Stereotypes are learned patterns of comparison or handy summaries of characteristics or behaviour patterns that help us to orientate ourselves. Unfortunately, stereotypes are also the basis of prejudices, discrimination and stigmatisation.
Anti Social Social Club
A very common stereotype about Finns. Firstly, it is true that Finns value privacy, personal space and peace and quiet. However, they are shy, but this does not mean that they do not want to interact with anyone. In larger cities, however, Finns are more sociable and used to foreigners.
As mentioned in one of my previous posts I didn't experience this stereotype in this way, because almost all the Finns I met were quite open-minded and liked to start a smarttalk with me without it becoming quite awkward.
Weather in Finland is always cold
A further typical misconception of foreigners who have never been to Finland is that there is no summer here and it is very cold and snowy all year round. This is not true. Surely the Finnish summer is not the hottest, and unfortunately it is quite short. The real summer weather with +30 is not longer than one or two weeks or often less. Nevertheless, in summer the weather is sunny and warm. People swim in lakes, have picnics, open air festivals and just enjoy the sunny weather.
During the beginning of my year abroad, which started at the end of august. The weather was still very pleasant in September and the sun was wonderfully warm. Since the sun is closer here, compared to Germany, 20 degrees quickly feel 5-7 degrees warmer than they are. Also the summer nights are quite long, so you can enjoy the whole day and have enough time to do something.
Sauna
Ture, True, Ture. Finns take their Saunas seriuosly, and there is nothing to blame about?
The importance or relevance of sauna can be described by Finns as health, relaxation, stress reduction. It is something that Finns cannot live without.
The number of saunas in the whole country is really big - 3.3 million saunas for a population of 5.3 million people.
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