The culture of silence and personal space – myth or reality?

28.8.2025 — linnea.heiskanen@tuni.fi

Finns are often described as people who value silence and personal space more than many other cultures. But is this really true, and what does it tell us about Finnishness?

When I think about Finnishness, one feature that comes up again and again is the claim that Finns love silence and need a lot of personal space. For example, on the bus, people prefer to sit on an empty seat rather than next to a stranger, and in the elevator, you can ride in silence without it feeling awkward. This is usually seen as a sign of respect, not coldness.

At the same time, I notice this is only part of the truth. I have met many Finns who break this “myth”: they are talkative, they hug when meeting and enjoy lively conversations. Maybe it’s more about context than a national characteristic. Among friends and family, Finns can also be warm and physically close.

Reflecting on Finnishness reminds me that culture is never simple. It includes both visible behaviors (like silence in public) and deeper values and attitudes (like respecting another person’s space). It’s important to recognize these levels – and at the same time understand that every Finn experiences and expresses them in their own way.

Viihtyisä suomalainen kahvitauko, jossa on villa ja kahvi.