Culture

Sports: Favorite sports include downhill and cross-country skiing, track and field, basketball, pesäpallo (Finnish baseball), soccer, cycling, and boating. Nordic walking, in which one uses modified ski poles while walking, was invented in Finland and is popular among older generations. Golf is gaining popularity; some even play on ice in the winter. Ice hockey is extremely popular in Finland. Many Finnish professional hockey players are heroes to young Finns.

Leisure: Finns have traditionally enjoyed the outdoors, with many of their favorite activities revolving around it, from picking wild berries and mushrooms to fishing, hiking, and boating. Dancing, especially during the summer months, is very popular among all ages in Finland. Tanssilava (dance floors) can be found throughout Finland, and traditional music such as the waltz, the tango, the polka, and the humppa (a quick, bouncy two-step) is played and danced to. Tinkering with computers is a popular hobby as well, especially among boys.

Finnish homes are private places. In a sense, one is invited into a friendship with the host when one is invited to a home. It is a meaningful gesture. Finns expect visitors to be punctual. Visitors usually take cut flowers, a bottle of wine, coffee, tea, or chocolates as a gift to the hosts; visitors also remove their shoes when entering someone else’s home. Visits are nearly always an occasion for coffee and cakes or cookies.

Finns maintain high ideals of loyalty and reliability, taking promises and agreements seriously. Finns tend to prefer formal structure in their institutions and in their relationships with others. People generally are reserved and appreciate etiquette and punctuality.

Many Finns like to read, and public libraries are well used. The Finnish people tend to be proud of their heritage, especially since their language, culture, and national identity survived centuries of domination by other powers. Although Finland belongs to Europe, Europe is considered in some respects as a place one goes to as much as it is a place one is a part of. Cultural identity is strong. Finns are especially proud of their small nation's status in the world; Finland has been a leading nation in education, peace conferences, and initiatives.

Finns are proud to have one of the cleanest environments in the world, and they stress values that maintain this. Enjoying nature (through activities such as berry picking in the forests) is an important part of many Finns' lives. Allowing people access to natural habitats, regardless of who owns the land, is a highly valued right in Finland called Jokamiehenoikeus(everyman’s right).

Finland is also a leader in women's rights. In 1906, Finnish women were the first in Europe to receive the right to vote. Indeed, there is little talk of “feminism” because women expect to be involved in careers, politics, social issues, and motherhood, all as a matter of course.

Men and women customarily shake hands and make eye contact when greeting. The most common form of greeting is a nod of acknowledgment and a Hei(Hello), though young women often embrace upon greeting each other. Finns tend to carefully consider what they say and expect others to do so as well, but the ability to “make small talk” has become more valued in recent years.

During introductions, Finns often use only one name: the first name in informal situations or the last name in more formal settings. Titles are reserved for formal occasions. Using first names on first meeting is now quite common, especially among the younger generation.

Finns use very little gestures when speaking. However, talking with one's hands in one's pockets is considered rude. Maintaining eye contact is something that is important during conversation. When yawns cannot be suppressed, one covers one's mouth.

Finnish dress is relatively casual. Young people, especially in Helsinki, follow trends from all over the world, but Finns generally are not overly fashion oriented. In smaller towns and villages, people tend to wear basic, casual clothes since they do not wish to stand out. Formal wear is popular on festive occasions. Hats are worn in winter when it is very cold.

The Kalevala, Finland's national epic, is a compilation of folk songs and stories gathered by philologist Elias Lönnrot. The dominant figure in Finnish music during the first half of the 20th century was Jean Sibelius. Other renowned composers include Magnus Lindberg, Kaija Saariaho, and Einojuhani Rautavaara.