Danes have hygge. Swedes have lagom. Finns have ‘kalsarikänni’ or pantsdrunk – drinking at home alone, in your underwear.
Author: Miska Rantanen
Finnish original: Kalsarikänni – suomalainen opas hyvään elämään
Publisher: S&S, February 2018
Genre: Nonfiction, lifestyle
Number of pages: 184 pp.
Reading material: Finnish original, English translation, German translation
Rights sold: Czech, Paseka; World English, HarperCollins (UK, Virago); Estonia, Post Factum | Eesti Meedia; Germany, Goldmann; Italy, Ad est dell’equatore; Korea, Dasan Books; Netherlands, Uitgeverij Q (World Dutch); Poland, Helion; Russia, Alpina; Spain, Zenith (World Spanish); Sweden, Lind & co.; Vietnam, Van Lang
When it comes to happiness rankings, Finland always scores near the top. Many Finnish phenomena set the bar high: the best education system in the world, gender equality, a flourishing welfare state, sisu or bull-headed pluck, and, of course, Darude’s ‘Sandstorm’.
Behind all these accomplishments lies a Finnish ability to stay calm, healthy and content in a riptide of endless tasks and temptations or simply when faced with work-related stress. The ability results from the practice of the ‘kalsarikänni’, pantsdrunk method.
Pantsdrunk is a path to solitary relaxation, recovery and self-empowerment to help you face your future challenges. The procedure is as follows:
Peel off your work uniform down to your underwear. Place savoury or sweet nibbles within reach, by bed or sofa, alongside remote control and devices to access social media. Open a bottle or can of alcoholic beverage.
The practice towards inner strength, higher quality of life and peace of mind has begun.
This book is your guide on the path to find wellness, bliss, and peace of mind the Finnish way, following the pantsdrunk method. By completing each concrete step and fully embracing the philosophy you can relieve anxiety, fatigue and pain. The method will lead you to live a healthier, more energising and relaxing life – wherever, whenever.
“You might have found hygge too smug. You might have been confused by lagom. You probably never bothered clicking on the thing about famntag natur. But give päntsdrunk a go. Scandi living might be for you after all. ”
– The Telegraph
”After a busy workweek, feel free to ditch your plans — and your pants — and stay in. Instead of “Netflix and chill,” Netflix and kalsarikannit.”
– The Washington Post
”Forget hygge, are you päntsdrunk? It’s the latest Scandi trend — and even has its own emoji. … At its core, päntsdrunk is about getting home after a long day’s work, letting it all hang out and doing what you want on your own terms.”
– The Times
” If collective cozying is also not your speed, there’s a new Scandinavian lifestyle trend in town that may be. Rather than focus on the aesthetic presentation of well-being, it involves drinking at home in your underwear. Actually, that’s all it is. Päntsdrunk is the Finnish self-care phenomenon in which you remove your pants—at home—and drink. Kippis! (That means cheers.) … The day is over; you’ve done your best (or maybe you didn’t). Now take off your pants and have a drink.
– Glamour Magazine
About the author:
Miska Rantanen