The shock seems to come from viewpoint or culture, where nudity or naked body is automatically seen as sexual or something "indecent". This is not so in Finland. (Or has not traditionally been so.) Naked body is our birth suit, it's normal and it's not something sexual or "indecent" unless one is making it so by behaviour or attitude. Nakedness is fine and natural in sauna and related activities. Mixed public saunas usually require swim suits, but family members or group of close friends often go to sauna naked together. Because again, it is not seen as sexual thing. And it is not made so by the attendees. You are there to bathe etc and it's normal to be naked doing so. Nudity elsewhere is a bit different thing. If you would go naked somewhere else like a park or a mall or public transport people would definitely think you are likely drunk, not right in your head or doing some kind of prank and would call police or guards. But all in all because we are used to (by the sauna culture ) seeing naked people all our lives, even if you occasionally see someone naked or partially naked in other situations, people are not that shocked by it like elsewehere (USA etc) Also the sauna culture gives people more realistic viewpoint of different kind of bodies of normal regular people, from young to old. I'd say this can help especially young people in forming better/healthier body image instead of comparing themselves only to celebrities etc.
Not only is it ok to be naked during a sauna session, it's part of the proper etiquette, as the sauna is seen as a place of equality where nobody gets to show off with their clothes. Even the military has a rule that within the sauna, you don't salute your superior officers and you call them by their first name, which does not apply anywhere else. In swimming halls in the past it was banned from using swimming trunks in the sauna because you could bring chlorine gas from the pool into the sauna, but since then they have reduced the amount of chlorine in the pool water it's no longer a valid basis. Instead, nudity is enforced for cultural reasons.
In Finland being naked is not seen as sexual, unless it involves sex, just being naked is not in itself sexual at all to us. Being naked in a Sauna is definetly not sexual, most people see it as weird if you try to sexualise it. We are all equal in a Sauna, women, men, children, plumbers, generals, everybody. It is a place of peace and tranquility. Somebody just decided to flash run for shts and giggles i bet, nothing more. We here in Finland really dont give a sht about things like that, when its involving a Sauna.
In the old days, When American started to built a new town, they would always built a church first. In Finland it would have been a sauna. (sauna was were we cleaned up, women gave birth, the dead were washed before burrying.
Remember, the American story of puritans leaving for "religious freedom" is only half of the story. Puritans fled England because of religious freedom, technically, yes. But the reason they didn't stay in Holland was that they didn't want their children to become as open-minded as Dutch people were. In other words, they were considered religious extremists and went to Americas to keep it that way. In essence, the US settler population consistent originally from people who were either too conservative or too liberal for the European standard. Meaning certain division runs deep in there.
Public nudity in Finland is kinda normal. Mixed saunas everyone is naked women and men... I know american men can have hard time being naked among men. Use towel none is forcing nudity. You can get fined but not always, sometimes cops just ask to put clothes on.
@@butterflies655 : Yes, it's illegal in the sense that the police can come and tell you get dressed or even issue a fine. But if you are around a public sauna or in a campus, the bar for police actually coming to do that is *high*. Like there has to be something more than just being naked. If you go nude in a city center to provoke outsiders it's a different matter, of course.
Well I've seen your video's and wanted to say Welcome to Finland. And I'm glad rhat you are getting help with studies and language too. And yes, our Sauna culture is about being naked in there, unless you're in public sauna/ swimpool establishment
😃 Welcome to Finland and Lappeenranta. Usually when it is not private sauna or specially booked sauna session for some group of people the Finns usually wear swim suits or towels in sauna for decency for other (unknown) people if it is a mixed session. In public saunas where there is separate section for men and women it is usually not allowed to use swim suits in sauna because of hygienic reasons.
of course, for us, nudity in the sauna is not really anything special, we have been naked in the sauna since we were children and the whole family is also comfortable there, this is how it has been done for thousands of years
In our family at our summer place when going to sauna or just swimming even if someone isn’t sure if it’s ok to go naked we have this saying; if someone hasn’t seen naked body already, it’s about fricking time… 😂
Mixed saunas are usually swimsuit optional. Therefore, it is up to everyone to decide whether they wear a swimsuit, a towel or birthday suit. After seeing naked people in a sauna on a regular basis for most of our lives, we understand that nudity ≠ sex, and nudity does not mean wanting to be stared at. Respecting one's privacy has a different meaning for Finns. We don't stare at people who do not want to be stared at. Even if they are sitting naked on the sauna bench right next to us. It is no creepy to be naked, but staring at other people is VERY creepy. Luckily, saunas are usually pretty dark. Generally speaking, drinking alcohol on a public place is NOT legal in Finland. However, one can have alcohol on a picnic in a public park, if you are not causing any disturbance. Also during certain events (like students' May day celebrations), rock fetivals etc, the cops usually give you more slack, don't bother you if you are not causing any trouble while drinking in public. By the way, I also studied at LUT, and I was very familiar with the sauna you told about.
Even if our genetical ancestors are almos the same as our German, Swedish or British friends, our habits are not. Sauna is something in common with us and our ancestors, as it it is with Indigenous people of America. Back in the "good old days" old the late 1890's we had new families formed by the Chippewas and Finns. Why was this possible? Because Chippewas saw Finns as "the same people as us". I believe that still today we are "the men that go into the sweathouse" just as much that we were back in the day. There are now many people in the US that can call themselves "Finndians". I love that!
There are several reasons why Finns like to see your videos. One is that a lot of Finns speak English at some level and listening a native English speaker talking about Finland is improving the language skills and at the same time the topics are familiar. Of course there is also the curiosity of how other people see things that are Finnish. Being rather isolated at rhe northern end of Europe, the Finns are maybe a bit more attached to their own country than Europeans in general; also thinking they are somehow special or different than the rest. It may well be language related. In reality many of the 'Finnish' features and customs are rather common in the Nordic countries.
You will see naked people in summer, sauna, spa, public showers,.. Other cultures who are shocked should relax a little bit and integrate. In here even the cops would makes jokes and just tell you that someone is offended by your nakedness and put on some clothes for that. No fine no nothing.
Nice to hear about experiences in Finland but also from the Lappeenranta region. I live in Lappeenranta myself so this makes it even more curious for me. I've got to see Finland through my Irish boyfriends point of view and it's very interesting. Sauna and nakedness go hand in hand but usually you should avoid being naked in a public place like at the campus parking lot. I wouldn't be surprised if the guys challenged each other to run around naked.
A few years ago, I was taking a sauna with my friends on the sauna bus at Helsinki's market square. At the same time, a ship came to port from Suomenlinna. Yes, the tourists took a lot of pictures. :D
im from baltic states, but spent most of my life in belgium, when i visited one of my colleagues i was somewhat perplexed to see and naked family photo on the wall
Lappeenranta is a eastern finland place. People in Eastern Finland are a lot more reserved when it comes to Sauna than people in Western Finland - the sauna culture is very different. But that being naked (naku-pelle, translated: "naked clown") in front of University just sounds like - coming from a Finnish person - like a public indicency drunk idiot thing - and students are alcoholist party morons, so there's that. So yeah, being naked in public, even in proximity to sauna, is not cool. You're supposed to be wearing a towel. If you're in the wilderness or in private area, be naked if you want, that's your business. Lappeenranta, a city that always disappoints me.
Well traveling to you Finland is banned for all Russians, no matter how you view your war waged against Children, women an all civilians of Ukraine. Shame on you for supporting all these atrocities. But I guess you just don't care, as long as it doesn't mess your life. I believe it soon will...
It is ok to be naked during a sauna session, but you don't have to be naked (there is no any rules that says that you have to be naked). You can use swimsuit or/and towel during a sauna session. And in Finland, some women sauna with strange men naked, but very few are brave enough to do this, because the potential threat is always sexual harassment, against the opposite sex, especially if this is naked (and women usually experience this harassment more).
Wow, pretty nice comment. Some finnish people goes to sauna naked, IF there is people doing so. That is not normal. Usually people ask from one another, what is the deal. Naked or with towels... You can do naked sauna, or with towels.
It is what Finnish call "viuhahdus", witch is rebellious act, protesting against rules or bringing attension to some cause. And you can be fined or sentenced to prison for being nude in public, if it 'disturbs the order' or 'insults gender/sex decency". The most public one was actually American, Robert Opel in 1973 Oscar's. The biggest one is also American, 1500 students, male and female, in University of Georgia 1974. The most frequent offender is also American, Mark Roberts, having done it over 500 times in over 20 countries. He noted 2004 Superbowl as his greatest archievement. This is not from Finnish culture. It is something Finnish learned from other cultures, most likely from Americans, as it is the Finnish University students uphelding the tradition. Finnish culture of going nakid to the sauna and coming out to cooldown, is different, hyginene related, thing... I cant explain it. I have little bit of OCD with contamination fears, witch kick in when I think about it.
In Russia we have separate banjas for women and men and women are naked with women and men are naked with men. I hear that in Germany in sauna men and women are both naked together which blew me moind. In Ireland men and women wear undies, and women also wear bra, but I think in shower men shower is separate from female. And men shower naked and I presume women wash naked too. But sauna is together and everyone wears undies and bra.
Mixed nude common saunas also exist in other European countries, not just Germany. Nude beaches are also quite common and not hard to find, just use google maps if you want to find one (I think it's called FKK in German). Europe might be the easiest place to find that common nudity if that's something you're seeking, US and Asia are way more prude in general, or nudity is attached to sex business, prostitution etc. shady stuff.
Here in Finland we're usually naked in mixed saunas too. At least I can't ever rememberbeing in a mixed sauna where someone wore something. Don't know about the new generation, if that has changed - I'm in my 50s.
You just haven't been around student saunas. Rest assured there's nudity also in Helsinki. It's only when people started running naked to a pool that was a memorial to a former president that it started to be a problem :-D (UKK-muistomerkki)
The thing with saunas and nakedness and their association with illicit acts in the English speaking world comes down to the fact that that was the combo in which they were introduced in Great Britain. They didn't go through the phase of: "There is a structure there, if I heat it up it is warm whereas here on the outside I am cold, let's heat it up" during the early stages of the Iron Age, or forgot about it subsequently. And when the Romans came along, their sensibilities about gender relations plus baths came along. And thus the association with nudity and sex was further cemented. This could go on and on, but yeah, cultural differences. Deep rooted ones, just like with the Russians and their Mongol overlords influencing the Russian psyche to this day though those days have been over for 500 years plus now.
Actually, that's not true. We have long days and nights with light during the summer, and a sensible person doesn't take too much sun because it can cause cancer and age the skin. Nudity is just natural and normal, and you can't really go to the sauna or swimming with clothes on. Well, you could, but that would be pretty weird.
Did you born with clothes on? i think not. If it's sauna....everybody get's it. Get used so the culture, like not talking too fast or talking at all :D
The nature of Karelia in Russia is the same as in Finland. The national food of Karelia is the same as in Finland. In short, no worse than in Finland :)
Wow, you really have a bee in your bonnet about this huh? Technically if you're in a public place and not bathing yeah, but I've yet to see anyone get fined for it if the cops do react. It's more like a friendly "hey, put on some pants".
The shock seems to come from viewpoint or culture, where nudity or naked body is automatically seen as sexual or something "indecent". This is not so in Finland. (Or has not traditionally been so.) Naked body is our birth suit, it's normal and it's not something sexual or "indecent" unless one is making it so by behaviour or attitude.
Nakedness is fine and natural in sauna and related activities. Mixed public saunas usually require swim suits, but family members or group of close friends often go to sauna naked together. Because again, it is not seen as sexual thing. And it is not made so by the attendees. You are there to bathe etc and it's normal to be naked doing so.
Nudity elsewhere is a bit different thing. If you would go naked somewhere else like a park or a mall or public transport people would definitely think you are likely drunk, not right in your head or doing some kind of prank and would call police or guards.
But all in all because we are used to (by the sauna culture ) seeing naked people all our lives, even if you occasionally see someone naked or partially naked in other situations, people are not that shocked by it like elsewehere (USA etc)
Also the sauna culture gives people more realistic viewpoint of different kind of bodies of normal regular people, from young to old. I'd say this can help especially young people in forming better/healthier body image instead of comparing themselves only to celebrities etc.
Not only is it ok to be naked during a sauna session, it's part of the proper etiquette, as the sauna is seen as a place of equality where nobody gets to show off with their clothes. Even the military has a rule that within the sauna, you don't salute your superior officers and you call them by their first name, which does not apply anywhere else. In swimming halls in the past it was banned from using swimming trunks in the sauna because you could bring chlorine gas from the pool into the sauna, but since then they have reduced the amount of chlorine in the pool water it's no longer a valid basis. Instead, nudity is enforced for cultural reasons.
Also the fabric of the swimming suits will get not so good (they lose the elastic) if you use them often in saunas
In Finland being naked is not seen as sexual, unless it involves sex, just being naked is not in itself sexual at all to us.
Being naked in a Sauna is definetly not sexual, most people see it as weird if you try to sexualise it.
We are all equal in a Sauna, women, men, children, plumbers, generals, everybody. It is a place of peace and tranquility.
Somebody just decided to flash run for shts and giggles i bet, nothing more. We here in Finland really dont give a sht about things like that, when its involving a Sauna.
In the old days, When American started to built a new town, they would always built a church first. In Finland it would have been a sauna. (sauna was were we cleaned up, women gave birth, the dead were washed before burrying.
Not just naked guys but naked gals as well. That's normal and I wouldn't want to live in a world where that is considered weird.
Remember, the American story of puritans leaving for "religious freedom" is only half of the story. Puritans fled England because of religious freedom, technically, yes. But the reason they didn't stay in Holland was that they didn't want their children to become as open-minded as Dutch people were. In other words, they were considered religious extremists and went to Americas to keep it that way.
In essence, the US settler population consistent originally from people who were either too conservative or too liberal for the European standard. Meaning certain division runs deep in there.
Public nudity in Finland is kinda normal. Mixed saunas everyone is naked women and men... I know american men can have hard time being naked among men. Use towel none is forcing nudity. You can get fined but not always, sometimes cops just ask to put clothes on.
I am a Finn and I never had this experience in Finland. Being nude publicly in Finland is illegal.
@@butterflies655 : Yes, it's illegal in the sense that the police can come and tell you get dressed or even issue a fine. But if you are around a public sauna or in a campus, the bar for police actually coming to do that is *high*. Like there has to be something more than just being naked.
If you go nude in a city center to provoke outsiders it's a different matter, of course.
Well I've seen your video's and wanted to say Welcome to Finland.
And I'm glad rhat you are getting help with studies and language too. And yes, our Sauna culture is about being naked in there, unless you're in public sauna/ swimpool establishment
😃 Welcome to Finland and Lappeenranta. Usually when it is not private sauna or specially booked sauna session for some group of people the Finns usually wear swim suits or towels in sauna for decency for other (unknown) people if it is a mixed session. In public saunas where there is separate section for men and women it is usually not allowed to use swim suits in sauna because of hygienic reasons.
of course, for us, nudity in the sauna is not really anything special, we have been naked in the sauna since we were children and the whole family is also comfortable there, this is how it has been done for thousands of years
Yes and in the old days the whole life cycle, women gave birth in sauna and dead were also kept in sauna before burying.
In our family at our summer place when going to sauna or just swimming even if someone isn’t sure if it’s ok to go naked we have this saying; if someone hasn’t seen naked body already, it’s about fricking time… 😂
Mixed saunas are usually swimsuit optional. Therefore, it is up to everyone to decide whether they wear a swimsuit, a towel or birthday suit.
After seeing naked people in a sauna on a regular basis for most of our lives, we understand that nudity ≠ sex, and nudity does not mean wanting to be stared at.
Respecting one's privacy has a different meaning for Finns. We don't stare at people who do not want to be stared at. Even if they are sitting naked on the sauna bench right next to us. It is no creepy to be naked, but staring at other people is VERY creepy. Luckily, saunas are usually pretty dark.
Generally speaking, drinking alcohol on a public place is NOT legal in Finland. However, one can have alcohol on a picnic in a public park, if you are not causing any disturbance. Also during certain events (like students' May day celebrations), rock fetivals etc, the cops usually give you more slack, don't bother you if you are not causing any trouble while drinking in public.
By the way, I also studied at LUT, and I was very familiar with the sauna you told about.
Even if our genetical ancestors are almos the same as our German, Swedish or British friends, our habits are not. Sauna is something in common with us and our ancestors, as it it is with Indigenous people of America. Back in the "good old days" old the late 1890's we had new families formed by the Chippewas and Finns. Why was this possible? Because Chippewas saw Finns as "the same people as us". I believe that still today we are "the men that go into the sweathouse" just as much that we were back in the day. There are now many people in the US that can call themselves "Finndians". I love that!
There are several reasons why Finns like to see your videos. One is that a lot of Finns speak English at some level and listening a native English speaker talking about Finland is improving the language skills and at the same time the topics are familiar.
Of course there is also the curiosity of how other people see things that are Finnish. Being rather isolated at rhe northern end of Europe, the Finns are maybe a bit more attached to their own country than Europeans in general; also thinking they are somehow special or different than the rest. It may well be language related. In reality many of the 'Finnish' features and customs are rather common in the Nordic countries.
You will see naked people in summer, sauna, spa, public showers,.. Other cultures who are shocked should relax a little bit and integrate. In here even the cops would makes jokes and just tell you that someone is offended by your nakedness and put on some clothes for that. No fine no nothing.
Whilst being nude in public is not the norm, you have been around students.
Nice to hear about experiences in Finland but also from the Lappeenranta region. I live in Lappeenranta myself so this makes it even more curious for me. I've got to see Finland through my Irish boyfriends point of view and it's very interesting.
Sauna and nakedness go hand in hand but usually you should avoid being naked in a public place like at the campus parking lot. I wouldn't be surprised if the guys challenged each other to run around naked.
There is Finnish saying that goes something like this. If it is small there is nothing to see if it is big there is nothing to be ashamed of.
A few years ago, I was taking a sauna with my friends on the sauna bus at Helsinki's market square. At the same time, a ship came to port from Suomenlinna. Yes, the tourists took a lot of pictures. :D
im from baltic states, but spent most of my life in belgium, when i visited one of my colleagues i was somewhat perplexed to see and naked family photo on the wall
haha.Every American says that USA is "free country", but you are not allowed drink alcohol or chill nude to public places?! 🤦
Neither in Finland. Being nude in Finland is illegal.
Lappeenranta is a eastern finland place. People in Eastern Finland are a lot more reserved when it comes to Sauna than people in Western Finland - the sauna culture is very different. But that being naked (naku-pelle, translated: "naked clown") in front of University just sounds like - coming from a Finnish person - like a public indicency drunk idiot thing - and students are alcoholist party morons, so there's that. So yeah, being naked in public, even in proximity to sauna, is not cool. You're supposed to be wearing a towel. If you're in the wilderness or in private area, be naked if you want, that's your business. Lappeenranta, a city that always disappoints me.
Жаль что только мужчины, если бы женщины тоже так себя вели, то туризм в Финляндии точно процветал.
Well traveling to you Finland is banned for all Russians, no matter how you view your war waged against Children, women an all civilians of Ukraine. Shame on you for supporting all these atrocities. But I guess you just don't care, as long as it doesn't mess your life. I believe it soon will...
It is ok to be naked during a sauna session, but you don't have to be naked (there is no any rules that says that you have to be naked). You can use swimsuit or/and towel during a sauna session.
And in Finland, some women sauna with strange men naked, but very few are brave enough to do this, because the potential threat is always sexual harassment, against the opposite sex, especially if this is naked (and women usually experience this harassment more).
Wow, pretty nice comment. Some finnish people goes to sauna naked, IF there is people doing so.
That is not normal. Usually people ask from one another, what is the deal. Naked or with towels...
You can do naked sauna, or with towels.
And if you are with youre family, everyone is naked. Allways.
It is what Finnish call "viuhahdus", witch is rebellious act, protesting against rules or bringing attension to some cause. And you can be fined or sentenced to prison for being nude in public, if it 'disturbs the order' or 'insults gender/sex decency".
The most public one was actually American, Robert Opel in 1973 Oscar's. The biggest one is also American, 1500 students, male and female, in University of Georgia 1974. The most frequent offender is also American, Mark Roberts, having done it over 500 times in over 20 countries. He noted 2004 Superbowl as his greatest archievement.
This is not from Finnish culture. It is something Finnish learned from other cultures, most likely from Americans, as it is the Finnish University students uphelding the tradition.
Finnish culture of going nakid to the sauna and coming out to cooldown, is different, hyginene related, thing... I cant explain it. I have little bit of OCD with contamination fears, witch kick in when I think about it.
Is LUT the same school that has some kinda collab deal with the guy from Mythbusters?
It is! He has visited multiple times to teach and inspire students at the uni.
In central Europe men and women can be in sauna naked together.
In Russia we have separate banjas for women and men and women are naked with women and men are naked with men. I hear that in Germany in sauna men and women are both naked together which blew me moind. In Ireland men and women wear undies, and women also wear bra, but I think in shower men shower is separate from female. And men shower naked and I presume women wash naked too. But sauna is together and everyone wears undies and bra.
Mixed nude common saunas also exist in other European countries, not just Germany. Nude beaches are also quite common and not hard to find, just use google maps if you want to find one (I think it's called FKK in German). Europe might be the easiest place to find that common nudity if that's something you're seeking, US and Asia are way more prude in general, or nudity is attached to sex business, prostitution etc. shady stuff.
Here in Finland we're usually naked in mixed saunas too. At least I can't ever rememberbeing in a mixed sauna where someone wore something. Don't know about the new generation, if that has changed - I'm in my 50s.
@@shaairah you won't find public saunas with mixed nudity in Finland, though. That's only common in Germany and other mid/east European countries.
Haha That might be a "Lappenranta" thing. Never seen people naked in Helsinki, unless we win the world championship hockey, then all bets are of.
You just haven't been around student saunas. Rest assured there's nudity also in Helsinki.
It's only when people started running naked to a pool that was a memorial to a former president that it started to be a problem :-D (UKK-muistomerkki)
The thing with saunas and nakedness and their association with illicit acts in the English speaking world comes down to the fact that that was the combo in which they were introduced in Great Britain. They didn't go through the phase of: "There is a structure there, if I heat it up it is warm whereas here on the outside I am cold, let's heat it up" during the early stages of the Iron Age, or forgot about it subsequently. And when the Romans came along, their sensibilities about gender relations plus baths came along. And thus the association with nudity and sex was further cemented. This could go on and on, but yeah, cultural differences. Deep rooted ones, just like with the Russians and their Mongol overlords influencing the Russian psyche to this day though those days have been over for 500 years plus now.
People from FInland watch your videos because the TH-cam algorithm suggests your videos to Finnish users
From Finland: laughing out loud 🤣
They don't get much sunlight, so use every opportunity to tan😊
Actually, that's not true. We have long days and nights with light during the summer, and a sensible person doesn't take too much sun because it can cause cancer and age the skin. Nudity is just natural and normal, and you can't really go to the sauna or swimming with clothes on. Well, you could, but that would be pretty weird.
Very good ❤
Why look your videos? Because you are so cute❤
maybe naked thing is something like kind of an exercise in anarchism? you know those hackers breaking the rules or something
How about drinking beer in US with paper bag. Is it allowed?
We got it. Don't run from sauna naked to the lake in usa. I won't do that in usa.
Too much jabbering about nudity in Sauna. If you can't bear it, you can always stay away.
We laugh at your prudishness. No offense, we just think it's silly.
Did you born with clothes on? i think not. If it's sauna....everybody get's it. Get used so the culture, like not talking too fast or talking at all :D
Oh, the complexities of sauna culture. Sorry, but you will never be able to figure all of it out.
The nature of Karelia in Russia is the same as in Finland. The national food of Karelia is the same as in Finland. In short, no worse than in Finland :)
+15 фублей
are you talking about the karelia thats been part of russia before ww2 or the one after?
@@Vemppu_Lutkuthere is one Karelia and your question makes no difference
i guess the whole point is where are you looking at? do you have a problem with your sexuality?
*Finland is a big village*
+15 фублей
@@KolyaPupkin Wtf are you trying to tell?
true
and its great
@@mantelikukkapenkki2368 не надо Рунглиша
@@mantelikukkapenkki2368😂😂
Hi beautiful ❤
It is forbidden to be naked in the public places in Finland. It is the law.
Wow, you really have a bee in your bonnet about this huh? Technically if you're in a public place and not bathing yeah, but I've yet to see anyone get fined for it if the cops do react. It's more like a friendly "hey, put on some pants".
Suomi 1 ❤. Comment 4 support Mikaela. 🇺🇸👍
I am a Russian one. You looks to me like an EUROPEAN one
Finnish are too higher level, like 50 y , they life is social miracle
I.m from scandanavia.I find you weird
In both examples, I would say that you are extremely repressed in the US.
Tell me about your 6 ft 4 boyfriend
Танцуют все: th-cam.com/video/Nmb0SeKFrHg/w-d-xo.html