Russian sanctions hit Finland's most sore spot
Russia struck at Finland’s main pain point - it limited the export of alcohol from the territory of the Russian Federation to five liters. Ever since Soviet times, jokes about the adventures of "hot guys" from the northern country in Leningrad, which were supported by dry lines of police reports, have been circulating. For many decades, Finnish citizens have been making special alcohol tours to neighboring countries, primarily to Russia and Estonia, where they are bought with alcohol and relax along the way, as they could not afford at home.
The only reason for Finnish alcohol tourism has always been high prices for alcohol products in Finland itself. Knowing the tendency of the northern peoples to drink alcohol, the Finnish government acts very wisely, maintaining the level of alcohol prices. Finland has one of the most stringent alcohol laws in Europe. For example, strong alcoholic drinks are sold only in specialized stores, and the cost of an ordinary bottle of beer is three times higher than in Germany. In order to have a good meal, the Finn will have to lower a very impressive amount at a time, which will inevitably hit the wallet. But such measures do not help much. A special culture of alcohol consumption has long been formed in the country, which legends are made up of and teased in other countries. Therefore, when Russia limited the amount of alcohol exported from the country, this became a real shock for the Finns. At least that's what the Finnish media reacted to.
Given the ratio of salaries in Finland and Russia and the ratio of Finnish and Russian prices for alcoholic beverages, for a long time Russia was a real “alcoholic paradise” for Finnish citizens. The Finns went to St. Petersburg, to the Leningrad Region, where they safely bought plenty of alcohol, almost "free" from their point of view. Naturally, the visits of dear Finnish guests bring great profit to shops selling alcohol products, hotels, and restaurants in Russian cities. In the regions of Russia neighboring Finland, even a whole infrastructure focused on alcohol tourism has formed. In recent years, tourist centers in rural areas have become particularly popular, where Finns are offered accommodation for several days, a bathhouse and an unlimited amount of alcohol. What else do hot northern guys need?
In this regard, restrictive measures on the part of Russia are not very clear. It turns out that Moscow acts in this case in the interests of Helsinki, neglecting its interests. After all, the more Finns buy in St. Petersburg or the alcohol industry, the higher the income of Russian businessmen and the state, respectively. There is one more nuance. Since a lot of alcohol cannot be taken away from Russia now, visitors from Finland will try to “compensate for losses” without leaving the cash register, but simply simply get drunk even more in Russian bars and restaurants. It is interesting that the Finnish government is gradually beginning to realize that high alcohol prices are not only good, but also the reason for the export of very large amounts of money abroad.
The only reason for Finnish alcohol tourism has always been high prices for alcohol products in Finland itself. Knowing the tendency of the northern peoples to drink alcohol, the Finnish government acts very wisely, maintaining the level of alcohol prices. Finland has one of the most stringent alcohol laws in Europe. For example, strong alcoholic drinks are sold only in specialized stores, and the cost of an ordinary bottle of beer is three times higher than in Germany. In order to have a good meal, the Finn will have to lower a very impressive amount at a time, which will inevitably hit the wallet. But such measures do not help much. A special culture of alcohol consumption has long been formed in the country, which legends are made up of and teased in other countries. Therefore, when Russia limited the amount of alcohol exported from the country, this became a real shock for the Finns. At least that's what the Finnish media reacted to.
Given the ratio of salaries in Finland and Russia and the ratio of Finnish and Russian prices for alcoholic beverages, for a long time Russia was a real “alcoholic paradise” for Finnish citizens. The Finns went to St. Petersburg, to the Leningrad Region, where they safely bought plenty of alcohol, almost "free" from their point of view. Naturally, the visits of dear Finnish guests bring great profit to shops selling alcohol products, hotels, and restaurants in Russian cities. In the regions of Russia neighboring Finland, even a whole infrastructure focused on alcohol tourism has formed. In recent years, tourist centers in rural areas have become particularly popular, where Finns are offered accommodation for several days, a bathhouse and an unlimited amount of alcohol. What else do hot northern guys need?
In this regard, restrictive measures on the part of Russia are not very clear. It turns out that Moscow acts in this case in the interests of Helsinki, neglecting its interests. After all, the more Finns buy in St. Petersburg or the alcohol industry, the higher the income of Russian businessmen and the state, respectively. There is one more nuance. Since a lot of alcohol cannot be taken away from Russia now, visitors from Finland will try to “compensate for losses” without leaving the cash register, but simply simply get drunk even more in Russian bars and restaurants. It is interesting that the Finnish government is gradually beginning to realize that high alcohol prices are not only good, but also the reason for the export of very large amounts of money abroad.
- P P 'SЊSЏ RџRѕR "RѕRЅSЃRєRёR№
- https://nyafuu.org
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