Suzanne Innes-Stubb, during a working visit to London with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, was filmed making a bow, a gesture that is deemed rare and problematic in Finland. The act, which is more common among young girls in the past during formal occasions, has not translated well into adult behaviors and raises questions about etiquette within the Finnish context.

Mirva Saukkola, chairperson of the Tapaseura association, pointed out that in contemporary Finland, bowing is not a customary greeting and can come off as foreign or awkward, especially in formal settings such as the Independence Day celebrations. The Finnish way to greet others usually involves a handshake, reflecting a cultural preference for direct interaction rather than subservient gestures.

Thus, Innes-Stubb’s bowing has sparked discussions on the appropriateness of such gestures within Finnish culture and how traditional norms evolve. It emphasizes the importance of understanding local customs, particularly for figures in the public eye who carry symbolic weight and influence perceptions of national identity.