Why do people in developed countries smile less than in third world countries?

[cgymike]

I was just talking with a guy in Suriname about it and we agreed that in the netherlands for instance no one really smiles that much but in Suriname (one of their former colonies) they do all the time even though their lot in life is tougher compared to people in developed countries like the Netherlands. And you see this in Africa too..

Maybe it's the climate cause Canadians aren't smiley people either...of course many descended from Scots...LOL

One of the worst countries for lack of smiling is the UK...frowns all around must be the crap weather yup!

Or am I just stereotyping?

 

[panda29]

Because most people don't realize how good they have it !!!!

 

[zoltanspawn]

With enough lack, a man can build a house out of song.

 

[refujiunderground]

are you asking if why people in third world countries more happier than those leveling in developed countries? if so, then that's a very interesting question. there was something like that i saw where they said that shit. off topic but in my psychology book from college, they said something about how third world or developing countries had less cases of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety and eating disorders compared to developed countries. weird.

 

[cgymike]

I would add Sweden to near the top pf the list...do they ever smile? Wow.....But I retract the correlation to weather. it can't be as simple as that since Inuits are always smiling and they have the worst weather on earth (close to worst). Maybe it is culture but that's simplistic too.

 

[Laufey]

I think its probably just the locations rather than the culture or financial status.

The northern you go the less people smile on average (not generalizing).

Its like that here in Iceland just like the other nordic countries.

 

[swerve]

Generalizations usually have SOME basis in reality...

So -- IF your premise is CORRECT -- this is DEFINITELY an interesting discussion...

I don't know about the whole world -- but I travel extensively throughout the U.S. -- and I have similar generalizations about different regions, cities, etc...

My initial guess would be that human nature dictates to some degree assimilation...

 

[Beachguyj]

Because walking around smiling all the time makes you look like a simpleton.

 

[purina]

I've heard that one is less likely to smile at people of lower status or power and vice versa.

 

[JayHawk]

Generalizations usually have SOME basis in reality...

So -- IF your premise is CORRECT -- this is DEFINITELY an interesting discussion...

I don't know about the whole world -- but I travel extensively throughout the U.S. -- and I have similar generalizations about different regions, cities, etc...

My initial guess would be that human nature dictates to some degree assimilation...

So whats the happiest place in the USA... by region that is?

I think less stress equals more happy... basic as possible. think about if your day consisted of finding food... in more developed society that is called hunting and is a hobby.

there is something quite satisfying about doing menial labor that has an immediate result versus balancing ones and zeros on a spreadsheet to make the half a million you have left in budget stretch to the next quarter...

I am going to get back to chasing my food and forget about chasing the dollar.

 

[swerve]

Because walking around smiling all the time makes you look like a simpleton.

Off topic -- but appearing a simpleton can OFTEN work to YOUR advantage!!!

 

[csb999]

opinion , not having particularly travelled . I would think it largely has to with getting something pleasantly . Beggars third-world would smile constantly , here salesmen probably smile more than most . Most interaction between people in developed countries would usually involve no personal exchange at all beyond "hello"or just making eye contact .

 

[cgymike]

People in northern Europe and America must learn how to smile like those guys in tropical countries...

it must be because the pathetic chilling weather unable us to smile...I hate my weather!!

Seattle is mild even warm compared to central canada so quityabitchin....

 

[goldenmoth]

I guess the thing is when you're at the top you have to worry about everything

 

[HunterM]

When people live beyond their means, they're less happy in the long term.

Most people living in third world countries don't have credit cards/loans and bill collectors chasing after them. So they save what money they have and pay cash for what they can only afford.

 

[HunterM]

Surveys said...people in Denmark are the happiest people in the world.

 

[Telstra]

.
Because more pressure are put on the individuals to succeed in the developed world.
But most don't succeed and getting fat, getting depressed, using drugs ... etc.

 

[freefall]

Because the people you see on the road are no longer people. They are either robots, holograms, or cutout cardboard banners.

What technology and excessive gluttony welfare have done to humanity.

 

[zoltanspawn]

Yes, there's condescension in the idea that people are happy being poor.

But I think there's also something to consider in that obsessive materialism doesn't produce happiness.

And, that poverty can teach you what the elements of happiness are.

 

[Laufey]

The stress factor and a priorities seem to have a lot to do with it.

For some reason most northern countries are more stressed than the ones in the south.

Even just in Europe you see a big difference between a country like the Uk and then a country like Italy where people are more relaxed. In more relaxed societies people take more time to spend with their families.