Photographer: Pietinen

Source: Historian kuvakokoelma, Valokuvaamo Pietisen kokoelma, Museovirasto

I know it's probably a translation error but was fun to see.

Nowadays, I feel like I'm driving a car in Russia. I leave work at night on weekends by car, and these taxis drive like lunatics. They play on their phones, zig-zag, invade the left lane, and tailgate. The taxi service has decreased in quality a lot. I remember when I arrived in Finland, a nice black taxi greeted us. We felt like president at the back of taxi, while driver had suit etc. Bolt/Uber has been around since people wanted to go from one point to another in a cheapest way. It also gave work opportunities to many. But unfortunately, I feel like we can't use cheapness to justify this nonsense.

I spend a lot of time in Nuuksio and Sipoonkorpi national parks. Every time I go I see dog shit and dog shit bags (full of dog shit) left beside the trails.
The idea of national parks (and ALL nature areas) is that You are meant to leave no trace. National parks are protected forests and you are ALWAYS meant to Take your trash with.
Here in Finland we are allowed to walk our dogs in the national parks, as long as they are on leashes and that you will take their shit with you.

I am very tired of carrying other peoples dogs shit out of the parks. Please do not walk your dogs in national parks if you are not prepared to carry their bags of shit out with you.

Edit to clarify: what I am seeing most is poop already in bags left on the trails. Hanging on signs, left at fireplaces, beside the trails, attached to tree branches. Like, really, Why?? Who are you expecting will clean it for you?

Hi everyone,

I'm disputing a debt claimed by a debt collection agency on behalf of a gym chain and would appreciate advice from anyone familiar with Finnish consumer law.

I joined the gym in January 2020. During the COVID lockdown, I emailed them on 15 April 2020 asking whether my membership could be suspended but never received a response. Their auto-reply said the gym was temporarily closed.

In 2026, one debt agency contacted me about unpaid membership fees from 2022 to 2024: approximately €699 in principal and €1,378 including interest and collection costs. The gym also said they could no longer access historical emails due to a system change.

My main concerns:

• I was never notified when the gym reopened or when my membership and billing supposedly resumed.
• I never received payment reminders. I updated my official address with DVV in 2020, yet the debt collection agency was still using my old address in 2025. I only learned about the debt when they contacted my current address in 2026.
• Despite repeated requests, the agency has not provided the requested details of when and where invoices and collection letters were sent, or a sufficiently detailed breakdown of interest and collection costs.

My questions:

1. Was the gym required to notify me when my membership and billing resumed after suspension during COVID?
2. Can collection letters sent to an old address interrupt the limitation period, especially if the creditor could have obtained my updated address?
3. What information and evidence must a Finnish collection agency provide when requested?
4. Has anyone faced a similar dispute? How likely is it that the agency/gym will take the case to court?

I'm not trying to avoid legitimate debts, but I don't think I should have to pay substantial accumulated charges without evidence that my suspension request, the billing and collection were handled properly.

Thanks for any advice or relevant case law!

Source: Taideteollinen korkeakoulu, Aalto-yliopiston arkisto

Hi everyone, winter is almost here but I wanted to take advantage of these last days of autumn before closing the car in the garage. This summer I had a lot of fun driving on the porkkalantie. Do you know any similar, perhaps scenic, roads to travel with a small 90's Japanese sports car? Maybe with a few twists and turns. I live in the capital city area, but I can also go out a bit further on Sundays. And if anyone wants to join me for a Sunday outing, you're welcome.

I have been trying to study Finnish for a while and due to circumstances, it was never easy. The first in-person class was basically like; "Open the book on page X and try to solve it. Ask me if you have any questions"

Then I tried to do an online class. There the teacher was often silent for a long time and it looked like she had another job on the side...

(Sounds like I put the blame on others, but I am well aware, that I could study more...)

Now finally I found a course, I am actually excited to go to!

The teacher is awesome and it is very interactive. We are encouraged to talk a lot and I feel I really made some progress.

Last week she told us that we need more students in order to continue with the course. We are 6 at most, but there were also just 2 of us a few times.

So, if you are looking for an in-person course in Lohja, and you are at the beginning of your journey to learn this language, please let me know!

It is the beginners course A1.

https://uusi.opistopalvelut.fi/hiidenopisto/en/course/14505/

Btw. I am not affiliated in any way with the school, I am just glad to have found a course that works for me and I would like to continue that.

Hi!

I have stayed in places where a building has normal apartment buildings and hotels as well and I am wondering. If a local resident walks past me on the stairs then should I just say "Terve" or should I say nothing at all?

For reference, I do not speak Finnish but the few words I do speak tend to be with very little accent as I am an Estonian.

Hello everyone! I've got a very odd question.

I'm from Prague, Czech Republic and I collect license plates (mostly foreign) from all over the world. I know some people import a vehicle from Åland to Finland and I would really love to have one of your beautiful license plates. If anyone has any deregistered Åland license plates, or if you might know someone who has one, is there any way you could send me one? I will cover all of the shipping costs and I would pay extra.

Wishing everyone a very nice day!

Hi, I know it may seem stupid, but it is driving me crazy so I have to ask. I have been buying kylmäsavu lohi filets for a good few years, but recently, maybe in the past few months it seems like there are fewer slices in the packaging, even though the weight is the same, because they are cutting them thicker than before (maybe so you eat them faster and buy more?). The brand in question is Kalaneuvos and I prefer them over other brands, but this is just not as enjoyable as a nice thin slice of salmon. Am I going crazy or has anyone else noticed something similar?

Hi,

I’ve been learning Finnish for a bit now and finished the Duolingo course but I’m unsure what to do from here? I’d like to learn as fast as possible so really appreciate any recommendations here. I’m from the UK and trying to learn for my Finnish partner.

Thanks!

I have not yet visited your country, but I intend to do so and the discussion following a recent post I made on this sub has increased my interest in doing so. I have, however, visited Sweden - and I have visited Russian-ruled Karelia during a Volga cruise in the far-off time when it was safe to visit Russia!

My question is based on an impression or vibe and from meeting and talking to a number of Finns over the years. I have the impression that your society is more small-c conservative than Sweden and Norway. By this I do not mean more ‘right wing’, just more traditionalist.

Am I thinking on the right lines here or have I, to use a popular British expression, ‘got the wrong end of the stick’?

Can anyone share if they know a cheaper alternative to Paulig Reykjavik ground coffee? It has toffee notes and tastes amazing, but I'd rather spend 5-6 euros per pack. Or just any good coffee from Lidl, Prisma

Edit: Yo everyone I know it is on sale, that's what I'm asking what's the alternative is for when it is not on sale yo 😭✌🏻

Im southeast asian woman moved here 2021 to join my Finnish husband. We have a child together and had gotten vanhempainvapaa etu from kela. Also before that I used the labour employment support and studied lähihoitaja . I finished it just before giving birth that was in may 2024. I placed my child in daycare and I’m now employed contract but at least fulltime since feb this year. Has anyone has similar situation and how fast did you get Finnish citizenship application? The automated decision is a slightly vague but anyone gotten an automated decision on similar situation? If so, how long was your application took before a decision has been granted?

Hello! I (American, 30 F) am potentially looking at finding a job that offers relocation. But, the major hiccup here is I never went to college, so I don't have a degree in anything. Its...not looking good, but I'm determined to get out of the States and I've loved Finland for years.

It's just, ya know, no formal education.

Would we consider it possible, or just a pipedream?

good afternoon!

wondering if u know any adapter for sink tap to dishwasher pipe connection.

i went to power, holding, they don’t have it and the one online I find is like over 30 euro…

also if the apartment doesn’t have that water supply pipe under the sink, does the tenant have the right to ask for pipe work to be done?

have a good day!

Kajaani Castle is the northernmost castle in the world (if the ruins are included). If only standing castles are counted, the northernmost one is Olavinlinna Castle.

Kajaani Castle is mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/113393-northernmost-castle

A potential supervisor for a doctoral program asked me to send a statement of purpose and CV.

Now a CV is kind of standard.

But my statement of purpose is tailored for US programs where they care about narrative so it’s usually a 2 page long “science story”

How differently should I reformat my SOP for Finnish programs.

They are aware that my educational background is from the US so I’m not sure if they want a traditional US SOP.

The university website for the doctoral program mentions something called a letter of motivation for conducting doctoral research which is 2000 characters.

But in the email he specifically asked for an SOP which is the US term for it.

I’m not sure what to send because if he’s expecting something that’s 2000 characters, and I send something that’s 2 pages long, that’d be overkill, and vice versa is true.

I mention my background because the program is already making an exception for me not having a masters because US PhDs people usually apply without a masters, and because of my research experience.

Also another edit, the PI already saw my CV which is why he’s interested in interviewing me, the post doc interviewing me is asking for my CV and and SoP.

Hi! I would like to ask about the electricity and home insurance costs when renting a private apartment.
I have been living alone in a student apartment for two years, paying €487 per month, including everything (water, internet, and electricity). So, I don’t really know how much electricity and home insurance usually cost separately.
I am planning to move to a private apartment, but I noticed that tenants usually need to make their own electricity contract.
Can anyone give me an idea of how much I might need to pay monthly for electricity and home insurance? I have normal electricity consumption. I use the washing machine in the building for free, cook sometimes, use the microwave occasionally, boil water in an electric kettle every day, charge my gadgets, and use a refrigerator. I don’t have a TV.
I just want to have an idea of the average costs so I can plan my budget for the whole year and compare the total expenses before deciding to move. Thank you!