I get angry when Americans make generalizations about Finland, Sweden, Norway..

[JaanaRuutu]

basically anywhere in northern Europe where there is universal healthcare and decent social programs.

The idea that we're somehow less "self-relient" because of what we have is offensive, frankly. I can't speak for the rest of northern Europe but finns are some of the most stubborn people you'll ever come across. We have lazy people but the idea that, as a whole, our culture is somehow lazy or not hard-working just because we don't have to pay $1,000 if we decide to go to the ER(which is rare considering most people are too fucking embarrassed) couldn't be farther from the truth, and it's something that genuinely hurts me if I read it online.

I'm proud of my culture and it really gets to me when people, usually Americans, make ridiculous assumptions and claims about a place they've probably never been and a culture they clearly know nothing of.

 

[xfire]

All interactions I've had with the groups you mention has been positive and I would tend to generalize them in a positive way. Except assari. He's a ridiculous jackass, but hey, there's always going to be an outlier.

 

[sean miguel]

I don't think most Americans give Finland, Sweden, Norway enough thought to make generalizations.

If you like it there, enjoy.

 

[Will E Worm]

Just like when people make generalizations about America?

There's no such thing as free anything. It's an added tax.
An added tax that takes from people who work, so people who will not work get something for free.
Guess there is something free, if you're willing to take from others.
Not that helping people who need help is wrong.

Most on welfare don't work and will not work. That happens too much in America.

Sweden Link

 

[mikexmoran]

They aren't the same country?

 

[Bonezstorm]

The americans hate whole Europe, not some single countries.
Wait, isn't that a generalization, too?

 

[JaanaRuutu]

Just like when people make generalizations about America?

There's no such thing as free anything. It's an added tax.
An added tax that takes from people who work, so people who will not work get something for free.
Guess there is something free, if you're willing to take from others.
Not that helping people who need help is wrong.

Most on welfare don't work and will not work. That happens too much in America.

Sweden Link

It's not like that here, though. It's so hard to abuse the system. SO HARD. I would know. i have a family member with a legitimate need for welfare that's having a hard time getting it because kela makes it so god damn difficult. i mean, for good reason, but still. Most Finns will tell you getting anything done like that is an extremely long process.

We don't see anything as being "taken" from us because at some point we'll all use something we've "paid" for. We'll all go to school, we'll all get sick and need a doctor. We'll all get old. We'll all drive on roads.

 

[JaanaRuutu]

The americans hate whole Europe, not some single countries.
Wait, isn't that a generalization, too?

Notice how I said some Americans and not all? I find myself having this argument and defending my culture on a weekly basis to people who just so happen to be American. I'm a dual citizen, i can acknowledge the stupidity.

 

[bobjustbob]

... usually Americans, make ridiculous assumptions and claims about a place they've probably never been and a culture they clearly know nothing of.

Yea, that's pretty much what we do. I don't assume anything about anyone's culture, now if we want to discuss economic social structures then we don't need to visit. Everything is there in the open for the world to see.

 

[Mr. Daystar]

So it bothers you that I view those countries as breeding grounds for snow, and hot, tall blonde chicks that all look great in spike heel thigh high leather boots?

 

[JaanaRuutu]

so it bothers you that i view those countries as breeding grounds for snow, and hot, tall blonde chicks that all look great in spike heel thigh high leather boots?

you're a monster!

 

[twat36975248664224]

It's America if it Capitalism, God, or anything else we have believed in for hundreds of years it's wrong. Even if it isn't

 

[vodkazvictim]

basically anywhere in northern Europe where there is universal healthcare and decent social programs.

The idea that we're somehow less "self-relient" because of what we have is offensive, frankly. I can't speak for the rest of northern Europe but finns are some of the most stubborn people you'll ever come across. We have lazy people but the idea that, as a whole, our culture is somehow lazy or not hard-working just because we don't have to pay $1,000 if we decide to go to the ER(which is rare considering most people are too fucking embarrassed) couldn't be farther from the truth, and it's something that genuinely hurts me if I read it online.

I'm proud of my culture and it really gets to me when people, usually Americans, make ridiculous assumptions and claims about a place they've probably never been and a culture they clearly know nothing of.

Well, you have to be AT LEAST as self-reliant overall, otherwise you wouldn't be able to give your care to another.
Any time you bump into an american slamming non-privatised healthcare online, just show them the stats where they come way down the list. They won't listen or learn, but you'll feel better.

The americans hate whole Europe, not some single countries.
Wait, isn't that a generalization, too?

Yes, but you'd be surprised how often it's proven true, with them calling us Eurotrash and acting superior despite their many, many failings where they're inferior to us.

It's not like that here, though. It's so hard to abuse the system. SO HARD. I would know. i have a family member with a legitimate need for welfare that's having a hard time getting it because kela makes it so god damn difficult. i mean, for good reason, but still. Most Finns will tell you getting anything done like that is an extremely long process.

We don't see anything as being "taken" from us because at some point we'll all use something we've "paid" for. We'll all go to school, we'll all get sick and need a doctor. We'll all get old. We'll all drive on roads.

Not only that, but if a poor person gets sick, they pass the sickness on to the rich.
So, if you restrict medical care only to those who can pay, then the rich have to pay to be cured more often.

Notice how I said some Americans and not all? I find myself having this argument and defending my culture on a weekly basis to people who just so happen to be American. I'm a dual citizen, i can acknowledge the stupidity.

Shuttit, yank!
Jus kiddin'

Yea, that's pretty much what we do. I don't assume anything about anyone's culture, now if we want to discuss economic social structures then we don't need to visit. Everything is there in the open for the world to see.

Hmmmmm.....
This kind of honesty and openness is admirable.

So it bothers you that I view those countries as breeding grounds for snow, and hot, tall blonde chicks that all look great in spike heel thigh high leather boots?

It's America if it Capitalism, God, or anything else we have believed in for hundreds of years it's wrong. Even if it isn't

I'm confused by that, but let me ask you; just how capitalist is america?

 

[meesterperfect]

Americans do that with a lot of places in the world.
Other countries probably do it about America.
Some is deserved, some is just flat out wrong.

 

[vodkazvictim]

Americans do that with a lot of places in the world.
Other countries probably do it about America.
Some is deserved, some is just flat out wrong.

We do (I've lived in many European countries).
Some IS deserved.
Some IS just wrong.

 

[Johan]

basically anywhere in northern Europe where there is universal healthcare and decent social programs.

The idea that we're somehow less "self-relient" because of what we have is offensive, frankly. I can't speak for the rest of northern Europe but finns are some of the most stubborn people you'll ever come across. We have lazy people but the idea that, as a whole, our culture is somehow lazy or not hard-working just because we don't have to pay $1,000 if we decide to go to the ER(which is rare considering most people are too fucking embarrassed) couldn't be farther from the truth, and it's something that genuinely hurts me if I read it online.

I'm proud of my culture and it really gets to me when people, usually Americans, make ridiculous assumptions and claims about a place they've probably never been and a culture they clearly know nothing of.

Here, in France, scandinavians models (of society) are usually seen as very good, very progressive... the kind of society we should get inspired from in order to improve our (even thought, for the last few years, it's all "Germany this" and "Germany, that", etc... As if Germany's socciety was perfect an the best we could do would be to copy-paste it here :dunno

 

[Jagger69]

I'm proud of my culture and it really gets to me when people, usually Americans, make ridiculous assumptions and claims about a place they've probably never been and a culture they clearly know nothing of.

No offense meant but I don't hear Americans making a lot of references about Scandinavia in general. Hell, I bet most Americans couldn't even tell you what the capital of Scandinavia is anyway.

Oslo, right??

 

[lurkingdirk]

No offense meant but I don't hear Americans making a lot of references about Scandinavia in general. Hell, I bet most Americans couldn't even tell you what the capital of Scandinavia is anyway.

Oslo, right??

No. The capital of Scandinavia is Iceland.

 

[Mr. Daystar]

you're a monster!

And my soul is the chemical formula for evil....

 

[bobjustbob]

You want a better impression from Americans? Don't furnish your homes with anything from Ikea.