Before coming to Finland, I had heard that Finnish people do not like going outside during winter. At first, I did not really believe this. I imagined that people would continue their daily routines, just wearing warmer clothes. However, after moving here, I realized that this perception is mostly true. During wintertime, the streets are often very quiet, and it is common to see only a few people. Sometimes not even cars.
Originally, I planned to walk to school every day. In reality, walking from one place to another during winter is much more difficult than I expected. Snow, ice, and cold temperatures make even short distances challenging. As a result, I decided to buy a bicycle, which has become an essential part of my daily life in Finland.
However, cycling also comes with challenges. The bicycle can easily slip on icy roads, and even though I am confident in riding a bicycle, snowy conditions make it difficult. Coming from a tropical country, going outside in winter initially felt quite frightening. This experience helped me understand why there are fewer people outdoors during winter season.
One aspect of Finnish daily life that surprised me positively is traffic behavior. When drivers see a pedestrian or a cyclist, they stop and wait patiently for them to cross the road, even if they notice them from a distance. Compared to my home country, this feels very different. This level of respect and safety in traffic is one of the most admirable features of Finland.
Shopping culture in Finland is also very different from what I am used to. In beauty stores and brand counters, there are usually no sales staff closely following customers. People are free to test products and take their time before deciding whether to buy something. This creates a comfortable shopping environment. In my home country and in Thailand, sales staff often approach customers immediately after they enter a store, which can sometimes feel uncomfortable or stressful. Occasionally, staff may even react negatively if customers test products but do not make a purchase.
One small but noticeable challenge for me in Finland is related to doors. Many doors feel very heavy to open, and the keys are not always smooth to use. During winter, when hands are cold and full of bags, opening doors can become surprisingly difficult.
Overall, living in Finland has been both challenging and rewarding. While winter life can be tough, many perspectives of Finnish society, such as safety, respect, and independence have left a strong impression on me. Through these everyday experiences, my understanding of Finland has grown beyond my original expectations.
Text and photos: Zin Kyaw, International Tourism Management student