Finland - Land of Tulips & Akvavit.

 In 1906, Finland was the first European country to grant women the right to vote and run for Parliament. Independence and self-sufficiency are valued. Everyone appreciates good manners. The Finnish practice Old European Manners (see post from August 12, 2020). Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim is a national hero and great Military leader. Finland is a liberal society with no class distinctions. Their Baltic temperatures are quite cold and snowy in the winter, and winters are long with short daylight. Temperatures average 65 degrees in the Summer but can get up to 81 degrees in the Summer. Fall can get rapidly cold as well and get windy and rapidly rainy. Layer your clothing accordingly. Religion is 88% Lutheran. 

The population of Finland is 5.5 Million. The Capital is Helsinki, itself with a population of 700,000. Finland is a Parliamentary Republic since 1919, with a single-chamber Parliament called the Eduskunta with 200 members who choose their own Prime Minister. The two main languages spoken are Finnish and Swedish. Finnish is a Uralic language.  English is also spoken, especially in big cities. The GDP per capita is $60,000 USD. Natural Resources include timber (forestry), paper, copper, zinc, and iron ore. Ship building is the most traditional industry, with machinery and metals engineering, electronics, technology pharmaceuticals and chemical production. Both parents work. Family sizes are very small with 1-2 children. Currency is the Finnish Markka, or 'Finmark.' 

Public manners are quiet and reserved. Do not show emotion. Be sincere. Do not talk to strangers on the street and especially do not strike up conversation with strangers in a restaurant. No touching or PDA in public. Remove your hat when inside. Dress Code is 'Casual Chic.' Hand shaking is a firm 2 shakes, then down. Shake hands with everyone, including men, women and children, upon greeting and departing. Maintaining eye contact is important. Business hours are 9:00am to 4:00pm. Be punctual for meetings and meals.  

Continental style dining is a must. Keep your wrists always above the table. Back in the day of Kings, knaves would hide a knife up their sleeve, so if you put your hands below the table or in your lap, you still will not be trusted. The Host will seat the guests. The Host and Hostess sit opposite each other at opposite ends of the table. Do not drink until the Host has first proposed a Toast. "Snaps" are a small shot sized glass of Akvavit, a clear traditional caraway liquor drink. Sip it slowly. Do not eat anything with your fingers. "Skal" and 'Kippis' are the traditional toasts meaning 'Cheers' and 'Good Health.' Sahti is homemade beer. 

Children are also included at the table. Take second helpings when offered. It is rude not to finish all the food on your plate. Coffee is served after dinner. A favorite! Cookies or small cakes may be served as well. If you take a cookie or cake, eat it. In Restaurants, Service Charge is 15% and included in the check, however, if the service is very good, extra cash can be left on the table, or handed to the waiter when leaving.  Compliment and thank your Hostess. A Sauna may follow dinner.  

The Restroom is marked "W.C." Red is for hot water on the left spigot (Kuuma vesi), and blue is for cold water on the right spigot (Kylma vesi). Restrooms are marked "W.C.", and some may have attendants. Ladies Rooms may also be marked "Naiset", Mens Rooms may be marked "Miehet."  Tipping for the restroom is $1-2 USD. Coatchecks (and boots too) are listed as "Nirikka" and the tip should be about $5 USD. Some coatchecks are self-service. Keep a valuable mink coat with you, turned inside out on your lap. For Taxis, round up the fare for tip. Tip the Porter $2 per bag. Tip the maid $4-5 UDS per day. 

Magic words include: Thank you: 'Kiitos' (Key-eat-ohs). Please: 'Pyydan', You're Welcome: 'Ole hive (o -leh-Wyho-yah), Yes: 'Kylla' (Cool-la), No: Ei (a), Hello: 'Hei' (Hay), Goodbye: ' Nakemiin' (Knack-eh-me-een). Good Morning: ''Hyvaa huomenta' (Wyho-vah-Who-o-men-teh).

Breakfast involves hot cereal, eggs, fruit, yogurt, and coffee. Lunch is a 'lite' meal: open faced sandwiches, salad, and milk. Dinner is soup, fish or veal or chicken (rarely meat), potatoes, cheeses and dessert. Milk, water and beer are served with meals. 

'Alkujuoma' is Appetizers, 'Lampima roust' is Main Course - Entree, 'Jalkiruokia' is Dessert. 'Riista' is wild game. 'Voieipapoyta' is Cold Smorgasbord. 'Merimiespihvi' is Beef chances with onion, potatoes and beer. 'Kasakeitto' is Summer vegetable soup. 'Kalakukko' is Fish and pork in a Rye bread crust. 'Rapuja' is Crayfish shaped in a ball. 'Rusipiirakka' is Rye pastry with rice. 'Kiisseli' is Fruit pudding. 'Perunapiirakka' is Rye pastry with mashed potatoes. 'Poronliha' is Reindeer meat. 'Lohi' is salmon. 'Rahkapiirakka' is Cheesecake. 'Kana' is Chicken. 'Leipaa is Bread. 'Keittoja' is Soups. 'Lihaa is Meat. 'Sian' is Pork. 'Lampaan' is Lamb. 

Gift giving includes: Tulips!!! A favorite, but give them only in odd numbers. NO white or yellow flowers (funerals). Wines, Liquors, glass, art and chocolates, books and Cognac are always good gifts. 

Remember: It is bad luck to pass the salt & pepper 'hand to hand.' Always set the salt & pepper down on the table.