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Sports and games in Helsinki

One of the traditional, but still good, ways to practice (male) bonding is sports. Sports unite, and business cards and such are cast aside.

Almost every suburb and neighbourhood and workplace has a football (soccer) team. There is always room for new talent, but enthusiasm is often enough. If not soccer, there is floorball, ice hockey, volley, you name it. And in the summertime, as Helsinki happens to be by the sea, canoeing classes are an excellent way to mingle and enjoy the Baltic Sea. For both sexes.

Even if yoga is very popular, it has remained to be quite a ladies' thing. A quick search finds more than thirty yoga specialised schools in Helsinki. Also, many gyms have yoga sessions in their schedule. Another current craze, crossfit training is more gender-balanced. So if you are looking for a sweaty exercise with a strong communal vibe, that is the perfect pastime for you.

If training your brain is your thing, there are a number of chess clubs in town, even an arena to meet other enthusiasts and play. Shakkiareena is situated in the suburb of Pitäjänmäki.

Saunas in Helsinki

There is also a very Finnish way to build a social network. The only thing is that you have to take your clothes off. Helsinki has a growing number of public saunas with separate bathing hours for men and women. Steam and heat often spur conversations, and the atmosphere is inclusive. Finns are happy and proud to introduce newcomers to this tradition.

Karaoke in Helsinki

Another somewhat awkward social tradition is karaoke which, of course, needs some other form of courage. No need to strip, but you will need to have the guts to hop on stage. In some other countries, like Japan, people sing their lunges out in the privacy of a special karaoke booth. But, in Finland, and in Helsinki, it is a very public thing. However, there is nothing judgemental about it. Everyone taking up the mike gets applauded and will find themselves in the middle of attention.

Theatre groups in Helsinki

Speaking of the stage, there are a few active amateur English-speaking theatre groups in town. They are all looking to get new people around not only for acting but also for areas like production. Your English does not have to be perfect; broken Shakespeare is just fine.

Walking your dog in Helsinki

Of course, one of the best means of getting acquaintances is to have a pet, especially a dog. Helsinki has a lot of dogs and if you are walking one, you can be sure that another dog owner stops by and starts to share experiences, feeding tips and everything else what having a dog entails.

Every neighbourhood also has a dog park, and while your pets are playing around, a chit-chat begins naturally. If you are a devoted owner, many breeds have their own Facebook pages, and sometimes there are social occasions in the parks.

Libraries in Helsinki

One place deserves to be mentioned still. Oodi, the new central library right next to the main railway station, has become a gathering venue for all sorts of groups and interests. Actually, to call it a library is misleading. It is a public space, not a commercial one, to work and study, to play videogames or chess or to attend almost daily lectures – a place designed for people to meet and discuss and change ideas, or to have a lunch or coffee.

Clubs and communities in Helsinki

The digital age with all its applications has obviously enabled like-minded people to find each other easily – and to create clubs or more loosely structured communities. In Helsinki, there must be one for everyone. From religious groups to environmentalists, from web designers to travel hackers. But, if you just wish to have some fun in an old-fashion way, maybe you could make your way to the events organised by The Helsinki Social Club.

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