Happiest country in the world? Denmark

[peterchristian]

And by the way, the only reason why the US is growing so much is because of all the Latino immigrants who have traditionally huge families. If you took "white apple pie" america the fertility rate would be the same as Denmark. Here it is 1.8, you need 2.0, it's not like we're far off. Iceland and Norway are 2.0...so learn your facts dude...

 

[dong20]

I've always found Danes to be among the people I like and get on best with. Denmark is one of very few countries I'd consider living.

I don't know how to 'measure' happiness definitively, but I can say definitively that I'd rather be Danish than [be] Wyldgusechaz.

 

[dong20]

... Norway and other small Scandinavian countries along the North Sea.

For someone who has 'travelled extensively' in Europe, its geography clearly eludes you.

 

[reallyhot]

Maybe it's the "gayest" country? LOL
Just kidding...

 

[BIGBULL29]

How can you compare Denmark to the United States of America? It's about the size of the state of Massachusetts.

If Denmark were to be a superpower, leader of the free world and 300 million strong in population, it would be a very different place than it currently is.

None of the European countries was orginally built around an ideology, but rather a common ethnicity (common language, religion etc),

There is no "happiest country" in the world. It's silly to even consider this.

 

[vince]

So what if one country has a bigger population, or is richer or poorer, or hot or cold? What we are talking about is, how happy are the inhabitants?

Yes, America is a lot bigger. So is Germany. If Denmark was bigger, maybe the people would be less happy. If if it rained less, maybe the English would be happier. If Mexicans weren't Catholic maybe they'd be happier. If my Grandmother had wheels, maybe she'd be a bus.

So what? If the Danes are happy people, great. Be glad for them instead of getting your tits in a tangle because they may be more happy than you all. SHEESH!

 

[mitchymo]

So what if one country has a bigger population, or is richer or poorer, or hot or cold? What we are talking about is, how happy are the inhabitants?

Yes, America is a lot bigger. So is Germany. If Denmark was bigger, maybe the people would be less happy. If if it rained less, maybe the English would be happier. If Mexicans weren't Catholic maybe they'd be happier. If my Grandmother had wheels, maybe she'd be a bus.

So what? If the Danes are happy people, great. Be glad for them instead of getting your tits in a tangle because they may be more happy than you all. SHEESH!

Well said!!!

 

[kalipygian]

How can anyone be extremely happy after suffering eight years of W. embarrassing us?

I would certainly prefer Margarethe von Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg as head of state.:biggrin1:

 

[TinyPrincess]

OK - I will comment some posts - and please bare with me since I'm a Dane and thus might have actually have some facts on the issues at hand.

Tim Ferriss, author of The Four Hour Work Week and a proponent of capitalism, has an interesting blog about Denmark.

Apparently the US ranks 23rd on the First Published Map of World Happiness.

How can the Danes be happier than Americans if capitalism is all about the American Dream?

Simple - happiness is not the same as capitalism. Almost no unemployment, social security, free hospitals, free schools and universities, no weapons on the streets, better cultural understanding and acceptance and a few thousand years of identity might all be contributing to the happiness.

That's because the Danes have a deluded allegiance to communitarianism.
They think it feels good to help your brother.
Bomb them. Liberate them, I say.

Senor :biggrin1:

Its easy. Denmark is a nobody, a nothing country. 5.4 million people. Trying to compare Denmark and the US is nonsense. 5.4 to over 300 million? We have way more happy people as a total than Denmark has people. Plus its an relatively homogenous country. And it is a net exporter of oil. As is Norway and other small Scandinavian countries along the North Sea.

Germany is a dying country. As is France and Italy.

Dying countries? Not likely - they have been there for thousands of years and will probably be there for a few thousand years more.

And then they ask why people have a hate on Americans

LMAO - well, "enlighted" Americans actually are quite funny.

For someone who has 'travelled extensively' in Europe, its geography clearly eludes you.

Thanks, Dong. You answered that for me. Scandinavia is Denmark, Norway and Sweden. So since Denmark and Norway has access to the North Sea, Sweden must be the "other small Scandinavian countries along the North Sea". Well, actually Sweden don't have access to the North Sea - and they don't have oil. Norway is a major exporter of oil, Denmark is (just) a net oil exporter - by a few gallons... :biggrin1:

I think your response sounds pretty negative...perhaps this kind of attitude is low among danes.
Dying countries...could you expand, i'm curious!

Sounds like he's just not happy with his life. And you nailed the reason why we win these surveys every year - we have a different attitude to life. Life should be funny, enjoyable and great!!!

I had a three day business trip to Denmark in 2006. My associate and I both noticed how happy everyone seemed. On the streets they were laughing and smiling and were courteous to each other.

Thanks for noticing. That's just the way we are. Some of the (US) posters are busy talking about the size of the countries, populations etc. The survey is only about happiness - and we win every year after year after year.

OK - short history lesson for the non-europeans. The Danes are a homogenous people. We have the oldest national flag in the world, we have been a major power in the baltic area for thousands of years - controlling (occupying) countries like the UK, northern part of Germany, Norway, southern part of Sweden, the Baltic countries, western part of Russia for centuries. From around 1600 until around 1870, we lost war upon war upon war and ended up as a very small country with a very small population. We have no natural resources (except a small amount of oil for the last 15-20 years), so what should we do? Sit down and complain? (I could imagine a few of the posters would choose this). Or get back on track?

Thus the Danes have a common understanding, that we can't beat the larger countries fighting, but that doesn't mean we can't outsmart them.

Free public schools have been available for everyone since 1812 (got our asses kicked by the Brits again that year). As we have no natural resources, we have had to make a living, transporting other countries' resources - today danish companies transport almost 20% of all goods in the world. We have some large IT companies and medical companies. But unlike many other countries, most companies have less than 20 employees.

As mentioned above, we have almost no unemployment, full social security (if you're unemployed, you will receive $2.500 a month from the state), free hospitals, free schools and universities, and there's no weapons on the streets.

We are quite well paid, have at least 6 (some have 7 and 8) weeks leave with pay a year, 37 (some have 35 or less) hours work week, so we have plenty of time to family and friends.

So why shouldn't we be happy? Also we have the secret concept - "Hygge". The Danish word "hygge" can't really be translated - but it simply means that you should enjoy life whatever the situation. Why shouldn't life be great and enjoyed - no matter what?

The issue isn't size of population or economy. The issue is the happiness of the people.

Exactly!!!

Denmark is a WONDERFUL place!!!!

I'm of Danish descent, and what could be wrong with a place where they drink beer for breakfast?

Hey.... I'm happy!

I haven't tried beer for breakfast - actually I doubt many have. But you could if you liked - and that might be a reason for happiness - freedom to do what you please.

Sounds like someone has their knickers in a knot again because the U.S. may not be #1 in something.

LMAO!!! What are they #1 in???

Then why do they make crappy porn...oh wait..sorry..that is Sweden

LOL, actually "Swedish Erotica" is a American company - that explains the crappyness... Yes, we were the first country in the world to legalise porn - but there's actually no porn industry here. When you have free access to something, sometimes it suddenly isn't that interesting anymore.

If Danes are so happy, then why is the population of Denmark - and most of Europe - rapidly shrinking? The US population is still expanding and it's not just immigrants. Could it be that people are really happier, more hopeful and optimistic in the US?

If you believe happiness is determined on population or religion, then... If you believe happiness is based on being happy, then...

I've always found Danes to be among the people I like and get on best with. Denmark is one of very few countries I'd consider living.

You will be very welcome - and I bet you would enjoy it.

If Denmark were to be a superpower, leader of the free world and 300 million strong in population, it would be a very different place than it currently is.

OK - let me think for a second - if a happy people with happy thoughts were the superpower of the world.... Hmmm, no more wars.... Hmmm, no more fighting.... Hmmm, everyone being happy.... Hmmm, this is difficult, but I will make a wild guess.... Hmmm, the world would be... Hmmm, better?!?!?

So what if one country has a bigger population, or is richer or poorer, or hot or cold? What we are talking about is, how happy are the inhabitants?

Yes, America is a lot bigger. So is Germany. If Denmark was bigger, maybe the people would be less happy. If if it rained less, maybe the English would be happier. If Mexicans weren't Catholic maybe they'd be happier. If my Grandmother had wheels, maybe she'd be a bus.

So what? If the Danes are happy people, great. Be glad for them instead of getting your tits in a tangle because they may be more happy than you all. SHEESH!

Thanks - I'm happy - we're happy!

 

[TurkeyWithaSunburn]

How to be happy. Have low expectations. One of the interviewees in a report on 60minutes said that if Danes found out that they were 20th in happiness they would have said, that's not so bad.

Goes back to relativity. Is a millionaire rich? No, not compared to a billionaire. but compared to the average person, both are.

 

[Catchoftheday]

OK -Free public schools have been available for everyone since 1812 (got our asses kicked by the Brits again that year).
we're happy!

Do you think I ought to come over and kiss it better for you?

 

[jumbo747jet]

It has a lot to do with your attitude to life. While US society is based on fear, danish society is about "hygge" (enjoying life)

You are all more than welcome to come and visit us in Denmark and to enjoy life together with us

 

[TinyPrincess]

Do you think I ought to come over and kiss it better for you?

Actually we learned quite a lot from losing that battle. We had actually beaten Lord Nelson but he tricked us to give up - we were simply outsmarted. :biggrin1:

But feel free to come over and kiss - we could kiss and make out - eh, I mean make up... Ops, sorry... :wink:

 

[TurkeyWithaSunburn]

It has a lot to do with your attitude to life. While US society is based on fear, danish society is about "hygge" (enjoying life)

You are all more than welcome to come and visit us in Denmark and to enjoy life together with us

Did you just invite the whole world to visit and then live in Denmark? It might get crowded real fast :biggrin1: Good thing you have Greenland to send all the unwanteds to :smile:

 

[TinyPrincess]

It has a lot to do with your attitude to life. While US society is based on fear, danish society is about "hygge" (enjoying life)

So short - so well put...

Did you just invite the whole world to visit and then live in Denmark? It might get crowded real fast :biggrin1: Good thing you have Greenland to send all the unwanteds to :smile:

Well, the more the merrier... ;-)

 

[Catchoftheday]

:biggrin1:

But feel free to come over and kiss - we could kiss and make out - eh, I mean make up... Ops, sorry... :wink:

So short - so well put...
Well, the more the merrier... ;-)

:bad::drive: :hug: :wiggle:
:booty: :banana:

 

[TinyPrincess]

Uhm, a dancing banana - my favourite snack...

 

[Ethyl]

This thread progressed better than I expected. I know Wyldgusechaz thinks I was "baiting" him but my point in discussing this was: 1) showing how proud you are to be a native of your homeland (make no mistake, I AM) doesn't require a competitive edge, braggadocio, or smugness, and 2) a chance for people to discuss not only the differences between cultures all over the world but their similarities. What makes one country distinct from another does not necessarily make it "better", only different and I believe those differences make us interesting to each other.

Why do we travel all over the world? To find the very things that are similar to what we've already experienced? Maybe but not likely. Generally speaking we travel to broaden our experiences and to expand ourselves beyond what we already know.

I'm an American and I love many things about my country. There are things I don't like but those problems have solutions. We just haven't decided what the best solutions are or haven't implemented them yet. These problems are putting a damper on our much lauded entrepreneurial spirit: the weakening of the dollar, economy, rising cost of food, gas, education, health insurance, etc. We've demonstrated that we can not only survive tough times but find solutions and pull ourselves out of our own messes. That's one of the things I appreciate most. Anyone who says they're happy with the current economic status of the US probably generates enough income that they aren't affected much by what's happening, aside from their stock portfolios. But I digress...

For the record, i've traveled throughout Scandinavia and spent a short time in Copenhagen. Made me want to return and spend more time there. The land of Hans Christian Anderson, Saxo Grammaticus, Jelling Stones, Arne Jacobsen...it's considered a design mecca by many in my particular field. I did not visit the Wegner museum and have been kicking myself since. Oh, and you have some of the most beautiful people like the celebrated Viggo Mortensen...*drools*...again I digress....

Special thanks to TinyPrincess and JumboJet747 for their sorely needed input.

There is so much we can enjoy and learn from each other. Why pretend as though there isn't?

 

[perthjames]

If we're gonna be honest about this, the nef which compiled the index has a political element to what they do. From their own website comes the following...


We aim to improve quality of life by promoting innovative solutions that challenge mainstream thinking on economic, environment and social issues.

nef was founded in 1986 by the leaders of The Other Economic Summit (TOES) which forced issues such as international debt onto the agenda of the G7 and G8 summits.We are unique in combining rigorous analysis and policy debate with practical solutions on the ground, often run and designed with the help of local people. We also create new ways of measuring progress towards increased well-being and environmental sustainability.
nef works with all sections of society in the UK and internationally - civil society, government, individuals, businesses and academia - to create more understanding and strategies for change.


So you just know from that statement, their ethos would favour the Scando-socialism economic model over the American non-interventionist model. It's one I also agree with and support, and I personally think taking away some of the economic concerns does make for a happier society.


But my point is the methodology behind this particular index was always gonna put the US further down the list. I'll be there's some right wing think tank that's done a similar index which puts the US at #1.


Personally I reckon the Danes are probably extremely happy, and a lot of that has to do with the welfare state and community concern for others. But I'd also argue against the validity of using "dodgy science" to prove their point.

PS. I'm just about to spend 10 weeks travelling mostly around Scandinvia, so I'll report back with my own "personal happiness index" sometime soon.

 

[2322]

Denmark's national symbol is a mermaid from a children's fable for Christ's sake! How unhappy could they be?

How could Sweden be so happy? Don't they have the highest suicide rate in the world?

I find it ironic that Scandinavia, the terrorists of Europe throughout the early middle ages, are the most progressive and passive countries now. Maybe they just had to get it out of their system??