So, my partner (Finnish) and I (not) have been together for soon-to-be four years. We have lived together for two of those years.

In the very beginning of the relationship, I met two of his friends. They weren’t mean or anything, but they also didn’t really engage with me. I never met them again. I also met one other friend of his, but that was mostly because they had a business together for a short while. Apart from that, I don’t know any of his friends, even though he is social and has many healthy long-term friendships.

Within those years, I have also only once met his parents. That was already over two years into the relationship. And even then it was only because they happened to be at the same family function, which was organized by his sister, who I have met twice.

Apart from that, nothing. None of his friends are ever at our place. No messages or birthday/christmas cards, let alone an invitation from his parents or other family members.

On the contrary, even though we live in Finland, my partner has met more of my friends in my home country and has spent entire holidays with my family and even met my grandparents. My friends here in Finland have also met him and he is always invited/included in any kind of larger functions.

At first I thought that this is simply a Finnish culture thing, but the more I see my friends and their relationships, the more it seems that that isn’t true. I am so confused what is going on and I am also wondering how much closeness with your partner’s friends and family is normal in Finland.

I'm an exchange student and I'm living my last days in Helsinki. I got to know a girl and we developed a good bond. The problem is that I live in another country and so I don't really know how to keep a good relationship through messages. I feel like the feeling is going to shatter one day or another.

What am I supposed to do? Sorry if this is off topic, and thanks in advance to everyone.

Inari weather forecast

Hello and Hyvää iltaa! I want to share I need help with getting this as I have turned 20 this year! I have part time job but I don’t fully work and have been requested by parents to do school alone. I started making half of my income for college student and want to know how to set this up, as I don’t wish to relay on friends no more for future purchases and because I’m not with most people often to talk to. How to set this up properly? If anyone can sure, I’m thankful. I only buy not online and just shop on groceries and nearby stores near by me. Thank you! 😊

I’m visiting Finland and having a great time meeting all the Finns - what a lovely people you are 🤩

I’m finding myself talking in great lengths about how food is prepared where I’m from vs here and I’m so curious to know more.

I’m headed to Ivalo/Saariselka, I’ve already done all the touristy winter things what I would like to focus on more is trying some authentic local food/restaurants.

Let me know if you know any 👇🏻

What activities can you suggest for Rovaniemi this Christmas besides the science and modern art museum?

The ones offered by our travel agent add up to 700-800 euros per activity (we are a group of 5). I do understand Finland is an expensive country, but can you give any activity recommendations?

I start to work from 1.1.2025 and my resident permit is valid from that date. I entered Finland before that date as a tourist (visa-free stay up to 90 days). Can I register at DVV already or do I have to wait until my resident permit become valid?

is there anyone here who hates down or puffy jackets?

let me explain, I live in a place where in winter it reaches -30 degrees and it's very windy. I hate those winter jackets, so I would like to buy a nice faux fur coat or a teddy one. (I can also buy a wool teddy coat)

Can anyone tell me if they have tried these coats in freezing cold? Obviously I would wear wool sweaters underneath.. or am I destined for those jackets that I hate?

Hey. I live in Porvoo and have an electricity contract with Fortum. I signed the contract without realizing that it automatically subscribes me to Porvoo Energy Company as well. Can anyone explain why I have to pay for both energy companies? Thank you.

I just found out I’m second generation Finnish and German. Our last name is Vahakari and we emigrated to the US from Tervola around 1900-1918.

I just want to find out more about my genealogy and family history.

Thank you! Sorry for the Google Translate.

Sain juuri tietää, että olen toisen sukupolven suomalainen ja saksalainen. Sukunimemme on Vahakari ja muutimme Tervolasta Yhdysvaltoihin noin 1900-1918.

Haluan vain tietää enemmän sukututkimuksestani ja sukuhistoriastani.

Kiitos!

Hi, I'm going to move to Finland soon, to be more specific I'll be there tomorrow, will stay for 2 days in Helsinki. What are your favorite quiet places to hang out or places where street musicians often perform? If anyone wants to meet up and hang out together I'd be glad to.

Hello to all,

I'm looking for advice regarding a Lapland trip for end of january. My boyfriend and I are planning to stay 2 weeks in Finnish Lapland, we're looking for a place to get a breath of nature with a range of activities nearby (as Saariselkä seems to be) such as, hiking, skiing, visiting national parks, watching auroras, experiment sauna and cold plunge, ..and more!

We know for sure that we'll spend the last week of our trip in Saariselkä (with maybe a few days in Inari) before flying back home and we are struggling to choose a 2nd spot between: Levi, Ylläs and Ruka.

Some people already informed us that it was not necessary to visit 2 places as landscapes and activities will be quite similar, but it is a one in a lifetime trip so we want to experiment as much as possible.

We won't rent a car (0 experience in driving with snowy conditions, we rather won't take the risk haha) so we're looking for a place that's well coonected by public transports so we can easily find accommodation and go do plenty activities regularly.

Based on this, which destination would you choose (Levi, Ylläs , Ruka) that ticks the most boxes in terms of accessibility and activities? 

Thanks for you so much in advance for advices and help :)

Moro!

I just noticed that the only way I can approve online transactions (shopping/Identification...) is opening my app to approve it, it never displays a notification (just displays payments completed), can the approval request notification be activated?

Thanks.

Since about early November I’ve been lethargic, disinterested, but also had weird fatigue, weakness, loss of energy. I feel like a different person almost. I don’t have the excitement and energy I did in the summer. I even rethink going to my weekly meet-ups which I usually love.

This is my second winter but last year I was so culture shocked that I barely noticed the winters But this year I think I could be experiencing actual SAD. Despite the vitamin D, and the sun lamps, I just feel constant low energy, tiredness, and disinterest. Keep in mind I come from a place much sunnier and warmer in winter lol.

Is this really how many people feel here? How does anyone survive or get anything done?

I’m mostly looking for solidarity and shared experiences before my health anxiety convinces me something is seriously wrong with me lol.

Hi, me and my husband recently moved to a new city for his work. Things have been incredibly difficult for me, to the point of seeking psychiatric help at the ER - with one of the main issues being money and rent.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are struggling to make rent every month. We have a non-fixed lease with Lumo, and can either:

• move into another lumo home in 6 months (beginning of march)
• or wait a full year and move anywhere else.

We could terminate the lease early at the penalty of one months rent, but that is impossible for us.

While part of this is our fault for not considering certain things, plus just bad luck and timing, is there grounds to terminate a lease early without penalty for the sake of the tenants mental health?

Thank you for any advice

Hello all, I would like to ask if anybody could provide me with a particular Huuto seller's contact info, or ask them themselves if they are open to international delivery/purchases - I am in the UK, and so I simply cannot access most things without verification to a Finnish bank, which is very sad considering that I haven't found the same thing anywhere on the internet for years. Please reply or DM me if you can lend a hand, if this is possible of course. I can provide a short message to hand-over if emailing them directly is easier.

I went to k1katsastus for the yearly car inspection and my car (2012-peugeot 508) failed the test of co2 emissions (photo above taken 3.12.2024), my previous test was CO% 0,31 CO2 14,30 HC PPM 0,04 LAMBDA 0,991 - dated 27.07.2024,

any tips how to solve this? it keeps going up and its not cheap going back and forth and keep failing the test :(

my next car inspection 3.1.2025

kiitos.

Spending Christmas with my Finnish in-laws in the UK and these are unfortunately sold out on en.fazer.com, and I cannot find any other vendors who ship outside of Finland. If anyone is able to help I would gladly pay for your assistance. Thank you in advance/ kiitos!

Is it kind of like comparing english in the caribbean and US to the UK. Or is it like trying to understand a different language? To take a country for example how different is Estonian from Finnish?

Hi everyone. I have a wireless router. However I don't know how to connect it to this. Could you give me some advice? Thanks you. Have a good day to all!

Hey guys, I am a student researching delivery services in Finland. So far, I know that Posti is the main thing every business uses here. I was just wondering if any other alternatives might be better than Posti. Thanks for the contribution.

So that's the question. Being employed/contracted by staffing company and then being assigned to work for the actual company, is this common in Finland? Does it come with any disadventages in terms of employee rights/salary rate/lay-offs etc.

Edit for more context: asking for white collar jobs.

Hi, I just moved to Finland last year, did snowboarding on Peuramaa Ski Helsinki and Mustavuori Tampere.

As a beginner, I'm having a hard time looking for spots for practice. The bunny hills on both place are way too short, so I'm spending way too much time going up, removing the boots etc. The adult slopes are way too steep, I ended up crashing and have a fracture on my elbow last season.

Any recommendation of slopes that is way longer and less steep? I live in Helsinki area.

Hi all first time going to Finland , only stopping by Helsinki . What are the chances of decent snow ?

i need king size rolling papers but i cant find any anywhere is it illegal in finland?