104 reasons why Finland is the most kick-ass country in the world
Today Finland will celebrate its 104th anniversary having gained independence on December 6th, 1917. After moving here from the United Kingdom, here are 104 weird and wonderful things I love about this amazing country that I now call home.
Finnish Culture and Lifestyle
1. The Finnish language is practical yet poetic. The word for world is maailma, which means land (maa) & air (ilma).
3. Finland is the most successful country in Olympic history in terms of gold medals per capita.
5. Nokia 3310: the greatest phone of all time!
8. Absolutely zero carpets in bathrooms (unlike in England).
10. Number of Finns = 5.5 million, Number of Saunas = 2 million.
12. Joel Willans’ hilarious Very Finnish Problems and his books, 101 Very Finnish Problems and More Very Finnish Problems
Joel Willans’ books are a must-read for anyone living in or visiting Finland.
14. The education system!
16. The Finnish language has no future tense. #optimists
23. The text message (SMS) was invented by a Finn.
27. A Helsinki bus pass has a reflector on the back so the driver can see you in winter. #smart
31. The concept of Name Days exist, which sounds like something medieval or from Game of Thrones!
39. Länsimetro. #finally
Pic by Veikka Lahtinen
81. The concept of suojakännit, which means ‘shield drunk’. and entails getting drunk the night before a big party so that when you go to the big party you won’t get drunk so quickly.
85. The Finnish Baby Box!
90. Finnish couples will use two single duvets rather than one double duvet, and it’s a total game changer.
Nature and Seasons
6. The air is so fresh and clean.
11. If you go to Lapland you will immediately be surrounded by reindeer.
24. In Finland there is ‘no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing
28. The silence of Finland’s forests.
44. Strolling along the Aurajoki in Turku on a fine summer’s afternoon.
Photo by Joni-Pekka Luomala
47. Everyman’s Right, giving “people of all nationalities the right to enjoy the Finnish countryside freely.”
50. When the air temperature gets so low in winter that the Baltic Sea starts steaming like a cup of tea.
88. In winter, 3pm feels like bed time and in summer it feels like the day has only just begun.
Food and Drink
2. You can eat sandwiches for breakfast and no one will judge you for it.
4. The average Finn drinks 12 kg of coffee per year, more than any other country on earth
7. Karelian Pies are just so tasty there’s even a t-shirt
Karelian Pies are a staple of the Finnish diet.
How could you not include the world’s longest palindromic word! SAIPPUAKIVIKAUPPIAS!
I have never met a Finn, but I think I love them and want to move there!!!
no you dont
Haha you forgot the over-sink draining cupboard! Totally kicks ass!
Is there something extraordinary of eating sandwishes at breakfast? I eat Sandwishes for breakfast every morning…
I had to take out my bus pass to verify this. I never knew that lol. And #76… There are 27 hours of sunlight per day?? Haha.
Is there something extraordinary of eating sandwishes at breakfast? I eat Sandwishes for breakfast every morning…
i have loved salmiak for 50 years. to find salmiak ice cream in helsinki last year was extacy on a stick!! i bought all 3 varieties at the local supermarket! the comic shop/bar in turku was the second best comic shop i have ever been to
11. You will not be immediately surrounded by reideer in Lapland, but you’ll have a very good change to see them during your trip.
I really miss some of the Finnish food – but mammi is not one of them and blue cheese! Oh and mushrooms – my Mother R.I.P. extended al the meatball and meatloaf dishes with mushroom and even gravy – NO THANK YOU!
I enjoyed reading this – it was so true about Finland!
Every single word is true, and I love being a Finn!!!
Everything about Finland is really good.. natural beauty, fresh air, everything is splendid.. But I don’t agree with point 29. They don’t switch to English often.. As once I was talking to a Finnish lady on messenger and I said I don’t understand Finnish kindly text me in English and she said very rudely I understand English but I,ll not talk in English you should learn Finnish than I replied how could I speak Finnish in just a month ????
For the record, I’m Finn and I hate salmiakki :p
No there are actually 16 so I am told by Finns. There is one more that is sometimes used on Saturdays: The Aggressiivi??
Refer:
55. The Finnish language has 15 cases, which makes things rather complicated. For the record, they are nominatiivi, genetiivi, essiivi, partitiivi, translatiivi, inessiivi, elatiivi, illatiivi, adessiivi, ablatiivi, allatiivi, abessiivi, komitatiivi, instruktiivi, and akkusatiivi
No isot tissit tosi oN