Are people living in warmer climates happier?

[leekohler]

Firstly, a ranking of the countries with the happiest citizens is released every year, and countries like Ireland and New Zealand have topped the list a number of times. Countries like Finland, The Netherlands, Canada, and several others also do very well. Their citizens live in countries that are nowhere near the equator, or what could be described as a "warm" climate except in summer.

Just FYI.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/05/wo...l-world-happiest_slide_2.html?thisspeed=25000

Of course. Warm weather has nothing to do with it. Americans are just generally too lazy to go out and enjoy winter. We'd rather complain.

 

[flyguy206]

summer time makes people more violent. crime rate always jumps in the summer.

 

[63dot]

Yes, you are experiencing a summer high. If you lived somewhere were it was practically summer year-round, like Phoenix, you'd probably hate it. My favorite seasons are fall and winter.

I can agree with that.

I don't have summer all year round, but summer and spring. There is no fall or winter in central California and many from back east comment on how they miss the four seasons.

I think there are grumpy people everywhere and it's far more one's attitude and not the weather. For many new Cali people, the large amounts of sun is fun but the novelty wears off after a time. At the same time, very hot weather which melts a person and causes aggravation is something most get used to and one learns how to hang with 75+ degree weather. Beyond 80 in hot and dry climates, it all feels the same to me.

 

[Ttownbeast]

Those folks living in Canada, Iceland Denmark and Norway seem like happy sorts. Of course those living in Siberia and the Eskimos who never seem to have a smile on their face seem to be the exception LOL

 

[iBlue]

I think it can play a part but it's not everything.
I lived in Southern California for most of my life. The weather is fantastic and gives you a sort of casual freedom that isn't really found in cold and gloomy climate. I miss that weather so much. I now live in London, England. We're coming out of one of the longest and coldest winters in a long time. It's cold and gloomy far too often. I absolutely, unequivocally ABHOR the weather here (OK, ~90% of the time). It is my single biggest complaint about living in the UK. However, I'm happier here than I've ever been in my life. Clearly happiness depends on a lot more than just the weather. A sunny day doesn't make up for a crappy life. Good weather is just a bonus. And thanks for the reminder of that.

 

[happyfrappy]

I've had childhood friends who've moved to warmer places and moved back... why? They missed having snow and winter sports for entertainment(ski, snowboard, ice skate, backyard hockey, etc). Being happy is tied to what you enjoy doing year round.

Personally I couldn't move to a warmer place, I get sun burned easily and yes I don't get a tan... *insert your own Conan O'Brien pale joke*

 

[Synchromesh]

Of course. Warm weather has nothing to do with it. Americans are just generally too lazy to go out and enjoy winter. We'd rather complain.

Don't generalize. I know a lot of people in large technology cities such as Silicon Valley, NYC, Boston, etc that work their asses off every day in way vast majority of Europeans never dreamed of. Europeans in general have more vacation time if you look at specific fields. So while some people may not go out and enjoy winter it's not so much because they're so lazy but rather because they're working their butt off as opposed to most their European brethren that wouldn't know how to work hard even if they had to.

 

[TwinCities Dan]

Don't generalize. I know a lot of people in large technology cities such as Silicon Valley, NYC, Boston, etc that work their asses off every day in way vast majority of Europeans never dreamed of. Europeans in general have more vacation time if you look at specific fields. So while some people may not go out and enjoy winter it's not so much because they're so lazy but rather because they're working their butt off as opposed to their European brethren that wouldn't know how to work hard even if they had to.

Don't generalize.

 

[Synchromesh]

Don't generalize.

If you look carefully, I didn't.

 

[flopticalcube]

If you look carefully, I didn't.

Don't generalize. I know a lot of people in large technology cities such as Silicon Valley, NYC, Boston, etc that work their asses off every day in way vast majority of Europeans never dreamed of. Europeans in general have more vacation time if you look at specific fields. So while some people may not go out and enjoy winter it's not so much because they're so lazy but rather because they're working their butt off as opposed to most their European brethren that wouldn't know how to work hard even if they had to.

I'd say that's a pretty sweeping generalization. Having worked in both continents, I don't think your theory is valid.

 

[scottness]

Don't generalize. I know a lot of people in large technology cities such as Silicon Valley, NYC, Boston, etc that work their asses off every day in way vast majority of Europeans never dreamed of. Europeans in general have more vacation time if you look at specific fields. So while some people may not go out and enjoy winter it's not so much because they're so lazy but rather because they're working their butt off as opposed to most their European brethren that wouldn't know how to work hard even if they had to.

Don't generalize.

If you look carefully, I didn't.

You're kidding, right?

 

[bgd]

I'm pretty happy here in Singapore. Don't miss a temperate UK climate at all. Pretty much all year round we have a high of 32C during the day and a low of 26 at night. Short rainy season knocks that back to 30/24 and that's about all the variety we get. If I want seasons I can travel.

That said the majority of the locals dislike the climate, too warm, too humid. Don't understand that myself.

 

[iBlue]

Don't generalize. I know a lot of people in large technology cities such as Silicon Valley, NYC, Boston, etc that work their asses off every day in way vast majority of Europeans never dreamed of. Europeans in general have more vacation time if you look at specific fields. So while some people may not go out and enjoy winter it's not so much because they're so lazy but rather because they're working their butt off as opposed to most their European brethren that wouldn't know how to work hard even if they had to.

Don't generalize indeed! Don't be a hater just because America's work ethic often means working a persons fingers to the bone with very little personal time. Maybe you should consider the positive aspects of The European way - that things can still get done without breaking down the morale of employees. Studies have shown that happy employees are more productive anyway. Something a lot of US employers could do well to learn.

 

[iOrlando]

as a romantic poet i've found the hillsides of provence to be heavenly. meanwhile I find the white sand and neon lights on miami beach to be lively. weather certainly plays a role.

and to the person talking about worth ethic etc.

having experienced both sides of it. Europeans work less (alot less) but its fine because they aren't as materialistic. So what you make less...it still goes just as far because I am not wasting money on this and that. the one-month vacations are very nice as well. miami beach sees quite a few europeans during the summer months mainly for that reason.