hidden treasure helsinki

Facts to know about Helsinki

 

1. You can drink tap water. And you should. It's clean and so tasty!

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2. Public transportation ticket inside Helsinki is valid only for 60 minutes.

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3. When you order a beer you can only show forefinger. Without any words. We don't consider it as rude (some might but still you'll get what you want!)

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4. Swedish is taught in schools but most of us have hard times activating our skills after not using Swedish after high school. But everyone speaks fluent English and you can go to situations in English without a fear. We got cha! 

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5. There's a breadline in Kallio Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 am to 2 pm. Yes, there are plenty of people in need of food in Finland. 

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6. Jaana Partti, a priest of Kallio curch, has given zero fucks since 1999 and has been consecrating gay/lesbian couples. Many other priests still think it's wrong. Kallio curch is anyway more open than other curches in Finland. 

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7. There's no tipping culture in Finland. Tips are included in high prices. Our salaries are pretty good. BUT you can tip and it will make person serving you super duper happy! It's something more personal and motivates a lot!

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8. Finland has politically separated (well, aren't all countries nowadays?) and Helsinki is Left-Green with a twist of Social Democrats. Rest of Finland is Right-Centre. And some parts True Finns - which is considered pretty far Right. So, in Helsinki you're with Friends!

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9. Helping. If someone collapses in the street, don't get surprised if no one goes and helps. Finns are extremely shy and it hasn't been built in our minds that helping others is something that should be instantsly do. Sure you'll see people helping, but it's not a news if don't. We're learning.

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10. Finns never wear shoes when at home or visiting someone's home. Respect this rule. Shoe's stay at entrance.

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11. Finnish people are free and Finland is probably one of the most democratic countries in the world. We're not punished about protesting against our government. This happens when you cross the border to the East. 

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12. We love the word "Karhu" and it has many meanings.

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Karhu means actually a bear but it can also mean: Verokarhu (taxman), Karhu (the sports brand), Karhu (beer), Karhunkieli (cleaning supplement), Karhunvatukka (blackberry)... And guess what is our national animal? 

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13. And by the way, did you know that Karhu sports brand sold the three stripes to Adidas back in 70's? And the legend tells that the price was as high as.. one bottle of whiskey and 1600 in Euros (those times we used Markka and that would have been around 11,000Mk). 

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14. Two of Finland's icebreakers are also named by different meanings for a bear: Otso & Kontio.

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15. We're fine on being naked in front of others (e.g. in sauna). That's something in common with Japanese culture. We might have issues with our bodies, but we worry about them when in intimate interaction or alone. 

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