USA Politics (redux)

[71 dB]

I don't know how they measure happiness but one thing I know for sure: the climate of all those countries (with the partial exception of Switzerland) would send me into deep depression. I relish sun, warmth and indian summers and I can't stand extended periods of rain, cloudy sky, cold and snow. I've lived in The Netherlands for two years, I know what I'm talking about --- at one moment it rained uninterruptedly for two weeks and I felt like packing my things right then and there and heading for Seville, Naples or Nice instantly. I didn't because I couldn't but honestly those were among the worst two weeks of my life, not even the Covid quarantine were that bad.

Sorry, guys, my idea of happiness is located in Italy, Spain, Southern France or Greece --- excluding Romania, of course.

Yes, the darkness of Finnish winter would be hard for you coming from Romania for the first few years before you would get used to it, but there are ways to alleviate it: Eating vitamin D and use of bright lamps mimicking Sunlight. On the other hand you'd be overjoyed in the summertime when the Sun hardly drops below the horizon at all and there's some light even during the night. The coldness of Finnish winters might also be challenging for you, but on the other hand Finnish homes are well insulated and warm inside (typically +25°C / +77°F). Also, Finland has four REAL seasons (yes, even warm summer) and seeing the chance from one to another brings joy to life.

Yes, they probably have nicer weather in Spain than in Nordic countries, but how about other things? Life is not just weather. An Argentinian guy now living in Finland said it well: "If weather is the thing you are complaining about you are living in a damn good country."

[steve ridgway]

Four distinct seasons sounds good and I hardly drink alcohol nowadays but we do enjoy countryside walks with the dogs all year round - we've even had picnics on Christmas Day!

[Florestan]

Life is not just weather.

Yes, but it's not just social-democracy either. 

[Florestan]

Four distinct seasons sounds good

That was Romania during my childhood.

Nowadays there's an extended winter and an extended summer, with a month-worth of raining in between.

[71 dB]

Well, it sounds too good to be true --- and even if it were true, if I have to pay for all that with half a year of rainy, snowy, cold and cloudy weather plus expensive beer and wine all year round, thanks but no thanks.

It is all true. That's why Finland and other Nordic countries kick ass when it comes to rankings of countries based on quality of living.

Finland isn't particularly rainy/cloudy country, but admittedly we do have shitty weather sometimes and Finns do complain about it. If weather is the only thing you care about Finland might not be the first choice, but if you look at all things Finland becomes really attractive.

Alcohol is expensive, I suppose MUCH MUCH more expensive than in Romania, but then again, there are other things in life than just beer. In Finland you get the best deals for mobile plans in the World. Very cheap + unlimited data. And it works even in the middle of nowhere.

[71 dB]

Four distinct seasons sounds good and I hardly drink alcohol nowadays but we do enjoy countryside walks with the dogs all year round - we've even had picnics on Christmas Day!

Seasons in Finland look like this:

[Florestan]

Alcohol is expensive, I suppose MUCH MUCH more expensive than in Romania,

And it's not just the price, it's also the availability. In Romania, if I want ot buy alcohol at 3:45 AM I can*. Is it the same in Finland? 

*well, actually I could before the damn Covid.

but then again, there are other things in life than just beer.

Of course. There's also wine and whisky. 

In Finland you get the best deals for mobile plans in the World. Very cheap + unlimited data. And it works even in the middle of nowhere.

I couldn't care less about that as this is what my phone looks like:

[71 dB]

Yes, but it's not just social-democracy either. 

Not entirely, but social-democracy has it's effects in many areas of life such as any other system (crony capitalism, socialism, communism, dictatorship etc.). When something works well in society, it helps making other things also functioning well.

[71 dB]

That was Romania during my childhood.

Nowadays there's an extended winter and an extended summer, with a month-worth of raining in between.

Climate change?

[Florestan]

Not entirely, but social-democracy has it's effects in many areas of life such as any other system (crony capitalism, socialism, communism, dictatorship etc.). When something works well in society, it helps making other things also functioning well.

I am not opposed to social-democracy (I actually think its basic ideas are good and sound). What I am opposed to is thinking that social-democracy can work everywhere just as smooth as it works in Finland simply by political fiat.

[Florestan]

Climate change?

Yes, absolutely. I've never denied it because I've seen it developping under my own eyes. Now, whether it's human-induced or just cyclic, I',m not going to open this can of worms.

[71 dB]

And it's not just the price, it's also the availability. In Romania, if I want ot buy alcohol at 3:45 AM I can*. Is it the same in Finland? 

*well, actually I could before the damn Covid.

You are right about this criticism. Alcohol in Finland is pricy and hard to get. Luckily I don't use alcohol myself so this doesn't concern me.

Of course. There's also wine and whisky. 

Sure. 

[Florestan]

Alcohol in Finland is pricy and hard to get.

Not exactly my idea of happiness. 

[MusicTurner]

Seasons in Finland look like this:

Nice.

[Florestan]

Seasons in Finland look like this:

Once again, that was Romania during my childhood.

[71 dB]

I am not opposed to social-democracy (I actually think its basic ideas are good and sound). What I am opposed to is thinking that social-democracy can work everywhere just as smooth as it works in Finland simply by political fiat.

Every country is different and needs it's own system. However, if a country is doing especially badly on some areas, it is wise to look at countries excelling on those things for hints how to do better.

[71 dB]

Once again, that was Romania during my childhood.

That's interesting to hear considering where Romania is located. 

[Florestan]

Every country is different and needs it's own system. However, if a country is doing especially badly on some areas, it is wise to look at countries excelling on those things for hints how to do better.

Have you ever wondered why is it that social-democracy works perfectly well, smoothly and virtually unopposed in Scandinavia only? I have, and I have come to a conclusion in this respect but I'm not going to open this can of worms. I'd better stick to beer and wine.

[Florestan]

That's interesting to hear considering where Romania is located. 

Well, Romania's climate is --- or rather was --- temperate-continental* . At least this is what I was taught in midlel and high school, and this is what I personally witnessed during the same period. The things began to change gradually after 2000 AD and drastically after 2010 AD.

* Bucharest is located at slightly less than 45 degree Northern latitude.

[71 dB]

Not exactly my idea of happiness. 

Sorry about that. Maybe you shouldn't come here then? I'm telling honestly what my country is like, the good and the bad. The things foreigners living in Finland complain about are:

- Dark cold winters
- Things can be expensive (especially if you come from a country where stuff is cheap)
- Restrictions of buying alcohol
- Crazy difficult language
- People seem cold at first before you get to know them (Finns are rather introverted and don't do smalltalk so Americans feel strange here)

That's about it. Pretty much everything else about Finland gets praised by foreigners, because Finland is a well-functioning country.