The Finnish people are renowned for their honesty. A global “honesty test” conducted by Reader’s Digest in 16 cities worldwide, where wallets containing 1,400 euros, family photos, and contact details were intentionally dropped in busy streets, revealed that the people of Helsinki, Finland’s capital, were the most honest. Out of 12 wallets, 11 were returned to their rightful owners.
A Chinese father who visited Finland noted that it’s common to find items like clothing, scarves, hats, or children’s shoes hanging conspicuously on the roadside. Initially, he found this strange, but later realized it was a testament to the Finnish belief in not taking what isn’t theirs. Even lost wallets and mobile phones can be retrieved. His elder son once lost his wallet and found it the next day at the lost and found center with all the cash intact.
Honesty in everyday life
In Finland, honesty is deeply ingrained in everyday life. Public buses rarely have ticket inspectors, and railway platforms are directly accessible from the main roads. However, people don’t exploit these situations to dodge fares. Many communities have “honesty shops” without salespeople or surveillance cameras. Customers select their goods, scan the barcodes, and conscientiously put their payment in a box.
Honesty has become a yardstick that the Finnish people adhere to. It is said that some public service exams in Finland even provide the answers at the back of the test paper for self-assessment. Students have two hours to answer the questions and 10 minutes to check their answers. However, they are not allowed to alter their answers or cheat. If they fail, they willingly retake the exam until they pass.
Transparency and integrity
The Finnish people prefer to achieve their goals through hard work and integrity rather than deceit. This has fostered a culture of honesty and self-discipline in the country. Finland consistently ranks high on Transparency International’s global transparency index, securing the top spot for five consecutive years.
Finland’s Prosecutor General once said that citizen self-discipline is the most effective way to prevent corruption. When honesty, integrity, and self-discipline become societal norms, corruption naturally has no place to hide. It’s believed that the honesty and self-discipline of the Finnish people stem from their deep-seated belief in God, with over 97 percent of the population holding theistic beliefs.
The cost of dishonesty
In Finland, if someone loses their credibility due to actions like defaulting on debts, fraud, fare evasion, or tax evasion, they not only struggle to find employment, but may also be denied housing by property committees. This means those with poor moral character cannot thrive in society regardless of wealth. The cost of dishonesty is too high.
In addition to self-discipline, Finland also has strict laws. Public servants are prohibited from accepting high-value gifts, with the limit generally around 22 euros. Once a public servant is proven corrupt, they are immediately dismissed, and severe cases can lead to imprisonment. The cost of corruption is extreme.
The rewards of honesty
The Finnish people’s commitment to honesty has brought them numerous rewards. With a population of 5.4 million, Finland’s economy is primarily driven by manufacturing industries, including timber, metal, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics. The honesty and pragmatism of the Finnish people have earned their manufacturing and furniture design industries worldwide acclaim.
Finland is one of the world’s most advanced countries, offering its citizens a high standard of living and social welfare. For instance, pregnant women receive comprehensive healthcare and a gift package worth over 200 euros from the Social Security Bureau. The package includes essential baby items like a mattress, blanket, baby clothes, skin care products, diapers, and parenting books.
Finland’s education system is also world-renowned, one of the most balanced systems with the smallest achievement gap. Finnish higher education is frequently rated as the best by the World Economic Forum, attracting many countries to learn from their educational experiences.
Finland is also one of the countries with the best natural environment and high happiness index. Society is characterized by equality, food safety, good public security, and friendly, trusting relationships between people. Living in such a society brings peace and joy that money can’t buy.
In conclusion, while some may joke that the Finns are “too foolish” because they can do anything but lie or cheat, the benefits of their honesty are clear for all to see. Their commitment to truth and integrity has shaped a prosperous and profoundly content society.
