4.6 Finnish Sauna Q3 How are you supposed to bathe?
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This article is from the Nordic countries FAQ, by Antti Lahelma and Johan Olofsson, with numerous contributions by others.
4.6 Finnish Sauna Q3 How are you supposed to bathe?
There are no rules, only guidelines. Finns like their
traditions, but do not enforce them on themselves or
foreigners. Usually you bathe together with your family. If you
are with friends or others that aren't family members, men and
women take turns to bathe separately. Most public saunas are
separate for men and women, but not all. You take your clothes
off (this is not a rule, mind you; if someone wants to use a
towel or bathing suite, it's not a breach of any important
etiquette), go and sit down on the benches and relax. The air
is not particularly humid at first (there is no visible steam),
and when you feel like it, you throw some water on the stones
to increase humidity. This causes the water to vaporize very
quickly, and it makes the bathers feel a momentary breath of
hot air in their backs. It may be uncomfortable, if the stove
is too hot or if you use too much water, and in those cases it
helps to step down on the lower bench, or to go out entirely.
This is also perfectly acceptable, and first-time sauna bathers
shouldn't feel obligated to stay in if they don't feel like it.
The basic goal is to enjoy and relax, and sweat. After you've
done enough of that, you go to the showers, and/or swim in the
lake, depending on the facilities. After swimming or showering,
you can go back to the sauna, and repeat this cycle as many
times as you want.
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