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Welcome to Finland, the happiest country in the world. With lots of beautiful nature, a wonderful education system, a passionately burning love of saunas, and deep respect for their fellow human beings, Finns are truly great. And you’ll know that if you have any Finnish people in your social circles, dear Pandas.

However, the Finnish can also seem mysterious, even peculiar. For one, they stereotypically love being left alone and social interactions allegedly scare them more than the local wildlife, the biting cold, and the fairytale creatures that lurk in the dark. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg of what it means to be a Finn, as presented by the ‘Finland Jokes’ Instagram page.

As you’re scrolling down and upvoting your favorite Finnish memes, don’t forget to read through Bored Panda’s interview about introversion and extroversion with Dr. Andrew Spark from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia.

The ‘Finland Jokes’ page has been posting memes about what it’s like to be Finnish since way back in 2017. In the half-a-decade since then, the page has carved out a comfortable niche for itself on Instagram, having drawn in 73.1k followers.

Make sure to follow the account on Instagram if the jokes they post made you chuckle, dear Readers.

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TmKhr
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should see two of our neighbors. Real stalkers if you ask me 😆

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Most of the memes showcase a slice of Finnish life. From their love of the cold and the great outdoors to learning to embrace the calm, the silence.

It is perhaps this stereotype about Finland, the deep introversion the country’s citizens supposedly live by, that is best known around the world. That and the sweet tooth they have for licorice in all of its forms.

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Dasha Slepenkina
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm Russian and grew up with a children's story in which to illustrate the characters going to a "cold place" they go to Lapland, which is a region in Finland.

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Bored Panda reached out to Dr. Spark from the Queensland University of Technology to have a chat about introversion and extroversion. We asked him about the upsides of extroversion and how introverts feel when pressured to act in a different way than their instincts tell them to.

The expert told us that there are several options that introverts can take to reduce the stress they feel when outside forces are pressuring them to act extroverted.

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“We can simply force ourselves to push through it and act out of character (i.e., to act more extroverted),” the expert suggested that powering through an uncomfortable situation is one way to deal with things.

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Kesam
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A sauna isn't a sauna without being drenched in other people's sweat. 😄

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According to Dr. Spark, there are scientifically proven benefits to being extroverted rather than introverted. It’s something that some people might not like hearing, of course. However, there’s also absolutely nothing wrong with being introverted either. Though, at the end of the day, different situations call for different behaviors and mindsets. In short, sometimes it’s very advantageous to act extroverted even if you want to be alone in the middle of a snowy forest.

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“Many introverts don’t like hearing this—and I can understand that—but the science is quite clear. When we act extroverted, we experience more positive emotion,” he said, adding that this can, actually, make us feel more tired later on.

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“However, if this idea [of pushing through] does not appeal to you (and there has been some research looking at why introverts don’t like the idea of acting extroverted), it may be a better idea to remove yourself from the situation or to reframe how you are thinking about yourself,” the expert told Bored Panda.

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Colin L
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a type of licorice found in the Netherlands, "salted licorice." Table salt is sodium chloride, but this is salted with ammonium chloride! "Salmiac" (sp?) Is an acquired taste.

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Charlotte A.
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also found in Finland and the rest of Scandinavia... (I love it, but most licorice is made with flour so I have to stick to the pure powder, these days... and not too often since I have high blood pressure. Dangit.)

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Sinkvenice
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Liquorice is the only food that makes me physically ill as soon as I taste it. I keep trying it every ten years to see if my palate has changed but nope! It's consistently like eating my own demise.

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Cheri Aline Sydney
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It makes me physically ill to even smell Licorice .. always has... At 70 I don't expect this to change!

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RoseTheMad
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fazer chocolate too though.. anyway, my fiance is Finnish and I remember the first time she made me try Salmiakki I absolutely hated it, despite already loving licorice, but then it grew on me, now I love the stuff. xD

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Jill Bussey
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it all liquorice? I am sorry, I don't understand this post.

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Sofie
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No they don't just have it but they eat a lot of liquorice. So do us in Sweden, Norway and Denmark too! I love it but because I have high blood preassure I have to be careful not to eat too much 🙃

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Sanne H.
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finland has some weird candy combinations with drop/licorice, like dates and nuts covered in a layer of drop.

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Lynne Stankard
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The most gorgeous liquorice sweets - they are to die for..........if you like liquorice - I DO!!!

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DaVo
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmmmm liquorice. I'm Dutch and we love our liquorice.

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Leah Jolliff
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All I see are coins, screws and nails. Those poor kids, glad they get a good lunch.

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Nadia Dodd
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brit here. I love liquorice whether it's sweet, pure or salty!!! Love it all, so yummy!!!

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Chicbe Chipa
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m a Finnish person but i don’t like salmiakki or going to the sauna

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Ian Dallenbach
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm an American I love salmiakki. I go to wold market and get it when I can or the German version if I can't find the real stuff.

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Evelyn Haskins
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NOT Candy. which is hard boiled sugar. Looks like liquorice to me. Much much nice than boiled sugar with colouring.

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Kim Lorton
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is the rate of heart disease in Finland, or of heart conditions? Asking because licorice has an effect on the heart, and I was wondering if it affects their hearts in a positive way, by eating a lot of it.

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Karin Johansson
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finish liquirice are good. But not as good as icelandic! Sorry Finland😉

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elinor swinson
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2 years ago

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Dillon Hughes
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s dz locorice it’s bad black licorice but double salted…

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Red
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean... They do know how to stick to the theme.

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Bobby
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it is dark chocolate, then it is the bestestest.

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Kayla Smith
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Candy companies would have a fit here in the United Corporations of America.

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Ozymandias73
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give me the other countries if I had to choose. (being that I can't have much candy as it is.)

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Snorkeldorf
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Although my grandma was not from Finland, this was her favorite candy in the world. Made it easy to buy her a gift she loved. She also loved beer, but a different story for a different time.

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ratfreezer
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The tar flavored Leijona candies are one of my personal favorites.

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Donkey boi
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd take the liquorice any day! Not too much though, the side effects...

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Roxy Eastland
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Salt liquorice, mmmmmmmmmm. There's a salt liquorice powder for stirring into spirits, like korskan korva (sp?), and it makes simply the best drink to warm the cockles after being out in the cold.

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John Carr
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not a fan of salmiakki but have had tar flavored ice cream in Finland. Sounds strange but was beautiful.

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MyOpinionHasBeenServed
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm starting to get used to black licorice but there's definitely a difference between brands.

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Jace
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2 years ago (edited)

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Licorice, yummy. We have it too.

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Kesam
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone know where this is? Edit: found it. It's actually in Iceland (Elliðaey Island). Get some fact checkers, BP! 😉

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According to Dr. Spark, even being aware of the research on extroversion and introversion can help alleviate some of the stress that some people feel in situations they’re uncomfortable being in.

“As part of any such reframing effort, try to keep in mind that there is nothing inherently wrong with being an introvert, but you also have to be realistic and accept that there are certain situations that are better suited to either extroverted or introverted behavior,” the expert noted.

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troufaki13
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's better to be happy inside and not show it, than the other way round... :/

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“Take heart in knowing that we all have a lot more agency to act out of character if we really want to—and introverts have shown to be quite adaptable when it suits them,” Dr. Spark explained that we are far more flexible than we sometimes give ourselves credit for. Human beings are incredibly adaptable. Whether or not we’re comfortable with change is another question entirely.

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Wistiti
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you wait for the snow to thaw away before going back to the scene.

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Despite the Finnish having a reputation for enjoying being all by their lonesome, their country is actually widely known for its strong feelings of communal support. In fact, it’s one of the things that helped Finland rank as the happiest country in the world in 2021.

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Some other factors that contributed to Finland’s overall happiness index include a thoroughly transparent government with very little corruption, as well as the level of autonomy given to the country’s citizens. The Finns felt like they were free to make their own choices at all times.

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MyOpinionHasBeenServed
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I kinda ... okay yeah, lol relatable here, too. But more like when it gets above -10C in April.

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MyOpinionHasBeenServed
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I had to experience a long bout of not seeing the sun for a while I would do the same.

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TmKhr
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually there's just a little fence. Some random border guards every now and then.

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name sake
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a former prison building, now a hotel in Katajanokka, Helsinki.

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Eevi
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay so the ones in bottom left and bottom right do have blood as their main ingredient. They are blood sausage (musta makkara) and blood pancake (veriletut). They are both served with lingonberry jam and they are delicious. The one in the middle that looks like poop is called "mämmi". It is traditional dessert that we serve with cream and sugar on Easter. It contains rye flour (not blood :D) and is in my opinion also delicious. The one in the top right is called "hernekeitto" (pea soup). It is traditionally served on Thursdays (because before reformation Friday was the day of not-eating in the Catholic culture, and we needed some nutritioning and cheap food the day before.) When you put some mustard in it it also tastes quite good. I have to admit I googled the one in the top left. It is in facr chocolate with fishs, from Finnish trademark Taiga, but it's not a common thing in Finland.

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