Current Time in Jyväskylä
Finnish culture of time
Finnish culture of time
Strict punctuality
Finnish people value time very much, and being late for an appointment is considered rude. It is common to arrive 5 minutes early for both business and personal occasions.
Extreme difference in daylight hours between summer and winter
The midnight sun occurs around the summer solstice, and the sun hardly rises around the winter solstice, so the rhythm of life changes greatly depending on the season. People are more active in the summer and spend more time indoors in the winter.
Sauna time is sacred time
Sauna time is special for Finns, and it is taboo to disturb this time. People usually enjoy saunas 1-2 times a week at a set time.
Finnish values of time
Values for silence
In Finland, silence during conversation is also considered valuable time. It is also respected to share quiet time without forcing a conversation.
Efficient time management
Finnish people hate wasting time and tend to keep meetings and consultations brief. They prefer efficient discussions that focus on the main points rather than lengthy discussions.
Culture of respecting personal time
It is considered bad manners to disturb other people's private time. It is common to contact people in advance and make an appointment rather than making a surprise visit.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or moving to Finland
Punctual operation of public transport
Trains and buses are very punctual, and even delays of 1-2 minutes are rare. Punctuality is required, so be careful not to miss your train.
Early opening hours
Many stores and restaurants close early in the evening. In particular in rural areas, there are fewer stores open after 6 p.m., so be sure to do your shopping early.
Long holiday habits
Many Finns take a four-week summer holiday in July. It is difficult to complete business errands during this time, so be careful.
Interesting trivia about time in Finland
The custom of "Kaffeepaus"
At work, there is always a coffee break (Kaffeepaus) in the morning and afternoon, during which time people take a break from work and relax.
How to celebrate birthdays correctly
In Finland, birthdays are sometimes celebrated at the exact time a person was born. This is especially common in milestone years such as the 50th birthday.
The special sense of time at the midsummer festival
At the midsummer festival (Juhannus), the celebration continues all night long, taking advantage of the midnight sun. On this day only, the sense of time is very different from usual.