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Interesting that Australia is so high up, while SE Asia so low. My experience of both (specifically Cambodia) is exactly the reverse. But I suspect the cultura

Interesting that Australia is so high up, while SE Asia so low. My experience of both (specifically Cambodia) is exactly the reverse. But I suspect the cultural factors are at play here. Ask an Aussie if they're living the best life and they'll say yes, proud in their Lucky Country and the best beaches in the world (whichever city an Aussie inhabits has the "best beaches in the world"). While in Cambodia they're more humble. Obviously this is to certain extent about poverty. But it's also about the cultural tendency against boasting. And an acknowledgement that life isn't perfect, there are things that need to change and improve. Yet, in my experience, obviously a limited sample of anecdata, the average Cambodian is happier, quick to find the joy in life, with strong supportive family connections. While Aussies are comparing ourselves to each other, disconnected from our families, suiciding in record numbers, and angry at the world.

chadcmulligan 8y ago
I'm guessing you live in sydney :-)
- marcus_holmes 8y ago
  Perth... but I see the same everywhere. Currently in Port Macquarie and the same strange subdued anger is here.
aaron695 8y ago
Seeing both, this isn't true. Cambodia has a much higher suicide rate than Australia. Money is happiness. It's only the ultra rich who think otherwise. Seeing kids die at the rate they do in Cambodia is going to make them unhappy. I find it strange people think other wise. Almost no parents will get to send their kids to an ok university. Many can't even send them to the finish of school. > strong supportive family connections. This isn't as true as you think. They must socially look this way, but it often doesn't play out that way. With more money this might however help with happiness... But equally societies with more money might move away from this model because it's very toxic at times. And talk to them about the fact they are under a virtual dictatorship.... They have something great, but without money, they get more of the horrors of life thrust upon them.

chadcmulligan 8y ago

I'm guessing you live in sydney :-)

marcus_holmes 8y ago
Perth... but I see the same everywhere. Currently in Port Macquarie and the same strange subdued anger is here.

aaron695 8y ago

Seeing both, this isn't true. Cambodia has a much higher suicide rate than Australia. Money is happiness. It's only the ultra rich who think otherwise. Seeing kids die at the rate they do in Cambodia is going to make them unhappy. I find it strange people think other wise. Almost no parents will get to send their kids to an ok university. Many can't even send them to the finish of school. > strong supportive family connections. This isn't as true as you think. They must socially look this way, but it often doesn't play out that way. With more money this might however help with happiness... But equally societies with more money might move away from this model because it's very toxic at times. And talk to them about the fact they are under a virtual dictatorship.... They have something great, but without money, they get more of the horrors of life thrust upon them.