Why Finland is Fantastic: Reason #1,912: Hanging outside in your bathrobe
In the U.S., there’s only two types of people you’ll find hanging outside their homes in a bathrobe or a towel - Either white trash, or wealthy people who have a big fence around their yard so no one can see in. And maybe the occasional Sunday-morning dad walking up the driveway to get the paper. You just don’t want your neighbors to catch you outside not wearing any clothes, it’s not good for property values.
But in Finland, it’s perfectly okay to be out on your porch in your bathrobe or a towel because everyone will think you just got out from the sauna and are enjoying the fresh air. I’ve had long conversations outside with my neighbors with absolutely nothing between the ground and my balls. It’s great, you don’t even need to come from the sauna, I’ll often sit outside in a towel after a shower, eat breakfast out there half naked as well.
Poor Phil, the evil welfare state has robbed him of his underpants by excessive taxation as well!!!
Comment by Hank W. — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 12:55 am
Are you entering the wife carring contest as well? You could potentially win her weight in beer. Unlike this blogger I actually live in NYC and travel quite alot all over the country (US and Finland). It varies. I asume he’s never been to Miami or Cali or anywhere else besides Maryland (typical) With these types of blogs it really does a good job of excluding. Have you ever seen a show call “Tool Time” The main character speaks to his neighbour constantly in his bathrobe. And this is a network TV show.
And besides, I though Finnish people didn’t talk to their neighbours. This is what I get for reading an American abroad. Foolishness……
Comment by Anonymous — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 2:06 am
“Tool Time†The main character speaks to his neighbour constantly in his bathrobe.”
I’ve seen that show. He’s got a big fence between them. No chance of accidentally seeing each other’s “tools.” heh heh
In fact, I don’t think the neighbor’s face is ever revealed; only his eyes.
Generally speaking though, Europe is definitely a ‘clothes optional’ kind of place. However, over the years, Finland has probably grown more conservative than other places. As a young child, I remember sitting in the sauna with my parents…and grandparents. No clothes. Now it’s probably not done that way anymore.
Germany is still highly nakedness oriented though. For example, the saunas/steam rooms at most health clubs are mixed and naked. But, in Finland, separate men’s and women’s saunas exist in most places.
Not sure how I got from discussing bathrobes to nakedness. Oh well, gotta go with it, I guess. By the way, my little vacation cottage doesn’t have separate men’s and women’s saunas
Comment by Kristian (in Espoo) — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 2:27 am
I have no clue what #2 is talking about. Finland is much more with being naked. I am not sure of Phil’s US travels, but I have been around and Finland is on another level concerning this matter.
I will spare readers of my Finland experiences which for some reason did not include even a towel.
Comment by Fred Fry — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 3:55 am
At least your neighbours bother with the towel! There are just some things that I don’t want to see when I’m having my breakfast.
Comment by Kathryn — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 8:28 am
It varies. I asume he’s never been to Miami or Cali or anywhere else besides Maryland (typical)
I’ve been to Miami, Cali, and have traveled quite a bit. Is it cool to wear a bathrobe in your neighborhood? Do you by any chance happen to live in a trailer park?
I though Finnish people didn’t talk to their neighbours.
What was that you said about foolishness?
Comment by Phil — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 8:52 am
I’ve seen that show. He’s got a big fence between them. No chance of accidentally seeing each other’s “tools.†heh heh
Exactly, they have a huge white fence, and I think that family is quite wealthy considering the husband has his own TV show.
“Either white trash, or wealthy people who have a big fence around their yard so no one can see in.”
Comment by Phil — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 8:54 am
Have you ever noticed that Finnish movies 9 times in 10 will feature a Finnish dude in full-monty formation sans robe? I’m thinking it could be a new drinking game in the theme of Bob Newheart. Maybe Finnish guys just like to exhibit their wares.
Comment by hfb — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 9:03 am
Have you ever noticed that Finnish movies 9 times in 10 will feature a Finnish dude in full-monty formation sans robe?
That’s probably Samuli Edelmann in some Selin production every time. Leena Sharma wrote a funny column about the topic a while back. Then there are e.g. Kaurismäki films which famously have no sex or nudity.
Comment by Freeridin' Franklin — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 9:22 am
No! Phil, I don’t live in a trailer park. The last time I checked mid town manhattan didn’t have trailer parks and you would know this if you could afford the rent while in the US. You probably couldn’t afford my rent in Finland. I’m quite sure of this, actually, looking at the average salaries for Nokia employees on your level.
I suspect you do not live downtown Helsinki since you would know this is a constant (well, not constant but I heard it a few times and experienced it) conversation topic. People haven’t seen or heard their neighbours for weeks at a time.
My comment was not a defense to the US being more free with nudity (or anything for that matter) or potential nudity but it’s a vast country with all sorts of places that have various types of lifestyles. It’s not as simple as you put it. Not only trailer parks and the weathy are considerable when making a point. You seem to have a view of the US as a typical export with assimilation on the brain but camoflague it with your adament stance against the welfare state. You make these very broad comparisons which are really careless and frankly completely untintelligent from a core sociological prespective.
Comment by Anonymous — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 9:48 am
ou would know this if you could afford the rent while in the US. You probably couldn’t afford my rent in Finland. I’m quite sure of this, actually, looking at the average salaries for Nokia employees on your level.
It’s true, I’m poor.
I suspect you do not live downtown Helsinki since you would know this is a constant (well, not constant but I heard it a few times and experienced it) conversation topic. People haven’t seen or heard their neighbours for weeks at a time.
Downtown Helsinki is NOT Finland. True, the renters in the downtown area don’t bother chatting with neighbors because they move every 14 months or so and they don’t own. The rest of Finland is quite different.
You seem to have a view of the US as a typical export with assimilation on the brain but camoflague it with your adament stance against the welfare state.
And your attitude is why Americans abroad are so embarrassed of other Americans abroad. No wonder why the rest of the world hates us, comments like “you would know this if you could afford the rent while in the US. You probably couldn’t afford my rent in Finland” give them reason to. Americans like you make me cringe and remind me of why I’m so happy living in Finland and away from people like you.
Comment by Phil — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 10:07 am
You asked if I lived in a trailer park. Did you not? I gave you an answer. BTW/ I’m not american. And you don’t live away from me. Please read carefully. I as well live in Finland seasonally. I won’t comment any longer. You get too hasty. Not cool.
Comment by Anonymous — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 10:39 am
Downtown Helsinki is NOT Finland.
Amen to that..!;)
Comment by FinnFreak — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 10:51 am
I won’t comment any longer. You get too hasty. Not cool.
Good. After you publically insulted me about my salary, I’m not too interested in what else you have to say.
On this blog, we often do generalizations, and as you know, the U.S. is a difficult place to generalize because it’s full of so many cultures. So, if you disagree with a generalization, you should give some examples of where that generalization isn’t true, rather than tell me what I can and cannot afford.
Comment by Phil — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 11:21 am
And your attitude is why Americans abroad are so embarrassed of other Americans abroad. No wonder why the rest of the world hates us …
Americans like you make me cringe and remind me of why I’m so happy living in Finland and away from people like you.
Oh, that’s priceless, thanks for the laugh. So, instead of listening to it in the States you decided to export it abroad?
Despite how many Fantastic Finland’s you’ve listed, despite living in Finland for four years, and despite constant exposure to alternate viewpoints (often very thorough) via this blog, you have still not understood a simple concept:
Every service model has pros and cons. If, overall, you prefer the welfare system in Finland (as you’ve stated repeatedly in the past), then you present yourself very poorly every time you point out how an aspect of an overall inferior (by your own admission) American private system is better. Sure, the cons of every system should be debated in order to improve it, but you cannot do this credibly by cherry picking from an incompatible model.
I’m not saying you are a bad guy, I think you are a very good person in fact. However, you do perpetuate the ‘ugly American’ stereotype. Maybe it’s for kicks, web-hits to make cash or stroke your ego. Regardless, it’s your words and you are not, sadly, helping the perception of Americans at home or especially abroad.
Comment by mapleleaf — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 3:06 pm
Anonymous wait! Come back! You forgot to tell us where we can find your great blog.
You did confirm one of my theories. It is not the traditional NY’er you run into in Manhattan who is a jerk, it’s the implants who are.
New York City: Over 5 million people, 8 million pets, and at least one assh*le.
Comment by Fred Fry — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 3:54 pm
Phil, Try living in 5 countries and speak six languages. I think you are a gross embarrassment to the english language. A mother lanuage to which you have not perfected leading me to believe to have a learning disability. I gave you examples (miami Cali). Please reread the posts and think! Your reading comprehension is poor and as far as insulting what you can and cannot afford, Finland has a law that publicly publishes the average income of whatever position. If you feel insulted then maybe you should be embarrassed. Nothing specific was ever mentioned. And speaking of ugly americans, you fit the bill to a tee.
Your generalized blog is bullocks. You’re so afraid to assume accountability for you blatant generalization without experience and when someone questions it you pull the “American under attack card” Like you’re in a minority of enlightened world travelers that no one understands. Please!
Comment by Anonymous — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 4:12 pm
Mapleleaf,
Just because Phil disagrees with you does not make him an “ugly American.”
Comment by AmeriikanEnkeli — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 4:13 pm
The author of this blog should visit real europe. As I hav mentioned Finland is not a part of europe but rather it’s Asia. In real europe, you will find more nude friendly people. Compared to Europeans, Finns are very prudish similar to Asians. This Prudishness is one culture code shared with Asia.
Comment by funny — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 4:36 pm
Europeans don’t make hustles about nudity as Finns do.
Comment by funny — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 4:38 pm
” A mother lanuage to which you have not perfected leading me to believe to have a learning disability.”
wtf?
Maybe bad english still can be better english. Unless of course you want me to unleash the inner cockney man in me.. I advice you won’t do that.
” If you feel insulted then maybe you should be embarrassed. Nothing specific was ever mentioned. ”
Well, you did implicate that Nokia employees have low salaries, which is true but also blasphemy. BURN IN HELL!!
Comment by Frustrated Finn — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 4:45 pm
20.
“Europeans don’t make hustles about nudity as Finns do.”
Funny: where do you come from? Where do you live? Your comments sound quite naive. Your Europe seems to exclude Finland, Norway, the UK, the Netherlands, and all the places I have been to.
You’re telling that as nudity is a part of Finnish sauna culture (we have separated public saunas in Finland..), Finland is a part of Asia.
Where in Asia do they tolerate nudity? Oh wait, you told us already, Finland.
You certainly are funny, but more than that, naive. Does any actually take you seriously? All the conversations in this blog, people are trying to have sophisticated conversation -sometimes slipping aside a bit- but you are not even close to sophistication. Are you 17 or 16?
What made you hate Finland so deeply? Is it Asian values again?
Go to school, it helps.
Comment by Perttu — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 5:27 pm
“I think you are a gross embarrassment to the english language. A mother lanuage to which you have not perfected leading me to believe to have a learning disability.”
Just what exactly is ‘English’?
I would think that this joker is from the UK, but there is this that would indicate otherwise:
“Try living in 5 countries and speak six languages.”
Dude, how many countries have you been deported from?
Comment by Fred Fry — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 8:13 pm
#22, My Europe include Norway, the UK, the Netherlands but not Finland.
Finnish sauna? You are joking. In every country even in Muslim world, people go naked in the bath to wash their body. So are you saying that Islam world is nudity friendly country? Finnish sauna is just a form of bath so Finns go naked as any other people go naked in the bath. This you must exclude in your consideration.
You have to say about the public places. In public places you can find Finn’s obsession to hide their bodies. This is similar to Muslim world.
Your response is again typical Finnish expression of inferioirty complexes. When other people criticize Finland, then Finns just don’t get the point like you.
Comment by funny — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 8:24 pm
“As I hav mentioned Finland is not a part of europe but rather it’s Asia. In real europe, you will find more nude friendly people.”
YEAH! Bring on the friendly nude people!
Phil’s blog seems to attract some weird people.
Comment by m — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 8:26 pm
“You have to say about the public places. In public places you can find Finn’s obsession to hide their bodies. This is similar to Muslim world.”
This summer in downtown Helsinki I witnessed more bare skin than I could possibly have hoped for. Somehow I can’t imagine seeing all those boobs and mini skirts in Tehran.
Comment by m — Wed, Aug 30th, 2006 @ 8:28 pm
Phil: For what it is worth, you are not an embarrassment to the English language.
From my experience, Finns are a lot less hung up on nudity than Americans. A few years ago, I took a Silja line cruise from Stockholm to Helsinki. On the way to my cabin, I walked past a cabin just a few doors down where the door was open and I saw all the people in that cabin completely nude. Never, ever would I see that in the States. Remember the big controversy when Janet Jackson exposed a boob on the Superbowl? Lots of Americans got their underware all in a bunch about that!
Comment by nipsu — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 2:30 am
Funny,
Fine, I’m not trying to argue with your world view. I’ll accept it. Finland is an Asian country.
But I must say that you should make your critical arguments with some fluent explanation first. Just saying it, is not enough. Why exactly is Finland Asian?
You obviously haven’t to been to European SLASH Asian beaches. More nudity in Spain, Greece, Italy and France than in Finland. And all those nudes are European (SLASH Asian)
Comment by Perttu — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 3:01 am
24.
“Your response is again typical Finnish expression of inferioirty complexes. When other people criticize Finland, then Finns just don’t get the point like you.”
That is not only Finnish expression. You get that wherever you’re a foreigner. It’s psychological. Doesn’t the existence of this blog prove it to you?
Comment by Perttu — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 3:07 am
#28, what are you saying?
I am saying that
Finalnd is an Asian country. Genetically, linguistically and culturally. What should I say more?
“More nudity in Spain, Greece, Italy and France than in Finland. And all those nudes are European.”
Right. Europe is an open society. But Finland is not. That’s not surprising since Finalnd is not a part of Europe. It’s like Turkey. Geographically Turkey (or part of it) is in Europe, but culture, language and ethnicity is totally different.
If you argue Finland is Europe then again you also have to argue Turkey is Europe.
Comment by funny — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 10:34 am
Funny:
“If you argue Finland is Europe then again you also have to argue Turkey is Europe.”
Do Finland and Turkey go together?
You still haven’t shown your proofs for genetic, linguistic or cultural Asian Finland. Not one bit.
Don’t worry, nobody is taking you seriously, not in this forum. Just trying to see what really motivates you to act like that.
Travel and go to school, it helps.
Comment by Perttu — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 11:49 am
According to this article, it appears that 25% of Finnish genes are Siberian. Siberia is part of Asia.
http://virtual.finland.fi/finfo/english/geeneng.html
Insofar as geography, I believe western Russia is part of Europe, therefore, presumably, Finland is also part of Europe.
Comment by Kristian (in Espoo) — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 12:19 pm
#32,
Geographically Finland belongs to Europe. I agree. But culture, language and genes are different.
For 25% statistics, probably that research was done by Finns. That’s exactly different what we see in the street of Helsinki.
Anyway all humans share almost the same genes.
Comment by funny — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 12:26 pm
#31,
I will not reply to you childish as you. I understand you are a typical Finn. BTW, I have shown enough of the examples and you simply don’t see it because you are a Finn. Simple.
Comment by funny — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 12:27 pm
Kristina, as a honest Finish you should admit that the article is biased. Finns are asians, as anybody who have seen a finn can tell. Take a look at this tennis guy:
http://img.mtv3.fi/mn_kuvat/mtv3/urheilu/tennis/2006/375404.jpg
oops, I mean this one:
http://img.mtv3.fi/mn_kuvat/mtv3/urheilu/tennis/2005/358908.jpg
To see more Finish asiens just write “luokkakuva” into Google’s image search.
Comment by funny — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 12:47 pm
#34.
No worries.
Comment by Perttu — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 12:50 pm
#34
FYI: Swedish people are rooted from Asian-Minor (read: Turkey),
Basques are supposedly from Caucasus,
Norwegians have as much of “baltic” blood as Finns,
Estonians have 2/3 of the same genes as Finns,
Hungarians are from Volga, just like Finnish people,
etc.
All the Europe is more or less from the middle of Eurasia. That doesn’t make them Asian. Besides, it’s pretty 19th century ethnology to define a nation-state through genes. Besides, I’m not saying that Asian is bad, all I’m saying that you see Asia in the Finnish streets because of 25% siberian genes.
Have you EVER met any contemporary people from Siberia? They’re quite blond, to speak.
Again: travel and study, get over your cultural shock, it’s possible.
Comment by Perttu — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 1:30 pm
FUNNY:
You don’t seem to understand the European stance on Asia at all.
Being from “somewhere Siberia” is considered here as mystical and interesting. You could compare it to Iceland and their mystisism. It’s well popularized the art of Björk. Not being sure where we’re from and denying it is just part of the game. Helsinki is gradually becoming as Reykjavik as been for years: mystic, nordic..
Comment by Boyle — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 1:48 pm
hey funny why don’t you go back to where you came from (ie Eastern Europe )
Comment by bill — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 1:53 pm
you have still not understood a simple concept:
Every service model has pros and cons.
No kidding. All we hear about are the pro’s of the welfare state, this is one of the few places that actually discuss both the pro’s AND con’s. That’s this blog’s “hook” if you will.
However, you do perpetuate the ‘ugly American’ stereotype.
How exactly do I peretuate the ugly American stereotype? Because I’m not a fan of socialism? Then I guess 48% of Finns are ugly Americans too.
Comment by Phil — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 2:04 pm
i did soem image search to prove my point that Finish are Asian. Take a look at this formula 1 guy and his wife:
http://www.southcn.com/sports/star2/raikkonen/jenni/200403080678_593173.jpg
Here’s another exampel of asian rally guy
http://www.suomi.pl/images/groenholm.jpg
and what about heavy guy, no denying asian traits not mentioning the band
http://www.adl.at/artists/profiles/h/him/him.jpg
siblieus was straight from sibreria obviously
http://www.classical-composers.org/img/sibelius.jpg
and if you still don’t beleave me, just take alook at these missus contestants
http://www.colosefinland.fi/images/miss%20suomi%202006.pieni.jpg
Comment by funny — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 2:12 pm
I am saying that
Finalnd is an Asian country. Genetically, linguistically and culturally. What should I say more?
I recently completed a book that was all about this. Basically it said that Finland is the perfect mix between Western and Far Eastern cultures, and that the rest of the world was “becoming Finnish”.
http://www.amazon.com/Finland-Cultural-Lone-Wolf/dp/193193018X/
Comment by Phil — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 2:17 pm
Insofar as geography, I believe western Russia is part of Europe, therefore, presumably, Finland is also part of Europe.
Kristina, althoug finland is part of russia it does nto follow that the Finish would not be from asia originally.
Comment by funny — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 2:22 pm
Actually, if my research is correct, then Finland was once located near Japan. Then, due to continental drift, it found a nice home here nestled between the Gulf of Bothnia and Russia.
So yes, we are indeed originally Asian, both genetically and geographically.
The invasion of ABBA and Björk happened much later, and both are probably insignificant; especially since we consider neither as true art.
Comment by Kristian (in Espoo) — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 2:53 pm
Holy cow! From just comming from sauna, after a brief dip in the lake, I sat down to goof off on the laptop. (In my bath robe at our sauna). Looked onto your website, because it entertains me as well as offends to some extent. I never new that talking about visiting in your skivvies could make a country asian!! What a turn about!
Comment by SISU99 — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 6:34 pm
Yeah. Phil once said that the comments are what makes this blog worthy. But just as often they ruin it. This was a nice post but the comments are… something else.
Comment by Passer-by — Thu, Aug 31st, 2006 @ 7:40 pm
45. Yes, this blog does a 90° turn in different directions many times. I’ve wondered about this too on several occasions
Well, at least asians wears clothes! Oh, and on a further note, eat shit sunny. That should get us on the same level 
Toodles
Comment by Keksi — Sat, Sep 2nd, 2006 @ 12:19 am
Phil will be laughing all the way to the bank at Finns expense when he sells this site, due to its high traffic volume and high foreign visibility.
As well he should.
Comment by Finnpundit — Tue, Sep 5th, 2006 @ 3:33 am
To FUNNY:
A greek finno hater, telling finns are asians… ok. Listen.
Greeks are a mix of turks, jews and arabs… this is why you have dark hair, dark eyes hairy bodies and hooked noses… it doesnt sound very EUROPEAN to me.
And the Norse Mythology, and the finn-baltic mythology, you now thunder gods etc, are also called Asatro, because it originates from Greek mythology, and ASA was the viking name for ASIA.
And when you see “asiatic” traits in some finns, its their lappoid mix, samis… not asian, and the samis came from the european side of the Urals in Russia.
This lappoid mix is called East baltid, and is found in Sweden, Finland, Norway and former prussia (East Germany)
So now, take you ugly hairy ass back to Asiatic Greece, have an Ouzo, have butt sex with your cousin (butt sex is a tradition in Greece)
Turks and greeks have no business in Europe, you are middle eastern.
Comment by The Swede — Mon, Nov 13th, 2006 @ 2:16 am