Sitz

Sitz: Guidelines for Haaga-Helia Students

Sitz are a centuries-old academic dining tradition that originated in Germany and made its way to Finland via Estonia and Sweden. Initially, sitz were celebrated exclusively among university students, but nowadays they are also a part of the student life in universities of applied sciences.

Tahtoisin ginitonicin, ginitonicin
Tai sitten minttufernetin, minttufernetin
Kyll’ kelpais kossuvissykin, kossuvissykin
Nyt ryypätään, nyt ryypätään

Community and Traditions

Every student community has its sitz traditions. Whether it’s the location, university, university of applied sciences, faculty, or association, traditions vary. Encountering new traditions is an opportunity to learn. Remember to respect the guidelines of the organizing party and embrace their way of celebrating with an open mind.

Jos saisin, mitä tekisin, mitä tekisin?
Kyll’ varmaan jotain keksisin, jotain keksisin,
tai sitten kotiin juoksisin, kotiin juoksisin.
Nyt jänistää, nyt jänistää.

General Practices

Here are some tips to help you navigate sitz:

Table Etiquette: If you know the rules for annual celebrations, you’ll do well at sitz too. Remember, sitz are more relaxed than annual celebrations.
Dress Code: The theme or dress code is always announced in advance. It’s time to let your inner fashion designer shine. The purpose of sitsit is to have fun and be a little crazy!

Arrival and the start

When you arrive:

Leave your coat in the cloakroom.
Greet the organizers.
Find your seat at the table.

A few minutes before sitz begins: Move to your seat, stand behind your chair, and introduce yourself to those sitting near you. Sitz does not have a master of ceremony but rather toasts who keep the atmosphere lively.

On mulla naama valkoinen, naama valkoinen
ja maistuis olut huurteinen, olut huurteinen
Juon sitä kolpakollisen, kolpakollisen
ja oksennan, yli laidan.

Punishments

Punishments are part of sitz and are done with humor. They can be one-time (e.g., reciting a poem) or last the entire evening (e.g., losing your chair). The most common reasons for punishment are leaving without permission or being late after a break.

Dining and toasting

Dining is not the main focus, so make sure to eat a warm meal beforehand.

The 10 golden rules of dining:

Follow the toastmaster’s instructions.
During speeches and songs, do not talk, eat, or drink.
Do not leave the table without the toastmaster’s permission.
To request to speak, tap your glass.
To request a song, tap your glass just like for a speech.
After a song, toast by raising your glass to the left front, right front, and across, or as instructed.
There are several exclamations during songs, like “tempo,” either up or down, or “omstart säkeistö,” which restarts the verse.
Drink only when the word “mellansup” is called during a song.
The main course is not meant to be warm when eaten.
Instead of clapping, hit the table with your hand or stomp your feet

Organized by HSOY ry:

HSOY organizes several sitz each academic year in collaboration with partners like SVTK, Lare ry, and associations in Haaga-Helian. Information about upcoming sites is shared on Instagram.