I first moved to Finland almost three and a half years ago. I was already partially accustomed to the cultural differences since my mother is from Finland and I have been visiting since childhood. I have come to learn that short visits do not justify what the Finnish culture is all about. Finnish people are very quiet, polite and respectful. They highly value personal space .
For me , finnishness has to do with nature. Nature is all around, and is incorporated in everyones everyday life here. I have learned that people are not only surrounded by nature, but are also taught alot about it in schools. I find that to be beautiful because I have not seen it much anywhere else. Some cultures are taught that nature is for us to take advantage of and benefit off of, but here people are taught that we belong to it , and it belongs to us and that we are a part of it . That can clearly be seen everywhere because nature is preserved and respected all around.
Another thing I find very Finnish is their ability to adapt to the harsh weather conditions; especially the long, cold, and dark winters. such harsh conditions does not stop them from living their lives or completing their everyday goals/ activities.
Sports and health play a big factor here. Various indoor and outdoor sport facilities everywhere. They have incorporated many winter sports that many people take a part off.
If I had to use keywords to describe Finnishness they would be : Nature, sports, Coffee, hard work , alcohol, and Sauna.
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