Greetings
Greetings are used when meeting people you know from before or are to meet for the first time. If you just greet people in the street without knowing them, they probably just continue walking wondering about who you are and if they are supposed to know you or not.
The normal way of greeting in Finland is to say hello, shake hands and make eye contact shaking hands. Especially so if it the first time you meet someone.
“Hyvää päivää” is the and is commonly shortened into “päivää”, which means good day.
“Hei” is Hello and used on a more friendly basis, when entering a shop or meeting your friends or neighbours and likes.
There is more on Finnish words, phrases and pronunciation in the links section.
And do not be surprised when people just stare into the wall when entering an elevator with you, or when sitting on the bus or train opposite you for hours. Quietude is greatly appreciated here in Finland.
Shaking hands
A brief and firm handshake is considered best and honest, and no added any supporting gestures of touching the hand, upper arm or shoulder. Remember, a firm handshake and not soft and moist like a limp, slimy fish!
The customary way of kissing on the cheeks in some countries is not seen too often in Finland not even between close friends, and even less so kissing of hands.
Hugging, even among good friends is rare but does exist, and the Finns like to keep their own living space, and like to have a bit more distance to each other than is customary in other European countries.
If you are a woman you can keep your gloves on if shaking hands with a man, but you have to take them off to shake hands with a woman older than yourself.
Also as a woman, you can sit down when shaking hands with a man but you have to stand up to greet an older woman, just like with the gloves.
Introduction
Usually the wife is introduced first and as also is the “superior” of the two persons to be introduced. You give the “gift of introducing” the other person to the person you value most, and in this case it has to be your wife for making peace and not war! And guests first of course.
Customary is to always introduce all your guests to the people present, but when lots of guests arriving at the same time this might be difficult to do in practice.
If there are many people present and the host/hostess being busy it is better to work your way around the room and shake hands with everybody and introduce yourself. And don’t forget to greet any acquaintances present in the room as that would be a like a slap in the face, a huge error in etiquette!
When you are being introduced and your name is spoken aloud by your introducer, do not speak out loud your own name automatically, Just shake hands and say “Hello, pleased to meet you”.
Names
In Finland the Christian name is said first and then the surname, and forgetting a person’s name is considered one of the major errors of etiquette. So do try to get the names right at the first time you meet, which sometimes can be hard with strange names when many people to meet on the same occasion.
Getting to using first names with Finns usually requires a closer and more personal relationship, and if you meet regularly in either business or on your spare time, you usually mutually agree upon using first names. And when you finally get to a first name basis in your relationship with your Finnish friends are business associates, then it is permanent and forever.
bravenet.com