5. Forget there's more to Finland than Helsinki
Indeed, Helsinki may be a beautiful beacon of Finnish urbanism, but there's more to this land. To ignore the vast landscapes beyond Helsinki is like praising the icing while ignoring the cake.
6. Ask where you can see Finnish polar bears
Yes, Finland is a winter wonderland, but polar bears are off the guest list. Asking this question is the equivalent of asking a Scotsman where the kangaroos are. It's a well-meaning but misguided inquiry.
7. Wear a towel in the sauna and complain about the heat
Donning a towel in the sauna and whinging about the warmth is to disrespect a cornerstone of Finnish culture. It's like visiting Italy and complaining about the abundance of pasta.
8. Ask what it's like to live in a Scandinavian country
While Finland's breathtaking beauty share undeniably Scandinavian traits, Finland isn't a Scandinavian nation. It's Nordic. Posing this question to a Finn is like asking a Canadian about life in the United States. Sure, they share a continent, but the lived experiences are uniquely their own. Finland’s cultural tapestry is as wonderfully unique as an Aurora Borealis lit night sky, and asking about Scandinavia can obscure that dazzling display.
9. Say ice hockey is boring
In the land of the thousand lakes, ice hockey is a lifeblood sport. To label it as dull is to question the vibrancy of Finnish spirit. It's like telling an Irishman that a pint of Guinness is 'just okay'.
10. Say hello to your neighbour
The Finnish soul cherishes solitude. Saying hello to a neighbour might seem polite to you, but to a Finn, it could feel as intrusive as a mosquito buzzing in their ear.
11. Say you hate black sweets
In Finland, 99% of candy is black coloured because 99% of sweets are made of salmiakki. Not liking salmiakki is not only culturally unacceptable it also means you'll miss out on hundreds of different salmiakki flavoured products, from ice cream to condoms.
12. Rush them during coffee break
One of the most cherished rituals in Finland is the coffee break, often paired with 'pulla', a sweet cinnamon bun. Rushing a Finn during this sacred downtime is equivalent to hurrying a Parisian through their wine and cheese – a breach of respect in the highest degree.
13. Neglect to appreciate 'sisu'
'Sisu' is the uniquely Finnish spirit of grit, bravery, and resilience, a backbone of their national identity. Disregarding 'sisu' or belittling its importance is akin to visiting Japan and ignoring the Samurai code, or Bushido. It's a quick route to a Finn's ire and an affront to their deeply ingrained cultural ethos.