Features Finnish national culture

Finland - the closest neighbor of Russia, the State, which should know Russian, if not all, very much. However, in practice it often turns out that the idea of ​​life especially in this northern country are limited to a sauna and a saying about "hot Finnish guys." We talk about the important features of the Finnish mentality and national traditions, knowledge of which will make the journey to this country even more interesting and helps to reach out to local residents.

1. They love liquorice

In Finland, almost any grocery store can be found liquorice pastilles - sweet black, has a characteristic salty taste: Russian man, he sure reminds cough syrup. It is, however, to distinguish itself from the licorice-like product called salmiakki. Liquorice pastilles made from licorice root with addition of sugar, salt, flour and flavoring agents. Salmiakki also produce chemically on the basis of ammonium chloride. The composition of these delicacies at first glance not particularly appetizing, but for the Finns and licorice salmiakki - the most delicious and a welcome dessert.

2. They are not in a hurry to pass the

In fact, hot guys Finns can be called a stretch. By virtue of temperament and law-abiding in the way they behave in the same extent as in ordinary life. This means that a very wide and very empty autobahns they were going to include cruise control. And just to cruise overtake. If the speed limit - 100 km / h, the Finn will go 109 km / h maximum. Traveling to 90-100 km / h speed they will pass as the cruise - exceeding 2-3 km / h. As a result, overtaking may last a minute, which is very long for the impatient Russian travelers. But on the second thousand kilometers in Finland are usually assimilated ...

3. They drink a lot of coffee

It is difficult to believe that Finland - a country of coffee: in the end, it's not Brazil and Colombia. Yes, coffee is not grown, but drink a lot. According to statistics, the average adult Finn consumes at least 12 kg of coffee per year. Addicted locals to flavored beverage is usually attributed to the fact that the autumn and winter in Finland is very short daylight hours - late dawn, early dark. In addition, the country's climate is harsh, so that coffee can simultaneously and cheer and warmth. In this case, the Finns do not like frills and simply prefer strong black coffee. And no sugar!

4. The trip to Tallinn they capture with a trolley

The ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn is just a couple of hours, and the Finns with pleasure from time to time take the opportunity to spend a weekend in a cozy old town. However, in Estonia they are sent not only in order to walk through the medieval streets: the prices are much lower than in Finland. Especially noticeable difference in the cost of alcohol, which in Tallinn can be purchased at 30-40% cheaper. So in the small Baltic Finns necessarily take a journey with a grocery cart (or buy it directly on the ferry) and the home as a souvenir magnet is not driven, and a few cases of beer.

5. they bake cakes for a special recipe's birthday Runeberg

Johan Ludvig Runeberg - Finnish cult poet, which has had a huge impact on the development of national literature and culture. In Finland, he is revered by some as Pushkin in Russia, and on February 5 the whole country is celebrating his birthday as a national holiday. Already in mid-January in the shops there special cakes. They are called "runebergintorttu" and are made from a soft dough with the addition of almonds, cardamom and rum impregnation, and the top decorated with icing sugar and a drop of raspberry jam. According to the legend, this recipe invented the wife of the poet Frederick when needed to treat dessert came unexpectedly in the guest house.

6. They are proud of their sisu

In the Finnish language has many words that have no Russian analogues, since they are denoted by difficult, complex phenomenon, often only understandable to Finns. One such word - sisu. Translate it can be as a set of resistance, endurance, patience and composure. Sisu is considered to be a fundamental feature of the Finnish national character. Sisu It is thanks to this country historically has successfully resisted the harsh climatic conditions and showed exceptional endurance in the course of military conflicts, and these days, year after year with enviable persistence among the top twenty countries with the highest standard of living.

7. They keep a distance of

The Finns often seem to be the people cold and closed, when in fact the features of their behavior are explained rooted in the mentality of humility and restraint. In addition, they carefully guard their personal space and implicitly recognize the same right for other people. Any manifestations familiarity for them unacceptable - both with good friends and with outsiders. It comes to the ridiculous: for example, if at the bus stop at the same time there are ten people in Helsinki, they will do anything to not crowded in the pile and keep a distance of at least one meter from each other.

8. They plan in advance of the meeting

Anyone who likes to spontaneously look to friends to visit and warned about his visit to a maximum of one hour, in modern Finland will be in difficulty: even a meeting with close relatives agree here for a few days, or even better - a couple of weeks. Moreover, when the Finn said that he could go to the bar only for an hour, most likely, he called not approximate time and real - and exactly sixty minutes say goodbye and go home. This punctuality is due to the fact that in Finland accepted very tenderly treated as another's privacy, or to your own if you want to see the man, warned him in advance that he and you are able to adjust their plans.

9. Many of them sing in the choir

Choral singing - the most important part of Finnish culture and one of the most popular hobbies among Finns. The first choir appeared here in the XII century, when Finland was under Swedish rule, and existed within the Catholic Church. Since then, times have changed and today the Finnish choirs perform not only the spiritual but also the classical, folk, popular music, doing covers of rock hits. Finnish choir may be female, male, mixed, child, university, military, professional, amateur - in other words, how you want. There is even the famous "chorus screamers", which, as the name suggests, does not sing, and the shouts of the song.

10. They are very hardy and often dress for the weather

Winter in Finland long and cold, so it is very happy onset of warm season: it is necessary to warm the sun start as in outdoor cafes instantly occupy all the space. However, changing a winter wardrobe for spring, Finns often not oriented to the real weather conditions, and on the calendar date, if today March 1 - means it's time to dress in a light jacket, and no matter what the window is still snowing. In Helsinki, you can easily find a man who in the early spring walking through the city in open shoes and without outer clothing despite the fact that the thermometer shows the temperature just above zero.

11. They are doing everything to animals has not been homeless in the country

The Finnish company adheres to very strict rules regarding the ethical treatment of animals, including household. When he saw a stray cat or dog, Finn immediately call the police. If it turns out that the animal was on the street it is not by chance, but according to the owner's fault, in fact almost certainly be problems with the law. Attach newborn kittens "the familiar" is categorically not accepted: such activity may be performed only by official shelters and kennels. To start a pet falls on special interviews to prove that you are ready to take responsibility for another creature, and your house or apartment meets all safety standards.