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The 2018 World Happiness Report is scored on income, life expectancy, trust, generosity, social support, freedom and corruption.
Political corruption and economic ruin would have sunk this country way down the list. Social support must have kicked us down a further few places too.
Finland came in first followed by Norway, Denmark and Iceland. New Zealand came in at number 8.
Canada no 7
Australia no 10
US no 18
Britain no 19
France no 23
Greece no 79
Tajikistan no 80 (where the hell....)
How do you judge happiness?
Goats
These rogue goats are happy, roaming free. One of them isn't so happy anymore but he made our neighbour Vaso and her son extremely happy. One of the younger goats made the big mistake of trespassing on Vaso's land.
20 kilos of goat meat just in time for the Easter spit
K went over to eye-up the 'trophy' and have a smell. It didn't have any goaty rank bouquet about it so he accepted the present of a leg of the goat. It's in V's freezer at the moment so we'll have to be good neighbours, run a few erands first before she gets around to handing it over. One hand feeds the other. Then K shall be a happy camper. Me less so to have a bit of free range goat boiling in my kitchen. If our english friends J and S were here then they could make a rich, spicy, goaty curry. That would make some of us happy.
Boiled goat soup makes traditional people happier
I think Israel is at the 11th on the list, did not see much happiness here for a long time....
ReplyDeleteAt least you do not have an economic crisis but problems on your borders must make your life a little uneasy. Turkey is getting very agressive. Rather worrying for the greeks
DeleteI think happiness is still in England behind closed doors. It is a little bit like too many people wait for a cue from someone else before they will admit happiness at the moment but really it is still here. Once someone breaks the ice and it is ok to admit happiness everybody is agreeing and laughter ensues.
ReplyDeleteIf you ask individuals I am sure most of them will complain about money or jobs .. but the English have their famous saying 'cant grumble'. My father always used that when asked 'how are you today'. A little bit of sunshine and the Brits are smiling and out in the garden or the park!
DeletePerhaps happiness is more like freedom from worry or fear. If you are in a country where you are worried about money or crime or war or other things that may cause fear, you can't experience much happiness. I prefer to strive for being contented as "happiness" or "joy" are perhaps the highs of emotion. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteThat is how they have judged happiness. But Greeks given the slightest chance will celebrate life whatever their troubles. I am sure the natives of Tajikistan are very happy without huge bank accounts and houses full of 'stuff'. Each culture sees happiness in a different way.
DeleteYes, how DO you judge happiness? I am one of those people who is always happy. I wake happy, and it continues that way unless someone does something really stupid to upset me; luckily this is very rare.
ReplyDeleteYes, Cro and then there is each person's personal attitude. Some people are so rightly called 'grumpy' and will never be happy
DeleteThat should have started 'bravo Cro'. Keep smiling, you'll live longer!!
DeleteItaly is 47th - also for us it's political corruption and high unemployment that brings us so down on the chart.
ReplyDeleteHappiness for me is health, free from worry and stress, my family, friends and kindness.
Greetings Maria x
The Italians should have been higher on the list. Besides the two obvious reasons you point out they known for their big happy families. You always have their support and understanding!
DeleteI am happy when the sun shines and I am gardening and walking. I think the weathers got a lot to with happiness. When we go on holiday to Portugal we never see unhappy people and we never want to fly back to Ireland.
ReplyDeleteYes, weather. Good point Dave. So many things to be taken into account.
DeleteYou really must find that house in Portugal!!
When we were in Denmark the contentment of the people was tangible. Costs were high but so was quality. In Italy not so much, the cost of living goes up and up, public services get less and less, people don't eat out like they used to, youth unemployment is high. Still happy family oriented communities but not quite how they used to be.
ReplyDeleteQuality of life..... money to pay your bills, health care, social services..takes the worry out of life!
DeleteQuality of live to me means
ReplyDeleteHaving enough for your needs, being healthy and having your family around.
I don’t need millions, and you can’t buy your health no mater how much money you have.
And as long as my family are around I’ll even do without the other two.
I don’t mind goat meat on the spit. As long as it doesn’t have that yucky smell. As for mayeritsa. Nope. Don’t like that at all!
I love curried goat. But I havent eaten meat for a few years now. Happiness to me is not worrying and a walk on the beach.
ReplyDeleteI think weather has a huge amount to do with it. All winter hibernate come Spring come to life!.will become a snow bird in 1 year 10 months!.
ReplyDelete