World's Happiest Countries

soyizgood

soyizgood

G.O.A.T.
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/10/happiest_countries/index_01.htm?chan=rss_topSlideShows_ssi_5

Interesting way to measure countries' happiness level. According to this methodology, Denmark is the happiest country.

China came in No. 82, India ranked 125, and Russia was 167. The U.S. came in at 23. I think Japan was 90.

Bhutan at number 8, a country with 47% literacy rate? Canada at number 10? I'd like to see the full list, but the article does not have it.

Meanwhile: http://www.happyplanetindex.org/list.htm

America ranks 150th according to this index. EWWWW
 
Tempest344

Tempest344

Professional
usually poorer countries are happier
becuase they are not as materialistic as many 1st world countries
and do not have the high stress, high worry lifestyle (and most of the things we/they worry about are very trivial when you think about it)

UAE has 9.9 for their ecological footprint woah

australia arghh 139
 
Last edited:
AM28143

AM28143

Semi-Pro
I just returned from a trip to Ecuador and I must say the Tribal Ecuadorians living in the rain forest appeared to be pretty happy. The did not have much, just what they needed, and it didn't bother them. Everyone got a long, as far I could see, and everyone had a smile on his or her face. Also, interestingly, unlike Americans, they did not feel the need to "be doing something" every second of the day, they were content to just lay out in the sun and enjoy the smaller things in life. It was interesting learning how people with so little can occupy their time so effectively.
 
Last edited:
AM28143

AM28143

Semi-Pro
For the most part, Americans are unhappy because of their consumerism. The problem with material goods is that there is always something better than what you have. For instance, if you buy a 2007 brand car, within 6 months the 2008 brand cars come out and all of a sudden there is something better than what you have, which, subsequently makes you feel bad about your life. You feel that others, the people with the 2008 cars, have it better than you do. It's a cruel, impossible to win game society plays on people. They toy with your endless wants and leave you miserable. This problem occurs around the world; however, it's most prominent in the States where capitalism is the strongest.
 
SoBad

SoBad

G.O.A.T.
AM28143 said:
I just returned from a trip to Ecuador and I must say the Tribal Ecuadorians living in the rain forest appeared to be pretty happy. The did not have much, just what they needed, and it didn't bother them. Everyone got a long, as far I could see, and everyone had a smile on his or her face. Also, interestingly, unlike Americans, they did not feel the need to "be doing something" every second of the day, they were content to just lay out in the sun and enjoy the smaller things in life. It was interesting learning how people with so little can occupy their time so effectively.
Click to expand...

Happiness (= extent of ability to manage time) is a function of one’s net worth, which in turn is sum of one’s assets and liabilities. Therefore, it should not be surprising that someone with few assets and fewer liabilities is happier than someone with great assets and greater liabilities, regardless of what may be perceived as absolute value of the respective assets and liabilities. Just a thought…
 
AM28143

AM28143

Semi-Pro
SoBad said:
Happiness (= extent of ability to manage time) is a function of one’s net worth, which in turn is sum of one’s assets and liabilities. Therefore, it should not be surprising that someone with few assets and fewer liabilities is happier than someone with great assets and greater liabilities, regardless of what may be perceived as absolute value of the respective assets and liabilities. Just a thought…
Click to expand...

Good point. Interesting perspective. And, btw, why the new avatar?
 
soyizgood

soyizgood

G.O.A.T.
Teh_pwnerer said:
lol racist b1tch, i go there to buy stuff cheaper, lazy ass *********as that cant get a job hop the border..
Click to expand...

I'm sure the Mexicans that live in the ghost towns along the border are happy. After all, the illegals send their extra money back to Mexico, while the Mexican government chips in $1 for every $3 they get back from the illegals. Mexico wins in that they export their poor on us and the families of the illegals get money that keeps their standard of living above poverty. Meanwhile America sees almost no tax revenue and has to accommodate them ruining our schools, prisons, social services, and standard of living. No wonder Mexico is a happier country than America...UGH!
 
SoBad

SoBad

G.O.A.T.
AM28143 said:
Good point. Interesting perspective. And, btw, why the new avatar?
Click to expand...

Life moves forward, time passes, things change, and so do avatars and other means of expressing oneself. I thought you brought up an interesting question – why is the fat “rich” gringo less happy than the half naked “poor” local boy selling ice-cream to him, so I thought I'd share a reflection.
 
AM28143

AM28143

Semi-Pro
SoBad said:
Life moves forward, time passes, things change, and so do avatars and other means of expressing oneself. I thought you brought up an interesting question – why is the fat “rich” gringo less happy than the half naked “poor” local boy selling ice-cream to him, so I thought I'd share a reflection.
Click to expand...

What is the significance behind the term "gringo"? Does it have something to do with the Spanish-American war?
 
CanadianChic

CanadianChic

Hall of Fame
I'm not surprised at all to hear that Canada is #10. The thing we complain the most about is the weather, but in the same breath are puffed with a personal pride - the climate is so diverse and only makes us appreciate everything a little more. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
 
SoBad

SoBad

G.O.A.T.
AM28143 said:
What is the significance behind the term "gringo"? Does it have something to do with the Spanish-American war?
Click to expand...

I’m not too sure, but I think it’s a derogatory term for arrogant Anglosaxon and/or light-skinned Enlgish-speaking foreigner, similar to “gaijin” in Japan or “gweilo” in South China.
 
soyizgood

soyizgood

G.O.A.T.
AM28143 said:
What is the significance behind the term "gringo"? Does it have something to do with the Spanish-American war?
Click to expand...

Try the Mexican-American War. Or the earlier war in which Texas broke away. Technically, the Texans voided their contract with Mexico. They got cheap land (something around 3 cents/acre), but they were supposed to convert to Catholicism and renounce their American citizenship. They didn't and actually stole from Mexico. I can see the Mexicans wanting to repopulate Texas, but the Mexicans neglected California even more than the Spanish did, yet they keep moving here. AY-YIGH-YIGH
 
Last edited:
AM28143

AM28143

Semi-Pro
CanadianChic said:
I'm not surprised at all to hear that Canada is #10. The thing we complain the most about is the weather, but in the same breath are puffed with a personal pride - the climate is so diverse and only makes us appreciate everything a little more. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
Click to expand...

I was surprised Canada ranked so high. I’ve been there a few times and I once spent two months there, never throughout my travels did I find overwhelming evidence that Canada was much different than America. But, then again, I grew up in Maine, and maybe never learned what America really is like.
 
CanadianChic

CanadianChic

Hall of Fame
soyizgood said:
Try the Mexican-American War. Or the earlier war in which Texas broke away. Technically, the Texans voided their contract with Mexico. They got cheap land (something around 3 cents/acre), but they were supposed to convert to Catholicism and renounce their American citizenship. They didn't and actually stole from Mexico.
Click to expand...

Are you referring to the Texas War of Independence?
 
AM28143

AM28143

Semi-Pro
soyizgood said:
Try the Mexican-American War. Or the earlier war in which Texas broke away. Technically, the Texans voided their contract with Mexico. They got cheap land (something around 3 cents/acre), but they were supposed to convert to Catholicism and renounce their American citizenship. They didn't and actually stole from Mexico. I can see the Mexicans wanting to retake Texas, but the Mexicans neglected California even more than the Spanish did, yet they keep moving here. AY-YIGH-YIGH
Click to expand...

Oh, ok. Thanks. For some odd reason I thought the term came from the Spanish-American war. It's late I guess, my mind isn't working that well. :)
 
CanadianChic

CanadianChic

Hall of Fame
AM28143 said:
I was surprised Canada ranked so high. I’ve been there a few times and I once spent two months there, never throughout my travels did I find overwhelming evidence that Canada was much different than America. But, then again, I grew up in Maine, and maybe never learned what America really is like.
Click to expand...

Canada is a huge country with many different cultures tied into one. It would be nearly impossible to gain any real insight into the complexity, diversity and "feeling" of the country from a single visit to one area. We love our environment, our wildlife, our beautiful land and are amazingly patriotic. As a general we are incredibly accepting and forgiving, yet can only be pushed so far before we react and then it's no holds barred. ;)
 
AM28143

AM28143

Semi-Pro
CanadianChic said:
Canada is a huge country with many different cultures tied into one. It would be nearly impossible to gain any real insight into the complexity, diversity and "feeling" of the country from a single visit to one area. We love our environment, our wildlife, our beautiful land and are amazingly patriotic. As a general we are incredibly accepting and forgiving, yet can only be pushed so far before we react and then it's no holds barred. ;)
Click to expand...

Not as diverse as America. :) We might be miserable, but we do have one sick piece of land.
 
CanadianChic

CanadianChic

Hall of Fame
AM28143 said:
Not as diverse as America. :) We might be miserable, but we do have one sick piece of land.
Click to expand...

Well, it's too bad you guys are so miserable. Hopefully that will change, although I don't feel it will be through politics or religion. We could debate the differences but I think it's fair to say that both countries have much diversity.
 
AM28143

AM28143

Semi-Pro
CanadianChic said:
Well, it's too bad you guys are so miserable. Hopefully that will change, although I don't feel it will be through politics or religion. We could debate the differences but I think it's fair to say that both countries have much diversity.
Click to expand...

Agreed! Canada is truly beautiful, especially Quebec. Parts of Canada are 100 years in the past and other parts are 20 years in the future, it’s quite amazing. And, also, most importantly, Canada did produce Neil Young. :)
 
T

tbini87

Hall of Fame
it is funny that because one country gets ranked higher or lower than another that people from that country are either happy or miserable. isn't that just stereotyping? if someone is canadian they are happy, if you are american you are miserable... that is hilarious.
 
AM28143

AM28143

Semi-Pro
tbini87 said:
it is funny that because one country gets ranked higher or lower than another that people from that country are either happy or miserable. isn't that just stereotyping? if someone is canadian they are happy, if you are american you are miserable... that is hilarious.
Click to expand...

No, but we're generalizing.
 
CanadianChic

CanadianChic

Hall of Fame
tbini87 said:
it is funny that because one country gets ranked higher or lower than another that people from that country are either happy or miserable. isn't that just stereotyping? if someone is canadian they are happy, if you are american you are miserable... that is hilarious.
Click to expand...

That's not what we said and I'm fairly sure you know that. The U.S. is in the middle of a long drawn out war that many are not in favour of and are living under a president that many do not respect or feel confident in. That is perhaps why some feel as though their fellow countrymen are miserable.

In Canada, our economy is prospering (for the most part), in many places the unemployment rate is decreasing and there has been an increase in foreign travel. Perhaps that is why some feel that Canadians have been under a little less stress recently.

I agree that to state as "all" is a generalization, but I also feel that as a whole, Canadians are a happy bunch. We work hard, we appreciate what we work for, we understand the importance of family and friends and enjoy our resources in relative comfort. We breathe in clean air, drink fresh water and enjoy the fruits of our labours as most others do. I didn't mark the survey - only responded to it. This is of course only my perspective - others may feel that Canucks are a bunch of miserable S.O.B.'s although I think the world's view on us is fairly favourable. ;)
 
Last edited:
Hot Sauce

Hot Sauce

Hall of Fame
AM28143 said:
Agreed! Canada is truly beautiful, especially Quebec. Parts of Canada are 100 years in the past and other parts are 20 years in the future, it’s quite amazing. And, also, most importantly, Canada did produce Neil Young. :)
Click to expand...

Aye, Neil Young, one of my favourite artists.

3 cheers for Canada:
Hip-Hip, Hooray!
Hip-Hip, Hooray!
 
diegaa

diegaa

Hall of Fame
back in spain i felt like i was averagely happy, now that i moved bacl i feel soooo much happy :roll:
 
S

Serve em Up

Rookie
The US should win, we have more cheap TV's , DVD's, video games, shoes, designer handbags than anyone else.

Heck, we even have more handguns than everyone else does.

Why aren't we happy?
 
S

slice bh compliment

G.O.A.T.
America's place on that list is unfortunate. We have some work to do over here.

I feel Canada, at its best, is what our founding fathers had in mind. Monroe Doctrine and all.

I'm told how happy I am...by my fellow Americans. I'm happiest here, but I like Canada and Costa Rica a LOT. And Europe ... and Oz and NZL. I like Ireland a lot, too. And I had great times in Eastern and Southern Europe. If I spoke Greek, I'd probably want to live there. Judging from Aykhan Mammadov, I bet I would love life in the Caucasus.

But America is where my family is, and I feel good about ending up back here.
My family and I have a pretty simple and loving life. We try always to remember how fortunate we are....that makes for a pretty happy life. Best of both worlds, I feel.

Consumerism is really evil, even half a world away. I realize some people feel it is what built this country, but I disagree.
 
soyizgood

soyizgood

G.O.A.T.
Teh_pwnerer said:
hey at least we're not hated by the rest of the world..
Click to expand...

True, but many Latinos feel insulted when mistaken for being Mexican. I've even heard other Latinos say things like "We're better than Mexicans".

I'm not hating on Mexico, but their manana approach to life keeps them lower in the totem pole than they should be.
 
Docalex007

Docalex007

Hall of Fame
CanadianChic said:
As a general we are incredibly accepting and forgiving, yet can only be pushed so far before we react and then it's no holds barred. ;)
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure the Canadians wouldn't respond much if pushed around by another country, even though you guys drill the most amount of uranium from the ground than anywhere in the world.
 
Docalex007

Docalex007

Hall of Fame
Leelord337 said:
Everyone Smiles in Nigeria too.
Click to expand...

No that's just their squinting because the sun's so bright.

SuperStock_1119-115.jpg
 
CanadianChic

CanadianChic

Hall of Fame
Docalex007 said:
I'm pretty sure the Canadians wouldn't respond much if pushed around by another country, even though you guys drill the most amount of uranium from the ground than anywhere in the world.
Click to expand...

We have been pushed around by another country for a couple hundred years - they want our vast resources which we have no desire to ever share or sell. Regardless of how many times our ankles are nipped at we will not budge on this and it has caused some serious friction in political relations unfortunately. It is not that we are greedy, quite the opposite in fact.
 
T

tbini87

Hall of Fame
CanadianChic said:
That's not what we said and I'm fairly sure you know that. The U.S. is in the middle of a long drawn out war that many are not in favour of and are living under a president that many do not respect or feel confident in. That is perhaps why some feel as though their fellow countrymen are miserable.

In Canada, our economy is prospering (for the most part), in many places the unemployment rate is decreasing and there has been an increase in foreign travel. Perhaps that is why some feel that Canadians have been under a little less stress recently.

I agree that to state as "all" is a generalization, but I also feel that as a whole, Canadians are a happy bunch. We work hard, we appreciate what we work for, we understand the importance of family and friends and enjoy our resources in relative comfort. We breathe in clean air, drink fresh water and enjoy the fruits of our labours as most others do. I didn't mark the survey - only responded to it. This is of course only my perspective - others may feel that Canucks are a bunch of miserable S.O.B.'s although I think the world's view on us is fairly favourable. ;)
Click to expand...

yeah i think i understand what you were saying. i just don't think that the economy, the leader of the country, etc should really be the basis of a person's happiness. if so, when america is thriving as a country we would undoubtedly be the happiest country in the world right? we would have so much money and power and life would be great. i think there is more to happiness than that stuff. i don't know about others, but i can be happy when we have a horrible president, a horrible economical situation, have been attacked by terrorists... etc. i think happiness is personal, and joy is something that others can't take from you. i don't think other people's view should have much of an affect. i will say that most canadians i have met are cool, easy going, fun people. i don't know about the world's view on canada, or even the US for that matter (all i hear is that it must be pretty bad)... but that doesn't affect my happiness at all.
 
Leelord337

Leelord337

Hall of Fame
Docalex007 said:
No that's just their squinting because the sun's so bright.
Click to expand...

hahaha, well in this pic it shows otherwise. its just there are some nigerian and kenyan exchange students at my university and they seem to always be smiling, as do the asian students.
nigeria008.jpg
 
Last edited:
Mike Bulgakov

Mike Bulgakov

G.O.A.T.
I have spent a lot of time in Denmark because of a Danish girlfriend and have been very impressed by the smart and logical approach Danes take in building their society. Starting around October, when the winds, bad weather, and disappearing sun loom, many people get depressed. The Danes do a good job of enduring the winter and on a summer day Copenhagen does seem like a utopia.
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=4086092&page=1
 
35ft6

35ft6

Legend
AM28143 said:
For the most part, Americans are unhappy because of their consumerism.
Click to expand...
American economy is predicated on us being unhappy... about our car... about how much we make... how much we weigh... etc. But we're just one wise purchase from turning things around, whether it be by buying a lottery ticket, an iPod, or a new pair of shoes. Just look at the commercials for Credit Cards, they encourage you to buy some pretty frivolous crap.
 
35ft6

35ft6

Legend
From above article:
Since a banker can end up taking home as much money as an artist, people don't chose careers based on income or status. "They have this thing called 'Jante-lov,' which essentially says, 'You're no better then anybody else,'" said Buettner. "A garbage man can live in a middle-class neighborhood and hold his head high."

...

In Denmark, you can see trust in action all around you. Vegetable stands run on the honor system, mothers leave babies unattended in strollers outside cafés, and most bicycles are left unlocked. And perhaps the bicycle is the best symbol of Danish happiness. Danes can all afford cars, but they choose bikes -- simple, economical, nonpolluting machines that show no status and help keep people fit.
Click to expand...
This would be great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top