Denmark: happiest place in the world

Mike B. said:
Just remember to lock your car in Denmark:

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_car_the_percap-crime-car-thefts-per-capita
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It took me a while to understand that statistics table - what period of time are we talking about? "Car thefts pr. capita"...accumulated since the dawn of man (or the automobile)? It seems to be from 1998-2000, according to the source footnote, but shouldn't that be in the headline description?

These threads always turn into a "my country is better than your country"-thing. In a Denmark vs. the US-thread that once arose on another forum, somebody brought forth the statistics of bike theft, to show how much more crime we have in Denmark. Hilarious. Who the hell would steal a bike in the US? And where would they even find one?
 
Luciana Nery said:
A lot, though newer models are more efficient.
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"A lot".

You're too young to remember the oil crisis in '73 (and live in a climate where concepts like "snow" and "frost" are not a factor), so you don't know the hardships we went through....oh, dear me... (OK, it wasn't like Stalingrad 1942, but it was definitely a major hassle). It taught us to save on energy. My generation and back, anyway.

Luciana Nery said:
But what's the point of being wealthy if you don't use to avoid discomfort? You guys have to check those priorities. :p
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We do. It's only for a few days every other decade or so that we really need an AC.

Luciana Nery said:
I doubt it.

I wonder if, upon being asked, a Dane would answer that yes, they are happy. Obviously, everything you mention above is important, But I also wonder if Danes are not culturally driven to say "yes". Maybe it's a factor in their national identity to consider themselves satisfied.
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We are more culturally driven to say "no", actually. We looove complaining about everything, especially the minor things.
 
CFLarsen said:
We do. It's only for a few days every other decade or so that we really need an AC.
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I own a blender and used it three or four times in many years. But I have it.

We are more culturally driven to say "no", actually. We looove complaining about everything, especially the minor things.
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Minor things, sure, after all, the major things were taken care of. Where are all those street demonstrations, strikes, social upheavels, hardships in general? Nowhere, for decades. Many times I have heard words like "conformed" or "docile" in regard to contemporary Danes.

Apparently, culture impedes Japanese girls to admitting they find themselves attractive in a survey. So many people lie in surveys regarding sex, because there are many societal pressures in this regard. So I'm throwing in a new factor - Danes are culturally driven to find themselves satisfied. Because if, indeed, they were the happiest... would the suicide rates be so high?
 
CFLarsen said:
That's a bit surprising. Why is it so low in Brazil?
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I'm surprised also. We don't eat pork or bacon with frequency, but the major national dish, feijoada, is all about pork. Brazil is currently the major exporter of meat and poultry, and in every day life we eat meat/chicken.

And why so high in Denmark??
 
Luciana Nery said:
I own a blender and used it three or four times in many years. But I have it.
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And can tuck it away. An AC takes up a lot of space.

...you sure don't cook a lot, do you?

Luciana Nery said:
Minor things, sure, after all, the major things were taken care of. Where are all those street demonstrations, strikes, social upheavels, hardships in general? Nowhere, for decades. Many times I have heard words like "conformed" or "docile" in regard to contemporary Danes.
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Well, it's more like "content". We are rich/advanced enough not to need major strikes or social upheavals anymore.

Luciana Nery said:
Apparently, culture impedes Japanese girls to admitting they find themselves attractive in a survey. So many people lie in surveys regarding sex, because there are many societal pressures in this regard. So I'm throwing in a new factor - Danes are culturally driven to find themselves satisfied. Because if, indeed, they were the happiest... would the suicide rates be so high?
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The suicide rates have decreased dramatically in the past decade or so. But one of the reasons why the rate is still relatively high is that we are expected to be happy. Those that are not are perhaps more likely to try to commit suicide.

Luciana Nery said:
I'm surprised also. We don't eat pork or bacon with frequency, but the major national dish, feijoada, is all about pork. Brazil is currently the major exporter of meat and poultry, and in every day life we eat meat/chicken.

And why so high in Denmark??
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We have always eaten a lot of pork here. It's one of our biggest exports. Just ask the Brits.
 
CFLarsen said:
...you sure don't cook a lot, do you?
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I never cook, the blender is only to mix fruit juices, but even that I prefer to buy already made.

My point is that I have a blender in the odd chance that I may need it. Having an airconditioner means you'll be comfortable for entire days whenever a heat wave strikes. I find it a very useful appliance even if it's rarely used.

The suicide rates have decreased dramatically in the past decade or so. But one of the reasons why the rate is still relatively high is that we are expected to be happy. Those that are not are perhaps more likely to try to commit suicide.
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Bold mine. Here you have it - national identity. When asked, Danes will answer they are happy. Surely they are, to some extent... but you answered it better yourself. Societal expectations.
 
Luciana Nery said:
I never cook, the blender is only to mix fruit juices, but even that I prefer to buy already made.
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Tsk, tsk... You're so spoiled.... :p

Luciana Nery said:
My point is that I have a blender in the odd chance that I may need it. Having an airconditioner means you'll be comfortable for entire days whenever a heat wave strikes. I find it a very useful appliance even if it's rarely used.
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Do you also have a spice grinder? A coffee grinder? Several kinds of cutting boards (one for meat, one for vegetables)? A variety of specialized kitchen knives?

If there is anything Danes like to complain about, it is the weather. It is rare to find anyone whose life is influenced in any higher degree by the weather, but everyone talks about it, all the time.

Two Danes, both strangers, meet on a corner. The first thing they do is talk - and complain - about the weather. The next thing they do is form some sort of organization, based on mutural interests.... :)

Luciana Nery said:
Bold mine. Here you have it - national identity. When asked, Danes will answer they are happy. Surely they are, to some extent... but you answered it better yourself. Societal expectations.
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Yep.
 
Dog Boots said:
It took me a while to understand that statistics table - what period of time are we talking about? "Car thefts pr. capita"...accumulated since the dawn of man (or the automobile)? It seems to be from 1998-2000, according to the source footnote, but shouldn't that be in the headline description?

These threads always turn into a "my country is better than your country"-thing. In a Denmark vs. the US-thread that once arose on another forum, somebody brought forth the statistics of bike theft, to show how much more crime we have in Denmark. Hilarious. Who the hell would steal a bike in the US? And where would they even find one?
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Oh,
It was just something I found looking at the tables. It is more tounge in cheek. I really don't believe Denmark is crime ridden.
 
CFLarsen said:
Two Danes, both strangers, meet on a corner. The first thing they do is talk - and complain - about the weather. The next thing they do is form some sort of organization, based on mutural interests.... :)
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Some topics seem to be safe topics, i.e. that is not going to provoke an argument with a stranger. I wonder if weather is the preferred safe topic around the world.
 
Huntster said:
How do all those folks commit those suicides? I'd suppose in Japan it would be with the traditional tanto knife, but Denmark?
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Well, here in Tokyo far too many poor souls use trains to the lasting traumatization of those who are unlucky enough to be witnesses. I myself have been on a train when it hit a jumper and I think I'll spare a description of the experience. Suicide in Japan being a major social issue is no surprise to most, I'm sure. There's just something so deeply wrong about opting for public transit as an efficient means to end it all.
 
kitakaze said:
There's just something so deeply wrong about opting for public transit as an efficient means to end it all.
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It's certainly not utilitarian. At least with (nonviolent on the part of the suicidee) suicide by cop, it can be argued that one is providing valuable training for law enforcement.
 
Dog Boots said:
Who the hell would steal a bike in the US? And where would they even find one?
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Kinda stupid question to ask of the country that brought forth BMX, Freestyle and MTB

Tell you what, Ill take Gonzo Gonzales, Matt Hoffman, Chad degroot, and Rick Moliterno in their respectie fields against anyone Denmark can bring

Hell Ill take ME against anyone Denmark can bring
 
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