Just as cultures are different in every country, so are the dating norms. You might be interested in dating a Finnish man, but you want to know what to expect before you do. From how to find the right guy to how you can build a lasting relationship, these tips for dating a Finnish man will help you navigate the experience.
Introduce Yourself
Know that a Finnish man will not approach you and hit on you if he sees you out in public, so have your introduction ready to use on any attractive Finn you might spot. Finnish men are shy and might even look away when you make eye contact across the room.
It’s not that Finnish guys are oblivious—not more than males from any other nationality, anyway. They’re just more reserved, so flirting isn’t really what they do. A Finnish man will open up to you over time, so it’s worth making that first move yourself.
Introductions in Finland are incredibly casual. Shaking hands is most common, whether you’re meeting a man or a woman. Kissing someone on the cheek is a no-no—that’s way too intimate! If you’re meeting a group of people, you can wave your hand or nod your head, and that’s enough of a greeting to seem friendly.
If you ask, “How are you?” a Finnish man will take time to answer this seriously. This question isn’t used as a standard greeting in Finland, so they see it as a genuine inquiry. If you’re in the habit of using this phrase as a greeting, make sure you pause after asking so you can hear the response.
Be Outgoing
Don’t give up if you find that you’re always the one to get the conversation started and keep it going. Don’t ask a question that can be answered with a yes or no, because all you’ll get in response is that yes or no. The conversation will be dead in the water before you know what happened.
Ask questions that will start a conversation and make it effortless to keep it going. Questions that express both your desire to know more about the county and the man will show him that you’re interested. Consider asking, “What are your favorite things to do in town?” or “What’s the best Finnish comfort food I should try?”
If you want to know something about your Finnish man, don’t be afraid to ask him! He will give you an honest answer, even if the question is quite personal or difficult. Be aware that he might not turn the question back around to you because Finns rarely ask questions when getting to know someone.
Once you break the ice and get to know a Finnish man, don’t step back and expect him to take control. Finnish men see women as equals, so he most likely will not plan each date—or pay for it. The lack of gender roles can be refreshing to many women, but if you want a guy to be a total gentleman, you might not want a Finn.
A Finnish man would prefer to become friends first and get to know you before asking