And The Happiest Place On Earth Is...

Morley Safer On Why The Danes Are Considered The Happiest People On Earth

(CBS)  "The number one predictor of well-being is close friendships and close relationships in general, which includes of course, family relationships. Much better predictor of well-being than affluence is," Ben-Shahar says.

Ben-Shahar says Americans could learn a lot about happiness from the Danes. "It is about having realistic expectations. It's about not trying to fit in more than we can handle. We can't handle it all. We can't have it all. But we can have a lot," he says.

"You've lived in the states. You visited the states," Safer asked a man. "Would you live there?"

"It's got a grandness to it that you can never imagine here in Denmark. Because it's on a much larger scale. And the differences are much, much bigger. But I wouldn't want my children to grow up there," the man replied.

"Just describe for me the qualities that a successful person would have in this country," Safer asked.

"Well, in order to see myself as a success I would want to be happy and have a lot of time with my family. I think that's very important to me. And the money is not that important," he replied.

"It is more about the softer values, such as not being stressed, and feeling passionate about what I'm doing. 'Maybe this job is not gonna pay me a lot of money. But I'm gonna love getting up and doing it every day,'" another said.

Asked if one can equate money with happiness, a man told Safer, "No."

"If you have a sufficient amount of money, then I don't think it will make you a lot happier to get really rich. And we're already at a good level here in Denmark. So I don't think we'll be happier if we increase our wealth," another remarked.

But these un-melancholy Danes, as laid back as they are, do not lack ambition. "I think that we have very high hopes. Just like any other people who, we just don't get so disappointed when we don't see them through," a man explained.

Asked what he would advise Americans to do, the man said, "Well, okay. I have an advice. Don't depend too much on the American dream. Yeah. I think you might get disappointed."

[wapoola]

The Danes, bless their hearts, have devolved into a nation of antmen; that is: they have very low horizons.

[eric_c--2008]

What a load of socialistic propagandist ***. We are becoming a society that expects to be taken care of by someone else. Our children deserve better of us.

[wapoola]

The Danes, bless their hearts, have devolved into a nation of antmen; that is: they have very low horizons.

[tamu62]

And The Happiest Place On Earth Is...this storry is about the biggest piece of liberal BS I hab ever seen.

[wapoola]

The Danes, bless their hearts, have devolved into a nation of antmen; that is: they have very low horizons.

[blueskies71]

An update to the story might have been appropiate, considering there have been six nights of rioting in Copenhagen. So much for the researchers''credibility.Has the writers strike prevented your staff from reading the news wires? So much for you''re credibility also.

[wapoola]

The Danes, bless their hearts, have devolved into a nation of "antmen;" that is: they have very low horizons.

[iceballer3]

The report made Denmark look completely white. America is unhappy because it still treats its blacks as criminals. Why didn''t the story talk about happiest stemming from a homogeneously white country?

[wapoola]

The Danes, bless their hearts, have devolved into a nation of "antmen;" that is: they have very low horizons.

[gringotts1]

What a bunch of nonsense and pure baloney. Who decided that the Danes are that happy to begin with? And who is that ridiculous professor who states we should keep our goals and dreams realistic? If we had listened to such rubbish we would never have seen the inventiveness, vision and creativity of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Julia Child, Madeline Albright, Condoleeza Rice, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Dr. Jarvik, Bob Proctor, Justino Diaz, Sherill Milnes, and I could go on and on and on. The parameters of the study accept mediocrity over excellence, surrender over victory and dullness over sharp minds. The American Dream is alive and well and available to all who are willing to do the work to reach it. The fellow who said we shouldn''t expect too much of the American Dream is ignorant of what it truly means. The USA doesn''t guarantee you will be successful at what you do but it gives you the opportunity to try. It doesn''t guarantee that you will be wealthy but it gives you the chance to be. Money is important. Does it make you happy? Ask the mother or father who don''t have to cause grief to their children because they''re fighting over money every night. Instead they can teach their children the value of money. We need money. How much depends on the individual, not some robotic point of view that embraces low expectations and mediocrity and calls this happiness. Maybe for the Danes, but not for this writer.

[wapoola]

The Danes, bless their hearts, have devolved into a nation of "antmen;" that is: they have very low horizons.

[maccuspie]

The level of this discussion is sad. Denmark stands by Liberal values of free speech--hence the riots. Those who think this socialist propaganda need only look within themselves for the results of propaganda--American Dream, aka rat race. Greatness has NEVER been valued by material wealth intellectually or spiritually. I hope this wakes some people up about our inhuman system. Viva Democratic Socialism

[jansgal]

Kudos on this story! My husband is from south Sweden and I''ve had the chance to travel around Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Denmark has its issues (who thought up Lutefisk anyway?), but I''ve never been in a country where almost every encounter is pleasant and people everywhere seem genuinely content and friendly. There is no sense of one upmanship that is present almost everywhere here in the US and there''s no sense of entitlement that I''ve seen in other parts of Europe. There is just a pervailing sense of life is good. The only fault I could find with your story was the theme of homogeneity. Denmark is by no means homogeneous. In the course of 4 trips around Denmark over the last 12 years, I''ve noticed a large increase of immigrants - primarily Muslim. In fact on my last trip in April of 2007, I was one of the few women on one train who wasn''t wearing a head scarf. To my way of thinking that is the true test of the Danish secret of contentment and happiness. If they can successfully absorb these immigrants and keep their sense of contentment, that will truly be an accomplishment.

[englishrose5]

Please click on the link below to see another perspective of Denmark.
Subject: SALUTE to Denmark
Worth reading and thinking about.......

SALUTE to Denmark
Susan MacAllen is a contributing editor for (FamilySecurityMatters.org)

Salute the Danish Flag - it''s a Symbol of Western Freedom By Susan MacAllen

[oracle33]

Morley Safer, it would be nice if you checked your stories before presenting them and factored in not just the 2008 riots in Copenhagen, but those in 2007 and 2006. Or do 3,000 people rioting, 500 arrested, cars on fire and murdered police do nothing to diminish your belief that this is the happiest place on earth? Shame on you.

[stanhahn-2009]

Denmark must be heaven on earth, or at least I''d have to think that after being forced to watch your piece. Never expect 60 Mins to let any opposing facts color the talking points. You didn''t mention that this near perfect socialist icon had a suicide rate of 29/100,000 compared to 21.7/ for the US in 2003 (most recent data). http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suiciderates/en/
It''s been 4 years since I''ve given you more than 10 15 seconds. I swore I would not watch 60 Mins again until you did an article on who fabricated Rather''s Bush records and how they duped CBS into accepting it. A first class news organization would do that. To think I used to trust CBS news.

[janieplum]

In my 3 trips to Denmark, the Danes were very quick to criticize United States. However, every single time I asked the same people if they would like to move to the US, the response was YES !! When I asked them "what is the largest problem in Denmark?" Their answer was "the Muslims who are ruining our country by living off our welfare program & being lazy."

[hje48]

Morley Safer''s ''Why The Danes Are Considered The Happiest People On Earth'' omitted the most important aspect of Danish life that surely must contribute mightily to the Danish psyche.

With unhappiness arguably becoming epidemic in the U.S., as exemplified by several recent instances of unparalleled school violence, the difference between the American education system and the Danish education system must not be overlooked.

Please review this report on the Danish education system and ask your ''experts'' to comment on the differences between it and the United States.

"..... Denmark''s large, publicly supported, sector of independent schools is unique. Its long-established tradition of government-financed vouchers, supported by every political party, illustrates the country''s public commitment to school choice. It demonstrates that dependence upon government funding does not necessarily compromise the autonomy of independent schools, even over the long term. Rather, public funding of private choice has produced a diversity of educational alternatives in Denmark that is unparalleled in the Western world."

http://oldfraser.lexi.net/publications/critical_issues/1999/school_choice/section_05.html

It''s not the traditional American Dream that''s problematic. It''s how the monopolized U.S. public education system affects its children and their families with schools that thrive on institutionalized dysfunction for financial motivation.

The Danes have it right.

[capekeely]

You left out a huge part of the story. They are all Danes. There is no huge melting pot of different cultures. Think that might have an effect? If we all looked the same would we be happier? Maybe if we sent them all of our illegals it would change their attitude. Then take another poll next year. Think it would change? You bet it would.

[sabella4]

I think that Spiritual Fitness is part of what brings happiness. And if you''re not into "spiritual," then
use the expression "psychological fitness." Google
that--or even go to a site with a recent article
on spiritual fitness, www.babybloomermagazine.com
and continue your own pursuit of what it means to
be happy. In the meantime, thank you 60 Minutes for
yet another happy note in your archives. I think the
press on negative news is far too heavy in relation
to that which is light and inspiring. We need more
shows like CBS Sunday Morning, for instance, one of my
all time favorites.

[sabella4]

I think that Spiritual Fitness is part of what brings happiness. And if you''re not into "spiritual," then
use the expression "psychological fitness." Google
that--or even go to a site with a recent article
on spiritual fitness, www.babybloomermagazine.com
and continue your own pursuit of what it means to
be happy. In the meantime, thank you 60 Minutes for
yet another happy note in your archives. I think the
press on negative news is far too heavy in relation
to that which is light and inspiring. We need more
shows like CBS Sunday Morning!!!

[sabella4]

I think that Spiritual Fitness is part of what brings happiness. And if you''re not into "spiritual," then
use the expression "psychological fitness." Google
that--or even go to a site with a recent article
on spiritual fitness, www.babybloomermagazine.com
and continue your own pursuit of what it means to
be happy. In the meantime, thank you 60 Minutes for
yet another happy note in your archives. I think the
press on negative news is far too heavy in relation
to that which is light and inspiring. We need more
shows like CBS Sunday Morning!!!

[sabella4]

I think that Spiritual Fitness is part of what brings happiness. And if you''re not into "spiritual," then
use the expression "psychological fitness." Google
that--or even go to a site with a recent article
on spiritual fitness, www.babybloomermagazine.com
and continue your own pursuit of what it means to
be happy. In the meantime, thank you 60 Minutes for
yet another happy note in your archives. I think the
press on negative news is far too heavy in relation
to that which is light and inspiring. We need more
shows like CBS Sunday Morning!!!

[sabella4]

I think that Spiritual Fitness is part of what brings happiness. And if you''re not into "spiritual," then
use the expression "psychological fitness." Google
that--or even go to a site with a recent article
on spiritual fitness, www.babybloomermagazine.com
and continue your own pursuit of what it means to
be happy. In the meantime, thank you 60 Minutes for
yet another happy note in your archives. I think the
press on negative news is far too heavy in relation
to that which is light and inspiring. We need more
shows like CBS Sunday Morning!!!

[davidlar2]

"You left out a huge part of the story. They are all Danes. There is no huge melting pot of different cultures. "

Nice hypothesis, but Denmark actually has a greater percentage of its population born in another country than the US. And many come from Palestine and Iraq, not Mexico, not Sweden...

Perhaps it is the tolerance and lack of negativity about living with people of different skin colors, languages, and religions that makes Danes happier....

I personally don''t want to live in Denmark (I''m not a socialist), but I do wish America shared a little of their tolerance of others....

[irliberal]

Wow it looks like Sabella4, the "spirtual fitness" nut, is just a sick spammer. Lol!

[sabella4]

I think that Spiritual Fitness is part of what brings happiness. And if you''re not into "spiritual," then
use the expression "psychological fitness." Google
that--or even go to a site with a recent article
on spiritual fitness, www.babybloomermagazine.com
and continue your own pursuit of what it means to
be happy. In the meantime, thank you 60 Minutes for
yet another happy note in your archives. I think the
press on negative news is far too heavy in relation
to that which is light and inspiring. We need more
shows like CBS Sunday Morning!!!

[wapoola]

The Danes, bless their hearts, have devolved into a nation of "antmen;" that is: they have very low horizons.

[bobmathias]

The Danish people are some of the nicest people in the world. They are NOT the happiest. Having lived there, I know that the Danes are far less happy then the Americans. The Danes are content because they are in a society where putting forth effort to be successful is not worth the toil.

While the Danes have free education and free health care they are dependent on medical research from the US. The only medical breakthrough they have had is the *** change. You mentioned that their income tax starts at 50% but you forgot to mention that it quickly raises to 70% and tax on cars is about 180%. They have this great tax burden without a huge military budget.

The suicide rate is high because they have greater depression partially due to weaker family ties. The Danes focus on our problems such as racism here in the US. Yet at the same time they blame all their woes on their raising immigrant population (remember the riots). I love the Danes but I would never want to join them. Americans ARE happier and have greater opportunity. If you don''t believe me move there and you will.

[gkc99]

It''s because they print cartoons of Mohammed with a bomb for a turban!

[exeuropean]

Mr. Morley and the young Danish lad who is on parenting leave each made a serious error. The remark that Americans do not want to pay the fifty percent tax paid by Danes is foolish, because we DO pay fifty percent, and more, when you add to federal income tax the state income tax, the sales tax, local taxes and
fees, not to mention the hidden social security tax surplus of receipts over expenditures which annually go into general revenues and are spent on anything but social security payments. Secondly, the young
Dane who said we would be happier if we wanted less did not consider that our wants are for things he had and takes for granted, viz., universal health care, free education, convalescent and elderly care and six week vacations. Of course our college students are stressed out -- how do you think this young fellow would feel if he had $150,000 in debt in addition to the diploma he will receive upon graduation? The United States is indeed a more stressful country in which to live than Denmark and many other nations, unfortunately. The huge distances don''t help also with regular family visits, which contributes to loneliness...

[jjarden]

Happiest people in the world?...Huh!...Poppycock!...I''ll tell you who the Happiest People in the world are...and they do NOT have the government taking care of them...they do NOT have free education, or free money for parenting, or anything else given to them yet these people are ALWAYS laughing and joking and smiling and they are so lovingly warm it is beyond belief. These people care about ONE thing and One thing only...Family. They spend their entire lives looking our for each other and supporting each other, many times financially, when they can. I''m a miserable American who has been all over the world and met tons of people, so I shoudl know. These people I speak of are the Filipinos. The happiest and most loving people in the world, even though surrounded by poverty. Men...do yourself a favor...Marry a Filipina like I did...they are NOT subservient maids who wait on you...they are Loving, Caring, and incredibly Devoted wives.

[tang867]

From Carlton Stewart
Malden, Mo. 63863
RE: Your story on Denmark.
Your story stated that the Danes had free health care, free education, free elder care, ect. but had to pay approx. 50% tax. If you tally our federal tax, state tax. sales tax, social security tax. the cost of our broken health care system, cost of educating our children, cost of housing our elders, ect. ect., we are paying much more than 50% of our income now--without the benefits in many cases. We could learn a lot from the Danes.

[rudy654-2009]

What''s with the spamming, you idiots? Get a bleedin life!

[sabella4]

I think that Spiritual Fitness is part of what brings happiness. And if you''re not into "spiritual," then
use the expression "psychological fitness." Google
that--or even go to a site with a recent article
on spiritual fitness, www.babybloomermagazine.com
and continue your own pursuit of what it means to
be happy. In the meantime, thank you 60 Minutes for
yet another happy note in your archives. I think the
press on negative news is far too heavy in relation
to that which is light and inspiring. We need more
shows like CBS Sunday Morning!!!

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by bobmathias at 09:47 PM

One word for all you said: Kuhscheiss! And you are full of it.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by Sabella4 at 10:06 PM

You might try mental fitness, because you are really lacking sweety pie.

[bobmathias]

The Danish people are some of the nicest people in the world. They are NOT the happiest. Having lived there, I know that the Danes are far less happy then the Americans. The Danes are content because they are in a society where putting forth effort to be successful is not worth the toil.
While the Danes have free education and free health care they are dependent on medical research from the US. The only medical breakthrough they have had is the *** change. A Dane who can afford it will go to America for the best health care.
You mentioned that their income tax starts at 50% but you forgot to mention that it quickly raises to 70% and tax on cars is about 180%. They have this great tax burden without a huge military budget.
The suicide rate is high because they have greater depression partially due to weaker family ties. The Danes focus on our problems such as racism here in the US. Yet at the same time they blame all their woes on their raising immigrant population (remember the riots).
I love the Danes but I would never want to join them. Americans ARE happier and have greater opportunity. If you don''t believe me move there and you will.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by bobmathias at 10:09 PM

Burp. Huh?

[aiya-oba]

Not a single past or present philosopher, was found useful in your otherwise very interesting report on Happiness.Although throughout history,every attempt to establish the proper measure of happiness in the life of the individual and the society,has been the call of duty of the philosopher.-Aiya-Oba

[aiya-oba]

Not a single past or present philosopher, was found useful in your otherwise very interesting report on Happiness.Although throughout history,every attempt to establish the proper measure of happiness in the life of the individual and the society,has been the call of duty of the philosopher.-Aiya-Oba

[aiya-oba]

Not a single past or present philosopher, was found useful in your otherwise very interesting report on Happiness.Although throughout history, every attempt to establish the proper measure of happiness in the life of the individual and society, has been the labor of the philosopher.-Aiya-Oba

[aiya-oba]

Not a single past or present philosopher, was found useful in your otherwise very interesting report on Happiness.Although throughout history, every attempt to establish the proper measure of happiness in the life of the individual and society, has been the labor of the philosopher.-Aiya-Oba

[aiya-oba]

Not a single past or present philosopher, was found useful in your otherwise very interesting report on Happiness.Although throughout history, every attempt to establish the proper measure of happiness in the life of the individual and society, has been the labor of the philosopher.-Aiya-Oba

[aiya-oba]

Not a single past or present philosopher, was found useful in your otherwise very interesting report on Happiness.Although throughout history, every attempt to establish the proper measure of happiness in the life of the individual and society, has been the labor of the philosopher.-Aiya-Oba

[aiya-oba]

Not a single past or present philosopher, was found useful in your otherwise very interesting report on Happiness.Although throughout history, every attempt to establish the proper measure of happiness in the life of the individual and society, has been the labor of the philosopher.-Aiya-Oba

[fstop100]

Hey Aiya-Oba could you repeat that, i think i missed it

[rudy654-2009]

Night of the Spammers. Must be a full mooon! Whaoooooo! Don''t get the bite!

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by fstop100 at 10:34 PM

You might think they get the hint, but I''ve seen them tummy scratchers come right back and answer with yet another cut and paste repeat.

[bludevls9]

Wow, the swiftboaters are out tonight it seems. Are they working for Clinton or McCain I wonder? They must be really worried about losing I guess.

H O P E is on the way.