Why is Denmark the happiest country in the world?

[betsuni]

181. Denmark: low expectations

Henry Miller, in "Tropic of Cancer," describes the U.S. as a place where they put "firecrackers ... up your ass to give you pep and courage"; "... you think of nothing but becoming President of the United States some day. Potentially every man is Presidential timber. Here it's different. Here every man is potentially a zero. If you become something or somebody it is an accident, a miracle. ... But it's just because the chances are all against you, just because there is so little hope, that life is sweet over here."

Those firecrackers make Americans feel embarrassed and defensive about having an ordinary life. As if you must have a big plan: you're getting another degree, starting your own business or successful lifestyle blog or food truck, auditioning for a reality show, buying a house to remodel and sell for a profit, writing a book, something, anything, to light those firecrackers.