Emily Chan
Saunas are a cherished part of the Finnish lifestyle. People in Finland view the sauna as a relaxing place they can visit to cleanse their minds and bodies and embrace inner peace. But in America, the culture surrounding saunas is a completely different story.
A Finnish TikTok creator named Aurora (@rorayoga) is discussing her initial shock regarding American “sauna culture” when she moved to the United States. She has been living in Los Angeles for six years now, and ever since her first experience in an American sauna, she refuses to step foot in one again.
So, at the time, she had gone to a sauna in her gym. Upon entering the sauna, she saw a sign warning people not to throw water on the rocks for risk of electrocution. She noted that the sign had confused her since, in Finland, it was customary to splash water on the rocks.
“We most definitely throw water because that’s what makes the sauna hot, and that’s what makes it amazing for you. Otherwise, it’s just a dry, hot room that’s, like, pulling all the moisture from your skin and just feels terrible,” said Aurora.
As she continued with her account of the experience, she described the attire that Americans opted for when going into saunas. She entered the sauna with a towel wrapped around her body and was stunned to see everyone else wearing clothes.
She explained that in Finland, you were not allowed to go in saunas wearing any clothes or swimwear. The saunas are usually separated by gender, but in the ones that aren’t, it is appropriate to have swimwear.
“Now, when I say wearing clothes, they’re wearing full-on workout gear and shoes. There’s literally one girl working out. Another girl is sitting with her AirPods on, listening to music with her phone in the sauna,” said Aurora.
She also mentioned that the sauna was dirty and had weightlifting chalk scattered everywhere, which she declared was “unacceptable.”
The sauna is considered a sacred place in Finland. You are required to speak in low, hushed tones and leave behind all unnecessary things, like technology. People even used to give birth in saunas, so they were always kept clean.
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