In her candid discussions, Sanna Sarromaa has touched on a wide array of subjects—from child-rearing practices and work ethics to leadership styles and expressions of love. Now, the focus shifts to a topic close to many hearts: Christmas cuisine.
Even the much-loved ribs, pork chops, and the cherished traditions that adorn our Christmas tables are not spared from scrutiny.
An Unending Critique
The act of critiquing traditions is not inherently harmful; in fact, stagnation is detrimental to any culture.
Yet, when criticism morphs into an ongoing endeavor where familiar customs are labeled as awkward, antiquated, or absurd, it begs the question: what is the ultimate goal?
Must every aspect of Norwegian daily life and festivity be branded as naive, inefficient, or tasteless?
For a contrasting viewpoint, see: Defending Norwegian Christmas food: “It’s about tradition.”
Simply Absurd
When Sarromaa attempts to position Norway as a developing nation in culinary terms, her claims become flat-out ridiculous.
This is a country that consistently stands out on the global culinary stage, particularly through its lauded chefs in the Bocuse d’Or, whose accolades surpass those of many other nations.
Norway thus boasts a well-documented stature in European gastronomy.
Her assertion that Finland possesses “thousands” of cheeses and overflowing shelves of coffee in grocery stores feels disingenuous, especially when used to trivialize the richness of Norwegian culinary tradition.
How Long Will We Play the Target?
There are limits to how long we will accept being the focus of relentless criticism.
While an external perspective can be enlightening, it loses its value when used repetitively to dissect every tradition. The result feels hollow.
People can stomach criticism—be it aimed at food or culture—but they are less likely to endure a deluge of disdain disguised as social commentary.
Christmas food carries deep significance for many; it weaves together generations, building an enduring sense of memory and belonging.
The critiques Sarromaa frequently dishes out contribute little to building connections.
Instead, they cultivate irritation.