In my opinion, be careful not to rile up the Finns

[underpants]

Finns urged to retaliate over Berlusconi gaffe

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050624/od_nm/italy_farmers_dc

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finns should boycott Italian produce after Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi insulted both their cuisine and their president this week, farming officials said Friday.

Representatives of Finland's union of agricultural producers (MTK) said they would avoid products such as Italian olive oil and wine after Berlusconi said he'd had to "endure" Finnish food and said Italian ham was better than Finnish herrings.

He made the comments when he inaugurated the European Food Safety Agency in Parma, and compounded the damage by saying he had used all his "playboy tactics" to persuade President Tarja Halonen to give up her country's claim to host the agency.

"There will be none of these (Italian) products on my table during the midsummer festivities. (The comments) were deeply hurtful," the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat quoted Paula Viertola-Jern, a senior MTK official, as saying.

"He has insulted Finland and above all the president," she added.

[SarahB]

1. Phew, that's a relief.

I thought you meant this guy... http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=user_profiles&u_id=113465

I mean, I'd hate for anything bad to happen from riling him up. :P

[orwell]

2. I'm Conflicted

I'm Finnish and Italian. What the heck will I make for dinner.

I guess the herring meatballs are out...

[ReadTomPaine]

3. The Berlusconi Burlesque Show!

Coming soon to the EU!

[smirkymonkey]

4. What is Finnish food anyway?

Berlusconi is an arrogant jerk.

[AndyTiedye]

5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer...

...yum yum!

[AndyTiedye]

6. Is Pine Tar Ice Cream Specific to Turku?

We had some in Turku, but couldn't find any in Helsinki.
It's really good!

[smirkymonkey]

7. Really? I actually do think they eat Reindeer, but Pine Tar

Ice Cream? Jeeze - send these people some chocolate or something! Poor bastards. ;)

[Arugula Latte]

8. "Hey everyone! Let's go out for Finnish food!"

What is things you're not likely to hear, ever, Alex.