Sauna is also another unique feature of Finnish culture. Sociologists like to explain that the summer dwelling is a tie that Finns maintain to their rural past; and it is true that many Finns transform into surprisingly competent fishermen, gardeners, farmers, carpenters or foresters when they withdraw to their summer homes. When introducing themselves, Finns will say their forename followed by their surname. The Finnish society encourages equality and liberalism with a popular commitment to the ideals of the welfare state; discouraging disparity of wealth and division into social classes. But crazy isn’t all we do. They were the first in Europe to gain the franchise, and by the 1980s they routinely constituted about one-third of the membership of the Eduskunta (parliament) and held several ministerial posts. Our country is home to the world championships of wife-carrying and air guitar that draw participants and crowds from all over the world. In several areas, however, the country's small feminist movement maintained that the circumstances in which Finnish women lived needed to be improved. Many Finns are emotionally connected to the countryside and nature, as large-scale urbanisation is a relatively recent phenomenon. German is no longer widely taught but many Finns in their 50s or older learned it as their first foreign language at school. If the hosts allow smoking, this is the moment to bring out the cigars and cigarettes, unless of course the host has already allowed or suggested this earlier. Beer is also used to slake the thirst created by the sauna. The best way to experience Finnish culture is to become a part of it. Years passed, and he turned back into a police officer. In contrast, they do expect to be addressed by their title in professional and official contexts: Doctor Virtanen, Managing Director Savolainen, etc. Their native language is not Finnish, but one of the three Sami languages spoken in Finland. They are also considered to be the first of a generation of great Finnish middle and long-distance runners (and subsequently, other great Finnish sportsmen) often named the "Flying Finns". In 2014 Ismo Leikola was named as the "Funniest Person in the World" in a stand-up comedy competition held by Laugh Factory in the United States. Women who use both their maiden name and their husband’s surname will state them in that order. This prompted Elias Lönnrot to collect Finnish and Karelian folk poetry and arrange and publish them as Kalevala, the Finnish national epic. Dry humor is in our nature. Modern Finnish popular music includes a renowned heavy metal music scene, in common with other Nordic countries, as well as a number of prominent rock bands, hip hop performers, pop music and dance music acts such as Bomfunk MCs, Darude and Waldo's People. In 1960 the government created the Advisory Commission on Lapp Affairs. It is not usual to address people by name when greeting them (regardless of how familiar one is with them) or in the course of a normal conversation. Modern art and design also derive inspiration from nature, like some of the most iconic new architecture in Finland. Using sinä is common today in service occupations, too, although older people may resent the implied familiarity. Although many Sami living in rural regions of Lapland earned some of their livelihood from reindeer herding, it was estimated that Sami owned no more than one-third of Finland's 200,000 reindeer. Instead, the third person singular pronoun hän covers both genders. The Daily newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet (meaning 'Capital City Paper') is the biggest Swedish Daily Newspaper in Finland and has its headquarters in Helsinki.

Finnish culture places more value on individualism than many other cultures. When invited to a private home, a guest should ask the hosts if they object to smoking, even if there are ashtrays visible. Song magic and bear worship are distinctive marks of the ancient religion.