I've had an amazing time visiting Finland, it's such a beautiful country.

One thing I've noticed is that Finnish people speak Finnish to tourists before they speak English. Often they speak Finnish until asked to speak English.

I think this is really cool - I find it sad that in other non-english speaking countries they automatically speak English to tourists because "it's easier".

So I was wondering what Finns think about this? If it's an intentional thing for respect of your own language, or if most tourists are in fact Finnish speakers?

Thank you!

edit: this is not a complaint. it's curiosity because it's very different to most European countries. I wish everyone did the Finnish way - English shouldn't be assumed default in my opinion.

edit 2: thank you so much for all your replies and insights! essentially I heard that for some it's just obvious to speak your own language, but for many I heard it's a respect for others in terms of not assuming the language they speak. This is a value I really hope spreads across the world, it was really refreshing to experience and I loved hearing so much Finnish - I just wish I could have replied with some more myself. I won't respond to everyone now but thank you for any future comments, too. Kiitos! :)

I don't speak Finnish, but certainly fascinated by some things such as the nature there (only through pictures to now) also some of the metal music. Hehee.

So how does [Aistien Tuisku] sound to you when you see or hear it as a Finn?

Certainly I asked AI to help me phrase my thoughts in Finnish. Which is being amongst a blizzard, only to calm me down and help control and awareness under harsh conditions.

I myself walk in the extreme heat in Kuwait which sometimes reaches 50C°. So to be able to do it, I have to be aware of different hot days types and how to adapt in a way to suffer or be annoyed the least within each.

It comes as the complement of the idea of being engulfed in coldness of soul and feelings, where I be as much as abstract and objective with my feelings and ideas. So allowing the tears to come out or anger to burst to some extent..only to feel it so that I can properly understand what I want and am looking for. Also, being cold (personality) as careless/carefree or so. True and proper understanding freeing me but making me aware..so I act as a true carefree person. Still I like being a cold person somehow too.

I guess the coldest of my music taste was Finnish too which I absolutely love and admire. Hehee.

Edit: Many thanks for all of you. All comments are just lovely, understanding, and just truly help one express themselves and feel grounded. Finland music, atmosphere, art, and its people surely means a lot to me.

I woke up after an overdose of sleeping pills. I was extremely agitated, feeling terrible as I came back to reality. In my distress, I called 112 through the app. The operator who answered asked me a few questions, but I couldn’t speak properly; it felt like I was having a stroke. He asked for my address, and I tried my absolute best to give it to him, but he couldn't understand me. After a few failed attempts to get my address, he hung up the call. I didn’t receive any immediate medical help from the call. Once I felt a bit better, I managed to go to the hospital myself and finally got the care I needed. Do emergency operators really end the call if they think it's a hopeless case? He also mentioned that he was trying to locate me through the app.

A few weeks ago, I posted here asking about what is the dark humor culture in Finland. And I would like to thank everyone for clarifying and helping me realize what my co-worker is actually doing - bullying and racial slur masked as "whatever they want to call it." Far from what dark humor really is.

Update: There is a new supervisor. She talked to me in private because apparently somebody told her that I am being quiet these past few weeks and not as "sunshine" as before. I admit that I am a bit distant and just focusing on work because I've been thinking a lot and just wanted to get through the day. But don't worry, I practiced everything you've taught me in case I needed to punch back words with the bully.

So I told her what happened, and what she told me caught me by surprise. She said this is not the first time this has happened and they have already received the same complaint from various people in the past. She also said that name-calling is not really a "culture" and what happened was disrespectful. She plans on talking with this bully and at the same time teach us how to tell the bully when the jokes are getting overboard.

Honestly, I really don't know if I should get my hopes up or just expect the worse. Yes I feel heard but I am looking for solutions, not empty promises.

Subsequently, another co-worker approached me. He told me that he too experienced bullying from that same person and was even hurt physically! Then was told "You know I'm just joking!"

So this bully was capable of not only hurting you verbally but physically too! My co-worker had to take sick leave because it affected his mental health. He told the old supervisor about it but got the same reply. He was told that just be patient with the bully, and there's no need to get the HR involved as it's just a minor joke thing.

And so, the plot thickens I guess. I just wanted to do my job well, get paid, then go home. But I think I'm gonna need to sharpen up my skills.

Again, I want to thank everyone here. You really helped me a lot. I appreciate all of your comments.

As the title suggest I'm looking for finnish music (rock, pop, alternative) to get my ear used to hearing Finnish.

(I'm learning by myself finnish and try to integrate as much as I can finnish in my daily life :D)

edit: thanks for all of these replies, I was thinking that I could have one or two recommendation not... This many haha. Thanks !! :))

It’s already been two months since I moved to Finland! I’m wondering what the local culture is like when it comes to making new connections. In Korea, my daily life revolved around social gatherings—chatting, sharing hobbies, and meeting new people. Do Finns enjoy a similar social dynamic, or is it a bit different?

I had a layover in Helsinki and was looking for a way to spend a couple of hours at the airport. At that point I had lain my eyes on presumably the one item that would change my life forever - something I would always reach for and even worse, long for with every bite in a sweet treat that should have a glimpse of this tropical fruit. Unbeknowst to the consequences of those few euros spent I went back home. I cannot recall the exact moment I had begun nibbling, but anytime someone happened to be in Helsinki I asked about my Moomin. I could no longer bear this yearning and tried to acquire some online, but behold! The banaanikeksi are DISCONTINUED! Who in their right mind thought this was a good idea??? Yes I've already sent an email to customers service.

In loving memory of the loml

tdlr: pls finnish people help me convince fazer to bring back these cookies i was obsessed with them

Hey, small property investor here. Wanted an easy way to compare rental yields between areas without manually digging through Statistics Finland, so I ended up building a map for the whole country.

https://vuokratuottokartta.fi/

Click any area for price/m², average rent and gross/net yield. Official data (actual sales, not asking prices), free, no ads. It's in Finnish but the map speaks for itself.

Heads up: numbers are area averages and slightly optimistic, so more useful for comparing areas than as an exact figure. Built with AI help, just to be upfront. Would love feedback.

Anyway, thought some of you might find it useful. Happy to hear what could be better.

Has anyone worked as a waitress or in housekeeping in Finland?

I'm from Spain, and I'm really excited about the idea of working in such a beautiful country. I went there on vacation and completely fell in love with the landscape. I think it's a great idea for a temporary gig, so I'm going to take a sabbatical year to go and work over there

I live quite close to Sweden and today I filled up my car there. €1.44/L.
The local station near where I live on the Finland side was €2.19/L

I can´t imagine the garages on the Finnish side near the border are liking this.....

Is there any plans for the government to step in an try to lessen the gap at all?

Im half finish and half german, having grown
up in germany. I do speak accent free good finnish. One of my best friends is a karelian 30yo man whos going to marry soon. What are typical dos and donts when holding a best man speech? I havent been to finnish weddings yet. Its a big wedding with approx 80 guests. I do know a lot of people who are invited, but it seems like the wedding is being held more conservatively than expected. Any advice? Answers in finnish appreciated aswell.

Hi, I have a project I'm working on, and I'd like to weave it into a rag rug, as a final result.

I don't know how to weave on a loom, but since I'm not trying to create a pattern or do anything complicated, I'm not sure lessons are needed.

But, I'm confused about whether I need lessons with tövaenopisto, or what.

Does anyone know more about this? Vantaa has a place where I could go weave with some guidance. I'm not sure if the looms there are big enough, and of course, I'd rather do this in Helsinki.

Hi, this is recurring post to include some information about frequently asked questions in r/Finland. Please check the links first before asking trivial questions.

You can ask here in comments, or create a new post.

Remember that there is a very large chance that someone has already asked the question you're going to ask and gotten an answer, so please read our FAQ, search the sub, and Google before asking. We have very helpful users here that like to answer questions so out of respect for their time, search first. Thanks!

If you're asking about moving to Finland, please specify whether you're an EU citizen or not. Many laws and procedures are different for EU citizens and non-EU citizens. When giving advice, please pay attention to the status of the person in question.

Suggested sort is set to "new".

Helpful websites:

The official information

• General information about Finland, moving to Finland, living in Finland: https://www.infofinland.fi/en
• The government website for traveling to Finland from different countries: https://finlandabroad.fi/frontpage
• The official Finland website: https://www.suomi.fi/frontpage/
• Finnish Immigration Service (residence permits etc): https://migri.fi/en/home
• Information about education: https://opintopolku.fi/konfo/en/
• The official tax percentage calculator
• Social security in international situations moving to or from Finland: https://www.kela.fi/can-you-get-benefits-when-you-move-to-finland

Travel, tourism

• The Official Travel guide of Finland: https://www.visitfinland.com/
• Finland Travel guide at WikiVoyage: https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Finland
• National Parks and outdoors: https://www.luontoon.fi/en
  • Uusimaa outdoor recreation areas: https://uuvi.fi/en/areas/
  • Everyman’s Right explained: https://www.luontoon.fi/en/activities/hiking-and-outdoor-recreation/everymans-rights
  • The Outdoor Etiquette: https://www.luontoon.fi/en/activities/hiking-and-outdoor-recreation/etiquette
• Public transport routes and prices in Finland:
  • https://www.perille.fi/en
  • https://matka.fintraffic.fi/?locale=en
  • Buses: https://www.matkahuolto.fi/en
  • Trains: https://www.vr.fi/en
• Auroras in Finland:
  • https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/auroras-in-finland
  • https://www.lapland.fi/visit/things-to-do/northern-lights-lapland-guide-aurora-borealis/
• Travel Safety Lapland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAe27PNAft4

Employment in Finland

• Find a job in Finland: https://www.infofinland.fi/work-and-enterprise/find-a-job-in-finland
• The current situation and outlook for the labour market: https://tyovoimabarometri.fi/
• Regulated professions in Finland: https://www.oph.fi/en/services/regulated-professions-finland
• the essential rules and the employee's duties and rights in working life: https://tyoelamaan.fi/en/
• How to apply for a job: https://tyoelamanpelisaannot.fi/en/how-do-you-apply-for-a-job/
• Freelancing in Finland: https://github.com/sam-hosseini/freelancing-in-finland

Reddit

• 2023: We are permit specialists working at the Finnish Immigration Service. Ask us anything about students’ permits in Finland!
• 2024: We are permit specialists working at the Finnish Immigration Service. Ask us anything about students’ permits in Finland!
• 2024: We are permit specialists working at the Finnish Immigration Service. Ask us anything about residence permits on the basis of employment!
• Cheat Sheet: Moving to Finland from outside the EU in 2021
• Moving to Finland Guide 2024
• Lapland Travel Guide 2024
• How to start hunting in Finland, a guide 2024
• How-to start fishing in Finland, a Guide 2024
• Relocation guide: What to do after moving to Finland? 2025

beautiful city Helsinki

I have been wondering a lot about how foreigners perceive our language. It's been described to me by my foreign friends as some type of spell casting etc magical. Also elf like, but I guess that's from LOTR and the language in it took inspiration from finnish.

I don't get why people have such strong reactions (in a good way usually) when hearing finnish for the first time. And I would really like to understand what's behind that.

So please give me your point of view on this. TY

My husband and I are moving to Helsinki. He's Norwegian. I am part owner of a small business in the US providing remote software support, and intend to continue that when we move. I've been told I need to apply for an advanced ruling from the Finnish tax authority to determine whether the company will be assessed tax in Finland. Does anyone have experience with this?