Sauna Etiquette for Beginners
Sauna Etiquette
Sauna etiquette differs slightly from country to country, with certain European countries more lax about things such as full nudity than the UK. However, there are a general set of 
basic rules that must be adhered to unless you want to find yourself in an awkward situation.
Sauna Clothing
Unless it is otherwise stated that the sauna is a 'nude sauna', assume that modesty is the rule of thumb and wear a swimsuit inside. It is the kind of thing that can really make a sauna experience uncomfortable if you get it wrong. If it is a nude sauna, etiquette demands that you sit on a towel, just to maintain hygiene standards.
Another important issue is that of whether a sauna is male only, female only or mixed. Again, it will be signposted whether this is the case or not, but it is one of the main reasons why most countries make their saunas as swimwear requires places. Male or female only saunas also tend to be hotter, especially in Russia and Finland (the home of the sauna).
Talking in a Sauna
The important rule of sauna etiquette is that of talking. Many sauna users often sit in silence, but again, depending on the sauna, low volume speaking is acceptable. Shouting and loudly talking however is frowned upon.
Aufguss (onpouring)
Other factors all come down to common sense. In Germany, one form of etiquette is the Aufguss (onpouring), where you decide when to pour water onto the hot stones to make the sauna hotter. Again, it is polite to ask before you do so, but in some countries the procedure is done by a 'Saunameister', who does it every 10 minutes.
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