Saw this article on Yahoo first thing this morning. Very interesting article!

Guess each country has something nice about it , Finland, as well as others.Finland does have lots of nice things about it, eg the educational system, the seeming equality of women, the low level of violent crimes outside the home,the absence of abject poverty, an extremely good public library system, etc.

But the things I do not like about Finland are the high incidence of RACISM,a total lack of respect for all cultures not Finnish, and the fact that Finland is just too quiet for me. I love joy, and laughter and happiness.I love people laughing aloud around me, people engaging freely in conversation with strangers, people enjoying themselves without being drunk , etc.Finland has none of that, and to me, it just seems like a very unhappy place. This is just my opinion; no need to get annoyed with me for just stating my opinion!

Lower standard of living,loss of free speech,racism,xenophobia,
high rate of suicide,HIGH alcoholism rate are all wonderful benefits of Suomi’s ***SOCIALISM FAILURE***-Helped by political correctness-multi cultural agenda of brainless Suomi politicians…

No country is perfect come on… All countries have differences that might suit one or another. I cant possibly imagine my self living in USA and also never thought (and I still dont think I will) about living in Finland for a long time.

But the superficial life in America is too much for my guts. You are what you have. Period.

And here its exactly that, life is just a big slow. Too slow sometimes to the point that the birth of a funny looking calf makes the front page of HS. And yes, Racism here plays a big role.

And like Americans, Finns think that this shit hole is the best place in the entire world.

I can sympathise with the article. America’s got the energy and the desire to make stuff happen, Finland’s has somethign more closely approaching what we would call “civilisation”.

Such hogwash. A country must only exist to make the peasants rich and drive a Hummer. Any other value system is just plain stupid.

Oh and the 2x GDP the USA has over the EU? Tells the story very well.

Finland is a place where you can get to know yourself, where the noise and fake friendliness doesn’t get in the way.
It is a beautiful country where most of the things are built to last, just like the bedrock it is on, and they do last.
Yes people drink a lot, yes there are problems like in every other country in the world, but if you can get past that and focus on what’s good and right about Finland you will not be disappointed.
And if you are ever lost or you have questions, do ask – most Finns speak English and even if they don’t flash warm and encouraging smiles they will definitely help you.
Eläköön Suomi!

OT: Nightwish gig in Baltimore Maryland this very evening.

gads, another Nanny state teaspoon mess

http://nannyknowsbest.blogspot.com/2009/04/dangers-of-teaspoons.html

@3 and @5 – Can people be REALLY as stupid as you? Only in Suomi, “civilized” police and government controlled state with “education” called propaganda in other countries you can read such idiotic slogans.

Just get Rich, drive a Hummer. Only education I ever needed.

Oh and get those filthy rotten kids out to college and out of your wallet. Now they can pay and pay for Obama’s spending, not me, I quit.

NIGGER NIGGER NIGGER NIGGER

… sorry, 4chan’s /b/ is down.

I live in the US in a big city and when I travel to Finland a couple of times a year as I do, I really enjoy the pace of life there. The pace of life here in the US and in most major cities around the world, seems too faced paced almost to the point of being unnatural. It does really bother me that the focus of popular culture here is material acquisition and one thing I appreciate about Finland is that, at least to an outsider, it appears to be much less materialistic.

REDNECK! REDNECK! REDNECK! WHITE TRASH! WHITE TRASH! WHITE TRASH!

I would have to agree about the materialism. Although I think that it’s more rampant in some areas or pockets of the U.S. than in others. For example I live just outside of Detroit and it’s amazing the difference in attitudes from one part of the city to the next regarding status. I work in a county where upward mobility is very important and living in a “McMansion” in a treeless suburb is the goal as soon as your income can (or not) support it. It’s all about living in the “right” neighborhood, driving the right car etc…. I however, live in an older more blue collar section south of the city and one of the things that I love about living here is the lack of having to be so status conscious. I can go out to the grocery store in my ratty sweats driving my 8 year old car and no one bats an eye. My home is small by U.S. standards but, it’s affordable and I like my neighbors and my neighborhood. I also lived for a period of time in Texas..that my friends is a whole other story. Texans will tell you that their state is the greatest place in the whole U.S of A never having been anywhere else. As for materialism, it’s off the scale. I couldn’t dare admit that I couldn’t afford something when I lived there, it simply wasn’t done. Sick. One of these days, I’ll check out Finland. It interests me on so many levels. I would have to say that I would like to see for myself if everyone is as stoic as I have heard. I have also noticed even in these forums that Fins don’t seem to be very self deprecating and don’t take to any sort of criticism, even when it’s offered in jest. Maybe because they have at times literally had to fight to defend their culture?

And what culture would that be? Primitive, slow thinking, unfriendly, most of times intoxicated people – that’s Finland for you.
Ah yeah – to that comment that “Finland is that, at least to an outsider, it appears to be much less materialistic.” – sure, you simply can’t afford to be materialistic here with the incomes, taxes and prices that violate every common sense.
Anyway – if you are not a Finn or haven’t been to Finland and undergone local brainwashing – come here yourself and not during the summer months. Visit some smaller towns not center of Helsinki and try to make a conversation about weather with few citizens here. Then make up your mind.

So Phil’s saying here that Finns are piss poor, but are in denial and try to think that they just don’t want all that much. This is of course very silly.

Larjmarj

“I have also noticed even in these forums that Fins don’t seem to be very self deprecating and don’t take to any sort of criticism, even when it’s offered in jest. Maybe because they have at times literally had to fight to defend their culture?”

See Smok aka Mussukkas post below your comment and think again why people in this forum are a bit defensive. Constuctive criticism, my ass.

Whose ass? Your dumb ass Anonymous? Finns are piss poor and live in self denial. but have not yet succeded to blindfold the outside world.

“Whose ass? Your dumb ass Anonymous? Finns are piss poor and live in self denial. but have not yet succeded to blindfold the outside world.”

What a delightful rebuttal. I especially liked this part – “but have not yet succeded to blindfold the outside world.”
Yes, the outside world better be ready as the EviL Finns will form the New World Order with the EviL Jews and usher the world into tyrrany. The horror, the horror you better start boycotting Finnair and warn everybody on meaningless Internet forums before their plan comes to fruition.

Finns may not be poor by world standards, but definitely poor by European standards! Ever been to a Finnish supermarket? Very limited choice in products. Have you ever seriously seen fresh corn in a Finnish supermarket? All they ever have is some type of pre-packaged corn swimming in some type of liquid.

A Finn’s idea of a gourmet lunch is sausage and potatoes with butter. Would not bother me so much , if the sausages here were of good quality. Instead , what you have is meat flavoured dough mixed with a lot of fat, being called sausages! I will not eat that for the world!

Another of their gourmet meals is meatballs and potatoes! Meatballs and sausages are eaten at the end of the month back home, when money is a little tight!

Ever wonder why so many Finns are short and plump? Too much carbohydrates(potatoes) and fat in the diet, and not enough of protein!

Guess that I would be a bit more sympathetic towards the Finns, if they were the type of people to at least take the good of other cultures, and inculcate it into their own. But no, Finns think that they are the best in everything, and that their way is the best!BULLSHIT!!!

@19: Yeah, the supermarkets here are nothing to rave about, but you shoulda seen it in the late 80s before any real EU access.

For their part, US markets are absurd. How am I (for example) to choose from among 160 different jams and jellies?? And I have to hike a half a kilometer (indoors, I mean !) to fetch a bagel.

“Finns may not be poor by world standards, but definitely poor by European standards!”

Ever been in Southern Italy, Greece, Balkans, Baltia and various other parts of England, France, Spain, Portugal. What is your point?

“Ever been to a Finnish supermarket? Very limited choice in products.”

Yes, I have. I get by just fine as I am not a total idiot when it comes to cooking a really nice dinner.

“Have you ever seriously seen fresh corn in a Finnish supermarket? All they ever have is some type of pre-packaged corn swimming in some type of liquid.”

Maybe it’s because they don’t eat corn and that the corn isn’t grown anywhere near Finland. Common sense, use it.

“A Finn’s idea of a gourmet lunch is sausage and potatoes with butter. Would not bother me so much”

Yeah, sure. Right on, preach the truth as you seem to be so well versed on what people think.

“if the sausages here were of good quality. Instead , what you have is meat flavoured dough mixed with a lot of fat, being called sausages!”

There are good quality sausages around if you bother to look for them, hey you can even make your own.

And yes, I wouldn’t eat those Atria, HK shite either.

“I will not eat that for the world!”

No one’s forcing you, so what’s the big deal?

“Ever wonder why so many Finns are short and plump? Too much carbohydrates(potatoes) and fat in the diet, and not enough of protein!”

False, the average height of a Finnish male is about 178.2 cm and for females 164.7 cm, not that short if you ask me. (for example while in France the average height is 174.1 cm/161.9 cm) Do you ever get tired for being wrong every single time.

“Another of their gourmet meals is meatballs and potatoes!”

Where do you get the idea that this is considerated as a “gourmet meal”

“But no, Finns think that they are the best in everything, and that their way is the best!BULLSHIT”

The only ones here who thinks their way is best are you and Mussuka. Have a nice day.

Foriegn reporters love to fall in love with “quaint little Finland” , but rarely do the get any deeper perspective. This does not take away from the things that they love, for they are often true. As an American who has lived here for 5 years, the materialism of Americans disgusts me when I go back for visits. The sheer number of obese people is astounding, and the size of the cars ridiculous.

The flip side of the Finnish cultural traits mentioned is their great capacity for envy. It drives me nuts. I can’t figure out how somebody else’s nice car takes anything away from me. It’s no skin off my back. Why care about it? But they do, and they will detest your successes.

>>“if the sausages here were of good quality. Instead , what you have is meat flavoured dough mixed with a lot of fat, being called sausages!”

There are good quality sausages around if you bother to look for them, hey you can even make your own. >>>

Actually, there’s countless threads on Finland Forum about how terrible most (98 percent) of store-bought sausages are. And I agree with them all.

>>>“A Finn’s idea of a gourmet lunch is sausage and potatoes with butter. Would not bother me so much”>>>

Absurd.

It’s sausage with butter AND potatoes.

No need to correct me; it IS “sausage and potatoes with butter”. See, the sausages are a separate component of the meal, and the potatoes with butter are another component.

To say “sausage with butter and potatoes”, would signify that the sausages are eaten with butter, and the potatoes eaten separately, OR
that the sausages are eaten separately, and the butter is eaten with potatoes(meaning that the butter is the main part of the meal, and not the potatoes.)HOW ABSURD!

You must be a Finn, trying to correct me in a language which isn’t even yours! I am married to a Finn; can detect them a mile off!

“There are good quality sausages around if you bother to look for them, hey you can even make your own. ”

Name one you idiot and hypocryt.

The only ones here who thinks their way is best are you and Mussuka. Have a nice day.

Wrong! Thousands of foreigners in Finland detest the country but even more idiots like you. And yes Cunt – you are a Finn because you stink like one.
Lies, lies and more lies – fucking Soviet Republic of Finland.

>>You must be a Finn, trying to correct me in a language which isn’t even yours! I am married to a Finn; can detect them a mile off!>>

If you think I’m a Finn, I think you really don’t have a clue. I too and married to one, and she laughed when I told her about the potato comment. As far as this “correction” about butter and sausages, no. You sound like William Safire correcting people about English usage. Have some koskenkorva (more, in your case) and chill.

“Actually, there’s countless threads on Finland Forum about how terrible most (98 percent) of store-bought sausages are. And I agree with them all.”

Yes, and if you’d bothered to read a bit further. I said that I wouldn’t eat those Atria, HK shite either.
I never knew that being a foreigner also means you’re a idiot when it comes to finding food items among other things.

“Name one you idiot and hypocryt.”

Why thank you my retarded little friend. It must be a miracle that I have eaten wild boar, elk and deer and various other sausages (99% percent meat) while I have lived here. Just because you’re an idiot and can’t find these it doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

Oh and try to learn some better insults or is too hard for you, you demented little scamp you. (They are so adorable when they are still young)

“Wrong! Thousands of foreigners in Finland detest the country but even more idiots like you.”

Then what are you doing here? Are the Finns holding you by a gun point and saying you can’t leave or is it because the country you’re from is a shithole? Please improve your English, It’s hard to understand what you mean when you write like a half-wit.

“And yes Cunt – you are a Finn because you stink like one.”

What gave me away was it the odor of a cave troll traveling through the phone wires to your magical computer that detects smell. Or perhaps it’s more likely that the smell is coming from your pants, didn’t your parents teach you not to soil yourself.

Phil, tell Mussuka to limit the amount of sockpuppets she uses to at least to three or less.

Edit’ Not Mussuka but Finscunk, rolling on my back etc, etc.

There can be just one and only sweet Mussukas out there

looking for good sausages, well go no further

http://www.wurstfennica.fi/

They used to be down from house here in kauklahti but they got too popular and moved to a bigger place.

Fresh corn… well duh we are in Spring, you moron. I was just in the USA in Colorado of all places and guess what ? No fresh corn either

Gotta stop drinking and check the calendar first before making stupid comments. If you do then you will find fresh corn at Seilori in Espon Lahti.

Love that comment why the Finns are so fat due to lack of protein…..hahahaha… I guess Americans must get even less protein than Finns… fucking idiot

Calling someone an idiot when you clearly lack the knowledge to understand their post is IDIOTIC!!

When I said that I have never seen fresh corn in Finnish supermarkets, I was not referring to this present time, but throughout the years I have been here.

I did not just say that Finns are fat. I said that they are short and fat. The Americans are fat, true, but they also tend to be of average height. This is because their protein intake is high. They do consume gross amounts of fat though.

Did not expect you to go to New York, California or Florida. Colorado is a redneck state, which makes you blend in perfectly!

As to me being drunk, I certainly do not drink “hard alcohol” like most of you Finns. When I do have any alcohol, maybe three times a year, it is good quality wine. Nothing else! Alcohol upsets me. I suppose people from my part of the world have an alcohol intolerance gene!SEE YA!!

“Calling someone an idiot when you clearly lack the knowledge to understand their post is IDIOTIC!!”

You are an idiot which is clear to everyone here.

“When I said that I have never seen fresh corn in Finnish supermarkets, I was not referring to this present time, but throughout the years I have been here.”

Do I really have to copy paste myself to you. – “Maybe it’s because they DON’T eat corn and that the corn ISN’T grown anywhere near Finland. Common sense, use it.”

“I did not just say that Finns are fat. I said that they are short and fat.”

Here we go again – “False, the average height of a Finnish male is about 178.2 cm and for females 164.7 cm, not that short if you ask me. (for example while in France the average height is 174.1 cm/161.9 cm) Do you ever get tired for being wrong every single time.”

“when you clearly lack the knowledge to understand their post is IDIOTIC!!”
Irony meter just went through the roof. Yes my dear retarded knight of the white hood, I agree with you 100%

“Did not expect you to go to New York, California or Florida. Colorado is a redneck state, which makes you blend in perfectly!”

Never been there but do tell me how’s the american branch doing ,still burning crosses?

@33

“Did not expect you to go to New York, California or Florida. Colorado is a redneck state, which makes you blend in perfectly!”

I maybe be a redneck, but at least I am not an idiot like you who can’t even find fresh corn or good sausages

Only here could a thread degenerate in to an argument about corn and sausages.

As for Colorado being a redneck state, they went “blue” in the last election. They seem to be poking their head out of the deep dark hole of conservatism.

Corn grows here in Michigan mostly in the spring and summer, you’d be hard pressed to find any in the winter months. Mostly it’s squash and root vegetables during the winter, however, a lot of fresh veggies are shipped in from Mexico and Central America during those months.

“For their part, US markets are absurd. How am I (for example) to choose from among 160 different jams and jellies?? And I have to hike a half a kilometer (indoors, I mean !) to fetch a bagel.”

Inconvenient to make so many choices and hike for a bagel? Maybe so but the point is that you CAN.

“And what culture would that be? Primitive, slow thinking, unfriendly, most of times intoxicated people – that’s Finland for you.”

Your words, not mine…I thought that Canadians were cranky sheesh! Do you need a hug?

I’ll let you guys duke it out regarding sausages, I haven’t eaten meat in over 10 years. However, hands down best IMO is good Polish Kielbasa. (Lots of Polish ppl in this neck of the hood).

As for the sausages, selling flour as meat is obviously a good business and has made quite a few fortunes in Finland. Jussi Salonoja, anyone? Didn’t you folks like succesful capitalists?

Being a vegetarian, I opt for genuine flour, i.e. self-made seitan bratwurst.

As for the mysteriously absent fresh corn, I am at a loss for words. I thought I had some grilled just yesterday, but it must have been a figment of my imagination.

“a total lack of respect for all cultures not Finnish,”

Have you earned that respect? The respect has to be earned first – you come in and demand respect – thats why you are treated how you are because you act like that.

“Have you ever seriously seen fresh corn in a Finnish supermarket?”

You need to visit AgriMarket and animal feed section.

And I think its herring, butter and new potatoes… season’s almost on.

Yayyy! CMQ is back. Tell me, how’s your protege Mussuka nowadays – still just a “hangaround/prospect” or is she allowed to burn her own crosses yet?

CMQ & Mussuka: Bad sausages, no fresh corn, limited supermarket selection… where the hell do you two braniacs shop? The local Shell?

@23

I think you nailed it. Many Yanks could learn a lot from Finns about enjoying the simpler things in life, and many Finns could learn a lot from Yanks about not envying your neighbors things.

@43 “many Finns could learn a lot from Yanks about not envying your neighbors things”. Not really so, as someone stated, in US you are what you own, and that goes well together with neighbour-envy, gotta have the big house and the big car to show off.

@44 “Not really so, as someone stated, in US you are what you own, and that goes well together with neighbour-envy, gotta have the big house and the big car to show off.”

Partly true. The difference is when I like my neighbor’s car and want a nice one too, I don’t hold it against him. Here in Finland, the neighbor might not even want the car, but they will despise you for having it. It’s a very strange type of envy. This is also very connected to the very Finnish vahingonilo. (schadenfreude)

The big house, big car analogy is more like the “status quo”. There is no nastiness involved. (which btw I don’t agree with)

Its my experience that Americans are happy for their neighbors success whereas Finns are just out and out jealous and bitter.

Maybe Finns are more materialistic because their emotional reactions towards materials are so strong. After all it’s not the nice car that is materialistic, it’s the mindset. One can be materialistic without having materials (which would really suck).

@45 Yes, that could be true as well, although what I’ve seen, there’s a lot a jealously involved still, in US. I’m from Pohjanmaa where the finnish jealously goes to the extreme (there you truly are what you have) – always gives me good laughs when someone proubly claims having gone to Canary Island for the third time Or something along those lines (usually nothing to be really jealous for).

@46 Apples to apples comparison with US, Finns are not materialistic at all, it’s quite the opposite – it’s not about the materia, it’s about the ownership and show-off value, nothing else. There you’re right that one can be materialistic without having any concrete stuff to back it up – as you said, it’s a mindset as well.

El Capone:
“CMQ & Mussuka: Bad sausages, no fresh corn, limited supermarket selection… where the hell do you two braniacs shop? The local Shell?”

Well, the local Shell probably sells tomusokeri, which these geniuses have thus far been unable to find in Finland.

finland can teach my balls to the states! bunch of moron drunken nation

People should learn by now that you cannot criticize anything related to Finland, Finns, Finnish culture, Finnish tax system. Because hey, it’s perfect. People are perfect, food is perfect. Finnish way of life is perfect. You should know Finland is a paradise on Earth!

Finnsoup:
“People should learn by now that you cannot criticize anything related to Finland, Finns”

By all means, criticise. But if the subject of your criticism is that you can’t find milk in Finnish supermarkets. I retain the right to consider you a moron and exercise my constitutional right to voice that opinion.

EXACTLY. And likewise if you are incapable of extending your social network beyond stinking drunken idiots, I quote FF: “I retain the right to consider you a moron and exercise my constitutional right to voice that opinion.” Simple as that.

I don’t understand what you’re all on about. I am half finnish …. live in England but grew up in finland. Standards of living are high …. education there is one of the best in the world …. nature is beautiful …. towns are clean and pretty … people there look healthy and attractive … they have pride in their country. It’s not fair to compare it with the USA for example … it’s a tiny country … linguistically isolated … and in my view pretty interesting and unique.
YOU guys are the racist ones … exactly why do you all have such a problem with Finnish people? So many idiotic and ignorant messages posted here.

“People should learn by now that you cannot criticize anything related to Finland, Finns, Finnish culture, Finnish tax system. Because hey, it’s perfect. People are perfect, food is perfect. Finnish way of life is perfect. You should know Finland is a paradise on Earth!”

There’s nothing wrong with having some pride … go to any european country and they will consdres themselves to be ‘the best’ … it’s natural. Finland is a small country … it’s good that the finns have a strong identity. I’m so surprised that so many people have posted about finaldn here … i live in england … and most people here don’t even know where finland is.

AND SO many generalisations about finnish people … you guys are TRULY racist …. all the finns i have met are very different from one another … some are materialistic … some are not … etc etc …. but you guys all seem to be complete and utter idtios!

finns are real sad,sad,sad,fuckin piss poor fuckers.i have never seen such a poor miserable bunch of shit in all my life.i live in a english ghetto,live and own a mansion,am a aman of leisure have a sports car.eat,go and do what i want to.i wear prada.have over 30 prestige watches gold and platinum rolex,jlc,cartier,piaget,breitling.my pasions are diamonds and gold and other luxuries,which i keep locked in the bank….

I’m Finnish, and while I know I’m pretty lucky to have grown up here, I’m by no means a nationalistic superpatriotic waste of space that thinks their country’s perfect. Finland has plenty of good sides, but also bad sides to it.
For example, I wholly agree that racism is way too prominent (although ANY racism is too much) over here. However, some of you folks are just hypocrites. You accuse ALL Finns of being racist, short, fat, stupid, uneducated, materialistic, depressed alcoholics. Isn’t THAT racism? This seems to be quite the opposite especially with the younger generation of Finns, other than perhaps the alcoholism.

Now, I’m very much an international person and am actually moving to Wales for a year come September, but Finland is by no means anything like you’re making it out to be (mainly looking at you here, CMQ). As with any country, there are problems(for example, the church has way too much authority), but you’re just spouting lies, hatred and bigotry. Finns tend to be a bit reserved, but they’re generally not the anti-social idiots you seem to think. I’m starting to wonder if you’ve actually ever even been in Finland.

Well, many of the posts here seem as if they had been written by people who have not travelled or who previously have not lived elsewhere outside their birth place: everything that’a different must be wrong. Surely there are all kinds of problems everywhere and nothing is perfect for everyone. One might even not find his/her favorite vegetable (may it be corn or something else) the way and shape, they would want to. Here we are still conversating about very similar cultures, but even then, there are some who find the differences in customs, behavior, and everything else to be almost intolerable. Well, guess what, living in the States for 8 years was not much different. Actually, since only a few educated people knew Finland, I (almost daily) had to encounter people introducing to such wonders as electricity, drinkin water fountains, and all kinds of strange American inventions. They meant well, anyway. Go back home and see if everytrhing was just like you remembered, and then go travel some more to find out, what’s really going on. You might find out that there are different ways of life and they may be different without being any worse than that of your childhood’s.