HOW to FINLAND

When people talk about the potato colors, they often mean the colors of the bags that the potatoes are packaged in, not the potatoes themselves.

In Finland, people wear layers to keep warm in cold weather. The garments are a little loose, not tight against the body, in order to trap and hold body heat in between the layers. Breathable, moisture wicking fabrics are preferred, as staying dry is a priority.

This first layer is the “normal” underpants worn in daily life. Cotton fabrics are avoided, because cotton absorbs moisture from the body. Once damp, the cotton fabric no longer holds a layer of warm air, and the body feels cold.

The next layer is a pair of long, thin pants. Usually made from wool, the Finnish refer to this garment as “long johns” (pitkähousut, pitkikset). These pants are loose against the legs, without compression. Closer to pajamas than running tights. Good alternatives to wool include merino wool, bamboo, viscose. Avoid cotton. The idea is to wick away the body's moisture while holding an isulating layer of warm air.

For added warmth, another layer of insulation can be worn over the long underware. Sweatpants, or as the Finnish call them “college pants” (collegehousut) are often worn. Another option is fleece-lined leggings. Again, the fit is loose to avoid compressing the underlayers.

Parking disc goes on the dash. Set the time to the time that you started parking, rounded up to the next half hour.

In many places, queues are managed with assigned numbers rather than standing people in a line. Look for a screen that you can tap to print a small receipt with a number on it, and then watch or listen for your number to come up. Stay near the counter, or they may skip you when it's your turn.