I have been to places like South Africa, Kenya and Guatemala and although the people are poor they are so very happy. They might live in tiny houses and have poverty. They value their family and they don't have many possessions. I have been to places like Norway, Switzerland and the USA and some of the people are really wealthy. They don't seem all that happy and some of them are really miserable.
Do you think the poorer people are happy? Why? Why not?
Why are some of the people in the richer countries miserable?
[question posted by maximax8]
responses and comments:
you are right. these people are happy with simple things that we take for granted. people in rich countries see what is available in the stores and seem to always want more. the trick is to be content with the stuff you already have. [cher913]
Thanks for your excellent response. I would love to visit the Philippines. The people there sound really happy and friendly. The people have so little but are totally content. In richer countries it is the "I want... sort of feeling that most people have that makes them discontent. happyhappy [maximax8]
I think that the difference lies in the contentment area. I understand when you mentioned that many people in poor countries live a happier life than those in big cities and advanced countries. I have come from the poor town in our country and I am now living in the city. I experienced being happier in the mountain with folks who are happy than being in the city with a lot of misery. But I know that there are also a lot of people in the city who are happy because they know how to handle their life. Have a happy and wonderful day.happy [learn2earn]
Maxi, it just goes to show that happiness is not always from material things or money. It is also possible for the poor and those having just enough, to be happy. Of course, money makes life comfortable but it can't buy happiness. People who are poor worry less and they are contented with what they have. Although they don't have many possessions in life, family and friends are more than wealth to them. Here, in the Philippines, we don't have to spend much to be able to enjoy things. It is enough that you sit with family and friends and just chat over a basket of peanuts or over nothing at all. People in richer countries worry a lot about earning more money leaving not enough or little time for themselves or their families. It is so easy to make a poor man happy because he is contented with any little thing that comes his way unlike the rich man who gets frustrated with something that comes below his expectation. [moneymakingtoday]
Hi friend, In every country of the world (rich or poor) there are happy people and people who feel miserable. It doesn´t have to do with money. Happiness comes from within. And every person in unique. Hug! [marguicha]
happyhello maximax, Ilol think you're missing the point in terms of the poor, but i agree that most people in the poor or third World countries are most likely happy with their lives. you know the main reason to that is "THEY HAVE NOTHING ELSE" to WORRY about since all they can think of is food,shelter and family. whereas, in the Big City or in the rich areas in the countries you mentioned. most of them are always in a hurry and need to be in time for this and that. too many things to worry about makes people unhappy. like me, am worried about a lot of things too but if i ever had no connection with technology,work and prefer simpler life, i think i could find a bit of happiness, probably contentment.LIFE was a lot SIMPLER before technology became popular. [LetranKnight25]
Try to consider coming here in the philippines and you will surely love the people. Im saying this coz im proud to be a filipino and we still keep our values to be hospitable at all times to visiting people..hehe. Yes we are poor but as long as we have hearts, it doesn't matter anymore coz we'll always be happy despite poverty.:) [xerexie]
I think that our rampant consumerism and the trying to "Keep up with the Jones'" lifestyle is overrated.Especially at the moment,when businesses are going under,jobs are being lost and people are learning to live within their means,rather than outside them..Family and friends are more important than how much stuff you have.. [ShepherdSpy]
I think the people in the third world countries are happy despite the prevailing poverty because of simplicity. Simple life means simple needs. No materialism. They are contented with what they have. They value family so much because this is their treasure, their priceless possession that cannot be compared with any material riches. They are happy as long as they have each other. People in the rich countries despite the astounding riches are not happy at times because they couldn't appreciate what they have or uncontented with the comfort or enjoyment brought about by their money. It is true that they have the best homes, latest gadgets, expensive cars, abundant food. Yet they don't have a strong and intact family. Lots of marriages have failed because of the easy way out called divorce. This is one of the hazards of liberality. Get married today, divorce tomorrow and the cycle goes on. People tend to choose the easy way out instead of working on the marriage because of the fact that there is an easy way out. They are no longer inclined of working hard or exerting more effort on something because they are used to the comfort that they are experiencing. And they can no longer survive without that comfort. [PrincessThinker]
Hi maximax, I come from India. Most Indians eat with their hands. They dont cost anything, forks, knives, and spoons do. Within that there are different kind of forks (Pretty Woman lol). So whe people are Hosting a dinner, they have one more problem to consider, are there adequate forks for every guest? Similarly, there are many things - artificially manufactured - and therefore costly, which have become integral parts of our lives. Obviously, cost of each such thing weighs, even if adequate earnings are there. We've different types of Dresses to be worn for different types of parties. The poor are in the least concerned. They manage with a couple of sets. Unwittingly, we make it tougher for ourselves. :) [vandana7]
I think that being richer gives you more luxurious options that would certainly make your day better, but everything has a bad side, doesn't it? Poorer people have an advantage in friends and sticking up for each other... they don't have technological advances like richer people do, but they have themselves, the art of literature and friendship. Some people in the richer countries have to suffer from things that may be economically impossible for poorer countries, such as debts, wars and all that stuff. [1starrynite]
no being rich gives us more tension and we become too materialistic and always run before money [vivekkumarnayak]
when you have little one learns to enjoy the small things...and you are happiest [callistos]
Well I'm glad to hear that some of the poorer countries out there are still happy. It kind of makes sense though because people in the richer countries or richer people don't really find the beauty in the little things anymore. People that don't have as much are much more easily entertained and are much more greatful for what they have then people that have a lot. [jambi462]
Hi. I really don't think so. I think it's their acceptance. they can't change it for now. So why be unhappy? this won't change a thing. Hapiness comes from the heart, not from money. money can bring temporary hapiness. which can last for a while but not forever. I don't think they are happier. because in some countries they don't even have food to eat. [reploid]
Yes I agree that poorer people are always happy because they never think about future. They always think about today. They just earn for a day and spend it on that day itself. But wealthy people always think about what they need to do tomorrow to get more wealth, this itself makes them to pressure which makes to disappear their happiness. [world2lot]
It is because "the lesser who have, the less worry it brings to your life" as well as "the more you have the bigger problem it will bring to you". I think it applies to most of us. If you are poor, then you will be contented on what you have and try to live a happy life as you don't worry too much. Whereas when you are rich, theres a bigger things to worry about (especially how to get richer). Poor people learn to be contented and rich ones never stop of becoming more richer. [Fulltank]
As somebody who lives in the third world, I can say this is true. Filipinos are incredibly resilient and good-natured. They can laugh and smile in the midst of adversity. It can be because they have better appreciation for life. Being able to meet the basic needs is enough satisfaction whereas in richer places, contentment is harder to achieve. [wahmivy]
Happiness is never directly proportionate to ones wealth. If that were true there would hardly be any happy people around. Blessed are those who can dig out happiness even from a dingy hole. We all know that even the mediocre have a right to happiness. It is not how much we have but what we make of what we have is the secret of being happy. For some the glass is half full and for some it is half empty. A couple returned from a holiday and the wife was all excitement narrating the beautiful places they visited but the husband only talked about how they were harassed by the customs when they returned!! That is the difference. Happiness has nothing to do with any country per se. It is ones mind set. [allknowing]
maximax8, Those who gave their comments were right, its not about money, Its finding happiness in simple things! Being happy and thankful with what you have, like being happy with your family, with your friends,with your health. I believe in the saying "The best things in life are free" which is true for my part, I'm living a simple life yet i'm very happy. But also remember that not all rich people are having a miserable life some are even generous enough to help. The BOTTOM LINE? Its in the hearts of people. its in our hearts! [michael74]
I have noticed this as well. When I worked retail and worked with a lot of African immigrants. They worked 2 jobs usually and got around 5 hours of sleep a day. But they were always so happy. I always describe some of those poorer immigrants or those in their home countries as "joyous". I envy their ability to be so happy in such hardship, it really puts things into perspective [MrNiceGuy]
Hi friend, Perhaps they don't have much money, but they are not poor man in life and family. As you have said above, they might live in tiny houses and have poverty; They don't have many possessions. But these don't mean that they have to face the poor life. In fact, in my eyes, they are enjoying a simple life without any contests. Perhaps people living in a rich family can enjoy a better life, it doesn't mean that they can enjoy a real happy life. In fact, some of the people in the richer countries are miserable for they have to face various troubles while the poor have no "chances" to meet these problems. [getbrowser]
Perhaps the poors have less ambition and expectation, so they can be happy easily. Whereas the riches have to work harder to gain more money. And they are busy at work and hardly take a break to enjoy their life. So they will have worries. I wonder whether this is the reason. I love China [youless]
I think that they probably are happier because not only do they appreciate the simple things that many others tend to take for granted, but they also do not have a lot of the worries that other, wealthier people have. For example, they live in smaller houses, so maintainance is likely a bit easier. They all seem to help each other more as well, in my opinion. I think that those who are wealthier tend to feel stressed out more due to work and trying to maintain a social standard. They fear failure more so than those who are living a simpler life. [lynnemg]
I think that it is purely depending upon the person and his mentality. Generally poor people are happy as it seems to be because the have less burden of wealth & property in their thoughts. I think they don't have a hugh target like wealthy people but only to earn the bread and butter for the family for that day and if possible for the next day and nothing more than that. So their target is easily fulfilled and can be touched everyday whereas rich people set targets to become more wealthy and definitely at the cost of their happiness. I too have seen the cases in my country India. I have closely seen tribe people here. They both (men and women) earn their living at the daytime working at construction places and men spend their night at country wine shop and women do cooking and educate the children. [think_twice]
Hello maximax8 this is checkmail and me too notied that the poor are happy as compared with the rich.The poor peoples have less responsibilty as that of the rich.The wealthy peoples have to risk more than the poor person.And the time which we give our family and ourself is less given by the rich peoples due to busy schedule in work to maintain their rich standard.Well there is a say wealth also comes along with a misery of a diff kind. [checkmail]
I do have to agree with you on this one that poorer people are alot more happier than people that have all the money in the world. My husband don't have very much money and yet we are happy. Although like you have said, there are people out there that could have all the money in the world and they are very miserable. Maybe because some of them are alone and they may not have the support of their family. Although they may have everything that they could ever want and more. But well, I have always been told that money doesn't buy happiness and I think that is so true. I am residing in the USA and I see what you mean by the people that live here and they are rich and they are sad. Sometimes you wonder if it should be the other way around. That the poor people should be sad and that the rich people should be happy. [trisha27]
You are very correct. Possession of many things cannot really bring happiness. I had been in sierra leone for 1 year. I also realized this. With almost no property they remain so happy! the more you own things in this world, the more complicacy you start enjoying. Comparatively less wealthy people are more happy alwaysin everywhere in this world. [borhan]
I think its because people of poorer countries are okay and greatful for the little they have. also they are not use to seeing newer things. [babymimi05]
My professor in college once told us that people who are rach and have everything are the person who didnt have happiness and contentment in life compare to poor people and average people. People who grew up in a wealthy family crave more for power and wealth unlike simple people who are happy on what they have as long as the family is complete and not starving. [junmae]
Yes, I think poor people are happy. The reason why is because they appreciate what they do have and like you said, they value their family. I've always heard that people who are well off are miserable because they always want more. They haven't learned to appreciate the things they do have and be content with things the way they are. Kathy. [cyrus123]
I'm not rich so I can only guess why some rich people are miserable. First, due to their wealth, they're afraid that they'll get robbed so they're naturally suspicious if your suspicious, you are more anxious, the more anxious you are, the more stress you get, the more stress you have, the more miserable your life becomes. Simple. While the poor people have no choice but to be happy, because if you have no money and you're still miserable then why don't you just hang yourself LOL. Cheers! [ybong007]
hi maximax well i understand, the way you have said it, it is true, sometimes normal people who don't have lots of money but a good family are actually content with what ever they have, i guess they even live a better social life with their surrounding neighbours unlike other rich and wealthy people who seem to be always busy with their work... instead sometimes these rich people worry about their money itself, or sometimes they can never get enough... the other people who are content with their family and themselves don't have much to worry about... [voldrox]
it is because in our heart, we all want to be rich, but for how many is the rich are different. when we are hungry, we want to eat enough food to eat, when we are not need to worried more about food, we want to worried about who's life is better, who's salary is good and so on,so it is easy to think about why poorer countries are happy.as the person in those country are worried less thing than ours'. good luck and have a nice day! [haiershen]
Not easy to find happines than wealthy,wealthy still to be bought, happines, who is selling? I wanted to feel happy even it not also have a lot of property, I still can't, because in my heart still thinkin about property, while my soul, still agitated. I was very impressed with the people of South Africa. [dodijuniansyah]
Yes, I agree. I think that people who just have life's basics do appreciate the things that matter a lot more. They appreciate their belongings more as things are more precious when you have less of them, they appreciate their families as they might live in more precarious circumstances, and they appreciate nature much more than we do, as they live closer to it and rely on it more (or rather they're much more aware than we are that they rely on it), and see the interest in respecting it and preserving it. Also, the cultures and religions in these poorer countries encourage respect for all life. In richer countries with all the things that we have and have access to, we've lost sight to some extent, of what's important. We eat convenience foods, not realising what's in them, or how much environmental damage we're doing by consuming them. We spend so much time hooked up to the virtual worlds of TV and the internet that we don't notice what's going on around us. And we might not have as much face to face contact with our friends and families. Most of all we don't take the time to appreciate the people in our lives or how lucky we are. [liquorice]
Because the money is route of all evil they do anything they want and specially buy to because of money and there attitude is became bad there all wealth is not from G OD's blessing it came buy evil one because GOD power not through by wealth it is through by spiritual thing. [ebuscat]
I think what make people unhappy is their desire .In poor place ,people maybe just want to live with family and friend .But in rich place ,they have cars,and thay want biggest car.So thay must work harder.In china ,a saying is that more idea after full and warm,so how people can happy with so much desire [linuzz]
I agree also that poorer countries are happy, like here in our country we poor people are contented on simple life and they are happy you could see smile on there faces eventhough they have a lot of problems in life. simple are more happy than those who are not contented because some they do only bad things just to be on the top but they are not happy. [jayzelle]
I live in a poor country. But I am very well educated inspite of all the sufferings and sacrifices. Yes poor people have very little to tend to and live mostly very happy lives. They have not much stuff in their houses and live day to day. Poor people are more or less without debt because they have no collateral to get a loan. Unlike most rich people in my country they are either covered in debt for businesses or mortgage for their houses and other luxury stuff. This doesn't mean this is a good thing. Because countries with poor people has definitely have a major problem how it is run. People are manipulated for endless goals for wealth. Which is totally evil in my opinion. Lol.happy [wolveren]
They are happy because their needs are little.The rich people always want to be more rich.Their wants are unlimited.So always they are thirsty and miserable. [bhanusb]
ok maximax - you are not really talking about poverty here if the people you refer to have houses and i assume enough food. i agree that you don't need very much to be happy - really just the basics - and there are happy and unhappy people in every single country in the world. i think cultural differences may mean that unhappiness is shown more in some countries than others and certainly consumerism has a lot to answer for. however in a lot of countries there are people who lack the basics, or who have to struggle every day to get them and this is not a peaceful life by any means. if you have enough then you can be happy (or unhappy), if you don't then life will not be easy. [jb78000]
i don't think poor people are happier. i just think that they are just grateful for what they do have. and they are not consumed with what they don't have. they may not be rich in things, but they are rich in love and family and life. that doesn't seem very poor to me... [34momma]
I have noticed this too and I believe it is because they are living a more simple lifestyle and are time rich. They have the time to spend with their family and friends enjoying the simple things in life! Most people in the richer western countries are time poor, as they go to work all day and are too tired to spend quality time with friends and family of a night and are busy on weekends catching up on things. Life is too fast paced and most feel like life is slipping away too quickly as they battle just to earn enough to keep up with society. sad It just goes to show that money is not everything and time is far more important. If we waste money, we can always get it back, but if we waste time, it is gone forever! shocked [RawBill1]
Poor are only poor in money dear and not in happiness!. Many riches are also happy but they are just hidden. Happiness is totally different from money and wealth. Happiness resides from poorest on the roads to riches of kingdom. Many poor are also not happy and some commits suicides because of no means to live. I don't know where you got this data. Thanks and God bless [directsaurabh]
hi maximax, happiness is according to their behavier and living ness,but not with money ,while earning money it is also a dangerous habbit of running behind money,there are lot of things related in money earning,that thing will be give happy ness in rich people,rich people cannot enjoy life also,but the poor mingle with all in their community and live happily,but the rich could not mingle with other rich people,because comparing richness in them,have a nice day [yugasini]
You know I would like that they were. I mean they only know that way of life. Now if there is a lot of crime, I could see not being so happy. But you can't really miss what you don't or never had. [amypta]
I don't think happiness has anything to do with being rich or poor, but in your attitude. [6precious102]
On my own opinion, it is nice to live in a simple way of style or living. I remember the Lord's said "happy are the poor" where the spirit of God is with them. Well it has a deep meaning. Simple living is less complicated and problems except the money or material needs. But it can solve by means of accepting what life they have been. Acceptance is the best for us to be contented and happy. And we cannot achieve this without the grace of the Lord. Have nice day friend!happy [mods196621]
Because real happiness lies in the relations with peoples and good friends round you instead of wealth and prosperity. Everyone knows money is most important thing in life but always remember relatives and friends worth more than money. In west they prefer money over all things so they will get money but cant get the real happiness of life. One wise man said the most poor person of this world is not whom who dont have a single penny but who dont have a good friend. Happiness lies in peoples relations. We are living in a materialistic world where relations between humans are dying rapidly. Death is not the ultimate loss, ultimate loss is when we are alive and relations die within us. [rockydam83]
You can find lots of people like that here in my country. People here can smile even in the hardest times of their life. Maybe you have seen the news about the flash floods and landslides brought about by the typhoons that have come our way these past months. Though, they're homes have been washed out by the floods or the landslides they can still smile at the simplest relief goods they are given. I do not know what makes them happy. Sometimes, i think that maybe they are contented with what they have already or maybe they just simply look at all things in the positive way. Though it be misfortune like calamities, or the hardships of life and it makes me proud to be a Filipino, because i know that through these hardships and difficulties they still see a silver lining behind. Maybe it is their faith in God, that no matter what, all that is important is life itself, which was given to us by Him. [sweetie1026]
i heard of it, the more u have, the more u want. then u are not satisfied with the life, and then cant be happy as before. also just as learning the knowledge, when u dont know much, u think u know much. that's grade 1 in college. when u really know sth, u feel u have too much u dont know, the later grades. lol usually, the rich have more or bigger desires, then they focus on how to get it, and forget to enjoy the life. maybe so. dont know it's true or not. w00t [yolanda19191]
You are right.Being rich does not necessarily mean being happy.Making yourself happy needs a lot more than(or,something other than) having a lot of money.Happiness is a state of mind whereas money is a material thing.According to the great Hindu sages,Happiness lies in being above riches and penury.Simply speaking,it is in being satisfied with whatever you have or whatever you get.The lesser your desires and wants and expectations,the happier you are.People who are poor but happy are not happy just because they are poor.Being poor can never amount to being happy after all.Or,you can say poverty does not mean happiness.People who are happy despite being poor are happy only because they have less wants and lesser expectations.They even don't have the responsibilities that are associated with riches.So they feel light hearted and careless.Happiness does not have anything to do with being rich. [saumitrakumar]
some people probably don't think of themselves as poor by their idea of it. if anything,they probably pity us having almost no time with our families anymore and working 2 or 3 jobs only to live in crappy apartments with noise and leaks and no view whatsoever. wealth occasionally looks different viewed through other eyes. [scarlet_woman]
You're lucky to have traveled to all those places! I would have to agree that poorer people, as long as they are not so poor that they can't eat or get Medical attention, are generally happier. They usually have a very close family and community and help others out. It seems as though they cherish what they have and are willing to share it with others. [flurbl]
I think that it all has to do with wealthier nations' fascination with material objects. People who don't have the money for them aren't going to have enough of them to be obsessed with. They value their family more than anything else - that's the secret. [Staraven]
i aggree with u something ,happy dont always build on money and wealth.most people will get into happy under the a good famil with kind and peac.and the whole family will get together face the diffuclites and trouble ,and all the family hope that they will sight the sunny of hope . [owntuilp]
hi maxim, i guess happy are they because poor people are content with what they have. it is when rich people seek for something that they want even if they have a lot already that makes a person miserable.cryangry annhappy [tigeraunt]
It may be true.But I don't thing that one cannot generalise things like that because happiness is a state of mind and you can see the ones who mastered this arts among the developed and poor countries too. May be the people of the poor countries are deep rooted in their beliefs of Karma. Or they are proving that the ignorance is a bliss. The more you know about the gadgets they more you yearn to possess them which becomes a misery. One is always happy when he knows how much is enough. And one can be as happy as his hearts wants to be.happy happyhappy [balasri]
I think some people with money over-complicate their lives. People who are poor don't get that option - and if you don't have it you don't worry about it and you concentrate on things that matter - food, shelter, family, friends - rather than all the material crud that doesn't. Some people who are wealthy do simplify their lives, they cut down their material possessions and streamline their lives and, once they have conditioned themselves to the new life, are usually very happy with it. [hvedra]