A question or two about housing and working life

[FutsuuNoOtoko]

I know that it's pretty much a shot in the dark but does anyone happen to know of any Japanese-style or Japanese-like housing anywhere in Finland? I'd rule out the possibility of tatami mats and sliding paper doors but perhaps there exists a home which gives off a feeling of Japanese style? One feature that I particularly like about Japanese style homes are the solariums (rooms or small decks used for sitting comfortably in the sun). Even if a home doesn't have a Japanese style is it remotely common that homes possess such a feature in Finland?

With regards to working life, what is the average work climate expected to be like? I realize that it varies between professions but what is the average perception of what working life should be in Finland? For myself, work as a Linux Administrator has a very relaxed atmosphere wherein, as long as I do what I need to do, the working life is fairly calm. What sort of mannerisms would one be expected to have while working in Finland that strike one as important?

Cheers ,
Regular Guy

[cors187]

Japanese style homes are the solariums (rooms or small decks used for sitting comfortably in the sun). Even if a home doesn't have a Japanese style is it remotely common that homes possess such a feature in Finland?

Yes , newer styles of "balcony " are beginning to be full glass enclosed in new apartment buildings.

[riku2]

perhaps there exists a home which gives off a feeling of Japanese style?

As someone who's been to japan half a dozen times this post is really funny. Japanese style houses? You mean the house occupies almost all the plot with only a legally mandated 50cm strip of land around it until the neighbours plot? Or apartment blocks with thin walls? Balconies with trap doors in the floor to travel between floors in an emergency? Bathtubs with a roll cover to keep the water warm until the next person wants to use the water? No central heating but a table with heater underneath and a blanket around the edge so you stick your feet under and it keeps your feet warm? Although I love japan I struggle to find any aspect of japanese housing that I would import back to Finland.

As for working life, then a million miles different to japan. Most offices are empty by 5pm, nobody complains if you work the official hours, our contracts actually prohibit more than 128h overtime in any six month period (even if you yourself want to work longer and get the money!). The idea that you would not take ALL your allocated 5week holiday is unknown and most people would take a 4 week solid block in the summer. no concept of "the company can't do without me", companies are mostly used to almost shutting down for july due to 3/4 of the people being on holiday. You not only take sick days when you yourself are sick but when your children are sick too (and this is not seen as being desperate to get a free day off work).

One might move onto the role of women in society (both at work, as a couple and generally) but the differences with japan would fill a book. I doubt there are many finnish men with the wife taking the husbands payslip and running the household finances, giving the husband a daily allowance. many couples in finland keep separate bank accounts and household bills are shared, each person using their own salary as they see fit and sharing the common expenses.

In the working area there are some things I would import. people will casually give you things with one hand or just throw it along the table at you. shop assistants might dump the change and receipt on the counter and not put it in your hand. in those respects some things adopted from japan would be nice.

[FutsuuNoOtoko]

As someone who's been to japan half a dozen times this post is really funny. Japanese style houses? You mean the house occupies almost all the plot with only a legally mandated 50cm strip of land around it until the neighbours plot? Or apartment blocks with thin walls? Balconies with trap doors in the floor to travel between floors in an emergency? Bathtubs with a roll cover to keep the water warm until the next person wants to use the water? No central heating but a table with heater underneath and a blanket around the edge so you stick your feet under and it keeps your feet warm? Although I love japan I struggle to find any aspect of japanese housing that I would import back to Finland.

...

In the working area there are some things I would import. people will casually give you things with one hand or just throw it along the table at you. shop assistants might dump the change and receipt on the counter and not put it in your hand. in those respects some things adopted from japan would be nice.

I think it would've been best if I had stated that I don't live in Japan. Given my username and my question it would make sense to assume so, so that would be my fault. I agree with the sentiment that Japanese housing often follows practices that I believe to be an inferior, if not just to be cheaper (Space heaters vs central heating, concrete vs brick framework). There is however something pleasant about the design of traditional Japanese homes. Also, having lived in Texas and California most of my life I can't say I've ever encountered any sort of shop attendant or clerk not placing change into my hand. I certainly wouldn't be upset by it (as some of my Japanese friends might) but I would feel quite quizzical (I've simulated the event in my mind to test my reaction).

[snorlonikins]

I think if you look for an older, timber framed, property and are prepared to make some alteration you can have exactly what you want. Tatami matting needn't present a problem, as the custom in Finland, at least everywhere I've been, is to remove shoes before entering the living area. You may even be lucky enough to find a house with decent solid wood flooring intact.

Also many of the interior wall aren't load bearing in single storey homes, so it should be possible to create the sliding doors/screens that you require. In my house someone has literally chopped off the two wooden sliding doors that separated the living area from the hallway and bedroom areas.