Saunas: a heated debate

uring my travels - and trust me, I’ve sweated in more sauna cabins than I can count - I’ve discovered something rather amusing: almost every country believes it has ‘perfected’ the art of sauna.

The Finns have strong opinions about how a sauna should be used. The Germans have their own traditions. The Russians have theirs. And being a proud Polish girl myself, I can tell you we definitely have ours too. Everywhere you go, people are utterly convinced their local customs represent the one true way to enjoy a sauna.

What’s fascinating is that many of these traditions flatly contradict each other. In some countries, mixed-gender nudity is completely normal, but talking during a session is practically a crime. In others, conversation flows freely, but everyone’s expected to wear swimwear (ugh!). Some places lean into essential oils and elaborate ceremonies, while others keep it plain and simple.

However, strip away the cultural assumptions, the inherited habits and the religious hangovers, and good sauna etiquette is actually wonderfully simple. It’s about hygiene, comfort, safety and respect. And, more importantly, having a genuinely wonderful experience…

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