The World's Happiest Country

Norway, was repeated been voted "The World's Happiest Country."

Read: http://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2011/12/07/the-worlds-happiest-and-saddest-countries/

Although, When I told people this Happy Fact they could still be negative about my then upcoming move to Norway.   Why? How? What were the reasons?  You ask.

This is how my interpretation of what some people may think of Norway who have never been.  And my first impressions of Norway. 

Isn't it cold?  Frozen Tundra?  Are you above the arctic circle?   They'd ask.   We'll yes, but it seems pretty warm.  It's the end of December and I've only seen snow once, it lasted 1 day and then melted.  It rains alot, and can have a windy day storm.  But, so far so good, no frost bite.  Not even dry skin.  I may be lucky,  I'm in Stavanger.

Don't all they eat is fermented fish?  We'll they do have some interestingly fishy food.  But, they have all the other things too, beef and lamb and yes fish, fresh even.  Right off the boat, for sale in the harbor.  Now, this is pretty awesome for a girl from Oklahoma.  Oh, and that have lovely breads and a pretty darn good produce selection too.  I could go on for days about food.  I'll save that for later.

Vikings?  Hummm...   Yah, they are Vikings.  They are the tallest people in Europe and a nice race of people,  once you get them to speak to you.

Isn't it expensive?  Ok, yes.  It's expensive.  Very expensive.  But the per capita income is through the roof to compensate for it.  So people know it's expensive, but still can maintain a standard of living despite the costs.

I heard if you drink and drive it's awful bad punishment?  Ok, seriously, what is wrong with this.  Seems like a pretty good policy to me.  There is plenty of public transport and taxis,  you can still enjoy yourself and be social with a little liquid courage;  you just get a ride home another way than driving yourself.

I think overall Norwegians, seem, so far, to be very happy people.  They like where they live, they enjoy their culture, and they don't complain.  You don't meet many Norwegian's who want to leave Norway. I take that as a pretty good sign, that Yes, Norway is a Happy Place.

At least it makes me very Happy so far.

In conclusion:  I think some people, think they must be from the best place in the world, and are negative because they want to convince you they are happy and they have the BEST lifestyle and country.  And I'm sure they are happy, and I'm sure their lifestyle and country is the BEST for them.  But, some statisticians think maybe as a whole population, not quiet as Happy as Norway.   And I haven't seen anything to prove them wrong yet.