International diplomacy usually involves conference tables, formal attire and carefully chosen words.

In Finland, it may involve a towel and temperatures approaching 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

For decades, the Finns have practiced sauna diplomacy, inviting foreign officials into steam-filled rooms where the heat and informality can help break down barriers.

Nearly every Finnish embassy has a sauna, according to Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The facilities are used to build relationships, establish trust and occasionally advance difficult negotiations.

During the Cold War, Finnish President Urho Kekkonen regularly entertained Soviet officials in his private sauna. In 1978, Soviet Defense Minister Dmitri Ustinov reportedly proposed joint military exercises while the two men were enjoying the heat. Kekkonen rejected the suggestion, defending Finland's neutrality.

Another practitioner was Martti Ahtisaari, Finland's former president and winner of the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize. He used sauna diplomacy in his international mediation work, believing that informal conversation could help adversaries find common ground.

The philosophy is simple: In a sauna, titles and status tend to matter less. Kekkonen reportedly observed that there are no superpowers or small powers in a sauna.

In 2011, the Finnish Sauna Society honored the country's Ministry for Foreign Affairs for its contributions to sauna diplomacy.