So apparently there's a new survey out that ranks the top countries in terms of people's happiness. Not really to my surprise, Switzerland is in it at no.7. Without a doubt, the bankers in Zurich paid lots of money for the ranking (joke!): http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08...ountries/5.htm

Seriously, Switzerland is a great country for married people and families. It's safe, clean and beautiful even if a bit dull for people used to more cosmopolitan and chaotic places. It's such a happy place in Switzerland that even people who want to commit suicide come in droves to get it done Suicide in the land of milk and honey. On the other hand, if you're single working in the city without much local contact, it's a lot less fun.

It is interesting that the most violent country is also the 3rd most happy.

Well, happiness is a warm gun (bang, bang, shoot, shoot)

Is that U2 you're quoting? They come from what is now a very happy country apparently.

No, The Beatles.

I'm afraid UK does not make the top 10 happy place list. No soup for you.

Northern Ireland was placed, though. That is the UK...

Uh. You got me. Ok. Not the main island of the UK then which is probably ranked somewhere near Zimbabwe

It makes me very sad what you are saying here about people committing suicide in this country. Unfortunately I know about quite a number of people that have done so within Neuchâtel even and within the past 5-7 years. From all sorts of walks of life too. Very, very sad and very shocking !!!!

YIIIHAAA - Denmark is number 1. Maybe I should head back to recharge my happiness a little;-)

Would that be England, Scotland or Wales?

I think the people of Zimbabwe are probably quite happy... or at least that's what they are told to be or they are tortured into it...

Sorry, not English or Welsh or Scottish so I don't know the political sensitivities of the various nations in the UK etc. I just know it's more or less rainy and they more or less speak English and their lands are contiguous.

"I think the people of Zimbabwe are probably quite happy... or at least that's what they are told to be or they are tortured into it..."

You must be joking. My cousin lives in Zimbabwe. FYI he owns a manufacturing business. He cannot buy groceries inthe supermarkets since there are none on the shelves. he cannot buy petrol except in 5 gallon tins on the roadside, black market, which is strictly forbidden. I send him groceries and petrol coupons every month. People in Zim are not happy at all. They are suffering a great deal and until South Africa and the SADC actually DO something to get rid not only of Mugabe but the top brass in the army and police, nothing will change. Zim is a very depressing country and its people are worse than miserable.

Umm... read the second part of my sentence and perhaps keep the word "irony" in your mind as you read it...

I think Sandgrounder was making a sarcastic remark. I don't think he/she actually believes Zimbabwe is at present a happy place.

Lets take Ground, thats what this thread is. Regurgitation of threads that have been done too death.

Is that what the "Ignored Threads" option is for on this Forum ???

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Now, this will start another never ending round of discussion
They go by artificial or superficial happiness > people are happier in a country where you can live fairly safe, have food to put on the table, a place to live, a job to go to ... and so forth. Once you don't have to worry about that, you can be happy.
Now that sort of happiness does apparently not prevent this country from having a very high suicide rate and also a very high divorce rate.

Surveys, Polls... got to take them with a grain of salt.

I see them all the time on the news or in articles, where they will say "You are more likely to _____" or "75% of Canadians, blah blah blah" or "You or your spouse, yadda yadda"

Then I think to myself, in my entire life if I have never filled out a survey or been asked a polling question, what pertinence does any poll have to myself. My answer: "Nothing"