Almost everyone who voluntarily relocates to a country besides the one they grew up in enjoys some kind of honeymoon phase in their new surroundings. Everything about their adopted home feels shiny and praiseworthy, with all of the memories of one’s past suddenly looking far rustier than it ever did before.
It’s not surprising, then, that Twitter user @b_taka_d was charmed by Finland three months into a study abroad program. His experiences also inspired him to compare the Nordic country to his homeland of Japan, primarily focusing on the failings of the latter.
He compiled 12 points of difference, highlighting Japan’s male-dominated society, its overuse of plastic and, somewhat surprisingly, its low prices. The tweet blew up, attracting more than 20,000 retweets and endless discussion, so much so that @b_taka_d published an English version.