CULTURE SHOCK - FINNISH WOMEN

[@veritasvincit2745]

You know I work in a foundry. Across the four shifts and well over a hundred people on the shop floor involved in production there is only one female. It's definitely cultural because when a job vacancy arises it's as open to a female as it is a male and it isn't a job that a female cannot do although it's heavy work. No females apply. They just don't seem to want that kind of work but in other countries they do. Putting aside career women we seem to be a nation of dog walkers and nail technicians in the UK. Having said that I don't think that the Soviet model where there were large teams of females doing hard physical graft was good for women, men or society.

[@nigelwatson2750]

I think that the thing I was trying to get across in the video is that we were both brought up in Britain, and Britain has a very definite culture, which seems to affect the type of expectations & decisions that men and women make. To be honest, your experiences from the foundry, Lee, don't surprise me at all - it's definitely a thing

[@cropduster8798]

I think the pigeon holing and social class system in Britain is suffocating and depressing. I have found each time I go back that it is more and more obvious. The people are depressed. They feel there's no future. I recognised in the 1980's when I left school that I wanted something different out of life so flew. There are problems and hurdles wherever you go in life but the constant put downs and you can't do that drove me nuts. I was always the square peg in the round hole and refused to conform.

[@catherine5294]

I think of how absolutely horrified the Muslim immigrants would have been seeing topless women in the tabloids and drunken half-clad females out “on the razz” in our high streets at the weekend. No wonder they don’t want to mix and strive to keep themselves separate. Our culture has become so very degraded.

[@ramieskola7845]

USA pushed women into workplace in the 1920's. Idea was to double the 'tax base'. Another objective was to have more government control over the education of children.

[@jennywren8937]

@@cropduster8798 True, there are many depressed here in the UK, but not us. My husband of 58 years is nearly 80 and suffers multiple health issues, but we are positive people head on in life tackling major projects and enjoying our hillside garden. He is all I have left, all I have shared since I was 14 years old, and we are not dwelling on the cloudy parts of life, but using every moment to the best encouraging young locals who are building their own homes the way we did.

[@TuulaMaaria]

I'm Finnish but used to live in Northern Ireland in the late 80s and early 90s. I remember once mentioning at a ladies' coffee meeting that I had had some problems with my power drill. All women looked at me and asked WHAT I had needed a power drill for, couldn't my husband do that job 😂!

[@nigelwatson2750]

I'm not surprised - hilarious!

[@BorderGuardJaegerFinlandia]

Finnish women showed what hey was all about already back in the winter war. They showed that we men could ABSOLUTELY count on our women in every occasion there is...even in war time and battlefields.. 🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮

[@simplyk6965]

My daughter loves cute 'girly' things and she hopes to become a builder one day. I'm all for it! Bring back woodwork and metal work back in the schools too!

[@ninajanecooper]

We did metalwork and woodwork at school and all the girls loved it, me included! We made a cracking letter rack, keyring, and egg holder!

[@elderscrollsswimmer4833]

We had both woodwork and textile work in school for one year and then chose one or other for the next two. Like we made wooden forks and aprons -- before they started cooking lessons. Life skills you know.

[@sytytyspala]

My mother's air conditioner broke. Two women in work clothes came to fix it and they were still feminine and very efficient. 12 points 10, easily. Greetings, 58-year-old man from Finland

[@nigelwatson2750]

Yes, I can imagine: calm Finnish efficiency

[@ViracochaFI]

Here locksmith visit and same experience.💯

[@leena2522]

I found your video very interesting and insightfull. As a Finnish woman who has been working in construction for over two decades I have also given this a lot of thought. Our society, as well as many others, has changed rapidly during the last century. Most of us used to be farmers and even if there were a separation of duties, everybody did what they needed to do and all labour was hard labour. During the last century people moved into cities and started working in factories, and work was still hard for everybody. Then the wars took out a lot of men, and women had to do men's work too, in addition to their own. There was a period of men's and women's work being clearly separated after the wars, but that was just a couple of decades. As we get more technologically advanced, there is not much need for physical strengt anymore, even in construction or logistics. I've never been particularly strong or fit and I've managed just fine. The labour laws actually don't allow stupidly/dangerously hard labour (even though I still see some stubborn specimens insisting on lifting heavy loads without aid or sticking their heads into running machinery... But that's on them). There are still many girls who don't even think about a career in construction or other male dominated fields, just because they don't have many role models to look up to. And because schools tend to steer girls towards more academic careers. What I personally find confusing is, why we still talk about those fields being "hard" or "though", but somehow disregard nursing being unfairly demanding, physical and underpaid. None of the guys I have worked with would have swallowed the crappy pay and subbar leadership the nurses undergo. Sure, construction work is physical labour, and the weather may be harsh sometimes, but that's all it is. What I consider "though" in construction is mostly the way people there tend to treat each other sometimes, belittling newcomers and disregarding safety precautions and their own health, and the fact that you need to travel far to work and stay away from home for long periods. And as I have talked about it with my male colleagues, they find it taxing too, being away from their children, their partner and their home. What I wish to see in the future is everybody having the opportunity to consider any career they want to. And having the opportunity to switch fields if they want to. Life is too short to waste on arbitary separation of work by gender, and we miss a lot of ideas and innovation if we don't consider everybody's thoughts. We need more women in construction and logistics and peace negotiations, we need more men in teaching, healthcare and at home. It's important to utilize everyone's strenghts. It would be also rewarding and healthy for society to enable more people to make things with their hands, and to farm and grow food, but that's a different topic.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Brits take note: this is a perfect example of a high IQ Finn writing fluently and intelligently in their 2nd or 3rd language

[@jennywren8937]

@@nigelwatson2750 I agree wholeheartedly with the comments raised. English is spoken so fluently worldwide these days, but not so much in the UK in my opinion. One of my many past occupations was preparing manuscripts for publication but these days I frequently find myself having to refer to modern dictionaries.

[@bettyhappschatt3467]

@@nigelwatson2750 I was in awe, too. The text is not only fluent, it is well structured , has a good rhythm and she describes the subject drom different angles. - Another female Finn.

[@terhifrondelius2883]

Suomessa on edelleen vastustusta naisia kohtaan miesvaltaisilla aloilla, siksi niin moni nainen aloittaa oman yrityksen kommenttiketjussa mainitut ovat suurimmaksi osaksi yrittäjiä. Naisia on myös palokunnissa ja uutisiin on päätynyt infoa inhottavasta käytöksestä naisia kohtaan. Minä mietin pikkutyttönä poliisiksi ryhtymistä, totesin että olen liian lyhyt. Sittemmin mietin automekaanikkoa tai hitsaria. Perheen miesten mielestä olivat paskaisia ja huonosti palkattuja ammatteja. Nykyään olen sairaanhoitaja 😂

[@valtterivainikka3030]

Yes. I live england two years 20 years a go. In chester. Many People understand me better than other english. I havent use english in 20 years but i still can do it. Like germany, sweden, russia, spain and thai, and i work in factory Basic level not high school or so... its normal now days that young children speak two, three language here

[@FraserBailey-jm5yz]

I see quite a lot of young women doing manual jobs in the UK, some of them very attractive. That aside, it is quite obvious that Finnish society is much healthier and more rational than British society.

[@andrewlilley3660]

There is no British society, that would imply that most of us can be called British, but that's not the case! The people who have chosen to exploit predominantly England can't be called British, which is a very loose term, there's even a politician whose mother came here to give birth and then went immediately back home, this politician has spent most of her life in her mother country and America, but she's allowed to call herself British, what a joke, and she is probably one of millions.

[@jennywren8937]

I live in a farming area in the UK, women here fearlessly drive machinery and quads, and continue to run farms and smallholdings after becoming widowed. A few youngsters are attending agricultural college, but many aspire to higher paid work in computing or law.

[@andrewlilley3660]

@@jennywren8937 I wouldn't dispute that Jenny, however the natural desire for women to want children will mean this is only a temporary thing. As you say, there are far easier ways for a lady to make a living, thanks.

[@jennywren8937]

@@andrewlilley3660 Temporary? They are all past child bearing age! That's why farms are going on the market, better paying work for youngsters elsewhere.

[@jedicall]

I'm a Finnish guy who's lived in the UK for 16 years, and I agree with all your observations. My biggest culture shock here has been the class system and how important "status" is for people. Having grown up in Finland it's really hard to wrap my head around all the intricacies of a class system, but here it's so ingrained into the culture.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Thanks for your comment. The longer you stay in England, the more you will be aware of it. The class system defines Britain.

[@jennywren8937]

Less so in the countryside, but it's true that my late cousins were sent for elocution lessons to rid himself of any hint of Suffolk dialect. Newcomers to Suffolk have objected to locals 'lowering the tone of the area' but thankfully Suffolk and especially Norfolk Councils recognise the need to keep our old country ways alive on their websites as part of our history. We both speak it over breakfast because we have moved away and like to feel at home!😄

[@benitajulin2734]

I am a Finnish woman and one of my professions is a carpenter. I did that job for over 20 years. I don't find it strange at all.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Great - it's us Brits who are weird, not you!

[@jennywren8937]

Born in the 40s, I was put into commerce, but I took up building and other interests. At 70 I bought my first keyboard, but I'm still building and landscaping, as well as growing my own food. 😁 Isn't life great when we make it that way. Best to you from UK

[@annina134]

And I'm a blacksmith and don't think it's strange at all.

[@MrSigtrx]

Excellent 😊 I’m a painter myself and I’ve worked in Iceland Denmark Norway and USA. You see a lot of this in the last 10 - 15 years or so, lots of young females doing this kind of work. It’s actually quite a high paying job and it’s creative and fun and it keeps you in shape if you do it right. Enjoy! 😉

[@KenMoss]

I worked for an Architect in Forssa and she only employed Women and older men like me. The painters and carpenters were as good as I've ever seen. Yes it was a culture shock but a very rewarding one. We as a group always enjoyed a drink together on a Friday and I was usually the butt of the jokes and I accepted that as a male and earned their respect.

[@pdterre5496]

I´m Finnish and for about 20 years we´we had these two girls doing all the interior painting. They started their business right after trade school and now both married with families ,continuing to do a exellent job.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Brilliant. Well done.

[@jennywren8937]

There are also husband and wife teams in the UK

[@chrisr7597]

Bananarama😂

[@Patralgan]

I'm a Finnish guy and I really appreciate Finnish women for the reasons you've mentioned, especially the mentality of not caring too much about appearing (overly) feminine. I am much more attracted to more natural look.

[@Kveeni]

Hear hear! I'm finnish. Lately I have been awakening to realize that there is no better woman than Finnish woman. If I could live thousands of lives I wouldn't choose any other than my kind. My dear finnish woman. You are in the fact the sexiest, the most beautiful, capable and smartest females I could ever want. I'm married one and I don't have thousands of lives but if I had I would marry almost all of you precious ones

[@rohkofantti8673]

Maatiaislehmiä.

[@jennywren8937]

​@@KveeniSorry, but my husband of 58 years disagrees. I'm mostly English, but it wasn't a prerequisite for marriage.

[@haraldvondoom3314]

Haha you like a man looking, non-make up wearing masculine potato shaped finnish girl. Onnea näiden rumien haahkojen kanssa. 😂

[@haraldvondoom3314]

​@@KveeniSuomalaiset naiset ovat enimmäkseen läskejä feministilehmiä tatuointeineen ja kissoineen, mielenterveyshäiriöisiä lesboja. Käy päiväkin thaimaassa tai muualla South-East Asiassa niin tajuat millaisia maatiaislehmiä suomalaiset ämmät on. 🙂👍

[@rodmac8358]

In Britain you'd normally get Dangerous Dave arriving half an hour late, asking you for a cuppa, blocking your toilet with a big jobbie, taking two hours for lunch and leaving in the afternoon with his job unfinished.

[@nigelwatson2750]

And paint on your new wool carpet

[@gedofgont1006]

"Big jobbie"!😂😂😂

[@martd1352]

My mates wife was Britain's first official lady plumber! Lorna Wright a Little borough Lass! From the dale!

[@nigelwatson2750]

Is The Rake still going in Littleborough?

[@martd1352]

@@nigelwatson2750 yes it is!

[@martd1352]

@@nigelwatson2750 yes it is! Did you ever go to the moor cock club further up?

[@caronfrench4683]

Speaking as someone who has built an extension with their husband alone & also laid a huge block paved drive, I think it's brilliant that Finnish women can have these occupations so easily. There is something very satisfying about completing any kind of construction work & building maintenance. Many uk women love craft.....this is the same thing, just on a much bigger scale. 😊

[@jennywren8937]

English here. We not only built a house, but buildings for businesses as well. On retirement, I moved along with farm animals, husband on chemo, 90year old disabled mother to begin renovation of our present farmhouse. Twenty years on I'm still logging, fencing, mixing concrete in the old Parker mixer, and enjoyinying every waking hour. I rise at 5.30, same as I always did, and at nearly 77 I'm still making plans.

[@jennywren8937]

Forgot to say, I can also do dressmaking, crafts, and cook everything we eat.

[@andrewlilley3660]

There are many reasons why women shouldn't engage in heavy construction work, the female anatomy can be damaged irreversibly by heavy work.

[@jennywren8937]

@@andrewlilley3660 That also applies to fellas, my husband has hiatus hernia.

[@jameswade4097]

I went to Halfords for new windscreen wipers. The guy who served me asked if i needed them fitted i said no i would manage .30min later i gave up and went back in the shop to get help. The assistant he called was a very attractive girl about 18yrs old, she had the wipers on in 2 minutes. Of course i expected a guy would sent to do the job. My excuse is old age as well.😃

[@JaneAtyeo]

My dad was a perfectionist.. pattern maker by trade. He taught us all (4 children) how to do stuff in the house.. decorating repairs ..garden work all sorts.. iv renovated 2 houses transformed a few gardens..l love it..l live in Turkey now..l live in an apartment ground floor..2 years ago l painted the outside of my apartment. Up the ladder, no problem.The Turkish women were shocked 😮.. My daughter, who speaks fluent Turkey, said she could hear a few neighbour having a go at their husbands for not doing their paint work, lol 😂

[@nigelwatson2750]

Brilliant!

[@ttiwaz4398]

Thank you for your kind words about finnish women! I happen to be a finnish female which has worked all her life in jobs which are traditionally labeled as mens' work. I am a builder, a painter, a carpenter and a wood crafter also I have got some mechanics background. Atm I'm working at a logistics center driving a forklift and carrying heavy packages. When I first started my career path 30 years ago the attitude towards women in jobs like these were traditional just like what's happening in UK still nowadays. Sometimes in the past it was very hard to get recognised as a valid productive worker because of my gender. I look very feminine I'm short only 165 cm tall and have got very long golden hair and my face is childlike even this age. But I never complained about anything and I did my work the best I could with extra precision and execution. My employers soon noticed that this girl does much better job than those lazy boys and men and said damn that girl/woman is strong and very good at her job. Hey, money talks even more for entrepreneurs than musty gender roles. You have to be worthy for your salary. I'm so very glad for younger women that they have got their career choices more open nowadays.

[@lamppuu1]

I am a woman and in IT. I get to do software and hardware stuff, and physical installing with powertools. I consider myself feminine. It's usually not a problem for anyone but on occasion there's the one's who doubt your skills, but luckily it's rare. I enjoy my job very much 🎉

[@ttiwaz4398]

@@lamppuu1 It's strange that women are belittled in computing history and IT technology when the very first programmer was a woman (Ada Lovelace) and the first person to design a compiler was also a woman (Grace Hopper). Operators were mostly women too. Women dominated the field of IT especially programming until second world war ending. It changed when it was realised this could make a lot of money so men took over the jobs telling women haven't got brain or logical ability for this stuff 😵 In my field physical and crafty labor it's true that you need muscles and you need to be fit. But with modern tools and auxiliary and knowledge of ergonomy makes it easier to access many women and less fit men!

[@el3674]

" It was like Bananarama" 😂 brilliant! Love it.

[@joaquimteixeira8297]

In Switzerland there is many female painters too.

[@marylynch951]

That's good to hear

[@lucyallsop88]

It looks so beautiful there.

[@nigelwatson2750]

It is

[@ImForwardlook]

Must be rough to be a trophy husband Nigel! Funny story though, I took some car wheels to be blasted and painted a few days back. Turns out that the guy has three daughters who do work for him also and they paint houses among other things. I bet this stuff exists only in the sticks though...

[@wtfronsson]

Yes we treasure both months of the year when the weather is like this :D

[@davejohnston5158]

Funny story: My son when aged around 20 was with 3 mates dressed in Leaderhousen at the german xmas market in Leeds had too many steins and met some girls from Helsinki. They were so taken with them that they decided to fly to Finland straight away. Idea scuppered by 2 not able to find their passports. The other 2 actually got to the airport only to find their intended flight was full. It was december! The girls must have impressed them!

[@k.avilla8061]

Were the two wearing Lederhosen at the airport as well ? Were they going to wear it in Finland ?

[@davejohnston5158]

@@k.avilla8061 100% - in december!

[@anttihuttula6547]

Where is the funny part?

[@angelatateclownreality869]

Since I woke up to reality and more especially at the onset of the BS, I so wished that I had qualified in something more practical, like my old dad who was an electrician. I trained as a massage therapist, but having the ability to wire a house, mend a car, erect a fence, build a house, etc, etc, is way more practical and 'clever' in my eyes. However, as I'm a woman of a similar age to you Nigel, with all those mobility issues and aching limbs you talk about (affecting me for a number of years now), I could definitely do with a good massage therapist in-house to have my issues tended to exactly when I need it. So my kind are not without their uses I guess...

[@angelatateclownreality869]

@@jennywren8937 ???

[@jennywren8937]

@@angelatateclownreality869Deleting immediately! Just had my NHS appointment to get my eyes fixed. Sorry😊

[@Winnerfeel]

Thank you very much for this video ❤ This is what women do here in Finland 🇫🇮 I’m a happy Finnish woman and I’m proud of Finnish men that they allow us the freedom to fullfill ourselves 🙏🥰 In Finland, men know that it is to everyone’s benefit when women are equal with men in society and working life 👍🏼

[@Puddlesmolly]

UK is actually sunny 🔆😎

[@ALLISEEIS6S]

Still a shithole 😂👍🏻

[@mervynhowell7784]

No trails in the sky.....have you noticed?

[@llssneN]

He's actually not in the UK.

[@thiacari]

I lived in Italy and China. In Italy, the way women were treated was crazy - almost like another species! In China I looked so different, that the local limitations for women didn't mostly apply to me. Less disrespect, rules, derision, violence, lucky for me.

[@solinasora4250]

In the north, you would marry a woman that could be your partner and take care of your house, children and properties together with you. It is a partnership.

[@vivekapihl5179]

Yeah, in the north we do not have any use for female just doodling around in pretty dresses and baking cup cakes. Here the husband goes and digs a ditch, meanwhile the wife goes do something that requires less physical strength like fixing the fence.

[@moonliteX]

In finland painting is seen as quite feminine. The butch ones are in construction

[@nigelwatson2750]

Love it.

[@SK-nw4ig]

Your video was refreshingly honest in what you have noticed about culture and about yourself. As a Finnish female i couldnt help but smile a bit when you spoke about Finnish women getting pride on doing things themselves, as I recognized myself (my mother and sisters) from that :D

[@nigelwatson2750]

Hyvää Suomi!

[@brummierabbitman9637]

In England if a girl expressed an interest in painting and decorating their teacher would persuade them to have gender reassignment

[@nigelwatson2750]

Yes, probably.

[@jennywren8937]

Proof?

[@rml4474]

Really? I find that hard to believe, if its true though that makes me really fucking mad , fuckin hell

[@johncorson6599]

Interesting. I worked with a guy from Finland, Juuso Miguel, in aviation. On the surface, he acted rather dorky but was a big guy 6’2” and some 270 lbs .. but he was so much smarter than many of my American counterparts .. I was giving him a lift to eastern Washington state for work the day “bin Laden” the hyped scary phantom from that Sept day in 2002 and we stopped at a gas station and in big bold letters on the paper “ world is safer” was there . We both started laughing our butts off as we both knew it was all bs .. he just had to get the paper as it was so ridiculous . I was glad to have Juuso with me in Mexico for work as he spoke Finnish, English and Spanish quite well however he was totally unaware how dangerous it was in Mexico City and started making a scene at a restaurant about a flimsy chair and I had to scurry him out of there before a cartel member did something to both of us

[@nigelwatson2750]

Yes, the climate selective very heavily for intelligence and self-discipline in Finland, so it is no surprise that there's lots of small people about. You didn't get to survive in the 19th Century in Finland if you were dumb enough to eat your seed potatoes in March because you were hungry. Finns live in a high trust society that is very safe, and many DO make the mistake of assuming that other countries are as civilised as their koti maa

[@moose6509]

I´m pretty sure Nigel that back in the 80`s I fantasised about Bananarama painting my house.......

[@nigelwatson2750]

And why not?

[@kaycee625]

Haha you’re lucky my old school friend isn’t watching this. Nearly 6 ft, blonde, blue eyed and gorgeous, she threw in a successful career in the City to start her own painting and decorating business in London. She’d be after you with her with a pot of creosote for calling her a lazza 😂😂😂😂

[@nigelwatson2750]

There are exceptions, and hats off to your mate, but...........is she a real blond?

[@kaycee625]

@@nigelwatson2750she was indeed. A bit grey now and still knocking it out the park and beating the men at their own decorating game

[@nigelwatson2750]

@@kaycee625 More power to you!

[@kathrynhamblin6479]

Being from Rochdale (it was somebody from Rochdale that taught me this expression) I am sure you are familiar with the term, "Bingo blouse" to describe a shirt - a chemise, if you will, generously unbuttoned at the neck adorning a voluptuous female form. As in, "She's wearing a bingo blouse." EYES DOWN FOR A FULL HOUSE Boom! BOOM! In a Basil Brush fashion.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Very good, I enjoyed that

[@k.avilla8061]

Do Rochdale women also have 'Bingo wings' ? 🤔

[@henriikkak2091]

There's a vocational track in the Finnish education system. Arts and crafts, for instance, remain popular career choices. You don't have to go to university to become a respected professional in your craft. Parents of academically gifted students sure hope that their children will go to university but they aren't going to force them. Their expectations in that sense are lower. They want their children to be happy above everything else, and if painting or welding is what makes their offspring happy, so be it. I, for one, had full freedom making my own career choices. It just so happened that I went from having a vocational qualification to having a Master's degree in technology. That's another thing that Finland has: Relatively high social mobility.

[@nigelwatson2750]

All true. England has a very rigid class system

[@blechtic]

That's completely unfair. I've lived in Finland my whole life and not once has a supermodel turned up to do any kind of work.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Just a whole bunch of 10/10 plain Jaana's

[@lyrigageforge3259]

You did not have enough work to be done - lol. Maybe you should start needing new and different color from different painters on each side of the house.

[@lukakluka]

It’s kind of upsetting watching this video from Balearics where we’ve been chemsprayed like crazy and it’s cloudy all day long :(

[@olsa76]

Hi! Swedish woman here. I have the impression that we are much more handy in the north in general. I think if you take 50 random Nordic women, gen x or older and 50 random English men (who don't work in the construction sector) to compete in driving a nail, I'd put my money on the Nordic women. In my 20s, I spent a whole summer in Surrey cutting up and burning down an entire birch that an Englishman wanted to get rid of. He had tried himself before I got there, but couldn't get a fire going. When the neighbors came by and asked what was going on, he told them: - This is a Swedish fire - What is Swedish about it, the neighbors asked - It burnes Finally I asked if I wasn't going to let his rotten shed that had collapsed go the same way? Then he said "no, because the prices of timber are so high in England that it has value". It was one of those cheap sheds built out of thin pieces of some fast growing Asian wood that had no value when new, and I had just burned down a whole fresh birch tree!!

[@nigelwatson2750]

Great stories - I'm sure that other people will enjoy reading about your experiences

[@turpasauna]

Our women are pretty tough, but so are ladies around the world. I love that it's acceptable here for women to do what they want to. 😊 We literally have no concept of bringing up our daughters any different from ours sons- certain tasks need to be learned, male or female.

[@nigelwatson2750]

And you don't realise how different this makes you to the Brits - their daughters are brought up to be useless princesses.

[@turpasauna]

@@nigelwatson2750 It's a shame. I'm sure British ladies are quite capable, seeing their actions during the war (even Her Majesty herself!). But yeah upbringing plays a big part in this, and we too have helpless kids who cannot even boil water. 😅

[@jennywren8937]

@@nigelwatson2750 No we weren't Nigel. Born in the 40s our childhood consisted of an expectation that we would all do our share. At six years old I would be given a wood chopper and told to fetch faggots for the fire. I still enjoy all my old fashioned ways. Treats during the 50s were few and far between, and we had to earn them. Everything we wore had to be serviceable like liberty bodices and lace up shoes.

[@bettyhappschatt3467]

@@nigelwatson2750 I think your real princesses are not useless and didn't you just have a remarkable female monarch who served in WWII?

[@tonyhirst3628]

Didn't you offer to 'foot' the ladder for them, Nigel, i'm sure you could have been of some help?

[@nigelwatson2750]

No, I'm not a pervert!

[@marylynch951]

I would assume they weren't wearing short skirts 😂😂

[@SepyLi]

Sometimes I dream of living in some other country for a while at least…now I’m wondering if it’s just too easy for me in Finland to live anywhere else, as a woman I mean. Occasionally I’m fed up with some attitudes here at home so probably I would be infuriated out of the Nordics lol. The thing about conservatism that doesn’t sit right with me is that I find it ultimately is about restricting others.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Finland isn't perfect, but it is like paradise on earth compared to the UK

[@cropduster8798]

I am the one who always paints our house and the daughters have joined in over the years. I don't know of anyone else around here who does their painting. I'm the only one who looks after their garden as well.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Israeli women are also very empowered in the same way that Finnish women are. That's what I noticed when I lived there 40 years ago.

[@jennywren8937]

Always painted my own house. Large hillside garden, designed and landscaped by us, stone walls, everything.

[@cropduster8798]

@@jennywren8937 It's a job of love isn't it. So many have gardeners and cleaners. Status symbol.

[@nigelwatson2750]

@@jennywren8937 Good effort, now I feel guilty about having the 2nd floor of the house painted by the girls

[@jennywren8937]

@@nigelwatson2750 😊 Not at all Nigel, it's so good to hear they do it.

[@FinnGamble]

I'm fairly certain that this has long historical roots. Matrons have traditionally been strong figures and often the head of the family in Finland. Men would undertake the majority of the hard work in the fields and forests, but because it was so time-consuming, women were often bound to do heavy labor as well. The Finnish "emäntä" would not hesitate to carry big bags of food to the animals or to paint and repair the house if necessary.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Thanks for the information; my British subscribers will not have heard any of this before

[@stephenogden5470]

My Wife's niece is one of those "treat me as a princess" types, so I no where you are coming from Nigel.

[@nigelwatson2750]

There are some in Finland, but they tend to be woke i*iots from the Uusimaa region

[@Puddlesmolly]

We do have women painters in UK 😂

[@petertyckare3432]

Is it Spray tan then! 😅

[@jasonmackinnon4552]

Thanks for the video. I agree with everything you've said. I found the Finns to be lovely people when I was there in 2000 for a few months.

[@alcoholcountries2644]

These things women often have done in The old days already. And I know very techhnical women also mechanics and so on. But If we Look at what women and men are interested and talented also. There are some favorites women and men choose mostly. If I want to know what's wrong IS wrong I know one place and woman. But don't tell me about it whole day. Just what is needed. My good friend IS also techhnical person. And sometimes IT IS quite boring. Just what is needed IS enough for me. I like flowers, gardening, art, nature . I am mathematical person. But no intrest.

[@TurdFerguson101]

I am a 63 year old Plumber, and have only met one woman in the trade. Pretty sure that she stands up to pee though. 😉

[@nigelwatson2750]

LMFAO

[@ninajanecooper]

@@dainagrn7030 A ‘she-wee’?

[@ninajanecooper]

@@dainagrn7030 I haven’t got one but I saw them on Amazon when I was ordering a portable urinal for my elderly dad for him to use when travelling. I noticed the one I bought for him had a female attachment. Which one would you recommend for a female? I think your idea of using one in public loos is genius!

[@ninajanecooper]

@@dainagrn7030 I haven’t got one but the one I bought for my elderly dad had a female attachment. Which one would you recommend for a female? I think your idea to use one in public loos is genius!

[@cbr1100XX180mph]

Working on IT on a real estate company. I also do admire the painter grrls, be they Finnish or any where 'round Baltics. 😊

[@wendysharpe4568]

Women still come up against opposition to doing "men's" work in UK, only recently accepted driving HGV's. Women did all these jobs during the war but the government and society very quickly brushed those times under the carpet. Office jobs that previously carried respect and a good wage became womens jobs and lowered paid 🤷

[@JS64100]

Ironically one of the biggest drivers of this post war regression were the unions. These so called progressive organisations wanted to keep their closed shop. The Lost Victory by Corelli Barnett is a good read on this subject

[@paul66990]

Sadly employing women in such roles helps keep wages down. Don't shoot the messenger 😊.

[@JS64100]

One of the biggest drivers of the post war regression you mention were the unions. The so called progressive movements wanted to keep their closed shop so they were happy to put things back to pre war conditions. Corelli Barnetts book The Lost Victory deals with this.

[@Mike-nv6zn]

There was one woman HGV driver in the 60's..they did a TV piece on her as it was rare..

[@JS64100]

Ironically one of the biggest contributors to the post war regression were the unions. These so called progressive organisations wanted to keep their closed shop and made sure things went back to the pre war working conditions. In his great book The Lost Victory, Corelli Barnett touches on this.

[@lindi346]

I agree lots of big girls in small clothes in the uk ! I’m envious of the blue sky something we don’t see anymore here in Devon always a grey haze 😢

[@user-ln4qe1sh8i]

For flexibility, try Yoga. It's Amazing! I've been practicing it for almost 17 years. It's knocked years off me as I'm not stressed or agitated 👏

[@marylynch951]

Nigel I am beginning to see more women in the building industry Where I live there is a lot of new flats going up and I see few women on there Anyway did the women make a good job painting your house?

[@nigelwatson2750]

They've been superb.

[@marylynch951]

That's good to hear

[@summerstardust2064]

You come up with the most interesting topics! Love your channel. My Daddy brought this little girl up doing anything and everything she had a mind to, with the admonition, "You can do anything you want to do." So, I trained my own horses, became a born again Christian, ran several businesses including a custom slaughter/locker plant and a weekly newspaper. Now retired living on the road 17 years as a fulltime Nomad without hindrance of the nervous Nellie fearful inner whinings of so many citified, dependent, professionally helpless females like, aren't you afraid!!!??? No, I'm not. And that translated over my 70 yr so far lifetime into going at it challenging the establishment cabal and beating them because we refused to knuckle under and be quiet. We helped defeat their attempt to license all Private, Home, and Christian schools in Nebraska back in 1983. Boy did they come roaring into town to take us down after that! But it was worth it just to beat them. Later I got smart, quit feeding the beast and enjoyably hit the road with no plans but to continue living and traveling and speaking up for God's glory.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Well done, some seriously impressive stuff here!

[@summerstardust2064]

@@nigelwatson2750 Thanks for the kind words, brother. The glory, if there is some though, is all the Lord's. God bless you.

[@TheCatLady51]

I am of Nordic descent! I am a woman who enjoys physical labor like mowing and working on things around the house. All my neighbors are so worried about me doing manual labor. They just think its so strange. My husband works all day and commutes and it just makes sense for me to get the chores done. Other women say things like, there is no way Im going to do yard work, etc., yet they go to the gym and workout. Im getting a workout in the great outdoors. Maybe this is why Im wired like this. Im from hearty stock😂!

[@nigelwatson2750]

There's a phrase for it in Finnish - doing general maintenance work around the house is better than going to the gym.

[@talvetar3385]

British are very conservative and old fashioned from our perspective.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Oletko sinä suomalainen?

[@talvetar3385]

@@nigelwatson2750 joo. Olen. Obviously 😁

[@robertorhymes]

Assumption is the mother of presumption Change your space change your mind Equity is not equality of opportunity Sounds like I need to learn Finnish and move to Finland bud lol Ain't too flexible meself! Bless your heart Nigel

[@nigelwatson2750]

Thanks, Robert. I was thinking about doing the job myself, but when I saw them doing it, and what was involved, I knew that I had made the right decision.

[@robertorhymes]

@@nigelwatson2750 I'm getting my patio done I used to love workin up a sweat in the sun but lookin at what is involved The graft would have knocked me flat on me bum which would not be fun

[@devilsreject320]

20 year's ago I was in Cyprus. It look like half a dozen old women doing tarmac repairs on the roads. In nun outfits?

[@cindyvillagechick514]

It looks beautiful in Finland. “Like Bananarama turning up.” 😂 I’ve never fitted in boxes. I was expected to have a professional job, doctor, etc and although I had a very good education my future went elsewhere. Mid 90s I was an HGV car transporter driver. Very rare to see women driving any trucks then. I have to say, I was treated VERY well. Regular main dealers would have a hot drink ready for me as I arrived. I think I helped change their minds about female drivers as many commented on my good driving and reversing skills. I totally agree with you about the UK dress code. Folk are moaning about young women being accosted in the street yet they are dressed like tarts! 🙄 Brits need to get their self respect back. Interestingly, when I drive through Iran I was shocked at the amount of professional women there! Many women doctors, dentists, lawyers etc. I didn’t see them doing manual jobs, (not like in India) but they weren’t hidden away and were VERY vocal. Folk think of Iran as keeping their women completely oppressed, but that isn’t true.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Great comment, which I'm going to pin.

[@joogalentaja]

And these girls did the actuacl work to "liberate" them selves. Just do your job well and it doesnt matter if its women, men or whatever. Do the work and the talkers have career opportunities too.

[@mertsas2571]

There’s a saying in Finland ”If you need a strong man, ask a finnish woman.”

[@satu7499]

Yeah, we're kinda equal(-ish) here in Finland. Attitudes still need a little bit of work. The fact is, that Men and women are different. And it's important. Still,.. both are needed the same way. If only everyone would realise that we're stronger together and complete eachother, rather than fight and sneer at eachother...we might actually accomplish something.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Good point!

[@jennywren8937]

That's probably one reason our marriage has survived 58 years. Teamwork. 👍

[@stevepelham9010]

Yeah pheraps it is about genetics. I do not live in Finland but I do have some connection and many of them wimen not all but many are not as afraid of hard "shitty" labour and that they do got them real skills. The problem is that for an man as to be accepted he must preform 10 times better, stronger, faster, tuffer and also to stand at least an equal amount of the "strong stuff" or there will be nothing.. that is said to be an issue in todays Finland, men are no longer up to it.

[@nigelwatson2750]

This is true.

[@stevepelham9010]

@@nigelwatson2750There are something in it as my wife, her family goes back to Finland on both sides. They emigrated a very long time a go them names are changed but it is still there in their looks and in their minds. When we met she was an 10 point blond Barbie girl but not for every one. I had to pay for her company, preform my best and that is still and she her self takes on about everything strong handy and clever.. In the begining I did not like it that much cause she was the only woman around as fixing things, them others chilled and zipped the wine. This evening we are taking our bike out for an ride, she loves that bike I am not allowed as to quit and sell it. The woke has turned young men to Primadonnas that want and belive them as to be adored and served just like that. Well, nature says different.

[@dahlconway3843]

If only French painters were like that. Anyway, I am not here to talk about that.FYI-Nigel is not reading any comments for a few days as he is constantly taking out cups of tea(Not 5 sugars per cup there) and some of his secret stocks of Custard Creams and bourbon biscuits for the painters.

[@nigelwatson2750]

They left this morning - they were very efficient!

[@dahlconway3843]

Again, nothing like French painters! Finland would be my other choice if I wasnt here in France. "Finland ,Finland,Finland it's the place to be"(A Monty Python ear worm :-)

[@king77703]

My fully jabbed neighbour likes to paint peas in a bird cage, he tells me he's a Trapped Peas Artist 👍

[@pureblood8307]

Wow, dad joke alert🚨

[@Mike-zx1kx]

@@pureblood8307 What did the British captain, sailing Shakespeare to Denmark, say when his ship encountered a severe emergency, sighting Denmark but far from his final destination? To beach or not to beach! That are the question!

[@king77703]

​@@Mike-zx1kx🤣🤣🤣🤣👍

[@Laamanaama89]

One Truckster girl here but only 5 ft tall😂 but still doing well 🚛

[@nigelwatson2750]

Good job!

[@talvetar3385]

Finland was actually never class society.

[@nigelwatson2750]

True - the closest thing to it was the Swedish mafia

[@talvetar3385]

@@nigelwatson2750 😁 I think it is Great that you discuss about this. I think younger People also think about these, but they don't say. Everyone has a programming from the society they have lived. And I must sat, one thing which also shows that on your comment that " it 7s Very liberating for them.." These female painters To have their own freedom. Not for them, not for the Finns. It is just their life. They never needed To be liberated from anywhere.

[@nigelwatson2750]

@@talvetar3385 Great points

[@susannakinnunen9475]

Great video as a FINNISH WOMAN I DO EVERY JOB MEN CAN TOO I GREW WITH ME FATHERS QUIDANDE WITH EVERY JOB HE DID IN HOUSE AND REPAIRING LIKE LOTS OF OUR WOMEN IN YEARS SURELY TILL DECADE 80'S ZO WE ARE UP TO EVERYTHING LIKE OPENING SUFFED KITCHEN PIPE LAMPS CHANGING ON THE CEILING SCREWDRIVER WORKS PUTTING HOLES ON THE WALLS FOR OUR PAINTINGS AND SILICICONE KITTING WORKS AND ZO ON ...THANKS TO OUR FATHERS AND MOM'S WHO WERE US😊 INCOURAGING HERE WHEN DONE THE JOB PRAISING US TOO.. GREAT PARENTHOOD...NO DOOR OPENING OF PRINCESS LIKE TREATMENTS TO ME WE ARE EGUAL WITH MEN HERE 😂❤AND LIKE IT

[@nigelwatson2750]

Brilliant, and maximum respect to your family!

[@tonyhirst3628]

Probably better that women are doing the decorating, I offered to emulsion my neighbour's back passage, and she hasn't spoken to me since?!

[@paulbucklebuckle4921]

🤣

[@paulcolin9071]

😳

[@kerang9240]

Dirty Boy

[@ceefaxbbctv8788]

Ooohhh Matron!!! 😱😱

[@eleveneleven572]

In the UK they've just got the "painters in" 🤪

[@king77703]

Not many will get that one lol 👍

[@Jaysonbc1234]

@@king77703a once a month joke 😅

[@ninajanecooper]

Painting the town red! 🤪

[@anonniemouse8042]

That's a bit pathetic and proves you haven't moved on from being 14.

[@ninajanecooper]

@@anonniemouse8042 Oh, lighten up! No wonder so many people are fed up with misery guts like you around.

[@Tatia146]

😅😂😅😂 Finnish women learn early on that if you want something done properly you need to do it yourself! 😂

[@nigelwatson2750]

Oh, ho, that sounds too close to home for me!

[@kimanthoni6377]

Hi Nigel. Have you seen Mossy Bottom's channel about moving to Finland? Quite different, compared to your experiences. That's how it should go. We all are completely different beings.

[@nigelwatson2750]

I have watched his stuff, and he is learning how to live here. He is making progress, and I wish him well.

[@frankdooley6451]

It's amazing how you said people who come from other countries don't only bring g their bodies but also their minds and cultures. That's exactly the problem we are suffering from in relation to our new residents coming to our Western countries from you know where, it won't work out at all.

[@nigelwatson2750]

True.

[@jennywren8937]

I think it's the numbers which are unacceptable. So unfair for those who have worked all their lives to bear this burden.

[@Gibbetoo]

i wouldn't want to be in relationship where i have to "carry or drag" one other. so i look deeper. that is why i am single. and i am an asshole.

[@Sigridovskij]

I'm Swedish. My brother was in Scotland and he said he saw no beautiful women there, until one day there was one in a cafë, but then it turned out she was Norwegian. I was in England in 1975 and -76 and I thought they looked normal, like at home, but I was only 15 and 16 and I had no attention on such things. The daughter in the family was so nice and feminine. I stopped wearing clogs and gynastic shoes after that and I was probably the only one in school with a balcony bra. I got so well treated in England and I loved it there. I got good at English and got more self-confident.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Travel is a fantastic thing

[@joanmatchett8100]

I went to an all girls school, it was my choice.

[@Mike-nv6zn]

Finland is the first country to offer the new bird flu vax..starting next week...

[@nigelwatson2750]

Yeah, it's an offer that will be taken up by some lunatics, probably in the Uusimaa region

[@Mike-nv6zn]

@nigelwatson2750 Never learn.. 40m doses are being brought by the EU..They are coming for my chickens..cats also have to be chipped now in UK, so them next..masks and goggles next...

[@joanmatchett8100]

Round two

[@jennywren8937]

I believe ALL chickens will have to be registered in the UK, even where there is just one on the premises. Meanwhile we are so pleased to have an increase in nesting swallows this year.

[@patrickuotinen]

I'm a Finn with history as my major, and I think the Finnish history explains, why Finnish women are usually strong and independent. There has been many wars (well, famines and epidemies, as well), which have killed large portions of the population. But the wars have killed disproportionately men. (Somebody even claimed me, that somewhere in the Northern Finland there was a place, where after a war there were only one reproductive male left to repopulate the area, but since I'm a historian and haven't seen any source for that claim, I would take it with a pinch of salt.) Anyway, repeatedly through the Finnish history there has been situations, where a large part of women were left alone to raise the children. And so independence and strength have always been traits that have been valued in women. A man had to think "will she be strong enough to raise the kids alone, if I die?" Even though there has been at some points housewives, young girls have been encouraged to learn skills that would help them survive as single parents, if their husband will die. So I think admiration to strong, independent women is rooted deep into the Finnish culture. That kind of "princess" that just wants to be served and provided, might have a hard time to find a partner in Finland (well, unless they are prepared to kiss a frog, so to speak).

[@nigelwatson2750]

Great comments - I think you understand what has happened, and why things are the way they are in Finland

[@DiscoverWithPajerico]

You had me in stitches ma friend

[@ammaheinon]

I am a Finnish female who grew up in Canada. My sisters and I would help my dad and brothers on construction sites. Never thought anything of it. To top it off , we are petite and feminine. My sister also did airplane maintenance. I think it has partly come from Finnish women having to be tough during and after the war. Our mothers and in line, we, have had that example. Sometimes we get too independent and it's too rough on our bodies. I feel it now.

Just realized i needed some painting work done myself too

[@clarem00n]

Every video makes me more and more want to move over there (am in the shitty uk). I have a fantastic your daughter and the idea of her growing up here saddens me...maybe I need a chat with the hubby about it lol...he's up for getting away too ❤

[@nigelwatson2750]

Leave the UK. It won't be getting any better

[@diegokorhonen]

Thats the real type of feminism women doing what they want. We're lucky to be married to a finnish wife. My wife wants to change the winter tyres herself You know we finns always love when foreigners compiment us lol I ve never thought of these gender roles now i think i have an older sister and she replaced the chains from bicycle when i was too young to do that

[@nigelwatson2750]

Finland rocks!

[@kat8992]

Well, as 🇫🇮 woman I’m painting, plating, tapering at our home while earning at work the bigger portion. And still He is the Head of house (which I own alone).

[@jennymalmiola324]

Finn here. I really don't think it's about self-respect. I think it's about the level of independence women have. The more they need men to provide for them the more tarty they dress. I can see this in many countries and in many cultural groups. Just part of the mating song and dance. Of course young women often examine their sexuality witch leads sometimes to "everything to hang out there" but that's part of the growing process. Also let's not forget fashion trends.

[@Anomoomin]

So back when women had no rights to work they were all 304's? Logic is nowhere to be found. They dress like 304's because they are "strong and independent" women who claim that they need no man, yet in reality they lust after one and are angry that modern men have turned away from these Jezebel spirited women.

[@davideddy2672]

100% again Nigel 👍

[@CassandraOceanic]

I spoke to a Spanish girl at college 20 years ago and she said that the British are obsessed with pubs and their life revolves around pub life and that British people have just one main focus of interest, and I was more .. I think it was European because I had diverse interests.

[@lynxissiodorensis2319]

Honest observations about cultural differences are always very interesting. Thanks.

[@sagamaraia]

Why is their looks in any way relevant? As a woman I'm so tired of people thinking you have to be beautiful to be adequate.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Bore off.

[@thedudefromrobloxx]

8:28 Why can't young girls dresd how they want and women doing a painting job dress appropriately at the same time?? You're comparing completely different contexts? It's literally the same as comparing good looking male painters as teenage/young adult men going to a dance

[@josephrodelli426]

I love England but the political correctness bs gets on my nerves - but I respect that. When I travel to Brazil on holliday; things, places seem more alive. Music, people are always outside their houses doing stuff, chatting to the neighbours etc... On the other hand I struggle with loud music. I love silence so I try to get the best of the two worlds! I need some painting done in my place in Guildford. My birthday is coming soon, perhaps these painters could help me out ❤ 😂 😅

[@eleveneleven572]

I returned to the UK for a fortnight last December. It's dire. I actually felt a kind of bereavement at what my country is turning into.

[@davestevenson9080]

@@eleveneleven572 we've had a brain drain since the 70s, and shitforbrains coming in since the 90s

[@nigelwatson2750]

It is better up North

[@ninajanecooper]

@@nigelwatson2750 It most certainly is! Especially in Lancashire and Yorkshire, but I am biased. None of that PC nonsense here, we speak as we find.

[@nigelwatson2750]

@@ninajanecooper Yes, outposts in rural Lancashire and Yorkshire are the only places to live in England

[@JS64100]

@wendysharpe4568 Ironically one of the main contributors to the post war regression back to the previous workplace norms was the unions. These so called progressive movements wanted to keep their closed shop and were quite willing to reverse the employment gains that women had. In his excellent book The Lost Victory Corelli Barnett touches on this.

[@martientegelaers6522]

You didn't learn a lot being in finland, ask them to cook for you 😂😂😂

[@nigelwatson2750]

Vaimo has that base covered.

[@magimac9979]

Totally with you Nigel! Female, diy enthusiast.

[@henriikkak2091]

I don't know about the genetic stuff but I think your observations are broadly correct. I am Finnish and a woman in case you can't tell from the avatar. I've worked in construction and marine inspection. I think that women in construction gravitate toward being architects and engineers, painters, and cleaners. Welding and concrete or asphalt laying -- that type of work -- is quite male-dominated.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Thanks for your comment

[@martinheath5947]

What's Finland like re tattoos especially on women?

[@nigelwatson2750]

Quite a few, sadly.

[@Liisa3139]

@@nigelwatson2750 I really hope the trend of tattoos being cool will end soon. They make everyone look like a convict or a drug dealer.

[@Late87]

Finnish people have the same need to fit in but it shows as not showing off because others are not showing off.

[@nigelwatson2750]

True, but I think Finns are more respectful of other people's free will than Brits are.

[@louweazel7894]

There are actually quite a lot of all female decorating teams in England that I’ve noticed nowadays.. also husband and wife teams. I don’t think the fact that historically it has been more male orientated is to do with English women being princessy…. If that were the case then you wouldn’t get most cleaners being women…. Cleaning (properly) is a very physical job too… sometimes, some women need help from men with physical tasks… I don’t think that’s about weakness… it’s just that, often, women are not as strong, physically as men (not always… this is a generalisation).. but it’s obvious.. this is why there’s such a furore over trans women competing in women’s sports…. Asking for help with these things doesn’t make women pathetic.. in fact the feminist movement has gone way too far… has become toxic… wanted equality but a lot of that has been ‘achieved’ (not) by women denying their femininity… and being too much in their masculine aspect… much of the agenda has weakened men and women… have a look into masculine containment and the benefits of this, which have been largely lost.. there is a big difference between a man offering and a woman accepting containment, than a woman being princessy and lazy and expecting the man to do everything for her… but remember also the damaging effect of Disney. Just a few thoughts. I’m not a big fan of doing decorating myself… and I’m not very good around the edges! Lol…. Have recently discovered old fashioned milk paint, though, which makes it much more pleasant.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Masking tape helps

[@louweazel7894]

@@nigelwatson2750😂 I get in a pickle with that tbh!