Finland tops 2018 global happiness index

Proof that being Finn equals happiness.

Now we know why Big Finn manages to have a smile on his face at all times. Way to go Randy! And all the other Finns!

got Sisu?

Article can be found in link below.

"HELSINKI — Fans of skiing, saunas and Santa Claus won't be surprised to hear Finland is the happiest place to live.

The World Happiness Report published Wednesday ranked 156 countries by happiness levels..."

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/finland-tops-2018-global-happiness-index-n856461

All of my ancestors were from Finland. They must have been happy folks.

The Fins also have a general custom called Freedom to roam...I'd be happy with that too. I've only dabbled in Nordic Skiing but found it quite enjoyable

Did not know this...

https://www.gofinland.fi/blog/freedom-to-roam/

There’s no need to rub your eyes, you read it right! In Finland you’re allowed to walk, bike and ski wherever you want, from forests to fields, beaches and private roads, no matter who owns the land. Even if you see a barrier across the road, thanks to freedom to roam, you are allowed to go around by foot, bicycle or skis.

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noharleyyet said:

Did not know this...

https://www.gofinland.fi/blog/freedom-to-roam/

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I would take advantage of that! Bikes are allowed on any road, not anywhere, per my reading of the regs.

Bunch of moose-eating socialists!

Would love to visit Finland some day. Awesome hunting culture and fantastic history.

Not surprised. Even though they neighbor the conniving Russian pukes, they are well trained and killed enough Russians in past wars that the Russians think twice about messing with them. So, Finns can go about their business of saunas, vodka, building cell phones, owning most the world's paper mills, and partaking in the pleasures of the landscape. Seems like a pretty happy life, especially when you see the size of the pike, perch, and zander that come from Finish waters.

All young Finns are taught the idea of Sisu from an early age. Grandparents greatest smiles came when their youngsters did something worthy of the statement, "SISU!"

Some Finns who follow our platforms have reached out to me and want me to join them for a hunt in Finland. Just hard to coordinate when that is the same time of the year when we are so busy with the content that makes these platforms work. Mrs. Fin thinks its a cool idea, though I suspect she is more interested in other aspects of Scandinavian culture. I emailed them scans of my family immigration papers and they were familiar with the small town my family came from. They offered we could go there to explore, if it was on my list.

Seems I need more time to do some of these interesting things before I run out of health. Being a grouse addict, a capercaillie, the prize bird of Finland. would be the pinnacle of my grouse slooshing career.

I lived 2 months in Finland, I've never seen a more even tempered people. And a great life/work balance - when we wanted to work on Saturdays, they looked at us like we were from outer space. Weekends are for fun and family at the lake, skiing, hiking, camping.. But they are like us in other ways, they love racing - any kind, any place on anything, and they love hunting. Surprisingly good food, too..

Real attractive women, too.

Big Fin said:

Not surprised. Even though they neighbor the conniving Russian pukes, they are well trained and killed enough Russians in past wars that the Russians think twice about messing with them. So, Finns can go about their business of saunas, vodka, building cell phones, owning most the world's paper mills, and partaking in the pleasures of the landscape. Seems like a pretty happy life, especially when you see the size of the pike, perch, and zander that come from Finish waters.

All young Finns are taught the idea of Sisu from an early age. Grandparents greatest smiles came when their youngsters did something worthy of the statement, "SISU!"

Some Finns who follow our platforms have reached out to me and want me to join them for a hunt in Finland. Just hard to coordinate when that is the same time of the year when we are so busy with the content that makes these platforms work. Mrs. Fin thinks its a cool idea, though I suspect she is more interested in other aspects of Scandinavian culture. I emailed them scans of my family immigration papers and they were familiar with the small town my family came from. They offered we could go there to explore, if it was on my list.

Seems I need more time to do some of these interesting things before I run out of health. Being a grouse addict, a capercaillie, the prize bird of Finland. would be the pinnacle of my grouse slooshing career.

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Go for it Randy. That would make a hell of a show!

Another thing that stands out in Finland, you notice it's not a place with many, or even any, enemies. The airport and train stations aren't full of armed security and paramilitary. Customs into Finland is non-existent. You get through immigration, push a button saying you have nothing to declare, and you walk into Finland. I didn't see a cop for over 3 weeks. It's comforting to know there's countries in the world that don't have some crazy ass people out there trying to blow them up.

First time we did see the Polis (Swedish spelling, the Finns told us to learn Swedish, it's easier than Finnish, and everyone speaks it anyway. Along with English, too..) was when they were dealing with the Russians who lived across the street from us, who we were convinced were running some kind of chop shop. A real rough looking bunch, they would blast death metal out in their shop/garage all night while working on something. Crime is pretty non-existant in Finland, but we knew they were up to something.

Yes, there are some Russians in Finland. They're not well liked for good reasons, but they're easy to pick out. If you see a giant American SUV driving around, guaranteed it will have some big dude with a buzz cut and aviators on behind the wheel. That will be a Russian. The stereotype is almost comical.. And I actually went to the Russian embassy in Helsinki one afternoon, I was trying to get an expedited visa to go to St. Petersburg to check out the Hermitage. It was some serious James Bond shit, I thought I was going to get disappeared at any second in there. But the best part was dealing with the blonde Mila Kunis look alike behind the bullet proof glass. I spent 30 solid minutes trying to crack even the faintest smile from her and nothing worked. It would have taken an nuclear powered ice breaker to bust through that. Fun times, and I found a great Nepalese restaurant just down the street, and some good antique stores. The Finns love antiques, they sure have their own share of antique hunting shows on TV there.

I'd love to go back.

While they are happy they also have an extremely high suicide rate, 16% vs ours at 10%. It's an interesting dynamic.

I traveled to Helsinki and played in a senior hockey tournament in the late 90’s, great country, super people, and great hockey players. Might have to tag along when Fresh Tracks does the tour!

Being almost a 100% Finn, I am proud to see the country receive this recent honor. As Fin said, the neighbors had there hands full trying to roll over our relatives in the Winter War. This particular soldier gave a bunch of them a reason to be unhappy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU_e7jO3ndk

neffa3 said:

While they are happy they also have an extremely high suicide rate, 16% vs ours at 10%. It's an interesting dynamic.

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That's because their winter lasts 18 months and they only get summer every other year...at least that's what my Swedish grandma told me...