Some more random things about Finland

Some other things I forgot to mention in the first posting (or you may have forgotten over the last year).  I also apologize if some these are repeated from the last post:

1. Yes we have a McDonald's and a Subway.  We also have a Hesburger which originates from Turku (bigger city - no relation to Turkey) and it's more popular.  We have 2 Hesburgers close to each other and only 1 Subway and 1 McDonald's.
2. Taxes are included in the prices of everything - which is handy.
3. Kela is the health and social benefits program here.  If you are pregnant and having the baby in Finland (or with a Finnish connection i.e. parents of the child) - you qualify for a maternity box.  The maternity box contains a lot of clothing, some cloth diapers, nursing pads, information, a winter suit...the list goes on.  And most people use the box as a make-shift crib until they settle in their new home or pick a crib for their baby.  I did not qualify for this as I had to be here for the 4 month pre-natal check up.
4. Bus passes are quite expensive and they have a scanner - so you just press your pass onto the scanner and it beeps.  Similar system in Hong Kong in case you're wondering...
5. They do not have student bus passes.
6. Some things you can find (like in North America) - although usually only sold in the big stores and quite expensive:
1. Kraft Mac and Cheese
2. Jiff Peanut butter
3. Newman's salad dressing
4. Lucky Charms
5. Pringles (this is found at all shops) in various flavours: Original, Wasabi, Grill etc.
6. Heineken
7. Pepsi, Coke, 7 UP, Sprite, Fanta (orange pop)
7. Things I have not been able to find:
1. REAL maple syrup...there's stuff here that says its real - but it's kind of watery.  DO NOT buy the Pirkka (store brand - K Market) stuff...it's so watery.
2. Not even "fake maple syrup" like Aunt Jemima
3. Crunchy peanut butter
4. Sushi in a restaurant in Jyv�skyl� (it is possible it's sold at some Mongolian restaurant - I have yet to eat there).  There's some sushi in the S Market downtown beneath Sokos...but it's so-so.
5. The blue floss keys...for those with braces - you know what I mean.  The blue loops that you tie your floss onto so you can floss your teeth a little faster and easier.
6. Old Spice antiperspirant for the husband...he's been using "Rexona" which seems to be a standard brand here.  However, it gives my husband rashes...and he's normally not allergic to anything!
7. Intuition razor blades.  Thankfully I don't use my razor THAT much that I can't wait until I go home.  They have lots of disposable razors and electric ones.
8. George Foreman grill....I miss mine.  Enough said.  ** I found one at the used store!!!
9. There is NO Tim Hortons, Star Bucks, Second Cup or Pete's Frootique here.  Sorry folks.
8. In the Chinese restaurants here - you will NOT find:
1. Egg rolls
2. Spring Rolls
3. Wonton Soup
4. Pot Stickers/pan-fried dumplings
5. Dim Sum
9. Whenever you order a stir-fry that says "vegetables" - be prepared for 1/2 your platter to be filled with onions.  Finns seem to love onions - a lot.
10. You do not tip when eating out.
11. Internet comes free in some buildings (cable internet) - so you just have to pay for your modem.  It's reasonably fast....
12. If you have a permanent job - your employer may pay up to 3 months of full salary while you're on maternity leave then it dwindles down to 60% the remaining 9 months (if not lower - depends on your employer).  In NS - it's 60% throughout the whole 12 months of your maternity leave.  60% is the minimum required and some employers (i.e. military) will pay more than that.
13. If you're used to having your clothes washed then dried in a tumble dryer - you probably won't have any luck here.  Dryers are very rare here - because they are somewhat useless with the air being so dry here - clothes dry very quickly!  On hot summer days, I was able to hang a load of laundry outside off my balcony - and it would be dry in two hours maximum!
14. Cloth diapers are very common here.  Some people do use disposables (we use them at night and whenever we go out) - but for the most part cloth is in!  
15. As long as it's not colder than -10*C...parents often put their children in their pram/stroller and onto the balcony or outside in the yard and let them nap outside.  The cooler air soothes the baby (while bundled up) and they often get a longer nap than inside!
16. I've recently been to the Indian restaurant downtown (it's the only one here in Jyv�skyl� by the train station) - and their food is delightful.  Mango lassi drinks are amazing and V�in� enjoys them a lot.
17. Domestic violence is very common here in Finland.  But it's very "hush hush"- so people don't discuss it.  It is ILLEGAL to harm or hit a child (of any age).  Most common situations for domestic violence is alcohol.  The female is drunk and says things and then the male says things back while being drunk...you get my drift.  
18. Beauty products/health - I'm not the queen of fashion (who is when you're an average-everyday mom?) - but for those that are die-hard must-have its....here's a brief list of what I've seen sold downtown:
1. MAX Factor make up
2. Revlon
3. Garnier
4. Lumene (I personally love their body butter/moisturizer - not greasy at all and smells lovely)
5. Colgate tooth paste and mouth wash *** NO CREST***
6. Pepsodent seems to be the norm for dental products
7. Freeman (Barefoot, facial products, body lotions etc.) - I LOVE their Revitalizing Foot balm: lemon/sage...not greasy and not thick!
8. MAC (I think)
9.  :( No Noxzema
10. Clearasil
19. They do sell Nike, Addidas, Reebok, New Balance sneakers
20. Columbia is not as big of a brand here from what I've seen...

Things You May or May Not Know about Finland...

Of course - in no particular order.....some questions are from my FB friends which will be noted with a "(FB)" listed after the question.  Most are things I've been asked in the past or thought of myself....
(RR) = Rogers Rep - I actually had a lengthy conversation with one about Finland as I was changing my address
(F/F) = Family/friends
(FB) = Facebook

1. What are Finnish people like? (RR)
1. In general they keep to themselves and are very out-going and fit.  They do enjoy drinking (it's an actual "problem" in Finland) and going to saunas and having parties.  
2. Our friends are awesome (and I'm not just saying that) and have been very supportive as we've been trying to register our marriage (finally it's done) ,get our security deposit back from the previous landlord (still working on that), have a baby (not a new one - just referring to V�in�), meet other English-speaking people, helped us clean and move- just awesome people really!!!!  We couldn't ask for better friends in a new-to-us country!  HUGE THANKS!
2. Are there English labels on things you buy? (FB)
1. Yes and no.  For example a bottle of shampoo may have an English label on the front but if you look on the back - it's in Finnish, Danish, Norweigan and/or German.  Sometimes they say "GB" (Great Britain - because they are the only country in the world that speak English) or "IR" - for Ireland.  SO if you don't know how to wash your hair or cook basic things - you may want to pick up a dictionary, or read it in English before visiting. :-)
3. What's the currency you use there?  Is it American dollars? (FB)
1. No - it's not American currency here.  I'm in Europe - and Finland IS part of the European Union -so we use Euros.
4. Do they have Canadian beer? (FB)
1. No we haven't seen Canadian beer.  I'm also the worst person to ask as I don't drink beer.  However we have seen Heineken (I know - not Canadian). And maybe the odd Budweiser...is that Canadian?  Ugh.
5. Are cell phones much cheaper than North America? (RR)
1. Yes.  Where do I start?!  Monthly access fee = 6 Euro Cents (depends on your plan - these figures are based on mine)....1 minute or text message = 6 Euro Cents (it's cheaper to callers of the same company)....4 E. cents/minute to call Canada....if the phone bill has not reached 10 Euros per month - then it's delayed until it does (with a maximum of 2 months delay) and then you pay whatever is on your bill.  It's to save paper....and you ARE NOT CHARGED INTEREST.  So one of my bills (including a 20 minute phone call to Canada) over a span of 3 months was under 15 Euros.  The most I've ever paid was 32 Euros - and that was because I was doing an excessive amount of texting - trying to plan things while Tim was away.
6. Is it safe? (F/F)
1. Incredibly safe.  We live in a university town of about 80,000 and the most that happens are drunken brawls and stolen bikes and some graffiti.  We are able to walk ANY time of the day without a single worry.  It's a nice feeling....really nice.
7. What kind of food do Finns eat? (F/F)
1. Lots of stews, fish, berries, reindeer, other game meat - really Finns are very resourceful.  Because you can go almost anywhere you want (unless it specifies to not enter) - you can find lots of berries in the woods etc.  They're not the type to waste things which is passed down from their parents and older relatives as Finns have experienced a war in the 50's...things were rationed and very tight back then.
2. Lots of baked goods...both savoury and sweet!
3. Chocolate - it's insane how much they can eat.
4. Coffee - it's very Finnish.
8. How do you say where you are living? (F/F)
1. Jyv�skyl� = YOU-vask-you-la  (emphasis on the first syllable) 
9. How do you say V�in�'s name? (F/F)
1. VII-neu (like neuf (9) in French without the F)
10. What languages are spoken in Finland?
1. Finnish is the primary language and Swedish in the secondary language.  English is common in younger people or people in university.
11. What kind of music do they have there? (FB)
1. They're big on heavy metal/screaming music as I call it.  
12. What kind of clothes do they wear?
1. Depends on what crowd you're with.  I'm in the average kind of person crowd.  But there is a huge heavy metal/gothic atmosphere in Finland - so you will see many men with long hair, dyed black, buzzed, mohawk, and wearing chains, platform boots etc.  There's barely any "thug" stylists here and some girls do dress quite skimpy....
13. What's a sauna?
1. A sauna is very common in Finland as there are NO BATH TUBS here....maybe in the hotel but I doubt it.  A sauna is a room in a flat or a house or separate from the home - and it's steamy.  Like 80-100*C steamy.....and yes you go in NAKED.  Completely naked with your family or the males go together and then the females (or vice verca).  It's relaxing but a bit sweaty.  The crazy people/Finns go in the winter and then jump into a frozen lake (with a hole cut out) then they roll into the snow...and then GO BACK IN.  I have yet to do this.  I don't know if I would.
2. If you go in a sauna - you do sit on a towel - for those of you that are concerned about germs etc.
3. Do not wear glasses while in the sauna.  It is pointless.  You won't be able to see (especially if there are many people in the sauna with you) and they might melt.  Mine are plastic frames - hence why I know about the melting.
4. Do not wear pure gold jewellery - it WILL MELT and BURN your skin and leave marks.  This is from personal experience if you haven't figured it out yet.
14. What do Finns like to do? (FB)
1. We see many people run or walk....very fit people.
2. They like to go to the sauna.
3. Drink...Tim's been out with a group of Finnish guys who love to drink and have a good time - and he said "I think they can out-drink a Newf...my glass was never empty!"
4. Go to the cottage (usually passed down through the family).
5. Spend time with their family.  And I don't say this as a "filler" but because it's true.  Tim and I both found in North America - people do not spend that much time with their families.  But here in Finland it is encouraged by the amount of holidays they have and the amount of playgrounds there are.  There are 2 small ones within steps of our back/front doors...and 2 larger ones within 7-10 minutes from our door.
6. Text or talk on the phone.   Finns are labelled as "quiet people" in general - however because house phones are rare like dinosaurs - everybody has a cell phone!
7. Lots of sports - like running, walking, skiing, skating...everything!  LOTS of biking too.
15. What's the health care like?
1. Wonderful so far! I have yet to book an appointment with a doctor for personal reasons (other than pregnancy-related while pregnant with V�in�) - but I'm sure it would be fine.
2. Children health care is awesome.  The nurses are wonderful with V�in� and so polite and eager to help us out with ANY question we may have.
3. We had to take V�in� to the emergency on a Friday night for an abscess and they were FAST and efficient with diagnosing him and getting him comfortable.
4. In terms of the PHARMACY - you wait for your prescription when you place it.  Your cashier/pharmacist retrieves your medication immediately and you don't sit back down or have to find something to do for 20-30 minutes.  The pharmacists are very knowledgeable and if they don't speak English - they get someone for you that can.  
16. What was giving birth like in Finland? (FB)
1. As I have never given birth before - I'd have to say this was also great (aside from the pain).  
2. Yes they have epidurals, PCB (perennial cervical block) and aqua blisters for pain relief.  Not all hospitals have a water-birth option.
3. The mid-wives do the delivery, the doctor provides the anesthetic and comes in only if there are any complications.
4. After giving birth the baby is put at your breast immediately for scent and to encourage breast-feeding.  It's really popular here and encouraged strongly.  Then he or she is cleaned up and you get a shower and go to your room.  Prior to labour I thought this was gross as V�in� would be covered in "gunk" - however, I now realize it's created a stronger bond between us and he immediately latched on and grabbed Tim's finger too.  A moment I'll cherish forever.
5. A HUGE meal is given to you and your spouse/partner after you finish labour.  I couldn't eat it all - but it was great.  Fresh giant grapes, sandwich materials, yogurt, milk, juice and lots of water.  I kind of wish I had the energy to make myself a lunch like that EVERY DAY! :P
17. How long of a flight is it? (F/F)
1. We flew to New York (1.5 hours from Halifax) and then 7 hours from NY to Helsinki.  Then we took a train from Helsinki to Jyv�skyl� - which was about 3 hours long.
18. Will you learn Finnish?
1. I would LOVE to!  Finns are fairly quiet and keep to themselves - but I would love to have a complete Finnish conversation some time with strangers that stop and want to know stuff about V�in� or Canada.  
2. A little boy stopped my friend today and asked her why I wasn't talking in Finnish...I was so sad I couldn't respond!
3. Yes Tim has taken a course in basic Finnish and really enjoyed it.  I'm hoping to take one as well - once V�in� is a bit older and not so dependent on me.
19. What's the school system like?
1. Amazing.  They learn English in grade 3!  They learn a new language every 2 years I think? I can't remember the specifics but some languages they can learn are: English, French, Chinese, Estonian, Russian, German, Swedish....I think that's all of them?
2. The UK is considering switching their education system to that of Finland.
3. They go from the age of 7 until the age of 19.
4. They rank top in math and maybe science too (or one of the top) in all the world.
5. They call their teachers by their first name so there is a more relaxed atmosphere.
6. They don't wear their shoes inside - so there is a relaxed atmosphere.
20. Is it hard to make friends there?
1. I thought it would be because of the language barrier.  But it is going pretty well.  We often meet friends through other friends.
2. There is also a multi-cultural gathering once a month at the local play ground too which helps.
21. What is it hard to bring the dogs into Finland? (FB)
1. Nope.  We were limited to 2 animals per person and there was no quarantine involved as they were travelling with us.  
2. Both dogs had to be up-to-date on their shots and have the microchip installed.
22. What are your favourite things about Finland? (FB)
1. I love the clear air (this summer was un-usually humid we've been told - but even still it wasn't as bad as NS)...I rarely use an inhaler these days!
2. I love the safety and the feeling of security.
3. The food is great and there's always something going on downtown on nice days - like street performers...always somebody different!
4. We had a white Christmas last year - that was a first for us in a very long time!
5. The fact that EVERYTHING has the taxes included in the prices!!  No need to do extra math :P.
23. What's the most unusual thing to happen to you? (FB)
1. I've had random Finnish drunks come up and talk to me in broad day light and a guy have a drunk conversation with V�in�.  His response was yelling at him and giving him dirty looks - then eventually laughing...
2. A Jehovah Witness put a "business card" in my pram while I was shopping for yarn....the pram was outside where I could see it and V�in� was in my arms...
3. It took forever to register our marriage....
4. I'm sure there will be more things - I usually keep to myself. LOL
24. Will V�in� have automatic Finnish Citizenship because he was born in Finland?  Can he have dual citizenship? (FB)
1. No for automatic Finnish. We have to apply for a Finnish Citizenship for him because the Canadian one is automatic as Tim and I are both Canadians.  If V�in� did not have automatic Canadian Citizenship - then yes - he'd have auto-Finnish Citizenship from our understanding.  
2. We are pretty sure he can have dual citizenship if we apply for the Finnish one.
25. Will you guys apply for Finnish Citizenship? (FB)
1. Possibly!
26. What are the prices like?
1. Lots of things here are very good quality and can be pricey.
2. I shop at the 2nd Hand Stores a lot - for clothing, DVDS,  knick-knacks around the home etc.
3. Food is about the same.
27. What are some experiences you've had in Finland that's different than Canada?
1. You weigh your own veggies/fruits in the grocery store and print a price sticker.
2. You bag your own groceries and have to bring your own bags (or pay for plastic or biodegradable ones).
3. Taxes are included in the prices of everything - restaurants, groceries, etc.
4. You can pick where you sit and pay for that seat at the movie theater.
5. The vet bill is much cheaper (excluding conversion of currencies) - but the fancy dog food (vet) is more expensive.
6. In Helsinki (and some other bigger cities), a caregiver and their child in a stroller/pram get on the buses for free.  In Jyv�skyl� - it's 3 Euros (recently went up 10 cents).  The transfer is good for exactly 1 hour (they print the time on them too).
7. Swam in a lake with fish in it...
8. In the summer (not so much now) - the sun stays up pretty much 24 hours a day.
9. In November it's quite dark and dreary....
10. Various holidays!!  Some for poets....some for political things....some for Religious things...Mother's Day - everything was closed....
28. What's the banking system like? (FB)
1. You get issued a Visa Electron card (CHIP card) and you either sign or put your pin and you can use this card online on some sites.  
2. You get issued a PIN# - if you forget it - they mail you a new one.  You cannot change it at the bank.
3. To do internet banking you sign in with your user ID# and your 4-digit password (different than your PIN).  Then you have a key card and whatever number populates on the screen - you find it on your key card and put the corresponding code beside it online.  You can only use a key card # once then you need to be issued another.
29. What do you miss about Canada?
1. Family/friends/my cats!
2. Being able to speak in English and read all labels.
3. Walmart....
4. Dollarama
30. Do they use the same plugs as we do? (FB)
1. Nope!  We have to find plug converters and they do NOT sell them here because electricians can do it for a fee....

**Anything else? feel free to send me a message!

Guilty!

Did you know that in Finland - if you are taken to court - and you are deemed guilty...that you are not only expected to pay out your fees but the innocent parties as well? Any lawyer fees, court fees etc. can be claimed to be paid by YOU - as long as you're guilty.

Why do I know this?  I have a friend who is a lawyer and I was asking her questions in regards to a personal issue we have with someone returning funds to us (we'll leave it at that).
So typically there is a 70-80 Euros court fee for them to serve the documents to the other party/person and they have so long to present you a payment.  If that doesn't settle it - then boom - court time.

Our first Finniversary is coming up (cool term eh? I made it up)  So I'll be posting random facts that I can remember based on our experiences here.