Geography Now! Finland | American Reaction

[@Hartsai]

Military service is obviously considered as self defense thing, not an offensive like US. We don't go guns blazing anywhere and no one sees combat unless Finland is attacked. A small country next to Russia who has tried to invade in past is a good reason to have a conscription style military. Especially looking how things are happening right now in Ukraine.

[@tree_poplar]

Cheers from Poland :) We also know what Russia means ;) Good to know our stance is being heard finally all around the world.

[@AHVENAN]

I might be mistaken on this, but I thought FInland had sent troops to join UN peacekeeping missions in the past? That's a form of combat is it not?

[@DanVibesTV]

@@AHVENAN actually you can send troops to UN peacekeeping and still maintain your neutral status :)

[@Burneri]

@@AHVENAN there is difference with the normal conscripted up to year service and actual career or extended military service... all the peacekeepers are voluntary that do longer than the normal year. There is no actual combat when it comes to conscripted people... only live ammo you shoot is at shooting range.

[@Hartsai]

@@AHVENAN Correct. Finnish troops on peacekeeping missions are career soldiers so not conscripts. As far I know all peacekeeping soldiers are there voluntarily.

[@thepreviousguy]

Consription in FInland is not the same as joining the army in the U.S. First of all Finland doesnt have an army, it has a defence force and people who serve are not sent anywhere into conflicts. The whole duration of the service in the defence force is used in training to defend Finland and you are only ever called upon if there is a war to defend the nations sovereignty. So serving in Finland does not include any real risk and does not make you enlist to any operations outside of Finlands borders.

[@bastiwen]

Oh, so it's the same as the Swiss army system ?

[@sundflux]

@@bastiwen yes. defence only. Every time Finland joins any overseas operations, it's through UN peacekeeping forces

[@bastiwen]

@@sundflux Nice, thank you for the answer :)

[@Aurinkohirvi]

@@sundflux in Afghanistan the UN only had mission in Kabul to protect people during NATO invasion. Rest of the country was plain NATO invasion. Then the UN withdrew from Kabul too. Finland was operating there under NATO command for many years. Don't recall if they moved under NATO command already before the UN mission ended, probably so.

[@thepreviousguy]

@@bastiwen Yes i believe its quite similar.

[@tommyvictorbuch6960]

Finns are a tough and cool people. Respect and greetings from Denmark.

[@Tingletonttu]

Tak bror

[@ispbrotherwolf]

I love my Finish brothers, love from Sweden.

[@JackJack-cy3gh]

Why thank You :) creets from finland

[@jkeitamo]

Danish are cool and tough Vikings.

[@ispbrotherwolf]

@@jkeitamo We love you 2 Denmark

[@ratyjoona]

Thank you so much for reacting to this! I also have to recommend "America first, Finland second" as it's a very funny video.

[@Chivaltic]

To me it was an honor to served in the military, because both my grandfather's, one grandmother, numerous granduncle's and grandaunt's served during the Second World War. Because of what they did I was born in a free and independent Finland.

[@Morhgoz]

Same, I even picked same brigade as me dad to serve the, aka the now discontinued Pohjois-Karjalan Prikaatti in Kontioranta (or Gonabiitsi)

[@Chivaltic]

@@Morhgoz I picked same branch of service, combat engineer, as my godparent.

[@amadeuz8161]

Served? You are still alive so if needed you will still dig holes in the forest if they come :P

[@Stadionpunainen]

Same here, but our military is Defence forces, its quite not the same than going to army and to Afghanistan etc.

[@amadeuz8161]

@@Stadionpunainen Thats why it was volunteers that went as I understod it. I dont think the forces there were forced to go more like they had appplied to go.

[@Morhgoz]

Yes, they mean different swamp types, Like "korpi" is more heavily forested one with larger trees than other ones and "neva" is that open one with tiny pine trees here and there, mostly in the edges.

[@sangfroidian5451]

We have many words in English but most people don't know the difference and use them interchangeably, even though strictly speaking they are descriptive of slight differences - swamp, marsh, salt marsh, fen, quagmire, bog, slough and wetland. I'm sure there are others.

[@salamanteri_]

If you want to learn more about Finland's history, conscription and statistics of how many finnish people support the conscription, I recommend watching "Why Finland joining NATO checkmates Russia". The video has a very good production quality and the people who made it really did their homework. There's no need for background information and it's good knowledge to have since Nato is kinda big rn. Love from Finland! :)

[@SprucePlywood]

Was just about to recommend that one also!

[@StarfleetCommand71]

When I lived in the US I was surprised at how offended you get by nude people! But violence is ok! Here in Europe, we have a more relaxed relationship to nudity. And a more strict relationship to violence.

[@alexwtf80]

well, US was founded by the extreme religious nuts that fled from Britain and the Netherlands...

[@-scrim]

??????????

[@biteme9486]

that's probably cuse of the various "Great Awakenings" we've had in which religious fervor was reinvigorated

[@Aquelll]

The doctor's sword is the weapon of knowledge to defend the truth, what is right and the integrity of free science. A lot of strong symbolism there.

[@hapkido7442]

And you don't take the doctor's examine so the do it in another country. First you have take the kanditates degree from university (about 4 years), then you have to take the the licensiated or magister degree from the same or an another university (about 4-7 years) and do the book. If you are lucky or have new ideas when you are at same time working (i would prefer the university) you have changes to go in the doctor education line and sometimes work same time as you do the book of something nobody has ever done (the book have to have two i call them here observes and it takes about 6 years to do the resears for that topic the university has provened).

[@jameslewis2635]

A little fun fact about Finland is that they have a disproportionately large amount of successful racing drivers considering their relatively low population. This includes three Formula 1 World champions Keke Rosberg, Mika Häkkinen, Kimi Räikkönen. Although he raced as a German, I would include Nico Rosberg in this list as he has dual German / Finnish nationality and is the son of Keke Rosberg.

[@hematula1]

Similarly quite an amount of successful rally drivers, albeit that is more understandable with an ample supply of gravel country and forest roads...

[@jaakkomantyjarvi7515]

We also have a disproportionately large number (not amount, BTW) of internationally successful orchestra conductors and opera singers.

[@sampohonkala4195]

The Finnish Defence Forces is also a cultural thing. It is a useful institution in several ways - for one thing when most boys go to the army, they get an understanding of how different all are, but equal. It is an experience of a classless and united group, something most men have in common. Nowadays also women volunteer, for them it is not compulsory. For many it also gives some training and experience in leadership and usually a different surrounding for a year - for me the archipelago and the coast of the Gulf of Finland. One of the most beautiful summers for me by the sea.

[@gringoamigo8146]

Lived in Finland for almost 5 years from US. The metal music part is 100% accurate, they're not joking. As for sauna, yes, they're usually completely naked, but separate between men and women, unless they're friends or spouse. Even then, it's not comfortable at all even with friends- A spouse I had no problem with. Their education system is one of the best in the world. I've learned both Finnish and Swedish pretty well, but only basic level. Yes, wife carrying competition is real. I believe the winner gets a year of unlimited supply of beer or something like that. As for military conscription, I can agree with the idea, because it teaches young boys discipline as well as become readily trained to use military weapons whenever they are needed. This is especially true since Russia is their neighbor and Russia tends to be quite aggressive. It's not quite the same as US military basic training where the drill Sargent screams into your face and mentally torture you or something. They don't want their troops to be mentally and emotionally unstable.

[@Tuigens]

The comfortably aspect is usually due to cultural aversion to nakedness. Especially in the US the naked body is demonized by the religious fanatics and it bleeds to the general culture. In Finland there is no such pressure and the Finns are comfortable with nakedness. It is not sexualized. Regarding the conscription, there is definitely sergeants screaming and mentally torturing conscripts. You don't make killers without trauma. The military is trying to steer towards healthier training methods, but there's still plenty of old school instructors that just enjoy dominating over impressionable youths.

[@John-Is-My-Name]

wow du lärde dig både finska OCH svenska? coolt! :)

[@gringoamigo8146]

@@John-Is-My-Name Yes, very basic level though. The main issue is sometimes I'll mix up some Swedish and Finnish words. Swedish was easier to learn.

[@annalinnaea]

5:28 well this building was designed by a German architect C. L. Engel.

[@pasiholtta]

In my opinion, conscription army is beneficial for small nations like us. Keeping the peace is mostly based on making an invasion difficult and expensive for the invader. It is also somewhat of a threat that a considerable amount of people know how to use a rifle, if needed. Heidi, I'm sure there are dozens of volunteer tour guides if you ever decide to come to see and experience Finland by yourself!

[@Verppe64]

You are right. People are not allowed to wear any clothing ( including towel) in public sauna inside swimming halls. Of cource at home you don't even consider wearing any clothes.

[@janneaalto3956]

The sword given to PhDs is said to symbolize the truth as well as the battle between knowledge and ignorance, between truth and lies.

[@MrBanaanipommi]

i never heard anyone getting sword from that.. :D

[@JuNe-uk6iv]

You need to pay it yourself tho...

[@MrBanaanipommi]

@@JuNe-uk6iv olipa ullatuuuus

[@janslavik5284]

@@JuNe-uk6iv how much is it?

[@jamesbernadette6216]

My impression was only history majors had the option and that the practise was discontinued years ago for some reason or other.

[@scyphe]

Heidi, you should definitely check out *"Sweden is the annoying neighbour of Finland"* by Mandelin. It's a really funny look at the friendly bantering between Sweden and Finland (from Finland's perspective) and it's very well made.

[@scyphe]

@@JDelwynn Indeed :)

[@MrBanaanipommi]

yep :D

[@Mojova1]

Finnish military is a defensive force. Most men are proud to go to the military and even many employers ask if someone has been in the military. It is also where you kinda grow up. You learn how to receive orders and also give orders- You also learn how to look after your stuff and keep it in good order. You learn manners for example how to speak to your elders take your hat of inside and the list goes on. Also guys can talk about military stuff with any man and they can talk hours not caring if the other is 20 and other is 80. (women kinda hate it) ;D Also we live in a place where it is useful to have 900 000 ppl in reserve if we need to defend our country.

[@sulosky]

Thank you :) You’re the best and so nice to us Finns.

[@solidsteel3634]

As a German I have to say I love Finland very much. I visited Finland almost every year during my teenage years and still (30 years later) have friends in Finland. Finland is ALWAYS worth a trip. Fun Fact: As a 16-year-old young man, I ran into a street sign in Helsinki because I had never seen so many beautiful women in one place 😅

[@JiihaaS]

5:00 the first and the third castle are the same lol. It's the Olavinlinna castle located in the town of Savonlinna.

[@Sammenluola]

Yay, Finland! According to polls, Finns' attitudes toward mandatory mil service is the most supporting & accepting within EU. It propably has to do with our... ahem, eastern neighbour. World events lately have only strengthened this view. As already suggested in the comments, check "Why Finland Joining NATO Checkmates Russia" for more info on the theme. It's a surprisingly good vid. Wife carrying competitions and beer! Swords and tophats! Swamp soccer and sauna! METALHRGH! Oh, and salty liquorice. Life's simple pleasures... 😅 Bear meat is also good. I hunt brown bear every year, and for me it has more to do with heritage, old skool nature spirituality and subsistence, rather than sport of any kind. (Sport hunting is somewhat marginal phenomena here, although hunting as such is big.)

[@jargien240]

As a person who has done the national service in the army (in Sweden though) I am a big supporter of it. Not only do you learn a lot about yourself, but you also learn respect to others and how to work with people that you might not get along with. I like the Finns, they are fun, most have a weird sense of humor and the ones that I have interacted with are usually not afraid of saying what's on their minds. Also one of he best languages to curse in when you hurt yourself at work. You need half a year to travel around Europe Heidi. Problem then would be that you and your hubby might not want to go back ^^ Don't worry, it isn't all to hard to move here. Specially not if you work in a field that needs people, then the nordic nations most likely will welcome you with very open arms.

[@UltraCasualPenguin]

Not only that but you also learn many skills you can use in your civilian life especially leadership training.

[@donaldliden4545]

@@UltraCasualPenguin i think alot socialproblems/criminality Sweden has now would been lesser if we had kept this mandatory months in the military, we had to learn work together with strangers who didnt have much in common and we ,earned that actions has consequenses.Not like todays spolied kids that care about nobody but themseĺves,with no respect for anyone not even themselves

[@syncacct8576]

🇫🇮♥️🇸🇪 we are really very similar after more than 600 years of common history. Finnish city of Turku (Åbo in Swedish) was for a long time the second largest city in Sweden. This was during the time when waterways were the most effective means of transportation.

[@systerkeno]

I love these geography now reactions. Now I'm waiting for the sweden one ✌️💖

[@jk1886jk]

When you have Russia on next door, it's not weird at all to have an conscription, and it is very highly approved among finns. I do understand your point on U.S point of view thou

[@JUMALATION1]

I would as a woman gladly join the army here in Finland but I'm getting "too old", sadly. I seriously thought about it back when I was still eligible and young, but back then I broke my leg REALLY bad and it's full of metal now. I don't think I could do it now, but I wish I could 🥲

[@b.v.nielsen8714]

That shared golf course is mental. Hit the ball in Sweden and it lands in Finland an hour later. 🤣🇩🇰

[@Kelsea-2002]

Metal music is so popular in Finland that even the president got involved directly in 2005 when the band Nightwish separated from their lead singer Tarja...Btw;Nightwish is Finland's biggest export success and probably has the most loyal fanbase (Nightwish Army) in the world.

[@Bastet__0]

Best band in the world! Tuomas Halopainen is a genious and criminally underrated. Nightwish Army, Portugal 🤘😺

[@michaelhansen5353]

Metal music is also popular sweden and norway. Denmarrk don't like it though.

[@IceAokiji303]

The thing with conscription military service that makes it different for us than for Americans is that it's _entirely defensive._ We don't send our troops elsewhere in the world to do whatever for our own purposes, the military is there in case we are attacked. People go in, do their training, get sent home (and maybe get called back in after a few years for some refresher training), and then never have to use that training unless forced by hostile outside forces. Even the times we've sent people out for UN peacekeeping operations it's been done by volunteers, rather than the conscripts. As for why Finland feels the need to have such defenses ready? Imagine being a small country, sitting next to Russia, with a total population only as big as Russia's _second_ biggest city. And now imagine that massive neighbour('s previous version) has tried to invade and take over less than a century in the past. And now just to really drive the point home, see Ukraine, right now.

[@bjorreb7487]

I'm swede and love salmiakki and Mintuu and sauna. Nothing is better than a woodburning finnish sauna. Åland people are mainly speaking swedish with a special dialect. It's good that Åland is finnish. We can shop cheap on the ferries. Bear taste really good. I served in the swedish military when I was 20 and it's sad we don't do that anymore.

[@Aurinkohirvi]

Finland was in the top of international student tests (PISA), but it's been going worse lately. When Finland's conservative gov cut schools' funding, so much that students and teachers both rebelled, and many smaller schools were quitted to save money, I said that this will be seen in PISA results. But maybe toying with phones and social media also are partially quilty to changed atmosphere in schools and ignoring grammar.

[@elinahamalainen5867]

Digitalization in schools has been proved to weaken the results. In Estonia, they are more focused about the teachers than having the latest gadgets compared to Finland and they have bypassed Finland in their learning results. Another reason for weakened results is immigration as getting kids with varied (or none) schooling backgrounds into same level as Finnish kids of their age is hard.

[@presidentforlife1732]

This started with the Sipilä KePu government.

[@Aurinkohirvi]

@@presidentforlife1732 No, it started 2011 with two Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) lead governments, Katainen and Stubb, and then Sipilä's Keskusta (Centre) lead gov. Katainen and Stubb cut 1,5 billion and Keskusta about 0,8 billion. So each one cut about as much. Of course it was getting harder and harder for schools and students all the time.

[@RoyalMela]

And those 6% mentioned as Swedish are Finns, but have their first language as swedish.

[@odieboss1417]

I am from North America, and I play an Online game from Finland called: "My Summer Car" ... so I know a tiny little bit about the Country.

[@Maysti87]

ah, i see you're man of culture.

[@JiiJiitalo]

Great video! As a typical Finn, I am immediately there when Finland is mentioned somewhere. I am proud that I completed my military service in Finland. and as others mentioned, the Finnish army is a defense force. the best defense is such a large army that the eastern neighbor does not attack. Bear meat is good! as well as elk, reindeer and other local forest animals that are hunted here. One of the things that Finland is also known for is the rules and prohibitions, which are sometimes quite obvious and thus funny. Finns may seem quiet and even shy at first, because small talk is not practiced here. if you ask someone here "hello, how are you", be prepared to listen to what they really have to say and not just an automatic response of "fine, how are you". One reason for silence is also that we judge another person only after words and actions, not before, so we listen to others. And of course Finns also enjoy silence, everyone knows what I'm talking about who has sat in a quiet evening by the lake or on the steps of a cabin after a sauna, the only sounds come from the surrounding nature. ah, Finnish summer...

[@freas8520]

Your best reaction so far! I even went "Haha" a few times. Tervettuloa suomeen!

[@TheNetsrac]

Nice to learn more about Finland 👍🏻 It's so close to Denmark, but I know next to nothing about the country 🤦🏻‍♂ Thank you for the edutaining video

[@Tingletonttu]

We're not very different once you look past the language.

[@rasmuswi]

I did my service in the Swedish military in the early 90s, and it's an experience I'm glad that I have. Sweden Abolished mandatory conscription a few years later (maybe they're reinstating it now), so most people younger than maybe 40 haven't done it. I found it very useful as a reality check about what war is all about. I served in the artillery, and since the Russian war against Ukraine is such an artillery-heavy war I find that my knowledge about artillery helps me understand lots of things about the war. What different shells do, what artillery can do, etc. Oh, and the fact that the Swedish army was all about fighting Russia was very thinly veiled, who else would we fight? All other countries near us are friendly.

[@uniqueflowsnake]

I've watched some videos of finland cos I'm finnish and now youtube recommends me some on the regular... anyway I gotta say, you see, like a really nice and open minded person. Thanks for the fun reaction vid! :)

[@R3neeXD]

100% watching any video you make on Finland, & already seeing some good suggestions down here Finland mentioned! Meet up at the market square!

[@RoyalMela]

Märket island does have copper pins on every corner of the border. So yes, you can see where the border goes, atleast point to point.

[@ArthurOfThePond]

I'm Danish and I'm actually ashamed to say I knew next to nothing about Finland (although now I know slightly more). What I love about their language, though, is that it sounds oddly Italian, even though the words are obviously not the same.

[@Aurinkohirvi]

Yeah, I've always said that Japanese, Spanish and Italian words are the easiest for Finnish to learn (and comes closest right when said). Sure there could be other languages that I don't know, for example Portugese or Romanian might be close, as they are close to Spanish and Italian (or Latin). Also, in those languages the relative amount of vowels and consonants remind Finnish.

[@SK-nw4ig]

I am told by a Norwegian that when i speak norwegian, i sound like my nmative tongue is spanish. Spanish is pronounced similarly to finnish and the rolling r's and stuff makes it so, I think. Spanish is also pretty phonetic, like finnish is.

[@blackcoffeebeans6100]

Finland is still an unknown country. Unfortunately.

[@SK-nw4ig]

@@blackcoffeebeans6100 It is okay if we keep it that way.

[@puhistagram]

Geopolitical turbulences have made Nordics closer to each others. Previously, Nordics and Scandics meant pretty much Sweden to us Finns, but nowadays, there are different flavors. Denmark

[@PeeVee1979]

That must be a bit of an older video. Our educational system used to be pretty much the best in the world but times have changed. It's been going downhill for several years.

[@southernsunb]

That's true.

[@koff41]

I need to say tihis! You have an exelllent mind you absorb so fast what you hear and react in a milli second. And adorable too, wll you knew it already. Cheers from a finn living in Swededen.

[@House_of_Caine]

The whole military thing is simple. Every country in the world has an army, if it's not yours, it's the neighbour's. We here in Finland like it to be ours.

[@Aurinkohirvi]

Not every country. Panama has no army, nor has Iceland. And then there are some mini-states who don't, too. Yeah, Iceland does belong to NATO though, but still.

[@user-wo6nh8ex1k]

I LOVE HailHeidi! Greetings from Finland!

[@Dostrain]

Heyyyyyy you did it!!! :) Yea so about military: I think it's kind of necessary because of Russia :S, and I mean it's not so bad, it's a once in the lifetime experience to spend 0,5 - 1 year there. That being said if our location was better in the world map, I don't think we'd have the conscription. So weird but necessary. The sauna whipping thing isn't that alive in everyday life, but does still exist around midsummer feast!

[@Morhgoz]

Depends where you live, me and me dad make enough vastas to have like 40-60 to winter and dark dry them and also freeze couple with sea salt for Yule.

[@Azurall47]

5:45 all the buildings on that square are designed by Carl ludvig Engel, a german/prussian designer =D, thats why.

[@harmaamassa]

Finns have a very high will to defend their country - very few oppose general conscription. The situation in Ukraine has only strengthened this position. Greetings from Finland!

[@Aurinkohirvi]

For me, it has weakened the will to defend Finland. I have zero will to defend NATO Finland and will probably burn my military-pass the day we join. I'm afraid the USA would like to have Finland as another proxy war country to weaken Russia, after Ukraine (and maybe Poland). I'm very much against it. Our politicians seem total sell-outs, sold the country to the EU, WEF, Bilderberg and NATO -club. All those groups that steal Finland's independence. Like everything our politicians do now, follows foreign agendas.

[@rCRTEr]

Yes I had relatives from the northern part of Sweden who volunteered when Finland got attacked by the Soviet Union, and I have served alongside troops from Finland during military exercises from time to time during my military service. And since I have had many relatives in the northern part of Sweden only a couple of hundred meters from the border to Finland, Finland has a special place in my heart. And if today's Russia attacked I would have to volunteer like my relatives did back in the day, but I hope that never happens. And yes I have watched a wife race it was epic :D

[@sombrero4316]

if you think about their history it's not that weird to have conscription. There are alternative ways to "serve your time" for people who have a problem with traditional military training but when shit really hits the fan it's obviously traumatizing for everyone, that's why it's necessary to be ready for it.

[@michaelgoetze2103]

My sister is a teacher in Sweden and she really admires the Finnish education system. The best Finnish salty liquorice is the Fazer chocolate bar.

[@Hezzu]

When I was in junior high school, I used to work at the Wife Carrying Championship, like 15 years ago. It was and still is fun event that if you can come there in the summertime I recommend. It is like the one event in year that that town has a lot of people in. I think that coming to Finland in winter is kinda overrated and I always recommend for people to come in summer, because all fun events that happen at that time and it so friggin beautiful time anyway. You really dont even need a car to go to other places in Finland. Busses and trains work great.

[@tomsilven]

Terveiset suomesta, tämä oli hauska. Greetings from Finland. This was fun. 👍

[@anttikalpio4577]

I think most boys are proud to serve in the military here in Finland. It’s a kind of rite of passage. Boys become men in the military and many want to go there because of that

[@tombrunila2695]

At about 10:00, six percent of the Finnish population is NOT Swedish! They are Finns who speak Swedish as their first language! And I know because I am one of them!

[@donaldliden4545]

Im kind of hooked by your reactions👍 even if i normally think its nuts and not really like reactionvids for ex, musicvideos yours are different.This guys videos is really good. He dug up some facts i didnt even know and i thought i knew alot about our borders with Finland 🇸🇪😀.

[@castform57]

With the doctorate thing, the important words are "have an option", as you are given an option to buy them. They are usually connected to the university, so they must first give the permission to get them. The sword costs around 200-300€, while the top hat is like 600-800€.

[@tankenstein2005]

It's about time you finally reacted to Geography Now!

[@canadianicedragon2412]

Finland is a place I haven't gotten to yet, but I want to. In my "dream" of a place to move and retire to it is one of the top 3, sometimes one but not always... I mean, never going to happen but I can dream.

[@rogernilsson2715]

Love these geography now episodes...Iceland and Sweden next then you have done every nordic countries...:) There is a lot of interesting countries to learn about though...keep it on

[@matthewburgess1406]

I'd love to see the aurora borealis one day. Having the 3rd cleanest air and plenty of sunshine would do wonders for mental and physical health. Cleanest air in the world is in Tasmania.

[@ivylasangrienta6093]

Then you'd have to come twice, as the aurora borealis can only really be seen in the winter and there's no sunlight during winter.

[@matthewburgess1406]

@@ivylasangrienta6093 then I'd visit during winter to see the aurora borealis, I've got plenty of sunshine and clean air here in Australia.

[@mikkelv7020]

salmiakki is hands down some of the best licorice there is.

[@squidcaps4308]

About the landrise: in my lifetime there has been one whole neighborhood build on top of an area that used to be sea. You can sometimes walk half a mile and not sink below hips, the beaches can be very shallow. In few thousand years you can walk from Finland to Sweden across the Bay of Bothnia. The beaches from my childhood have all shifted visibly, the closest beach to my childhood home is closed cause there is no beach anymore.. but to be fair there is now a beautiful beach on the other side of the bay.

[@Stikoi]

It is an honour for most finns to get to serve their country if something were to happen. About 70-80% of finns are ready to defend their homes if they were to come under attack.

[@markkuhiltula8415]

One interesting thing that must be said is that we celebrate in Finland, the National Day of Failure on October 13.

[@kassidysorel4631]

Finns are pretty kuch in favour of conscription, considering how small of a country we are, who our neighbour is and what has happened in our history most feel that we need to be prepared to defend our independence if needed, and there is no way we’d be able to do that without conscription. And yes, i would love to hear you react to the video about the Finnish educational system!

[@jaakkomantyjarvi7515]

5:30 This was a pan-European mainstream architectural style in the early 19th century. The architect of this building (Government Palace) and of other public buildings in Helsinki's early 19th-century Neo-Classical city center was Carl Ludvig Engel. He was German by birth and worked in St Petersburg before coming to Helsinki -- Finland being part of the Russian Empire at the time -- and certain public buildings in St Petersburg look so similar that this part of Helsinki was used as a double for St Petersburg / Leningrad back in the day when going to film in the Soviet Union was not an option.

[@normirymy]

Heidi! Your intro/outro/theme music is so f*king cool!!!🤘

[@ilesalmo7724]

The sword with your doctorate has two explanations: 1. hat and sword symbolize truth and knowledge which the doctor is supposed to defend. 2. There's also a less romantic explanation to the sword which is in the olden times, only the nobility and the military had the right to bear arms, so getting your doctorate meant that you were recognized by the high society as a peer and thus were allowed to carry weapons.

[@myfaceismyshield5963]

I'm from Finland and I was in the military for the full 9 months that was required of me. The thing is that Finland isn't at war with ANYBODY so you won't see real combat unless you specifically want to join the Peace Keeping missions (which only the lunatics who really want to get into combat will do) for supporting Nato allies etc. It's more like mandatory military training than "serving in the military". The military of Finland is officially called the "Defense Force" so the point of conscription isn't that we could send soldiers around the world. The point is that we constantly have a force that can immediately defend our country so that we don't need to start recruiting when a war has already started. Everybody who has done the 7-12 months of mandatory service in their twenties is a part of the reserve until they're 60 years old. Reservists are called in to train for short periods of time every now and again, so they don't lose their skills over the decades. If you really don't want to go into the military and you're a 19 or 20-year-old guy, you can always just choose to do civil services. That means fairly essential but shitty jobs with minimal pay, instead of joining the Defense Force (or just refuse to go to either option and argue in court about it.. I know one guy who somehow won that legal battle and he didn't need to go. He still spent a couple nights in jail I think, but he probably wanted to prove it could be done. And it wasn't money that got him off the hook, I know he's not rich). The military knows they don't want unmotivated troops, so there's that escape option for guys who really don't want to be there. And if you refuse that option too, it's usually jail time. That said, the Defense Force and the government have done a lot of work to make it more appealing and I can honestly say I had fun and felt safe in the army the whole 9 months, except for one time, and that one thing was entirely because of my own stupidity. I don't support the mandatory nature of the service as it is now, since it's only mandatory for men. There are many women who volunteer and do a great job in the Defense Force. A lot of time they do a better job than the men. So I support making it mandatory for both sexes, since again, there is that civil service backdoor option where you can just skip the military anyways if you really want to. Also if you have diabetes, adhd, severe depression or like... some other valid reason, they'll just not put you to either option. You just get to skip the whole thing. It's called C-papers. (A-papers means the guys with no health problems, B-papers the guys who can serve but have physical limitations, and C is the guys who can't serve... unless a war starts and we run out of the A and B guys... then the untrained C guys get re-evaluated and some of them would be trained as a panic back-up reserve. Or not... depends on the situation, I suppose.)

[@Luredreier]

11:18 I don't know why they *actually* do it... But Finland has been a on again of again warzone for a *long* time. Viking raids, crusades against pagans and Orthodox Christians once Scandinavia was converted to catolism and started looking into places to fight crusades, since "the holy land" was rather far away and we had nonbelievers right next door... Leading to a lot of bloodshed in the Balkans and Finland. Of course the Slaves had been converted to orthodox christianity and had the same idea. And both sides faught over among other things Finland... It was the border territory between Germanic and Catholic (later protestant) Swedes and the Orthodox Slavic peoples. The Germans and Danes did similar things in the Baltic countries. Anyway, there where *so* many wars... Eventually they ended up under Russia... So Finns kind of became a warrior people. And they still have a reputation as being *seriously* tough by nordic standards. Things we associate with the Finns is alkoholism, depression, a bit of grumpyness perhaps, and just in general someone you do *not* want to less with. Like, you know how Americans thinks of Russians? To us they're though, but next to the fins they seem like pussycats... And to us it's the fins that had that reputation, except they're not as crazy, just depressed.

[@cguerrilla7315]

No, it's not salt(sodium chloride) that is on some Salmiakki candy, it's usually sugar with "salmiak salt"(ammonium chloride). Ammonium chloride is Very strong tasting, and even the stronger Salmiakki only has about 7% of it. The "salt" and "salty" in the name is quite misleading, and makes people think normal table salt, which is 100% sodium chloride. You wouldn't eat a candy made of salt (and it would taste horrible), but you can eat Salmiakki ..and Love it.

[@XtreeM_FaiL]

It's a salt of ammonia.

[@Nikitiitta]

A lot of old Helsinki central is so-called "empire" architecture. The style is pretty common elsewhere in Europe as well as in some older Russian cities such as St. Petersburg. That's why you see similar buildings in many of the European Capitals.

[@zuptreay7540]

In general you are right. Classicism was the style of that time. But the Helsinki Senate Square which was shown in the video was actually designed by the German architect Carl Ludwig Engel.

[@norkannen]

The Nordic countries have few people so we had also in Norway obligatory military service. Now they for now get enough voluntary people to serve and that is men and women..👍😎🇧🇻

[@tree_poplar]

Best series on YT right now :) Can't wait for Poland :) Cheers.

[@tonituomanen3113]

Thank you for the nice video. I am a Finn, and I think the required military service is necessary to us. It means that Finnish army is quite big, even thought the population is small. Anyway, our military service is not too long, and you can choose also civil service instead. By the way, I have never been in a wife carrying competition in my whole life. 😄 Actually, the most popular sport in Finland is ice hockey. We have also our own game called "pesäpallo", which is little bit similar with American baseball.

[@iida4421]

nice video. greetings from Finland 🥰

[@Nils.Minimalist]

Just watch some Aki Kaurismäki movies and you can see how weird the Finns are 😂 i ❤ them 😍

[@johnnyringo80]

Conscription was very common throughout Europe as a leftover from old times where a big standing army was needed. In modern times, it was merely used to build up a reserve force for the often unlikely event of a conflict (sort of a national guard or militia), but conscripts were not used in actual combat. Plus, there were and are often ways to get around it, because modern armies don't need such high numbers of basic-trained grunts anymore. So in most countries, consciption was abandoned in favor of voluntary long-time service like in the US (which results in fewer, but better trained professional soldiers).

[@JustNargeToo]

Yet still we Finns are EXTREMELY well trained, even people that were only serving 6 months in Finland won some american most well trained soldiers. you can still be well trained even if there's A LOT of people to train and also we NEED conscription because if nazi russia attacks once again we can be more ready for them

[@johnnyringo80]

@@JustNargeToo Good point. Home defence is of course where mass levy comes in handy (as evidenced in Ukraine). I was talking more from a German perspective where the conscripts mostly sat around drinking for 6 months. Also our soldiers wouldn't have to beat the Russians by themselves, only stall them long enough until the Americans arrive in full force. You know, we Germans are very peaceful people. Looking forward to welcome you in NATO.

[@formatique_arschloch]

Yes please react to Finnish school system. Military service is very respected in Finland. Most of the people are absolutely pro conscription. Very highly valued and many men say it was the time of their life. Boys usually do the service about the age of 18-20. Meanwhile the state pays the rent, student loan interests and so on. It's also illegal for employer to fire someone who went to do the service, so if you had a job when you went, the same job is waiting when you get out.

[@tuuli4002]

About the military thing: I think it would not be possible for Finland to have a voluntary military since there aren’t that many people living in Finland. It works fine for example, for the US since there are a lot more people there.

[@CardizoneSemblance]

I think the option of Civilian services is important to note here. The are some reasons people wont participate in military conscription particularly religious ones will not involve themselves in any political or military activity for moral or neutrality reasons or some for health reasons so having non-military services is fair option, in my opinion. In Kenya, we have something like it called the National Youth Service (NYS) which is completely voluntary for both men and women and involves vocational training, re-foresting, agriculture, etc and really helps unemployed youth. The way I see it, both military and non-military, it gives the youth a sense of purpose and discipline and trains them serve a higher purpose than themselves at a point in life when most youths want freedom and to be self-serving. A lot of Finish people are incredibly level headed and kind. Another thing not mentioned in the video, Finns are incredible drivers. The driving school curriculum is one of the most extensive. No surprise most of Worlds Champion motorsports drivers are from Finland. Obviously, as regards Forced conscription, I believe is a violation of human rights.

[@Joliie]

5:30 not knowing the specific building you are talk about, it was common back in the day to get the trendy architects of the time to come build these. So a periode style can be seen through out Europe.

[@15rass1]

Great reaction 😂 w love our brothers Finland 😊 you should do a reaction to Finland neighbor and brother Estonia🇪🇪. Geography now Estonia🇪🇪 .I think you will like it.😊😂

[@Nevis1988]

Finaly :D And ofc more about Finland and Finnish stuff :)

[@juhaimmanen6041]

Mandatory service in army is not so strange after all. You learn useful survival and social interaction skills. After service you are more confident and you do not feel anymore so helpless and weak if you get into scary situations. Even camping in wintertime forest is not easy for everyone if they have always lived in a city.

[@Nowwouldyoulookatthat]

Even Germany is thinking about reactivating conscription because of the current situation and the potential future need for a stronger European military. Doing that along the Norwegian or Swedish lines (men AND women have to take part plus maybe an additional selection process to "reign in" the numbers) is an idea floating around Berlin as far as I know.

[@Cypressed]

Oh and a funny thing about the video, the castles mentioned, Olavinlinna and Savonlinna are kinda the same thing, Olavinlinna is the actual castle in a city called Savonlinna, they should have put Turunlinna there instead of Savonlinna as it is one of the oldest castles in Finland.

[@MegaMiners12]

There is a reason Finnish military is called Finnish Defence Forces

[@HH-hd7nd]

13:20 It's not cool. It is sad that it is necessary to maintain a military force in the first place, however bordering Russia there is sadly not much of a choice. That said - I as a German also had to spend one year in the military. 14:27 Attend as in watching the competition or as in participating? About picking their battles...well Finland was neutral for a long time (as was Sweden) however last year with the Russian invasion of Ukraine both countries have applied for NATO membership. And both countries are members of the EU as well of course. The finnish language is special in the region because it is not a germanic language, it is an Uralic language of the Finnic branch of the Uralic languages. Estonian is another of these languages, as are some minority languages in the region as well as in the Karelian region in Russia. Another notable language among the Uralic languages is Hungarian.

[@UltraCasualPenguin]

You don't have to know where border is. You can go from Finland to Sweden and vice versa and you only need to show ID when asked to. We had freedom of movement in nordic countries way before EU copied it. When you have neighbour like Russia would you ignore defense?

[@gindrinkersline3285]

12:37 Sweden also has mandatory military service (draft), which applies to both men and women.

[@jaeger233]

nice video. i was watching this eating salmiakki😋

[@SK-nw4ig]

Yes, all words for swamp mean slightly different kinds of swamps. Good catch :) Shout out from Finland o/ In Finland it really has to be so that everyone goes to army. Our neughbour doesn't really give options there. In Finland men are required and women can volunteer. I myself think it should be required for all of us.

[@SonOfMuta]

1:28 The "dark sheep"? It's black sheep. JFC

[@dzejrid]

3:00 - stalin 13:20 - it's not weird. Try bordering Russia and not having a decent military and see how well it goes...

[@Morhgoz]

Hail Heidi! Streaming today? Might join if I'm awake at that time. More Finland stuff is always good thing. Btw, did try to make those blood pancakes?

[@sabertoetiger2582]

Being in sauna naked is not a big deal in here. It's just the same skin as you have in your face. Sauna is not for the naughtiness, it's for washing and being clean. We go to sauna with our family since we're kids. Being naked is just not a big issue.

[@jantimmerby]

If you look at Finland's history, conscription makes absolute sense.

[@sket179]

Conscription is cool: rite of passage & it's a defense force and who wouldn't want to protect their land and family? No combat if no one invades us. UN Peace-keeping is a possible career/training but only few get selected. Sauna: public ones are usually separated and in the nude, families and sometimes friends in the nude. Towel or bathing suit is generally not frowned upon. Norway didn't gift us the peak, but we love them anyways. Finland's schools were the best 5-10 years ago, but have come down a notch. And kids do get homework, but maybe not as much and days are shorter. And they have mini tests throughout the year

[@JPPVESA]

The big yellow building was designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, along with all the other buildings of the entire monumental square. The Cathedral included. Engel being the main Architect was of German born origin, designed the square in the antiquity style. A lot of Germany itself has had similar styles in use.

[@Dimetropteryx]

Speaking as a Finn, military service is something I see as something being provided rather than something you're forced into. Everyone should know first aid and everyone should know how to defend the country, or contribute to it during a crisis. Most of us see it as part of the social contract. Still, it's obviously not for everyone.