|
|
|
The Xenophobe's Guide to the
Finns
by Tarja Moles
A guide to understanding the Finns that
explores their national characteristics with humour
and style.
The
Xenophobe's Guide to the Finns
is now available on Kindle
CLICK HERE FOR KINDLE
STORE UK
CLICK HERE FOR
KINDLE STORE USA
| A stiff remedy |
| These days
natural remedies are viewed with a degree of
suspicion, but this has not always been the
case. For example, centuries before the
invention of Viagra the people of Lapland were
using reindeer antler powder to help out men
whose stiffness was limited to their behaviour.
If you are tempted to try this remedy, you
should note that it is very potent. Don't
overdose as you may find yourself completely
hard all the way up to your neck. Don't make a
brew out of it, either. The concoction will ruin
your teapot by straightening its curved spout. |
| Down but not
defeated |
| You would think
that because life is as tough as it is, you
would not have to make it even harder. But no,
the Finns revel in hardship. They are at their
best when circumstances are at their worst. And
when things aren't so bad, it's important to
give others the impression that they are. |
| Many are cold
but few are frozen |
| The Finns think
that of all the places on the planet it is the
safest place to live: there are no volcanoes,
tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes or deadly
spiders. The fact that the mercury can plunge
below -40°C in winter and you can die of
hypothermia if you don't dress appropriately is
a minor inconvenience. The possibility of being
mauled by a bear in the wilderness is also, of
course, barely worth mentioning. |
| Getting things
for free is child's play |
| Some rural towns
and villages attract families by offering free
land to households with children. A parent
pushing a pram travels free on public transport
in the Greater Helsinki area since parents
couldn't possibly be expected to direct their
attention to such a trivial matter as paying the
fare when they have the future of the nation to
look after. |
|
A witty,
informative little book
I defy anyone to be unimpressed by a people
who are as efficient and (notwithstanding the
jokes in this book about their taciturn
character) as friendly as I have always found
the Finns. They also, as the author
demonstrates, have a keen sense of humour and
are able to laugh at their own foibles.
Smuggled into the string of amusing anecdotes
and tongue-in-cheek stereotypes is a
surprising amount of genuinely useful
information. Which meant that as well as being
thoroughly entertained I learnt quite a bit
from this slim volume. Highly recommended.
|
|
An Amazon Reader
|
A
brilliantly witty guide book
I judged this book from two perspectives:
firstly as a keen traveller and secondly as a
published writer. Firstly, as a traveller, I
have shelves creaking under the weight of
numerous guide books and this one has to be one
of, if not the absolute best. It tells me things
I want to know about the people who live in the
country; things which other guide books avoid
mentioning. That alone makes it a worthwhile
read. Secondly, as a published writer I enjoyed
immersing myself in Ms Moles' brilliant text and
wonderful sense of humour. This is about as far
as you can get from a dry, dusty old guide book.
It is refreshing and honest and a wonderful
read. If you buy no other book about the Finns,
buy this one. It is superb. |
|
An Amazon Reader, Dorset, UK
|
Excellent pub chat account of the
Finns by a Finn
The book reads like your Finnish friend giving
you the low down on Finnish people and culture -
very informative, very informal and unguarded.
|
|
An Amazon Reader
|
| Short, aphoristic, seriously
funny, not that xenophobic and almost entirely
apt guide, perfect homework for the fortunate on
ferry or plane. |
|
The Observer
|
| Sample to come |
|
Sample to come
|
Nationalism and Identity
Character
Attitudes and Values
Happy Families
Manners and Behaviour
Leisure and Pleasure
Drinking and Eating
Custom and Tradition
Sense of Humour
Culture
Systems
Culture
Systems
Business and Commerce
Government
Language |
|
|
| Authors: Tarja
Moles |
| Format: 96 pages,
pb |
| Published: 25/07/11 |
| Updated: |
| Price: £4.99 |
| ISBN: 978-1906042318 |
| |
|
