The Foreign Service Journal, June 2014

38 JUNE 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Sauna Diplomacy Speaking of warm relations, there simply is no substitute for what we Finns call “sauna diplomacy.” Some even argue that it helped keep Finland, which borders modern Russia and shared a long border with the Soviet Union, safe during the Cold War. The only loanword the English language has taken from Finnish, a sauna is a space to share one’s thoughts in a setting of trust. The aim of sauna diplomacy is not to make anyone uncomfortable, but to hit “pause” for a while, reveal the think- ing behind different perspectives, and find common ground. A sauna is always the first building that Finnish peacekeep- ers in Kosovo, Afghanistan or elsewhere set up within their perimeters, and it is an integral part of Finnish social life. This past winter, it was especially popular here in D.C.! The clearance system, the multiple layers of staffers and “the Line” are conspicuously absent from the Finnish Foreign Service. It has been great to share this and other facets of Finnish culture with American friends and colleagues during my time at State and later, just as my wife and I have been welcomed into the homes and lives of the people here. We’ve become addicted to turkey with stuffing at Thanksgiving, and find it hard to imagine a Nats game without half-smokes from Ben’s Chili Bowl. The dynamism, honesty, openness and warmth we’ve found in Washington have simply blown us away. The natural ease of our countries’ cooperation, both during the fellowship and inmy current position back at the embassy, has been truly remarkable. I felt like a part of the team ever since I first stepped into the Harry S Truman Building, andmy colleagues at the embassy and I look forward to helping our countries work together on the issues that shape our common future. n