Upphew wrote: ↑Fri Nov 23, 2018 10:37 am
I too remember how diesel was under 1€/l. I also remember how the price difference was under 10c between 95 and diesel.
There was a time when I regularly tanked up (gas/ petrol) at near Espoon Keskus and then also at Valimotie (near Bauhaus) for 0
,98e! Yep, 0
.98e cents, was that in 2002? That continued for a while! Then the prices just shot up!
undertakerfreak wrote: ↑Fri Nov 23, 2018 4:21 am
If your dad won't visit you in Finland because he thinks the people here suck, and you agree with him...
Would you hear me out with an open mind? Hope this gives you an insight into why I am so vocal about some of the issues.
It's not the direct aggressiveness at all, never claimed that. About him: Subtly said, yes, he is not fair skinned..., well over 70yrs, educated, and a gentleman. And he has a pension that will turn a native here sour! Retired from a senior post. Guess his experiences at the Finnish Embassy! Guess his experiences at the border control in Finland. He never treats people wrong, and won't accept that either. And did not. Gave some nasty responses back (I'm like him as well). So, he chooses not to come here and goes where people behave well.
undertakerfreak wrote: ↑Fri Nov 23, 2018 4:21 am
...why do you still even live here, dude? Honest question. I only ever see you complain about Finland.
Trust me, I wasn't like this. And some say it is a fault, I always approach with an open slate, an open mind, trusted people and the system.
I learnt and changed over the space of two decades. For the moment, I am here because of my kids. Will be soon out of here. Less than a month to go!
undertakerfreak wrote: ↑Fri Nov 23, 2018 4:21 am
A big reason I left the US is because I was unhappy with the country – much like yourself – and I've never been happier in my entire life since I moved here. Just something to consider.
And I definitely won't in any way judge your experiences so far.
However, a lot of people, again, I don't say all, wake up to a harsh reality in some time. E.g. There's a Chinese friend of ours, who loves it here. And I won't criticise him, but here's the thing, he does not work, doesn't speak a word of Finnish, all he does is play games (computer games) from his home. Get's some support from the city. His wife works. He thinks the place is marvellous. You could argue if it is an informed mindset, but he is entitled to his view.
See I recently travelled (work) to India, Thailand, and China. The big difference is that you know that in those countries cheats exist. And the cheats know that you know that they will try to con you out.
Aka Fair deal. What I hate about the system here, is the purported angels of innocence and truth that are not true. And if you point out issues, then the standard response is "Well, if you don't like it, you can go to where you came from". See the video that I posted above. Since you are from the US, I guess you know of Trevor Noah? And it is not just the foreigners, but also the natives, see my previous post of the FB group. Can you imagine this in Finland? Where are the taxes going?
I do my part. A Thai guy having studied in Ireland made his move here, now tried to buy a house. Guess the advice he got from the realtor, and from the bank! He asked me for my advice, I went with him. Initially, they even refused to let me support him until I challenged them legally. In short, he was being shortchanged - putting it mildly. Many such cases.
For me, it is more the system that people are put through. A system that is supposedly through a democratic process, but as far as I have seen politics actively, it is an oligarchy. Anyway, if you've read my posts above, you'll see my gripe, i.e. there were two issues, but there are more:
- The diesel tax was initially promised only for three (3) years, IIRC the discussion. What happened? The morons can't count? Imagine paying the hiked up prices on diesel and the diesel tax.
- The inheritance tax (I've written the moral issue about it above). My personal issues, the biggest gripe is the inheritance taxes. And how the government knows it is wrong, people have responded (kansalaialoite/ citizen's initiative), and yet defer it.
Other issues?
- The continuously raising pension age: The
moral issue with this is the contract. When you join the workforce, there is a contract, that you will retire at age
nn and pension in accordance. It is ONLY in the governments that they
dare to change the contract without penalties.
- The changed unemployment model: I have this dirty habit of talking to all. At Tikkurila, there is a car wash, and I don't know if I wrote about this before. A Finnish guy (I am not sure if he is a native Finn though, subtly speaking), he too was washing cars. Did not seem the type, certainly not with wire-rimmed glasses, stuck up a conversation. In short, 40 years worked in the paper industry, got laid off, and according to active model, had to accept something so he could get the income-based unemployment. You see, when you pay the unemployment contribution (check your payslip), that is a contract that IF something happens, you will be covered.
Can you imagine a contract being changed one-sided after it has been signed in the private sector? Would you agree that you pay for a BMW and are delivered a Lada simply because the dealer chooses to?
- The salary levels for foreigners: And yes, having been a hiring manager for a long while, I can tell you, I've seen cases where foreigners being paid 30-40% less for the same work - me included. Should I be enthused about it? In fact, there was a public person on TV that claimed that "we need foreigners, who else will do the works that natives don't want to do". And then another one that claimed to pay immigrants less. OK, I'll grant you that, I am not a refugee in need of protection, I am an economic/ work-based immigrant, but I still am not a native, and I too belong in that "immigrant" club.
Now you might argue that things are relatively better here, and you are right. I don't ever compare myself downwards, I always compare upwards.
Taxation for me is a
huge issue. So, e.g. I take the kids cases very seriously. I know this couple that is having a very hard time, the wife and kid need lactose and gluten-free products. But they cannot afford it on one person's salary, lactose/ gluten-free products cost more, milk is almost double the price. But he does not get a respite from taxes, i.e. must he pay his dues to the fu(%!0# 5h!theads in government before he can feed his kid?
Where's the moral line that they talk of?
What about the immigrant children's rights to meet their grandparents? Often, they stay in distant lands, why should the Finnish kids be able to meet their grandparents, and the immigrant families not get any respite to maintain their family ties?
What about the immigrant children's rights to gifts from their grandparents? I know this child that got an expensive watch from his grandfather on his graduation. Problem is he got it when he want to meet them there. Customs duty imposed? But a native kid can get up to 6000e tax free? How does that work for equality?
As I said, it could be worth reading what I write off, in my previous post as well.
As for me, I am off soon, I'll have to follow the !"#¤% because of kids!
Hope that gives you an insight into why I am so vocal about some of the issues.