I may have not spent that much time in Finland but it didn’t take long for me to notice some pretty interesting local habits. Here are 5 of my favorite Finnish Fun Facts.
Design is in their Blood
During my kickbike design tour through Helsinki I was surprised to learn that 1 out of 4 jobs in the city are design related. I suppose it makes perfect sense seeing as Helsinki is the current Design Capital of the World and after a few hours of sightseeing I can see why Helsinki was selected. Art is seen in every part of the city. From architecture and geometric outdoor restaurant décor to eco-conscious tote bags and outerwear made from recyclable materials, Helsinki continues to lead the rest of the globe in design and artistic expression.
Kids are the Most Impressive Bikers
I must say that I’m slightly jealous by how well laid-out the bike lanes are in Helsinki and in other parts of Finland. The bikers themselves are also flawlessly fashionable in an eco-friendly, hipster sort of way. This effortless ease on a bike seems to start from a very young age judging by the amount of little kids I saw biking with their families. I think I was about eight years old when I mastered this skill so these children are already years ahead of other kids around the world.
They Keep it Clean
After three hours of drinking and dancing on a “Disco” tram with a bunch of Helsinki locals, when the party moved to a nearby bar I was shocked that every drunk person on board quietly cleaned up their mess before exiting the tram. Literally within two minutes the beer-covered floor was almost spotless. Protecting the environment seems to be common sense even when in a drunken stupor, which is pretty impressive. During sober hours, the same principles apply.
Locals Love their Ice Cream
I don’t think I’ve ever seen as many people eating ice-cream as I did in Finland, yet they all manage to maintain slim figures. While I find this admiringly frustrating, I found myself wanting to take a taste of what must be some pretty fantastic dessert flavors. Finland is cold most of the year so perhaps summer is their time to feel more tropical. After testing a flavor or two myself, I must say, the Fins sure know what they are doing.
They Follow the Rules
When I arrived to the main train station in Helsinki I was completely jetlagged and directionally challenged. Taking pity on me, a local man walked me to my hotel. When he saw me crossing the street, which was completely void of any cars or other pedestrians, he suddenly stopped me and pointed at the red light. Coming from New York, it took a lot of inner strength to avoid jay walking but it’s fascinating to me that despite no real enforcement of laws, locals still abide by the rules.
Megan Eileen McDonough is writer, blogger and social media specialist based in New York City. She also runs Bohemian Trails, a lifestyle blog designed for the savvy and stylish traveler. Bohemian Trails aims to feature must-see places around the world, covering everything from revamped neighborhoods and vibrant street art to innovative tech hubs and everything in between. Her cultural escapades have taken her to Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Megan is also a freelance writer and social media specialist based in New York City. She contributes to various online and print publications in the travel and fashion industries and is an international correspondent for both Jetsetter and Northstar Travel Media.
