Re: Denmark - happiest people in the world- WAY off topic- !! Warning!!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for directing me to the ABC 20/20 story. Very

interesting...actually was pretty much the topic my husband and I were

discussing at dinner last night. I viewed the video and also took

the " happiness quiz " . Turns out I am relatively happy too.

I do think the story is generally a very acurate snapshot of how Danes

regard their life...and of course that is what the researchers are

asking. But it begs the question to me, " Compared to what? " . I am not

being unfair or unkind when I say that if you were to compare your

lifestyle in Denmark with what you read about in the rest of the world

you would judge yourself very lucky. Danes seem alarmed and amazed at

violence in the US and elsewhere and very surprised when it happens

here...but indeed it does. As they said in the story, the status quo is

pretty entrenched....the society is very resistant to change. It is a

tiny country. Me, I don't see most Danes displaying so

much " happiness " ...I see " contentment " as more the order of the day.

They are satisfied. No one is walking around with big smiles on their

faces all the time, thats for sure!

My view so far, 6 months along, is that I could never live in this rank

dark climate forever...it would not be a trade off for me....but I am

comfortably retired and have the financial resources for health care

and education for my child. US Society so far, has chosen a different

balance between citizen " security " and taxation.

If you ever get a chance to travel here or to other Scandinavian

countries I highly recommend it...in the summertime. Then...everyone is

very happy!

Take Care, Cam