Finnish Sauna Etiquette

Nudity is expected when enjoying a Finnish sauna.

Since the Finnish invented saunas, the etiquette they practice when having one is widely followed in Europe. One of the main things to remember is to take your time and enjoy the experience.

Nudity

The Fins sit completely nude in a sauna, regardless of the person's age or sex, because the point of the sauna's dry heat is to open your pores so you can sweat freely.

Shower

Before entering the sauna, take a cold shower in the nude; it's considered unsanitary to shower in a swimsuit. You should also take a shower when you're finished to cool down and close your pores.

Towel

Everyone should sit on a towel while in the sauna to ensure good hygiene. This will also protect your skin from the bench in case it becomes extremely hot.

Mixed Company

The Finnish take their saunas in mixed company, so don't be surprised to find men and women in the same room. Families of all ages also take saunas together.

Sexuality

While some parts of the world attach a sexual connotation to the nudity that's displayed in a sauna--such as South Korea, where visiting a sauna on the first date is a popular practice--the Finnish don't consider the nudity to be erotic.

References

• Home Saunas N Kits: Finnish Sauna Etiquette
• Sauna-Talk: The Basics of Sauna Etiquette
• Disabled World: Finnish Sauna Etiquette and Customs