4 ms·

A quick search of the list of the "happiest countries" conducted by the UN shows all top 10 countries are from the west with at least a minor drinking culture.

A quick search of the list of the "happiest countries" conducted by the UN shows all top 10 countries are from the west with at least a minor drinking culture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Happiness_Report https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Happiness_Report Obviously there are a variety of factors affecting the outcome, but it does seem that in countries where drinking is prevalent, the people in general are happier possibly due to the relationships forged. I'll take slightly shorter and happier over an extra year added to the lifespan.

taneq 8y ago
That's something that always frustrates me with these discussions about drinking and health. They always ignore the positives from drinking. Yes, drinking too much (or any at all) can negatively affect your health. Yes, it can have a measurable impact on your lifespan. So can skydiving, or surfing, or horse riding, or eating a delicious burger, or taking a lover.
- raverbashing 8y ago
  Reminds me the discussion over dietary fats that lead to the "fat-free" farce, increasing obesity levels and decreasing overall health. Missing the forest for the trees.
thomasz 8y ago
Uh... No. Happiness correlates strongly with wealth. The problem in Sub-Saharan Africa isn't that do not drink enough Alcohol.
- jonballant 8y ago
  Of course there are a variety of variables that drive happiness, and wealth is probably one of the strongest. A proper regression analysis would have to be performed, but even if minimal, I would bet there is some correlation. Here is an interesting article/study focusing on the short term benefits to increasing happiness when drinking. http://time.com/4347687/alcohol-happiness-boost/ http://time.com/4347687/alcohol-happiness-boost/
probably_wrong 8y ago
I'm sorry, but I think you are oversimplifying the issue way too much. 9/10 of the bottom countries in that list also allow drinking, with Yemen being the exception. In fact, many non-drinking countries are doing quite well: Kuwait is 45, Saudi Arabia is 33, and United Arab Emirates is 20.
simias 8y ago
Now if there's ever an occasion to say "correlation isn't causation" it's this one. There are so many factors to consider here that drawing any kind of relation between "drinking culture" (how do you even define this?) and general population happiness sounds preposterous to me. Furthermore in this case the correlation is rather week if you compare it with https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_alcohol_consumption_per_capita https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_alcohol_c... It reminds me of people who praise smoking saying that they get to meet people during breaks. I'm sure they do but certainly there are other ways to achieve the same result that don't involve hurting one's health? You can definitely go to a pub of your choice and socialize while drinking non-alcoholic beverages if you want.
- jonballant 8y ago
  I'm not saying its a simple as: Drink Alcohol=Happy Country. But I would bet the variable is statistically significant. And you're right there are plenty of other healthy ways to achieve happiness. But to go to the other extreme and say there are zero positive effects correlated with happiness is an overstatement. This Is How Happy Alcohol Makes You, Researchers Say http://time.com/4347687/alcohol-happiness-boost/ http://time.com/4347687/alcohol-happiness-boost/
  - simias 8y ago
    >But I would bet the variable is statistically significant. You need to justify this then because it's not at all obvious to me. I've had a few friends who once were alcoholics, they look significantly happier now. Socializing probably makes you happier but you don't have to drink alcohol to do that. >But to go to the other extreme and say there are zero positive effects correlated with happiness is an overstatement. I didn't say that, I'm just saying that you're argument is weak. Maybe there is, maybe there isn't but drawing conclusions from this list of happiest countries in the world is disingenuous, I'm sure variations in wealth, education and political climate (and even climate in general) drowns any statistical influence "drinking culture" might have. And while I'm willing to believe that alcohol consumption might has positive effects for some people you have to balance it with the many potential negative effects to see if you end up with a net positive. The link you posted said people are happier while they drink, which is not frankly surprising to me. It doesn't say that drinkers are happier in general. If you drink to forget your troubles I'm sure you're happier while drunk but I'm not sure it's a net positive.
tallanvor 8y ago
I can't say for sure about Finland, but I'd certainly consider Norway and Denmark to have a huge drinking culture!

taneq 8y ago

That's something that always frustrates me with these discussions about drinking and health. They always ignore the positives from drinking. Yes, drinking too much (or any at all) can negatively affect your health. Yes, it can have a measurable impact on your lifespan. So can skydiving, or surfing, or horse riding, or eating a delicious burger, or taking a lover.

raverbashing 8y ago
Reminds me the discussion over dietary fats that lead to the "fat-free" farce, increasing obesity levels and decreasing overall health. Missing the forest for the trees.

thomasz 8y ago

Uh... No. Happiness correlates strongly with wealth. The problem in Sub-Saharan Africa isn't that do not drink enough Alcohol.

jonballant 8y ago
Of course there are a variety of variables that drive happiness, and wealth is probably one of the strongest. A proper regression analysis would have to be performed, but even if minimal, I would bet there is some correlation. Here is an interesting article/study focusing on the short term benefits to increasing happiness when drinking. http://time.com/4347687/alcohol-happiness-boost/ http://time.com/4347687/alcohol-happiness-boost/

probably_wrong 8y ago

I'm sorry, but I think you are oversimplifying the issue way too much. 9/10 of the bottom countries in that list also allow drinking, with Yemen being the exception. In fact, many non-drinking countries are doing quite well: Kuwait is 45, Saudi Arabia is 33, and United Arab Emirates is 20.

simias 8y ago

Now if there's ever an occasion to say "correlation isn't causation" it's this one. There are so many factors to consider here that drawing any kind of relation between "drinking culture" (how do you even define this?) and general population happiness sounds preposterous to me. Furthermore in this case the correlation is rather week if you compare it with https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_alcohol_consumption_per_capita https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_alcohol_c... It reminds me of people who praise smoking saying that they get to meet people during breaks. I'm sure they do but certainly there are other ways to achieve the same result that don't involve hurting one's health? You can definitely go to a pub of your choice and socialize while drinking non-alcoholic beverages if you want.

jonballant 8y ago
I'm not saying its a simple as: Drink Alcohol=Happy Country. But I would bet the variable is statistically significant. And you're right there are plenty of other healthy ways to achieve happiness. But to go to the other extreme and say there are zero positive effects correlated with happiness is an overstatement. This Is How Happy Alcohol Makes You, Researchers Say http://time.com/4347687/alcohol-happiness-boost/ http://time.com/4347687/alcohol-happiness-boost/
- simias 8y ago
  >But I would bet the variable is statistically significant. You need to justify this then because it's not at all obvious to me. I've had a few friends who once were alcoholics, they look significantly happier now. Socializing probably makes you happier but you don't have to drink alcohol to do that. >But to go to the other extreme and say there are zero positive effects correlated with happiness is an overstatement. I didn't say that, I'm just saying that you're argument is weak. Maybe there is, maybe there isn't but drawing conclusions from this list of happiest countries in the world is disingenuous, I'm sure variations in wealth, education and political climate (and even climate in general) drowns any statistical influence "drinking culture" might have. And while I'm willing to believe that alcohol consumption might has positive effects for some people you have to balance it with the many potential negative effects to see if you end up with a net positive. The link you posted said people are happier while they drink, which is not frankly surprising to me. It doesn't say that drinkers are happier in general. If you drink to forget your troubles I'm sure you're happier while drunk but I'm not sure it's a net positive.

tallanvor 8y ago

I can't say for sure about Finland, but I'd certainly consider Norway and Denmark to have a huge drinking culture!