What really sucks in the sauna?
For many people, a visit to the sauna is the perfect way to relax, unwind and take time out from the stresses and strains of everyday life. Nevertheless, there are always situations in which one cannot let oneself fall all around: Sweaty fellow visitors who get on your nerves can spoil a visit to the sauna just as much as conversations between other people or even permanently reserved seats. Typical bad habits that are annoying in the sauna and how to behave correctly are presented in more detail below.
Talking in the sauna – is that okay?
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with talking to your partner or best friend when it’s just the two of you in the sauna cabin. However, if other visitors are also in the sauna, loud conversations can be very disturbing. If you visit a public sauna, you should refrain from prolonged conversations out of consideration for those around you and give them the opportunity to enjoy the peace and quiet.
As a general rule, conversations that extend across several seats are a no-go. Whispering, on the other hand, is not a problem. An old Finnish proverb says that it is best to behave in the sauna as if you were visiting a church – you can use this as a guide.
Body hygiene is very important for a sauna visit
Anyone who enters the sauna cabin without showering and smelling of sweat and thus inconveniences other visitors need not be surprised if they receive nasty looks. It is at least as important to shower after a visit to the sauna and only then to jump into a cold water pool. Because at the latest when the water in the pool becomes cloudy, it is no longer fun for anyone to enter the pool at all. So regular showers before and after a visit to the sauna should be a matter of course.
Keeping your distance is especially important in the sauna
For most people, it is very unpleasant when strangers come too close to them. The limit of appropriate distance is about one meter – this also applies to the sauna. Sitting too close – possibly even with direct body contact – is absolutely undesirable in the sauna. Newcomers who simply squeeze in between other guests in the sauna cabin without greeting them, or use other people’s towels to put their feet on will be criticized.
A sauna is a sensitive area in which a great deal of consideration must always be shown to other people. A minimum distance of 40 to 50 cm from other sauna visitors is appropriate – the more, the better. So if you’re only sharing the cabin with one other stranger, feel free to sit at the other end. That way, everyone can enjoy some privacy and not feel uncomfortable.
Reserving a couch in the sauna – an absolute no-go
It should go without saying that you use your own towel to sit on in the sauna. Sitting on naked wood is unhygienic, as sweat will naturally drip on it at some point. You should also pay attention to your posture, which should be respectful to others.
Sitting with wide legs is usually considered obscene. Also, undesirable: reserving loungers or seats with your bath towel is not appropriate. Anyone visiting the sauna wants to be able to choose a place that is still free – and anyone just leaving the sauna should therefore take their towel with them.
10 tips for a correct sauna visit
- Take a shower before visiting the sauna
- Pay attention to the correct body hygiene
- Always use your own towel
- Keep a minimum distance of 40-50 cm from other sauna visitors
- Do not have long conversations when other people are around
- Do not get too close to other people
- Do not reserve any loungers
- Take a shower after the sauna session
- Do not enter a cold water pool until you have showered
- Be considerate of other sauna visitors
By the way: It happens again and again that you meet familiar faces in the sauna. Sometimes you feel a sense of embarrassment. Nevertheless, you should take the time to at least greet them with a nod of the head – so much politeness is necessary.
