Finnish culture is similar in outlook to other Nordic cultures, with an unshakable belief in the social welfare system. What distinguishes the Finnish outlook in this regard however is the rugged nature of the landscape and climate and the historic struggles of the Finns against their overbearing neighbors, both east and west. This has made for an equally powerful belief in ideal of the flexible, clever, ingenious individual, who can find a way through difficult circumstances. Sometimes this strong individualism runs counter to the social welfare goals of the larger group, but in most cases, group pressures tend to “normalize” any overtly individualist behaviors.

As with the rest of Nordic culture, punctuality and organization are essential, and the climate and historical experiences of Finns in regard to their neighbors make Finland a risk-averse culture. It takes time to convince Finns to do something a new way, especially if it runs counter to their own experiences.

This is just a sample of what you'll find in the complete Finland guide.