, that depends only on me. There must be a beginning. Hei! Hei!

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@1Lomero]

ALSO ESTONIA

[@AleksiHimself]

Good stuff! 😃🙌

[@jeffmiddleton9259]

Löyly Helsinki Sauna is the best 🇫🇮🔥

[@AleksiHimself]

Indeed!

[@user-nm6dr4uy3d]

Point 1 kind of sounds like Russian culture. I think Finns are slightly slavic

[@janikarhapaa1554]

Some small cultural effects yes but genetically or in language not.

[@tortture3519]

Finns tend not to be fond of being compared to slavs. Russia tried to Russify the country. Having a separate cultural identity from both Sweden and Russia is a large part of the Finnish identity.

[@loredanab4389]

Life hack: ask a Finn about their salary in the sauna. Does that work? 🙃😛

[@AleksiHimself]

Probably!

[@bufordghoons9981]

If the fewer clothes Finns wear the more social they become then Finns in Florida or Tahiti must turn into some kind of wild, gregarious creature. We should conduct a scientific study: send 1,000 Finns to the tropics wearing little to no clothing and record their social behavior. After that, send them to Lappland and compare the two behaviors. This would make an excellent graduate thesis for someone in the Social sciences.

[@AleksiHimself]

Haha awesome!

[@buckwheatINtheCity]

You never speak about the Kalevala. 🤨👳

[@AleksiHimself]

I have a pretty old video on that on my channel.

[@buckwheatINtheCity]

The Kalevala were the tribe of Gypsies who left India 1,000 years ago and eventually reached Karelia with their tales. They took their name from the Hindu goddess Kali. The city of Calcutta is also named for this patron goddess. Karelia was named for Kerala in south India.

[@Alaskan-Armadillo]

Even though I live in the U.S. my mother is from Cuba and to be honest even though Cubans are seen as stereotypically friendly and extroverted our family has always been rather introverted. Latins in general tend to be that way where that stereotype of us being boisterous and loud is really starting to fade away. From what I have observed is that there is something that I call 'knock knock' etiquette where it is the amount of times you need to be around someone to fully open up and start being friendly. To many times do stereotypical Americans expect automatic friendship and not understand that these things take time. People want a chance to read you and find out if they're willing to allow you into their social circle.

[@deepakkapoor8202]

Finn and solitary beings, sooner or later this will being apparent as time passes, its not only difficult for them to converse to stranger but also with the people they live with [cloths on or off]. This shouldn't come as surprise as we know Finn population are in decline and people from countries are coming over to live there, mostly Russians. Being as Finn may come across as rude and selfish as they like not be helped or ask anyone who needs help. How Can i say all this,?? b'cos i live with one for 20 years

[@cindyca162]

Like in poorer countries for example in Africa. WOW

[@AleksiHimself]

What do you mean?

[@cindyca162]

I'm just surprised. I thought you were better read than that. That statement shows ignorance and its due to consuming false information by western media who visit the worst places and portray as the only places in Africa. Those are the minority. Also I wouldn't call the continent with the largest world mineral deposits poor. The raw materials for most things you use come from Africa. You need to travel more and open your mind and see things for yourself not western media stereotypes. I'm just abit disappointed but oh well.

[@bevygaines]

Why didn't you name a poor country in Europe? That's what she means. I've seen videos of countries in Europe, where people are living in landfills, and have public bathrooms! Why didn't you mention that country? I 'm sure you know all about it!

[@talhakhan7693]

Umm someone travelling from asian countries like Pakistan , india with brown skin tone are welcomed or not? Like there is no racism , right? 🙄

[@AleksiHimself]

Watch this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3ywi56XmJKBjrM&ab_channel=AleksiHimself-VideosaboutFinland

[@Marcelo-tq7lt]

Is it true finns have a good size? 😏

[@ferdiesevilleja4097]

Hahaha😂😂😂😂😂

[@AleksiHimself]

😂😂

[@user-qz8xg1zb2r]

Minä olen oppinut paljon uutta Suomessa.

[@user-qz8xg1zb2r]

@@aleksifinnish_ontelegranm Mitä tarkoitit?

[@sinphus]

@@user-qz8xg1zb2r its a fake scam account

[@user-qz8xg1zb2r]

@@sinphus niin, luulisin

[@AleksiHimself]

Hyvä juttu!

[@user-qz8xg1zb2r]

@@AleksiHimself minä nuorena kpkemattomana poikana olen asunut Suomen suurkaupungissa!

[@David-919]

What is the Finns' impression of the Arabs?

[@tortture3519]

Negative for quite many. Arab men in particular. Saying anything else would be sugarcoating I think.

[@David-919]

@@tortture3519 Thank you for telling the truth. هنالك اكثر من 23 دولة عربية لكل بلد عاداته وتقاليده الجميلة ربما لان معظم دياناتهم الاسلام وتم تصويره لكم بصورة بشعة جدا اعلم ذلك جيدا انا من الاردن بلد جميل جدا ونحب ونحترم ضيوفنا شكرا وكل الحب والاحترام

[@EdgarVi1608]

and why then have interesting so many problems if you are such a successful and happy country maybe you are lying about something. maybe about drugs, prostitution, crime and corruption, which is not visible.And just dress a big contribution of money in the country through taxes so that everyone is silent about it.. You know what people usually say: Hiljaisessa uima-altaassa - paholaisia ​​löytyy"

[@Osvaldium]

There is always going to be problems in your society no matter how you lead/develop/evolve. His point here is probably that we don't struggle with the same issues that the "big world" struggles with, or atleast not on the same scale.

[@EdgarVi1608]

@@Osvaldium because the population is very small and the security works at 100%, maybe because of this. although you know you are right, maybe the Finns are just used to peace and quieteness with understanding that better not struggle as all the rest of "big world"

[@AmellaJerry]

wow I really do love Finnish ladies...how can i get a lady to married there in Finland?

[@AleksiHimself]

Find a lady who likes you, propose her and get married.

[@bufordghoons9981]

Easy: just get on the published list of people who make more than 100k Euros. The women there will find YOU.

[@vanitas.11]

@@bufordghoons9981 HA HA 👏🏻

[@ReignCold]

I'm really distracted by your accent, it sounds more like mumbling than speaking.

[@AleksiHimself]

Merry Christmas! 🎅🙌

[@iveiveve]

poor countries like Africa, Balkan, ... inaf 😉

[@joseluismedina8590]

[@marufraihan1272]

Hey I'm hitting it off with a finnish girl in work, we can talk for hours 🥲 What can I gift her casually to let her know I'm thinking about her 😬

[@AleksiHimself]

We don't really do gifts in terms of dating. Better to ask out first.

[@HoneyDrops2023]

@@AleksiHimself See, I don't get that--I get being equal, but what about that means you can't do nice things for each other when dating. As a woman, I would want to do nice things for my guy--what does that have to doing with being equals? It's just a gesture.

[@AleksiHimself]

@@HoneyDrops2023 You can do that once your relationship progresses but if you just have a good conversation at work, it doesn't necessarily mean they are romantically into you and it could turn out awkward. I would have a date or two first.

[@Veeravaara]

@@HoneyDrops2023 the way us Finnish women see it is that gifts and grand gestures come off as fake and inauthentic, "buying our favor", or pretending to get us into a relationship. We just want to see that you are a good person who treats everybody with equality and respect. But once we are in a relationship and we know you're authentic, then we really appreciate the gestures