Planning a trip to Finland and want to make sure you don't accidentally offend the locals? Look no further!

Here is a list of twelve common ways you can make Finns think you're weird without even realising it. From nakedness in the sauna to disliking the beloved Moomin characters, make sure to avoid these faux pas.

1. Keep your clothes on around strangers

Most cultures view nakedness as sexual and very funny. But for Finns, it's a different story. In the sauna, Finns let it all hang out with friends, family, and sometimes work-mates. It's tempting for an outsider to hang on to their Speedos upon their first sauna visit, but not flaunting your birthday suit in a Finnish sauna makes you the odd one out. So show some decorum and embrace your nakedness with dignity.

2. Don't indulge in debauchery on Vappu

Vappu is Finland's Labour Day which takes place on May 1st, just as the weather is turning picnic-friendly. Vappu is all about fun, celebration, and consuming copious amounts of the traditional Finnish mead (Sima). It's a time when the streets of Helsinki fill with laughter, dancing, vomiting and stumbling drunks. The place makes Las Vegas look like a wholesome cow town. So staying in on Vappu is not an option. OK, there are some Finns who spend Vappu at their summer cottages. But you can bet that even those guys will be fall-on-their-ass drunk by 9 pm.

3. Say that you're not a fan of the Moomins

In Finland, Moomins are kind of a big deal. Created as a children's story in 1945 by Tove Jansson, the Moomin brand is now a global behemoth worth over 500 million euros. The chubby pale hippo-like creatures are unbelievably cute and resonate with millions of people, especially the Finnish. If you ever visit Finland, be prepared to see more Moomins than you have ever seen in your life. Moomin cafes, Moomin sodas, and even Moomin medical supplies are typical in Finland. So If you want to vex a Finn for fun, refer to their much-loved creatures as "spooky hippos" or "chubby weird ghost things." But if you really don't like Moomins, don't come to Finland. There's no escaping the glare of their abnormally large eyes here.

4. Start a polite and friendly conversation with a stranger

Finland's landmass is covered by 78% forest, so it's understandable Finns learn the value of privacy and personal space at a young age. Finnish public transport even seems to be designed to give people lots of space, as carriages on underground trains tend to have fewer seats. It's just one more reason Finns don't tend to enjoy making small talk with random members of the public. Here, saying rude stuff to a Finn like "nice weather today, isn't it?" will be met with confusion and annoyance.

5. Wear your shoes indoors

In many Finnish households, the entrance hall is like a demilitarised zone for footwear. Walking into a Finnish home with your shoes on is akin to tap-dancing on their grandmother's antique rug. So unless you want to be the talk of the evening for all the wrong reasons, do everyone a favour and leave your muddy boots at the door.

6. Be late for appointments

Punctuality in Finland isn't just a courtesy; it's a way of life. Finnish trains and buses are renowned for their timeliness, with schedules planned to the minute—even in challenging Arctic conditions. Arriving late to a meeting or even a casual coffee date is seen as a cardinal sin. If you show up fashionably late, don't be surprised if your Finnish friend has already left, assuming you've been swallowed by a snowdrift or abducted by aliens.

7. Talk loudly in public

Finns are a reserved bunch who appreciate peace and quiet like it's a national treasure. In Finland, silence is considered a part of communication, and comfortable silences are valued in conversations. Yelling into your phone or having a boisterous conversation on public transport will earn you more icy stares than a snowstorm in Lapland. Keep your volume at a respectful level unless you want to feel as out of place as a polar bear in the tropics.

8. Say no to a sauna invitation

When a Finn invites you to the sauna, it's akin to being offered the keys to the kingdom. The sauna is so integral to Finnish culture that there's even one inside Finland's Parliament building for politicians to relax and discuss matters informally. Turning down this steamy offer is like refusing a knighthood from the Queen—unthinkable. So, muster up the courage, shed those inhibitions (and clothes), and join in the national pastime.

9. Tell them you're not a fan of coffee

Finns consume more coffee per capita than any other nation, with the average Finn drinking about 10 kilograms of coffee per year—roughly double the consumption of Italy or the United States. Saying you don't like coffee or, worse, that Finnish coffee is weak, is like telling them Santa Claus isn't real. Just smile, accept the cup, and let the caffeine propel you through any awkward silences.

10. Make fun of heavy metal

Finland has more heavy metal bands per capita than anywhere else on Earth. In fact, Finland won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 with the heavy metal band Lordi, famous for their elaborate monster costumes. Mocking this national treasure is a fast track to offending just about everyone. Even Grandma probably headbangs to Nightwish. So, if metal isn't your thing, best to keep that little tidbit to yourself.

11. Confuse Finland with other Nordic countries

Mixing up Finland with Sweden is a rookie mistake. For starters, Finnish is not mutually intelligible with Swedish, Norwegian or Danish; it's part of the Finno-Ugric language family, making it more closely related to Estonian and Hungarian. Telling a Finn that you're excited to try some IKEA meatballs in Helsinki won't win you any friends and might just get you a geography lesson you didn't ask for.

12. Get up close and personal in queues

Finns love their personal space, especially when lining up. Standing too close in a queue is like breathing down someone's neck—literally. A photo of Finns waiting at a bus stop, each standing several meters apart—even in freezing temperatures—went viral as a humorous example of their respect for personal space. Keep a respectful distance unless you want to feel the sharp edge of Finnish discomfort slicing through the air.

Remember, while it may be easy to make Finns think you're a weirdo without realising it, it's also easy to avoid doing so by simply being aware of and respecting these cultural quirks. Happily, by following these tips, you can fully enjoy all that this marvellous country has to offer, naked or not.