Ok, I just thought to get this out of the way. My opinions are mine and mine alone. They do not reflect the opinions of any group, company, nation or religion. Having said that, some opinions are obviously affected by something. For me, my nationality means a lot. I am a Finn, a Finn from Finland, speaking Finnish and living in or craving back, to Finland. If you want to know what finland is all about, check the excellent article written about us, from wikipedia.

For the too busy, things like Linux, Nokia, MySQL, xylitol, Rapala, Benecol, and such are from Finland and Finland alone. Sauna, father christmas, reindeers, and such are from the nordics, not just from Finland. Coldness, nordic circle, aurora borealis and such are all over the northern hemisphere, Russia and Canada alike.

Anyways, I think that being born in Finland is like winning the lottery. You are set for life. Basically free and really excellent education while having food and roof paid for all the way through to the diploma. Growing up in a country that is safe, secure, clean and fair. I don't think it gets any better. We are so happy that our presidents ratings are sometimes just too good according to the polling nerds. She's just loved by everyone.

So, how to explain what it is, to be a Finn.

The normal Finnish way: Its good.
Kimi Räikkönen way: I think so it's good, I'll do my best and see where it takes me.
Matti Nykänen way: Are we Finns and am I one of them too?
The Finnish boss way: As a finn, you make a difference.
The Finnish bus driver way: Not an even 2,20 euros? You're walking?
The Finnish taxi driver way: Finnish roads are good, speeding tickets are ridiculous.
The Nokia way: TididiidiiTididiidiiTididiidiiDII. Buy me, I'm kinda japanese.
The Finnish boat building union head way: Perkeleen euro, no way to float the mark anymore.
The Sami people way: Spaceeba, tack så mycket, kiitti perkeleesti, skål!
The US way: Finnish women are beautiful!
The Estonian woman way: Winnish "women" can't dress at all!
The Estonian man way: Estonians are way tougher, the toughest. Am gonna kick your ass.
The Italian way: Finnish quisine is so bad. Our mommas don't cook there.
The French way: They have this internet, they are suspicious. Lets Echelon them.
The swedish way: Here is the Ikea, meatballs and give us the euros. Oh yeah, win them playing hockey. Every time. They are such suckers, can't take a bit of unfairness.


Lets try the trainspotting way:

Choose no corruption
Choose freedom
Choose high taxes and public services
Choose sauna and lakes
Choose endless forests and all they have to offer
Choose a language no-one can understand
Choose extreme dislike to your neighbouring countries
Choose fairness or doing something about it
Choose to care for everything
Choose sisu
Choose to envy your neighbourgs
Choose to be proud of your nationality