Why is Finland the Happiest Country in the World? Air B'n'Feast Finland

[@xYarbx]

The meat that you got is typically used as stew meat, so totally fair if it got bit tough on the pan. Maybe experiment with game file and I would have used half of the berries to make a compote and tossed the half back in once it had cooled down. It's very common to have meat with almost non-sweetened jam since obviously you can't get fresh berries all year round. I really liked the meat and potatoes metaphor. While many of us now live in cities and are forced to participate in the quote rat race we still try to go back to that simple life style when ever we have the opportunity to. The houses around the lake were most likely people's summer cottages to do exactly that and yes living lake side would be cheaper than living in big city in Finland.

[@CasterAzucar]

AHA! okay, that explains a lot - also reading back what you've written about the food - i think I could have done a really delicious summer stew with the ingredients I had at hand - thanks for the information and inspiration. I think its fantastic that despite being pushed into that rat race lifestyle there is still a connection to the simple life that calls to you - in so many places this gets left behind. I think as a New Zealander, its still there, and I've noticed it in Estonia, Latvia, Norway, but throughout the rest of Europe there seems to be a disconnect with a simpler life. I REALLY enjoyed Finland - i think it's a beautiful place with an interesting history and culture - once I'm back in Europe, I plan on visiting again. Thanks for your comment!

[@rustyspace900]

As a Finn I can say you are on point :)

[@CasterAzucar]

aha! excellent, where abouts in Finland are you from?

[@rustyspace900]

From the Tampere region, proper countryside. Recently bought a small 200 year old farm house with lake access.

[@CasterAzucar]

Niiiiiiiice! The place in the video was hämeenkoski - I was looking for a place close to the rally, plenty of spots in the Tampere region, it looks so beautiful there.

[@rustyspace900]

Sure is nice in the summer. The WRC Västilä stage runs through here where I live. Too bad I haven't gotten to see it in a long time.

[@CasterAzucar]

​@@rustyspace900 Cool, I want to do something similar in Latvia, buy a place by the river and just chill out. The rally was sweet though, everyone was so relaxed, having some beverages and socialising, wish I'd stayed longer

[@clivepryor2510]

Beautiful country. Must pay a visit. Scandinavia and Baltic states. Road trip.

[@CasterAzucar]

Yes! Start in Lithuania and drive all the way to Norway or Denmark!

[@leopartanen8752]

​@@CasterAzucarSure, if you want to start from the poorest aka. more affordable and end up to the richest aka. more expensive countries, but if you prefer the opposite start from the other end. 👍🏻

[@CasterAzucar]

@@leopartanen8752 my family is the the Baltics (Latvia), so I'll come full circle anyway!

[@aliwannigerry2060]

Like 95, Awesome footage capturing the beautiful scenery, thanks for sharing this very informative content, stay safe always.

[@inesebriede4846]

So envious 😮

[@roopetamminen6199]

In finland during the summer outdoor temp starts being hot at approximately 27 °C, in the sauna hot starts at 80-90 °C and 110 °C is what you do with your buddies to see who lasts the longest

[@CasterAzucar]

If you're not joking, that is MADNESS. Born of the fire 😂😂😂

[@npry004]

'Human laugh track' the nicest description!! Sounds v accurate too 😊

[@npry004]

Also the food looks good LOL

[@CasterAzucar]

Hahaha it's Alki to a tee 😂

[@jaahaps]

When you think back to your time in Finland and this video... Didn´t you smile a lot more than normal? By the looks of it you did... Maybe that is a sign of true, tranquil happiness

[@CasterAzucar]

I think so- Finland was the icing on the cake after moving away from London. I moved to Latvia, the smile started, then I got to Finland, and I realised this part of the world is doing a lot of things right. A beautifully tranquil place to exist

[@alkia3836]

Wow!!🎉 what a great roadtrip and such great analysis of the Finnish vibe 🤓

[@CasterAzucar]

DEM VIBES! thank you for all the laughter Alks!

[@DavidKnowles-w2y]

Wow Greg you did such an amazing job of encapsulating the country and our trip!!! valtava!!!!! Those potatoes were off the charts, happiest salivation...am I right ehh ehhh?!

[@CasterAzucar]

You are riiiiiiight bro! You two were so good, I think next up with you is Air B'n'Feast South Africa yeah?

[@mariojsworld]

Nice road trip to Finland.

[@CasterAzucar]

Thanks!

[@hyperionlluvia5824]

the drone and the music at 4:22 - me gusta

[@Skarik]

Seeing the Estonia>Ferry>Finland brought back some good memories of a trip we've done involving that! Loved the on-the-road shots just after the rally parts too, thought you'd joined in the race! :P The cheese looks interesting, don't think we saw that out there! But now I'm thinking about sticking some strawberries on halloumi as suggested..!

[@henriikkak2091]

I think you've got it. It isn't a stressful country or a culture. I like traveling and have done it quite a bit, but I'm immediately put at ease when I land in Helsinki. Actually, already on a Finnair flight back home. There's lots of space in order to breathe easy, literally and figuratively speaking. People will honor your need for that space too. Sauna, of course, is like an ASMR experience for all senses. You guys looked pretty happy despite it being too hot for you. Swimming and just enjoying the summer nights.

[@CasterAzucar]

I think you've just described bliss! yeah, we were really happy. I really fell for Finland thats for sure - and it was mainly due to the mood/lifestyle. Its a very understated country, and I really like that. the contentment, the simple comfort. Its fantastic

[@jukkakoponen5492]

Great video!!

[@CasterAzucar]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnauvin]

Very nice. Good job! "Don't worry, be happy" 🙂(In the words of Bobby McFerrin ... song of the year, 1988).

[@CasterAzucar]

The lyrics are simple and true!

[@jukkakoponen5492]

I love that song as a Finn!! 😃

[@petrakoskela5340]

🇫🇮❤️

[@finnishculturalchannel]

Dave looked like a happy pilgrim onboard that ship: "The story of Karhu : The most forgotten sneakers brand".

[@CasterAzucar]

The happiest of pilgrims! He took to Finnish culture and lifestyle in a big way ahaha

[@dan5ku]

Did you say 50 degrees is very very hot? Was the sauna even on?

[@CasterAzucar]

HAHAHAHAHA that's like, Sahara desert temp for me 😂😂😂😂😂

[@TintarellaDiLuna64]

100 degrees is just perfect in sauna 😂 yepp, I am from Hellsinki, Finland and go to sauna every week since childhood 😍♨️

[@CasterAzucar]

Amazing, I'm just watching the Yes Theory video about Finland and saunas, 100 degrees... I need to try this. Will be back in the Baltics in August so will be able to do it there!

[@miksbriedis]

👍 nice one 🎉

[@CasterAzucar]

paldies Miks!!!!

[@ilari90]

Leipäjuusto = "Bread Cheese". We don't usually grill it, but must try that, it's usually served cold with cloudberry jam, but strawberry and raspberry go well, also. EDIT: I think the "meat and potatoes" is kinda good for both food and culture, no nonsense, help others when they ask but you will get your space usually. People might not greet or talk to you that much: it's part of our hospitality, I won't bother you and you don't bother me unless we know each other. If you need help and ask, then we usually are of course helping in earnest.

[@CasterAzucar]

Oho! Not grilled! We have been grilling it like crazy down here in Latvia - heathens! It doesn't need much, just enough for a slight crisp, and so it gets a bit gooey! Also yes I agree, I think I like meat and potatoes people- it's nourishing on both levels, and feels way more "honest"

[@rondunn4336]

Is it possible they are so cold, survival is more important than feeling happy or sad? Would be for me at least. (Smile?)

[@CasterAzucar]

I mean, in the winter, it's pretty tough, but the summers are pretty brilliant and long too- like a lot of cold winter countries, theyre beyond survival, and thrive in hot or cold (with outliers)

[@mikrokupu]

A Finnish guy here, I don't see winter as a survival game, it's just one of the four seasons :) Winter doesn't mean isolation, it's a time for winter activities, winter sports, fishing, for some even winter swimming. The cold is not a big issue, you just need the right clothes. Yes, the darkness of midwinter can be tiring, but then there are light therapy lamps or you can book a vacation in a some sunny destination.

[@CasterAzucar]

A very valuable insight and response - I should add a qualification of what I said in the video about depression that it is by no means universal, and certainly not something that can't be reversed ( in many cases, especially in regards to seasonal affective disorders)

[@moonliteX]

i had to rewind 5 times. did you say 50 degrees which is very hot???

[@CasterAzucar]

Hot for me*

[@seanlander9321]

The survey relies on the season. In Winter the people are miserable from being stuck inside.

[@CasterAzucar]

From my experience living in a geographically and seasonally similar country, and from other commenters, Im not sure that being indoors has as big an impact as I previously thought. I noticed an uptick in socialising and social events during the winter. But I do agree with one part- not seeing the sun is tough, it catches up with you mentally and physically

[@randallosche]

Great episode! I really enjoyed it! Check out the book, The Year of Living Danishly, by Helen Russell. It's not only hilarious but offers great insights into how the scandinavians do things differently (better) to live a happier life.

[@CasterAzucar]

I must check it out, see if I can glean any life advice that would be applicable in my situation!

[@moonliteX]

finns thrive in snow!

[@BorderGuardJaegerFinlandia]

I'm sad to say that Finland is the happiest country, yet again 😮... So "winning" again in 2024 means that it's 7 years straight 👀👀... This will make many Finns offended.... We are the country where "melancholia" is almost a religion... We aren't used to this media coverage about our happiness... 😊

[@CasterAzucar]

hahaha and fair enough, though I think that the world happiness report is flawed in its approach to happiness - in saying that, melancholia and contentedness aren't mutually exclusive!

[@avari6167]

And that title is lost next year because we have terrible goverment and they want obviously destroy that title 😢

[@CasterAzucar]

Oh no! seems like that is happening everywhere tbh!

[@Pyhantaakka]

​@@CasterAzucarSomeone always thinks that the current government is the worst ever. 😅

[@CasterAzucar]

@@Pyhantaakka HAHAHA it's a never-ending story

[@aeschynanthus_sp]

No we arent. Cut the crap.

[@CasterAzucar]

If you watch the video the whole way through, I don't say that you are

[@geertstroy]

I am Dutch... great place affluent , advanced...open mind.... pricy too....butbuttt.....Suomi , Finland suxxxx you EMPTY..... cost of living is sadistic , you finance a system...great!.... problem is that it is not designed to cater for my independent mind. In no way , every joy of life has a lead heavy pricetag and , sorry to say... often painfully bad value. My smile becomes a very wryyyy smile ..... Try it out and be honest , forget the " happiness" hoopla and get dejected somewhere in a simple ravintola and hurry up home!

[@CasterAzucar]

I can't speak to your experience specifically, but it doesn't surprise me. This is the curse of utilitarianism I guess; what works for some won't work for others

[@Pappa_66]

❤You Sir hit the nail in the head, a Finnish head😊😅. You got it. We are not "the happiest". We are as miserable as anyone. But for different reasons. Yes it is cold and dark and nasty but hey, what can you do?!😮😊. Be satisfied what you got and do not always reach for the Moon. Appreciate the little things, like our Summer😅. Usually you have to go far enough to be able to see close. But It is crazy it is party, 7th time in a row😮😢😂❤. Best Regards from Finland!

[@CasterAzucar]

Thanks! I think also the comment section here is testament to the level-headedness of Finns! But yes 7th time in a row, I suspect the rest of the world is extremely discontent - my home country, New Zealand was 11th. The state of the nation certainly doesn't feel like that haha

[@Pappa_66]

@@CasterAzucar ❤🤩I love NZ❤❤. I think it is the greatest country in the World. Althoug it was many years ago I was lucky enough to visit/work there for a while. And when I moved back from the US it seems to be so "far"😅. But actually we are far from everything. Great food by the way! All the best and love from Finland❤

[@CasterAzucar]

@@Pappa_66 it is a nice lifestyle, but also has its problems - including being so far away, the isolated psychology of people is interesting!

[@butterflies655]

Finland's weather is beautiful. Warm summers and fresh crispy winters. It is not the climate it is the clothing.

[@Pappa_66]

@@butterflies655 Yes😎🤩. There is no bad weather only bad clothing🇫🇮.