Swimming pools | Thousands of Finns tell us what annoys them in swimming pools – “Some pretty ugly words were used,” says the professor

What really annoy Finns in swimming pools?

Now the point of view of thousands of people has been obtained, because at the end of December, HS implemented in cooperation with the professor of social and health policy Juho Saaren with the surveywhich inquired about readers' attitudes towards swimming pools.

And people really had something to say about them, as more than 2,800 people responded to the survey. Of course, it must be remembered that the answers do not represent the entire population, but include the voice of Helsingin Sanomat's readers. Our magazine's readers are mostly middle-aged, middle-income, and Finnish in background, but there is some variation.

The swimming halls have been the talk of the town in recent weeks, especially after HS reported about the one in Itäkeskus' swimming hall from fighting and the clash of cultures in that hall.

“Based on the answers to the survey, Finns have a very strong understanding of how to behave in the swimming pool,” says Saari.

A survey based on this, it is possible to outline three themes that particularly bother people in swimming pools.

First of all, a lot of people pointed out a lack of rhythm in the pool, which means that there are too slow swimmers in the fast lanes or vice versa. Often it's about people swimming or jogging side by side.

“Persons who deviate from the mainstream are a key problem, which was described in some pretty ugly words in the survey,” says Saari.

Another key problem is unsanitary conditions. Some of the users of the swimming hall do not wash properly or wet their hair, or they come to the sauna in swimming trunks. Many respondents also pointed out strong scents and perfumes, which are particularly disturbing in changing rooms.

The third challenge is related to social norms. For example, some of the female respondents feel that they have been the object of unwanted looks from men in the swimming hall. Some, on the other hand, felt that their glands had been violated.

Many pointed out impolite behavior, which manifests itself in, for example, excessive splashing in the sauna or not giving others space in the pool during rush hour.

Noise is also a key problem. Since the swimming halls will be calmed down, mesmerizing and, for example, loud laughing are not considered acceptable. According to Saari, especially young boys with an immigrant background received feedback about their loudness at the pools.

According to Saari, the so-called concept of friction clearly emerged from the survey. It means that you have to constantly negotiate with others about how to use the shared space.

Of everything despite this, people are extremely happy and satisfied that we have swimming pools at all, says Saari.

First of all, it is a place of relaxation for many, and that is why silence and calm both in the sauna and in the pools are important to many.

Finnish swimming pools are also praised for safety and cleanliness, neither of which, according to Saari, is a matter of course.

In addition, moving in swimming pools is an enjoyable form of exercise for many. So you don't come there to play sports with your teeth grinning, but you don't come there to look for entertainment either.

“Swimming is a gentle way to get in shape for many people. For many, it seems important that as many people as possible can move in their own gentle way in the hall.”

Saari also went to the sauna in the Vuosaari swimming hall. According to those who answered the survey, it is particularly important to enter the sauna without swimming trunks. Picture: Juhani Niiranen / HS

Now the collected material will be used in a study, in which, in addition to Saari, the professor will participate Mika Pantzar from the University of Helsinki and a professor Sakari Taipale from the University of Jyväskylä.

At the same time, the purpose is to map both Finns' relationship with swimming halls and the history related to swimming. According to Saari, it is interesting that swimming pools in Finland are in a very special position, even compared internationally.

“Perhaps the most surprising thing about the results of the survey was how much Finns take for granted that the public authorities provide us with such swimming spots,” he says.