She is reigning Bishop of Helsinki since 2010.Ĭhauvinistic or patronizing attitudes towards women are generally considered unacceptable, although such attitudes do persist in practice. The Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland accepts the ordination of women, and there are women priests in numerous parishes. The first female Finnish bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is Irja Askola. There are numerous women in academic posts, and in recent years visiting businessmen have also found increasing numbers of ‘the fairer sex’ on the other side of the negotiating table. There is a high degree of equality between the sexes in Finland, as can be seen in the relatively high number of women holding advanced positions in politics and other areas of society. The number of immigrants in Finland is growing, and increasing contacts with other religions in recent years have increased the Finns’ knowledge of them, although there is still much to be desired in their tolerance for people with different religions and cultures. It is difficult to observe differences between believers and everyone else in everyday life, except perhaps that the former lead more abstemious lives. Despite this, the Church and its ministers are held in high esteem, and personal religious views are respected. Most Finns belong formally to the Evangelical-Lutheran Church (about 83%), while 1.1% belong to the Finnish Orthodox Church but people in general are fairly secular in their views.
ReligionĪs far as religion is concerned, there are very few dangers for visitors to Finland, even on subjects that in other cultures might be particularly sensitive. However, although Finns are ready enough to criticize their own country, they do not necessarily wish to hear visitors doing so. Finns love reading things written about them abroad, and visitors should not feel uncomfortable being asked repeatedly what they think of Finland. Visitors should also be prepared to encounter the other side of the Finnish national character: Finns are chronically insecure about whether the wider world is aware of the achievements of this northern nation.
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They are proud that Linus Torvalds, the inventor of Linux, is a Finn. While Finns are aware that Nokia is often mistakenly thought to be a Japanese company, this misconception is viewed forgivingly but with pity. Culturally oriented Finns will take it for granted that like-minded visitors are familiar not only with Sibelius but with contemporary composers Kaija Saariaho and Magnus Lindberg, and orchestral conductors Esa-Pekka Salonen, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Sakari Oramo and Osmo Vänskä.
CABIN KEY CUSTOMS DRIVERS
Finns would be happy if visitors knew something about the achievements of Finnish rally drivers and Formula 1 stars, or if they knew that footballers Jari Litmanen and Sami Hyypiä are Finns. Being realists, Finns do not expect foreigners to know a lot about their country and its prominent people, past or present, so they will be pleased if a visitor is familair with at least some of the milestones of Finnish history or the sports careers of Paavo Nurmi and Lasse Viren. This is rooted in the country’s history – particularly its honourable wartime achievements and significant sporting merits – and is today nurtured by pride in Finland’s high-tech expertise. As the Chinese proverb puts it, “Your speech should be better than silence, if it is not, be silent.” Identityįinns have a very strong sense of national identity. Finns place great value on words, which is reflected in the tendency to say little and avoid ‘unnecessary’ small talk. Indeed, there are very few other culture-specific considerations that visitors need be aware of. It is difficult in Finland to make or break a reputation with a single social blunder.įinland is a country where considerable weight is attached to the spoken word – words are chosen carefully and for the purpose of delivering a message. Codes of behaviour are fairly relaxed, and reputations – good or bad – are built up over time as the result of personal actions rather than conforming to norms or standards. Such breaches are viewed by Finns with equanimity if committed by their own countrymen and with understanding or amusement if committed by foreigners. There is very little chance of a visitor committing fundamental social gaffes or breaches of etiquette that would fatally damage relations between himself and his hosts. Finnish customs and manners are clearly European, with only a few national variations, and attitudes are liberal.
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