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Finnish Sauna Customs
All About Finnish Sauna Customs
Finland has many unique Finnish sauna customs that have evolved over the centuries as
the sauna’s role became more and more important to the Finnish way of life. In
the days before hot running water, the sauna was commonly used for bathing and
cleansing the body. It was also often used as a place for women to give birth
(it was not heated during the birth process) because it was clean and provided
easy access to hot water.
Take a Dip in the Lake
Finnish families often sauna together, sans clothing, all the way up until
children are fully-grown. If the sauna is located near a lake bathers may jump
into the water to rinse and cool off rather than taking a traditional shower.
This is the case in both summer and winter, when a hole is cut in the ice to
reach the cold water. If there is no lake or stream handy then bathers also like
to roll in the snow as a way to cool down between sessions in the Finnish sauna.
Whisk Yourself
Another Finnish tradition is to take birch branches into the sauna, moisten
them, and then gently whisk yourself to help open up your pores even further. It
may seem strange to think about hitting yourself with birch branches, but it
really does enhance and improve the whole sauna experience.
Do Not Refuse an Invitation
Business travelers going to Finland should be prepared for business contacts,
even those they hardly know, to extend an invitation to sauna. The idea of
sitting naked in a sauna with near-strangers may be a bit intimidating, but be
assured that it is a normal part of the Finnish culture. In fact, if you were to
refuse the invitation it might be seen by some as a bit of an insult.
Washing Women Still a Custom
One of the biggest surprises that await many new sauna bathers, though, is the
washing woman whose job it is to soap, scrub and rinse the bodies of bathers.
Not all Finnish saunas still use a washer woman, but it is not an uncommon
practice even today.
Back < Finnish
Sauna Etiquette
About the Author:
Julie-Ann Amos is a freelance writer for Home-Saunas-N-Kits.com, a consumer
guide providing information on
pre-built modular saunas and kits. She enjoys the health benefits of
home saunas and has assisted friends in building an
in-home
steam sauna from a kit.
Copyright 2005 Home Saunas 'N Kits.com
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