Meet the Finns!

It's not accurate to say that the Finnish are unfunny as humor is highly subjective and varies widely among individuals. However, there is a stereotype that Finns are reserved and have a dry, subtle sense of humor, which might not always be understood or appreciated by people from cultures with more overt or slapstick comedic styles.

Some reasons for this perception include:

• Finnish humor often relies on irony, sarcasm, and understatement, which can be missed by those not familiar with these nuances.
• Humor often relies on wordplay, cultural references, and timing, all of which can be lost in translation when non-Finnish speakers interact with Finnish humor.
• Finnish culture values modesty, privacy, and quietness. Excessive outward displays of emotion, including laughter, may not be as common in public, contributing to the perception of seriousness.
• Finland's history and long, dark winters may have shaped a more stoic and introspective national character, which is reflected in their humor.

Despite these factors, Finnish humor does exist and is appreciated within their culture. Finnish comedy, whether in the form of stand-up, television shows, movies, or literature, can be rich and engaging when understood in its context. Many Finns enjoy humor, and Finnish comedians are capable of being just as funny as their international counterparts. It is essential to approach cultural stereotypes with a critical mindset and recognize that individual personalities vary widely regardless of nationality.

Here are three videos which I find somewhat funny even though I speak no Finnish and even though the first of these videos was not inteded to be funny when it was first aired:

1. Yksi kaksi kolme neljä!

Åke Blomqvist (1925–2013) was a well-known Finnish dance instructor and choreographer. He became a household name in Finland, especially during the 1950s and 1960s, for his work in promoting ballroom dancing. Blomqvist was known for his television appearances where he taught dancing, and he played a significant role in popularizing various dance styles among the Finnish public.

He is often remembered for his charismatic teaching style and for making dance accessible to a wide audience. His legacy in Finland is akin to that of other international dance popularizers who brought dance from the ballroom to the living room, enabling people from all walks of life to learn and enjoy the art of dance.

2. NMKY

This song was originally recorded for a parody television show called Hepskukkuu in 1979. The song is a cover of the Village People hit YMCA. At first glance, it appears to be something produced by an amateur singer but when you look closer, it is really a job at the Swedish: the dancers are dressed in the Swedish national colours and there certain stereotypical percpetions of Swedes in Finland - the same is true the other way around.

3. How to open a door?!

I have no details of where this video comes from. At fist glance it seems like something serial but I honestly think it's intended to be funny, in a way that only the Finns can appreciate.