People
Finland has a population of just over five million, 60 % of whom live in urban areas. The Finns are a hard working, conscientious and well educated people. The relations between women and men are based on equality. Finns are not nearly as shy as the stereotype suggests.
The Finns are regarded as honest and straightforward, and that is true. In fact, we are so outspoken and unceremonious, that a stranger may consider us rude. To avoid this misunderstanding you must remember that a Finn does not pad out the truth nor anything else. "If the weather is bad, there is no use calling it beautiful", a Finn thinks. A Finn says what (s)he means and means what (s)he says. That is why you can always take the word of a Finn. As a friend, a Finn is solid as a rock. (S)he will stand steadfast beside you when others are long gone. You will see this for yourself when you make friends with us.
Finnish people are easy-going and hospitable and families are close-knit. In present-day families, often both parents work and children are expected to help with the chores. Children are allowed quite a lot of freedom in their comings and goings. Finland is a relatively safe country and has an extremely good public transportation system. With independence comes responsibility and this is something that young people are always expected to have. Finns maintain high ideals of loyalty and reliability. Promises and agreements are always taken seriously. Finnish people may seem shy at first, but once you get to know them, they are quite kind and caring,
Although Finnish families tend to be small (3.5 persons on average) and there is talk of the dwindling significance of the family, life in Finland still tends to revolve around the home, whether this is the traditional mom and dad and two kids or other combinations. Children often spend many years studying nowadays (partly because many students also have temporary jobs), so that Finns are often nearly 30 when they enter working life. Largely because of this, the age to get married has also risen over the past couple of decades. Nowadays, the average age to get married is 28 for women and 30 for men.
Used with permission from YFU IES, Inc