Why does it seem that people in poorer countries are happier? (1 Viewer)

[brekker]

People seem to help each other more, smile more and be happier because at least they have survived or do you think it is just an illusion?

 

[Yili]

While it could be true that that they are "happier" the problem is more, is what they have enough that we could consider them being treated humanely? In a first world like America, many of us can take a shower every day, go to school, have 3 meals a day, enjoy things like the internet amusement parks and movie theaters etc.

There are people in other countries that can only shower once a week or a month, have 1 meal a day, and can only go to school if they don't have to help their families or do work around the home. They might be happy because that is all they have ever known but whether we think that is what they deserve is different I guess.

 

[brekker]

While it could be true that that they are "happier" the problem is more, is what they have enough that we could consider them being treated humanely? In a first world like America, many of us can take a shower every day, go to school, have 3 meals a day, enjoy things like the internet amusement parks and movie theaters etc.

There are people in other countries that can only shower once a week or a month, have 1 meal a day, and can only go to school if they don't have to help their families or do work around the home. They might be happy because that is all they have ever known but whether we think that is what they deserve is different I guess.

well they are still happier though? it is not about what we think they deserve and definitely not what we think they NEED which I think is such a western problem. we come somewhere and we tell people how to live and what to want. rich people come to poor places and their eyes get wide WHAT YOU LIVE LIKE THIS? BUT HOW CAN YOU BE HAPPY? and question the happiness of people! no, you have you have a phone to be happy and shower every day. that´s the thing. we implement our perception of happiness on our people. by "we" I have to say I mean people of rich countries.

but on the other hand, I often feel like maybe people just enjoy complaining anyway no matter how rich they are. why do people migrate from Africa just to complain how bad it is in Europe? like if it was so bad to migrate in the first place, maybe one should be thankful for a shower a day, enough food etc. and yet .. that doesn´t happen.

 

[yeji]

I think it depends on the perspective you are looking at it

 

[brekker]

I think it depends on the perspective you are looking at it

hmmm, I dunno I was watching a documentary and people in the comments were like "I miss my country so much, I moved to Canada and feel so unhappy etc." My perspective is pretty neutral at this point tbh. :D

 

[yeji]

hmmm, I dunno I was watching a documentary and people in the comments were like "I miss my country so much, I moved to Canada and feel so unhappy etc." My perspective is pretty neutral at this point tbh. :D

I really think it depends on perspective and mentality.

 

[brekker]

I really think it depends on perspective and mentality.

and what is your perspective and mentality on this topic then?

 

[Yili]

well they are still happier though? it is not about what we think they deserve and definitely not what we think they NEED which I think is such a western problem. we come somewhere and we tell people how to live and what to want. rich people come to poor places and their eyes get wide WHAT YOU LIVE LIKE THIS? BUT HOW CAN YOU BE HAPPY? and question the happiness of people! no, you have you have a phone to be happy and shower every day. that´s the thing. we implement our perception of happiness on our people. by "we" I have to say I mean people of rich countries.

but on the other hand, I often feel like maybe people just enjoy complaining anyway no matter how rich they are. why do people migrate from Africa just to complain how bad it is in Europe? like if it was so bad to migrate in the first place, maybe one should be thankful for a shower a day, enough food etc. and yet .. that doesn´t happen.

well i think the fact that they are "happy" shouldn't equate to them being treated fairly or being given the advantages to succeed in life. I think it's important for countries to make strides where they can to become economically, medically, technologically more advanced unless for some reason they are prosperous without it.

You could even say that a lot of people in North Korea are "happy" but they are being brainwashed by their own government into thinking that this is the best way to live. For other countries, they may be "happy" with the way things are but if a country should push for a more stable economy, better healthcare, better education then I think it is their responsibility to. It's not like every country has to become a Western carbon copy but they should pursue trying to become a country where their citizens not only survive but thrive.

There are a lot of people in America that don't have a cell phone and they don't do this and this but the point for me to reach is where choosing a lifestyle that is less technologically based or less modern is a choice. I would rather have them the option to live in their own culture because they want to and not because it is their only choice. That's why globalization is so important so that we can learn from each other and know that there is not only one way to live.

 

[yeji]

and what is your perspective and mentality on this topic then?

it depends on the person and where they grew up and what they learned

 

[RandAlThor]

People seem to help each other more, smile more and be happier because at least they have survived or do you think it is just an illusion?

because STuff does not equal happiness.
many in better off countries are so focused with stuff or some great cause to give meaning to their sad lives they miss out on finding joy and happiness.

 

[Magician]

Well, my grandmother migrated from Argentina to Great Britain and eventually to Ireland when she was ~20 years old.

She definitely wasn't happy in Argentina, because she and her family were starving and she lost two siblings because they couldn't afford a doctor or medication.
Her happiness was to get a high school diploma and becoming a nurse.

I think happiness is subjective. Everyone defines it differently.
Some people are happy with having less and some people want more.
So, I think it's hard to say if people from poorer countries are happier than others.
Some might, but many are not.

 

[Ahsoka]

Why do you think so? All the lists of "Happiest Countries" always lead with rich countries first. Of course it may be inaccurate, but I think the UN one is the closest you can get towards an objective view.

 

[brekker]

well i think the fact that they are "happy" shouldn't equate to them being treated fairly or being given the advantages to succeed in life. I think it's important for countries to make strides where they can to become economically, medically, technologically more advanced unless for some reason they are prosperous without it.

You could even say that a lot of people in North Korea are "happy" but they are being brainwashed by their own government into thinking that this is the best way to live. For other countries, they may be "happy" with the way things are but if a country should push for a more stable economy, better healthcare, better education then I think it is their responsibility to. It's not like every country has to become a Western carbon copy but they should pursue trying to become a country where their citizens not only survive but thrive.

There are a lot of people in America that don't have a cell phone and they don't do this and this but the point for me to reach is where choosing a lifestyle that is less technologically based or less modern is a choice. I would rather have them the option to live in their own culture because they want to and not because it is their only choice. That's why globalization is so important so that we can learn from each other and know that there is not only one way to live.

I don´t think I have ever implied that "happiness" should equal "stop getting financial or any kind of support" though so I am sorry but I am a bit missing the point. I think that if people ask for it they should get it, but there are a lot of people who really don´t care. I have watched a documentary about slums in one of the African countries and one of the elders in the village said what a disaster it is, how their youngsters go to overcrowded cities instead of staying at home for some fake pursuit of happiness. He said, white people came and told us how to live and how our ways of life are primitive, a lot of young people left to follow the glittery dream of big cars and big houses. But not everyone can be successful, not everyone can be a doctor.

I have watched another documentary where people were sending some support to a girl (I guess UNICEF? one of those "support a child and you´ll get letters how they are shining at school" and the girl about 8 honestly said that she hates school. But how she feels she now HAS TO do it because she should be grateful and become a doctor or someone important because of guilt or so. After all, aren´t the rich white people paying for that?

But that is "happy" I am talking about HAPPY, really happy. I wasn´t really talking about North Korea or fake happiness that we might all be brainwashed into thinking that having a good education, a house, a garden, two little kids is happiness but is it? About North Korea, it is quite funny that I watched an interview with a NK defector (on Asian Boss) and he said that he can´t ever say something was better in NK because people in SK immediately go berserk about how he should return etc. He said he is happy to live in SK but there ARE things that are better in NK and how similar some of the things like media are in both countries while the so-called democratic countries are so eager to distance themselves from it and point fingers, we are not like them! yet they are.

I like your argument yet I think it goes far from the original question. It seems like we are doubting the people can be happy and constantly talking about improvement while the question should probably state "people feel happier ... why?"

perhaps a better and concrete example could be Bhutan? it is rich country in resources but most people are still far from rich, yet they are all claiming to be one of the happiest nations, always smiling, always helping each other.

 

[brekker]

Why do you think so? All the lists of "Happiest Countries" always lead with rich countries first. Of course it may be inaccurate, but I think the UN one is the closest you can get towards an objective view.

Have you ever seen what are those lists based off? The questions are about mostly about economy and social sphere hence why Finland , the country with most suicides in the 90s that literally had to start finally DOING something to prevent people from killing themselves because the numbers were just scary.

 

[brekker]

it depends on the person and where they grew up and what they learned

and that´s a good recipe on "how to dodge a question" and try to be as politically correct :D

 

[brekker]

because STuff does not equal happiness.
many in better off countries are so focused with stuff or some great cause to give meaning to their sad lives they miss out on finding joy and happiness.

thank you for finally understanding my question :D

 

[Yili]

I don´t think I have ever implied that "happiness" should equal "stop getting financial or any kind of support" though so I am sorry but I am a bit missing the point. I think that if people ask for it they should get it, but there are a lot of people who really don´t care. I have watched a documentary about slums in one of the African countries and one of the elders in the village said what a disaster it is, how their youngsters go to overcrowded cities instead of staying at home for some fake pursuit of happiness. He said, white people came and told us how to live and how our ways of life are primitive, a lot of young people left to follow the glittery dream of big cars and big houses. But not everyone can be successful, not everyone can be a doctor.

I have watched another documentary where people were sending some support to a girl (I guess UNICEF? one of those "support a child and you´ll get letters how they are shining at school" and the girl about 8 honestly said that she hates school. But how she feels she now HAS TO do it because she should be grateful and become a doctor or someone important because of guilt or so. After all, aren´t the rich white people paying for that?

But that is "happy" I am talking about HAPPY, really happy. I wasn´t really talking about North Korea or fake happiness that we might all be brainwashed into thinking that having a good education, a house, a garden, two little kids is happiness but is it? About North Korea, it is quite funny that I watched an interview with a NK defector (on Asian Boss) and he said that he can´t ever say something was better in NK because people in SK immediately go berserk about how he should return etc. He said he is happy to live in SK but there ARE things that are better in NK and how similar some of the things like media are in both countries while the so-called democratic countries are so eager to distance themselves from it and point fingers, we are not like them! yet they are.

I like your argument yet I think it goes far from the original question. It seems like we are doubting the people can be happy and constantly talking about improvement while the question should probably state "people feel happier ... why?"

perhaps a better and concrete example could be Bhutan? it is rich country in resources but most people are still far from rich, yet they are all claiming to be one of the happiest nations, always smiling, always helping each other.

I think it is a serious issue of how a lot of 1st world people come into a different country and try to change it without understanding it so I get what you mean there. They shouldn't be forced to try to be the MOST successful like being a doctor, that is where people go wrong when they try to help others. It's not about trying to make them all doctors all lawyers. What is the most important is an educated choice. Giving them the chance to become anything they want, and be able to be supported in that way. She shouldn't be forced to be a doctor she should be encouraged through education to be what she wants. If she wants to be a farmer let her be a farmer, but without the education you aren't even giving her a chance to see the other options.

I think that in the end that we have different ideas of happiness. After all I'm not saying that people who live in the first world are always going to be happy. But at least so many of them have the choice of how they want to live. People in third world countries can't always say, thanks but this life isn't for me I want something different and then have the opportunity to do that. They should have the option to want the life they have or pursue a different one. Give them the education and the support to make whatever life they want to have, but I don't want to just say they're happy and say that is enough. To me happiness like that is an illusion if they don't know what else is out there. Someone can be happy being raised in a metal box if that is all they know but is it right for them to just live in that little box? For me it's not, not if they don't know what the world out there is like.

Hope my point came across more clearly

 

[Ahsoka]

Have you ever seen what are those lists based off? The questions are about mostly about economy and social sphere hence why Finland , the country with most suicides in the 90s that literally had to start finally DOING something to prevent people from killing themselves because the numbers were just scary.

From what you are saying and what I can find it seems that the suicide rate did indeed peak in the 90s, and has since then been decreasing for the most part. If you want to compare suicide rates, poor countries lead that as well, with richer countries making appearances primarily based on how bad their view of mental health is (for example South Korea). The lists may not show everything ofc, but I still think that the idea of people being happier in poor countries doesn't have much to back it up other than anecdotal evidence.

 

[brekker]

I think it is a serious issue of how a lot of 1st world people come into a different country and try to change it without understanding it so I get what you mean there. They shouldn't be forced to try to be the MOST successful like being a doctor, that is where people go wrong when they try to help others. It's not about trying to make them all doctors all lawyers. What is the most important is an educated choice. Giving them the chance to become anything they want, and be able to be supported in that way. She shouldn't be forced to be a doctor she should be encouraged through education to be what she wants. If she wants to be a farmer let her be a farmer, but without the education you aren't even giving her a chance to see the other options.

I think that in the end that we have different ideas of happiness. After all I'm not saying that people who live in the first world are always going to be happy. But at least so many of them have the choice of how they want to live. People in third world countries can't always say, thanks but this life isn't for me I want something different and then have the opportunity to do that. They should have the option to want the life they have or pursue a different one. Give them the education and the support to make whatever life they want to have, but I don't want to just say they're happy and say that is enough. To me happiness like that is an illusion if they don't know what else is out there. Someone can be happy being raised in a metal box if that is all they know but is it right for them to just live in that little box? For me it's not, not if they don't know what the world out there is like.

Hope my point came across more clearly

weeeell, do you know what universe is like? and yet you can live happily, no? happiness is not about what is out there, it is exactly about what is inside you :)

but I guess we´ll never agree on this. thanks for sharing your view though.

 

[Yili]

weeeell, do you know what universe is like? and yet you can live happily, no? happiness is not about what is out there, it is exactly about what is inside you :)

but I guess we´ll never agree on this. thanks for sharing your view though.

thank you for sharing your view with me, i am glad we can respect each others differences