The blueprint of a Finn: 28 things we all agree on (quietly, of course)

1. Rules make us happy

Finns stick to the rules, for example at the public swimming pool. We discreetly check whether everyone really showered before getting in, took their swimsuit off before the sauna, and walked in between—no running on the slippery floor.

2. We keep surfaces clear

It’s no use trying to sell us decor trends that pile living room tables and sideboards high with things like coffee‑table books, table lamps, candle arrangements, trays, bowls, and vases.

Same goes for kitchen countertops. We like to be practical and keep random clutter from building up. Just like we learned in home ec back in grade school!

3. We share the same decorative objects

Of course, every home still has a few decorative pieces! These acceptable exceptions include Mariskooli bowls (they’re practical serving dishes, too) and Oiva Toikka’s glass birds.

4. We love cucumber, tomato, and lettuce

We’ve been taught for decades to fill half the plate with vegetables. So even with ready‑made meals, there’s always time to chop a side salad from tomato, cucumber, and something green.

5. Hard frost isn’t a problem—it’s an opportunity

It’s the perfect time for defrosting the freezer—how do they even do that at lower latitudes? Plus, hard frost is the perfect time to air out bedding, even though dust mites have almost disappeared from Finnish homes, according to entomologists. Maybe thanks to that frosty airing!

6. Fresh air, our favorite scent

The best smell is, of course, fresh air. Strong fragrances give us headaches—or at least a wrinkled nose. Even laundry should smell like clean laundry.

7. Berry‑picking and mushroom foraging are good, honest activities

Every Finn knows that a berry picker can also be a tool, not just a person. Many have their regular spots in the forest and everyone has picked mushrooms or berries either voluntarily or with a little nudge. However, according to a European survey, only 18 percent of Finnish households use fresh mushrooms, while the European average is 41 percent. Time to step up—there are still funnel chanterelles to find!

8. ...And we stash the haul in the freezer

There are no stats on Finns’ enthusiasm for freezing, but the entire Finnish strawberry crop is sold in Finland—that’s about 33 million lb. Some of it is, of course, eaten fresh.

In addition, about 33–110 million lb of berries are picked from the forests every year in Finland, of which about 22–33 million lb go to the berry industry. From this you can deduce that, at best, Finnish home freezers hold several pounds of berries per resident.

9. Pulla fits weekdays and celebrations

Be it a quark bun, a butter‑eye bun, or a cinnamon roll, pulla is served at family functions, to celebrate a job well done, and on plain Tuesdays alike. Plus, pulla is a treat even nutritionists approve of. Another Finnish favorite is mokkapalat.

10. Special diets are nothing special

For celiacs, we set out their own pulla on a side table. The lunch buffet also includes vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and dairy-free options. At the very least.

11. We save up for a Marimekko handbag

You can spot Finns over thirty by their Marimekko handbag. It’s a prized bag you have to save for a while, and it comes out especially on trips abroad, when there’s reason to represent Finland stylishly—and so we can recognize one another without making a fuss.

Under‑30s carry their stuff in a Marimekko tote. It was a freebie when Mom bought the handbag.

12. The smell of smoke feels cozy

It means the sauna’s heating up, food is baking, and the fireplace is lit.

13. On weekends, we head outside

Back in the day, weekends were for cleaning, and the sound of beating rugs echoed outdoors. Now we head into nature to hike or get busy in the garden—and feel deep guilt if we don’t.

14. Letut, the language of love

Everyone loves letut! Thin like crepes but plain and unfussy, they’re the Finnish version of pancakes. Frying them says “I love you” in the typically Finnish way: without words.

15. Outdoor wear is a smart investment

Everyone understands that technical gear that keeps out wind, water, and frost is a necessity, not showing off. If a planetary wardrobe—meaning a sustainably sized closet—consists of 85 garments, Finns probably have outdoor wear for 85 percent of that.

16. Everyone wants to go to the cottage

A summer without a cottage trip is like a Finnish landscape without lakes and birches—or a whole winter without snow. At the end of 2024, Finland had 495,000 cottages in total, and if you don’t have one, it’s still a common dream.

17. Moderate warmth suits Finns just fine

Around 70°F is warm enough for Finns—practically a heat wave. Anything more is too much, and we start lamenting right away. Finns do best at 57°F, a fact established at the University of Oulu.

18. Cross-country skiing = a civic skill

Cross-country skiing is no longer a chore for us; it’s enough to know how to do it when needed. In good, cold winters we prefer to ski on the ice.

19. We dream of a functional entryway

In the entryway of our dreams, there’s enough storage so things don’t lie around in sight. It’s bright, suitably spacious, and there’s a rug on the floor that doesn’t show muddy footprints. The perfect entry is easy to clean—and would have a watchful AI to remind family members to put things back in their place.

20. Everyone knows what a transitional jacket is

On top of that, of course, you need summer and winter coats for every family member, so no wonder entryway storage is often top of mind.

21. Everyone owns Fiskars scissors

...and Hackman flatware, like Savonia, that we buy to last a lifetime. We don’t swap cutlery to match trends.

22. Only we know how to sauna properly

You can spot a great evening by these words: Shall we heat the sauna? In a Finnish sauna, we don’t need colored lights, background music, or scented candles, as the heat of the steam is enough. In the sauna’s dim light we enjoy the quiet—and have our most important conversations.

23. ...and probably also to line up

For a new store opening or an open house at the president’s residence, we form a single, clear line—not a vague clump. Everyone keeps a tolerable distance and doesn’t breathe down the next person’s neck. No cutting, rushing, or other chaos. It’s not that hard!

24. We pursue hobbies through affordable courses

Finland’s 174 adult education centers offer over 52,000 courses where Finns make ceramics, learn French baking and Mexican cuisine, practice digital skills, learn to make YouTube videos and speak French, sing and dance, study astronomy, history, floral design, gardening, and archaeology—and of course, go to fitness classes and yoga.

25. Buffet lines were made for us

At the lunch buffet, you get to take exactly as much as you want to eat—just as we were taught as kids. With a pre‑made portion, there’s always the risk of staying hungry or not getting enough value for your money.

Finns love self‑service, and you see it at the pick‑and‑mix candy aisle, the sushi buffet, and cafés. Don’t go to any trouble on our account, we’ll take our dirty dishes to the rack ourselves.

26. We love buckets

Now that’s a multipurpose tool! It’s handy for washing the car and rugs, collecting berries and mushrooms, and it even works as a gift basket you can fill and bring as a present. Plus, buckets are made in Finland—over two million a year.

27. ...and coffee even more!

Morning coffee, afternoon coffee, evening coffee, coffee in between. At home, visiting friends, in the forest, and at the gas station. We always say you don’t need to make coffee just for us. But if there’s coffee, we’ll gladly drink it.

28. Silence makes us happy

We shy away from loudness; it’s disrespectful of other people’s calm space. Even if we’re not constantly chatting, we’re doing just fine.