Monday, July 31, 2006

Move to Denmark

My parents just got back from their trip to Russia & Scandanavia late last night. I was wondering whether I should call her during a lull in my morning schedule or at the end of my morning. Sometimes my mom is very talkative, and sometimes she's not.

So, I took my chances. I just got off the phone after a 30 minute conversation. Don't get me wrong, I'm not upset, my mom is just funny sometimes. She gets into this long story about how my dad couldn't find the right currency for that country (apparently that person did not accept Euros), but my mom really wanted this sovenier. They went with a big group of their friends. And, the airline stories....

Why am I telling this story? Well, I think mom's funny. And, I found this CNN article about a study with partial data from the United Nations (we know how reliable they are -- HA!) and conducted by a British scientist.

According to this study, Denmark is the "happiest" country. The United States came in at 23rd, Britain was in 41st place, Germany 35th and France 62nd. Other countries were not given (for my other international readers out there -- Sorry!).
"Smaller countries tend to be a little happier because there is a stronger sense of collectivism and then you also have the aesthetic qualities of a country," White [the researcher] said.
What does that quote even mean? I think that's research double-speak. I mean, only 5 million people live in the entire country. Maybe they make all the unhappy people move to Germany? Maybe it because of that whole viking heritage thing that they got going there? Who knows? Anyone been there (other than my parents)? What's the deal with Denmark?

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

LOL it sounds like your mom had a good time and im glad she did!!!!

I don't trust the studies *grin* they always seem.... to imcomplete;0

Sarebear said...

Doesn't Denmark have legal marijuana? And then there's all the sex shops all over the place.

Or something. Europeans are much freer about sex and stuff, I've heard. Course, the French still suck, and this "research" shows it. Hee hee.

Mother Jones RN said...

You are a good son to call your mother. My kids call me when they need money for school:-) I bet you made her day.

kario said...

I'm still stunned that the U.S. came in as high as it did! Maybe they need to poll red vs. blue states to get an accurate picture...

Anonymous said...

Well, you know what they say about statistics . . . ;o)

Wrkinprogress said...

My experience of Europeans in general, and spending time in Norway in particular, is that these folks place more priority on relationships and learning about others. Not only that, they get a lot more vacation time than we do, and at least in Norway, they get some kind of special pay to go on holiday.

I don't know about Denmark & the pot -- but in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, they have hash bars!!! Now yer talkin'!

And yeah, they (Norwegians) find violence much more offensive than nudity, so they don't have all these stupid TV shows that show people killing each other, etc. They just have bare breasts! ;)

Anonymous said...

If Sarebear's right, I'm moving to Denmark! >;o)

HP said...

I think it's all those Danish pastries. Yum.

NeoNurseChic said...

Hmmm...I note from that study that Britain is much less happier than the USA. I guess that means I should toss my plans about moving to Britain so that I can start a new, happier life? *sigh* LOL ;)

Anonymous said...

I remember reading about this some days ago. I think India was ranked 125th. Sounds about right. I don't see that many happy people around me :(

Anonymous said...

Well i just got back home (California) from København, Denmark, Ive just been back one week! I spent 3 whole months there and i live with a Danish Family the hole time, so i think i have some input. Denmark is a remarkable place that and i completey Fell in LOVE with it, the first thing i did when i came home was apply for colleges out in Denmark! You have to go there to understand the place. Its seems like people are just talkin outta there ass when they say "i think i heard this" or "that"
Pot is not legal, theres not sex shops on every street. Europeans are just more free minded and more open about sex, its really nice that everything not on the SHH" People there are very careing and helpful to everybody. There very proud and Happy people and they have Every Reason to BE ! made me wish i was Danish ..