Reading for comprehension issues again, Xo? Try re-reading what I wrote. Ask Plane or Ami, if you need some help.
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I thought you meant that you were from NY and therefore you think that if NY were a separate country, it would contain the happiest people.
But if you aren't from NY, then I suppose you mean that (a) you believe that Americans USED TO BE the happiest people, and no longer are, because of all the unhappy New Yorkers, kvetching and complaining and bitching and stewing.
I tend to think that New Jerseyans are probably even less happy than New Yorkers. I recell a New Yorker cartoon, which had a drawing of Donna Karen, looking tearfully at the Staue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline, wearing a t shirt labelled "DKNJ".
And yes, love it or leave it arguments are really dumb.
I have been presented with no proof whatever that Americans were ever the happiest people. I am happy enough personally, but I am not the competitive sort, and just being happy is fuine by me, I have no desire to be happier than any other person in particular, or even know how one might calculate this.
Perhaps the Danes have been happiest ever since the Nazis left. I imagine they were somewhat saddened by the Nazi occupation. During WWII I would imagine that the Swedes and the Swiss beat them out from 1941-45.
Bhutan is the only country trying for the happiness prize. Being Buddhist helps, I think. But I think tthat Bhutanese were not interviewed for this survey.
Americans came in 26th. That is pretty awful, but there are about 208 countries. I don't know how many were surveyed. It seems to have been only Europe and N. America.
I wonder what the happiest state is? Hawaii? Rhode Island? I really have no clue.