Australia ranked 'happiest' developed nation again

First topic message reminder :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22685260

I would like this survey to be re-run on the 7th July, after their hang over have cleared and they realise they have lost the Lions series 3-0....

I would personally prefer Ireland playing a series against one of the SH teams...don't think we play them enough. But not against the concept per se just don't have any affinity to it. Games are usually entertaining though.

Why wouldn't Aussies be the happiest? Must be a pisser living with that great weather, beautiful women, fitness culture, pan-Asian food and a mentality sufficiently laid back not to care about fantastically deadly spiders living underneath your toilet seat.

What makes you all want to come to London and live in an airing cupboard with 27 other people, I cannot begin to fathom.

You don't need to be foreign to be so utterly stupid as to choose to live in London George.

Some people are so ga-ga as to bring up children there. That is near-criminal imo.

greytiger wrote:You don't need to be foreign to be so utterly stupid as to choose to live in London George.

Some people are so ga-ga as to bring up children there. That is near-criminal imo.

I was there for just over a decade, Tiger. That's why my wife, kids and I live here now.

George Carlin wrote:Why wouldn't Aussies be the happiest? Must be a pisser living with that great weather, beautiful women, fitness culture, pan-Asian food and a mentality sufficiently laid back not to care about fantastically deadly spiders living underneath your toilet seat.

What makes you all want to come to London and live in an airing cupboard with 27 other people, I cannot begin to fathom.

Funnily enough the number of Aussies in London has declined a fair bit over the past 6 years ago, as the recession has bit in the UK and not in Aus.


And the short answer is that living in an airing cupboard helps you save money to go out on the p*ss all over Europe for a couple of years. A bit like how English middle class youths sod off to Africa to spend their gap years doing nominally useful make-work( and drinking the nights away).

Linebreaker wrote:They must have huge heating bills. No wonder the Polar Ice cap is melting.

Probably no more than your air con bills during the summer, linebreaker

Nah, brenno... I just leave the doors open and get the sea breeze.

There's only about 3 nights a year when I think... maybe I could do with A/C when the humidity is high. This last summer has been very dry and warm. Every day since March has been in the 22-25 degree range. 22 again this Saturday - first day of winter. I forgot to switch the heater on last night - it was around 14 deg at midnight. It was about 4 or 5 overnight a week or so ago.

As the saying goes "the smarter you are, the more miserable"

That must make us Brits feckin geniuses.

We play dumb just for the tourists. They seem to love it.

doctor_grey wrote:That must make us Brits feckin geniuses.

You would need to use Bayes theorem to get the marginal likelihood, of course A implied B does not indicate B implies A. We in the UK may merely be miserable and stupid.

Don't know where they get this stuff from.

We have become bigger whingers than the Brits. The so-called whinging Pom is a dying breed it seems. The whinging Aussie is now front and centre. You only have to read the comments that appear in the SMH to see that a lot of Australians have developed an entitlement attitude, despite everything actually being pretty good.

George Carlin wrote:Why wouldn't Aussies be the happiest? Must be a pisser living with that great weather, beautiful women, fitness culture, pan-Asian food and a mentality sufficiently laid back not to care about fantastically deadly spiders living underneath your toilet seat.

What makes you all want to come to London and live in an airing cupboard with 27 other people, I cannot begin to fathom.

Quite the contrary though George, the Aussies/Kiwis I've known absolutely LOVE it over here! Some even emigrate to this country. Other man's grass is always greener I guess...

Although the recession hasn't affected Australia as much financially, can anyone answer what sort of effect the high rates of immigration have had on the Australians in terms of skills drain, job market etc? There's loads of people from over here going over there to do highly skilled jobs - where does that leave the locals or is there enough work to go round?

I'm pretty sure that happiness indexes are getting more popular amongst the politicians. That's why David Cameron has not been sighted in the UK for donkeys. His Party, the Coalition, the economy, racial tensions and domestic harmony have all plummeted whilst he suns himself.

Indications are that countries with least unequal income distributions are measurably 'happier'. Misery is a legacy of a certain Wicked Witch.

Although to be fair, Grey - I think that thanks to Maggy, general insularity, inclement weather and the constant exposure to Simon Cowell we're as good at being miserable as anyone else in the world. That's why we're so bloody funny*.

*ha-ha

greytiger wrote:I'm pretty sure that happiness indexes are getting more popular amongst the politicians. That's why David Cameron has not been sighted in the UK for donkeys. His Party, the Coalition, the economy, racial tensions and domestic harmony have all plummeted whilst he suns himself.

Indications are that countries with least unequal income distributions are measurably 'happier'. Misery is a legacy of a certain Wicked Witch.

Nah, you are going too deep here. Cameron's biggest problem is that he insists upon wearing those weird stretchy bicycle shorts with the 'extra padding' on the bum. We never actually see him riding is presumed two-wheeler, just kitted out in his stretchy bike boy outfit, and just a bit too happy showing his padded bum. That by itself is enough to push even the happiest Brit (sic) to move to a remote central African country.

George Carlin wrote:Although to be fair, Grey - I think that thanks to Maggy, general insularity, inclement weather and the constant exposure to Simon Cowell we're as good at being miserable as anyone else in the world. That's why we're so bloody funny*.

*ha-ha

I had to look that up George

A ha-ha is a turfed ditch with one sloped side, and one vertical side that is faced with a masonry retaining wall. A ha-ha is a feature used in landscape garden design to keep grazing livestock out of a garden while providing an uninterrupted view from within.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ha-ha

That's about right.

greytiger wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Although to be fair, Grey - I think that thanks to Maggy, general insularity, inclement weather and the constant exposure to Simon Cowell we're as good at being miserable as anyone else in the world. That's why we're so bloody funny*.

*ha-ha

I had to look that up George

A ha-ha is a turfed ditch with one sloped side, and one vertical side that is faced with a masonry retaining wall. A ha-ha is a feature used in landscape garden design to keep grazing livestock out of a garden while providing an uninterrupted view from within.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ha-ha

That's about right.

So what is the happiest non developed nation I wonder?

Bhutan?
Just guessing but there's a Japan/Bhutan article ontweb http://www.esri.go.jp/jp/workshop/130319/pdf/siryo02_am.pdf

Bathman_in_London wrote:So what is the happiest non developed nation I wonder?

Probably Costa Rica.

Actually interestingly my name "GunsGerms" came up on this thread earlier yesterday and it was actually quite relevant as it relates to a very brilliant book Id highly recommend called Guns, Germs and Steel that is quite apt to the discussion of happiest nation and indeed raises one of the main issues I have with branding a nation the happiest nation in the world.

The factors given by the OECD's survey that places Australia's at the top spot mostly revolve around affulence. Everyone knows that the Australian economy is booming, compared to the economies of the worlds other developed nations. To make a long story short one of Jarod Daimond's conclusions in his aforementioned book is that affluence doesnt necessarly equal happiness. Diamond observed similar levels of happiness and indeed intellegence (potential for affluence) in less developed cultures such as indigenous populations in New guinea.

I dont doubt that the Aussies are a happy bunch and they certainly do have enviable levels of disposable income right now however, while by central American standards they are quite affluent Costa Rica would not be considered a develooped country. Yet having visited the place Im not sure I have met many happier people it seems.

Yes, and they have re-introduced the death penalty in PNG Parliament. I wouldn't necessarily call it a happy place at the moment.

I know it's tiny... but Rarotonga is probably the happiest (non-developed) place I've been to. There's just a vibe of casualness mixed with the right blend of Christian Missionary + taboo-ism which makes it feel unique. The local ukelele music you hear wafting through the palm trees really hits the spot... it sends tingles of happiness up & down your spine.

Costa Rica is awesome. A sloth bit my brother there so it rapidly become one of my favourite places ever. You have to be pretty slow to be outpaced by a sloth.

Australians are the happiest developed nation because it's the closest one to NZ. NZ don't head the poll because it's so close to Australia.

Good luck against the Lions diggers.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Australians are the happiest developed nation because it's the closest one to NZ. NZ don't head the poll because it's so close to Australia.

Good luck against the Lions diggers.

Is that the old 'live opposite the beautifull house to enjoy the beautifull house, rather than live in the beautifull house looking at the dump across the street' argument?

Kia,
Raro is an New Zealand dependency, isn't it? Maybe that's why it's such a happy place?

A sloth bit my brother there so it rapidly become one of my favourite places ever. You have to be pretty slow to be outpaced by a sloth..

Yeah - but was it not one of those Costa Rican 'racing' sloths?

They can be quite nippy when the want to be.

As for the Land Down Under - nah - not for me, everything is so toxic (including the press). I have a bad time with stinging nettles and wasps, I wouldn't last two seconds down there.

Just caught a programme about Oz the other night there - part of it was featuring Box Jellyfish. The presenter was amazed that a jellyfish could cause death - "You honestly telling me that would kill a man?" The Ozzy bloke reflected, sized up the jellyfish and said " That one could kill 24 men...................... in two minutes"

Sorry mate - I'll stick with my grey skys and semi feudal politics and I'll keep an eye out for wasps. Anyway, we are not grumpy - just misunderstood.

Not anymore mate I don't think. Now it's just fruit juice in packets. Gorgeous place though. Pacific Islands are the most beautiful in the world as far as I'm concerned. Friendly people too. I miss that the most.

Re. box jellyfish...

From Bill Bryson's Down Under:

But all of these are nothing compared with the delicate and diaphanous box jellyfish, the most poisonous creature on earth... In 1992 a young man in Cairns, ignoring all the warning signs, went swimming in the Pacific waters at a place called Holloways Beach. He swam and dove, taunting his friends on the beach for their prudent cowardice, and then began to scream with an inhuman sound. It is said that there is no pain to compare with it. The young man staggered from the water, covered in whiplike stripes wherever the jellyfish’s tentacles had brushed across him, and collapsed in quivering shock. Soon afterward emergency crews arrived, inflated him with morphine, and took him away for treatment. And here’s the thing. Even unconscious and sedated, he was still screaming."

Total idiot!

We don't get them down here. We only have to worry about the occasional White Pointer but they prefer colder water mostly. You've got to be very, very unlucky to get selected.

Horses kill more people in Oz than any vicious wildlife.

Had a check LB: Officially the Islands are an independent nation in free association with New Zealand. They gained independence on 4 August, 1965. The free association agreement means:

The Cook Islands Government has full executive powers
The Cook Islands can make its own laws and New Zealand cannot make laws for the country unless authorised by Government
Cook Islanders keep New Zealand citizenship.

Don't know if you get Raro juice in Oz: https://www.google.es/search?q=raro+juice&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Xe-lUeKsJonY7Ab1u4CQBw&ved=0CCoQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=653

I'm going to stop now as I feel pangs of homesickness coming on.

Sorry for bringing it up, mate. It is such a lovely place.

I went there back in '97 but I've heard the pace has picked up a bit there now. Pity... it was a perfect holiday destination, imo.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2332545/The-bizarre-blood-slugs-cannibal-snails-remote-mountain-region-Australia.html

I spent some time in Fiji as a child because my father worked for the Fiji Pine Commission in Lautoka. I wouldn't want to live there all my life but I feel privileged that I have visited many of the Pacific Islands: New Caledonia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tonga. Because of the Maori link I feel a closer affinity with Polynesia than Melanesia but the way of life and way of looking at things is one to be admired. I have gone to Australia and NZ with my wife but am very much looking forward to exploring more of the South Pacific with her in the future. It's rare to find so much pristine beauty. Down Under may be the arse end of the world but what a perfect arse it is!

thebluesmancometh wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Australians are the happiest developed nation because it's the closest one to NZ. NZ don't head the poll because it's so close to Australia.

Good luck against the Lions diggers.

Is that the old 'live opposite the beautifull house to enjoy the beautifull house, rather than live in the beautifull house looking at the dump across the street' argument?

Absolutely. I think that most people would prefer to live opposite the beautiful house in order to enjoy it.

A position supported by the fact that there are 5 million people in Scotland and 55 million in England.

Cari wrote:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2332545/The-bizarre-blood-slugs-cannibal-snails-remote-mountain-region-Australia.html

Yumm-my! It's even wearing a Lions/Wales jersey!

Bad omen. Thanks Cari!

Horses kill more people in Oz than any vicious wildlife. .

See what I mean - up here horses are meant to be ridden (and eaten ) but down there THEY KILL YOU.

Keep brewing the wine though lads, it's much appreciated (better than that French stuff)

A position supported by the fact that there are 5 million people in Scotland and 55 million in England.

Aye - but that 5 million are the ones that can't afford the bus fare out.

I bet there's more 'Scots' in England than there are in Scotland.

Linebreaker wrote:Total idiot!

We don't get them down here. We only have to worry about the occasional White Pointer but they prefer colder water mostly. You've got to be very, very unlucky to get selected.

Horses kill more people in Oz than any vicious wildlife.

I saw a few of those on the beach, and had no complaints at all

The Fierce Snake, Funnel Web Spider, Red BAcks, Stone Fish, Blue Ringed Octopus etc...yup Oz has a lot of scary things....but so does africa...and with all the trade Britain is beginning to host a good amount of them aswell...certainly Scorpions and red backs are in the UK now...

Loved Bill Bryson's book on Australia. He really is good at painting a picture with words.

Don't worry Geordie, those redbacks probably dont enjoy April snow!

When I was In Oz last I went to the great barrier reef and went reef walking.
We stopped and I looked down to see a stone fish in the water about 8 inches from my foot! That was the moment I was told those shoes I was told to wear were useless if I had stood on it!

I would happily move out to Sydney or Melbourne though. Got any jobs going Linebreaker?!

Bathman_in_London wrote:Don't worry Geordie, those redbacks probably dont enjoy April snow!

When I was In Oz last I went to the great barrier reef and went reef walking.
We stopped and I looked down to see a stone fish in the water about 8 inches from my foot! That was the moment I was told those shoes I was told to wear were useless if I had stood on it!

I would happily move out to Sydney or Melbourne though. Got any jobs going Linebreaker?!

Surely walking on the reef isnt good for it? The Great Barrier Reef is shrinking at an alarming rate. Is enough being done to protect it? I was in cairns a couple of years ago and went snorkling at some really nice islands including Green Island. The island itself is phenomenal yet it has been spoiled but sticking a hotel and a number of garish gift shops on it.

That said it was a privilige to see it and lots of native turtles.

Not actually on the coral Guns, I guess a better description would be walking through the shallows at low tide. This was on Heron island, did you go there?
I was actually a litle disappointed with the snorkeling there actually, there had been a storm not long before and the water was still a bit churned up. Still amazing sea life though.

Just looked it up, looks nice. Havent been south of Cairns when in Queensland. Just to Cairns and north -> Port Douglas and the Daintree rainforest.

The diving and snorkling off Port Douglas would blow your mind. Love the turtles.

Would quite like to go to Airlie beach though. Were you there?

If only, didn't do the Whitsundays sadly, something to do on the next trip.

I went to Port Douglas, but only really to see the rainforest for a few days before heading back home. Again, I'll put in on the list.

Too many places and not enough time is the problem! What is really needed is the euromillions win...

Bathman_in_London wrote:
I would happily move out to Sydney or Melbourne though. Got any jobs going Linebreaker?!

What line of work are you in?

Bathman_in_London wrote:If only, didn't do the Whitsundays sadly, something to do on the next trip.

I went to Port Douglas, but only really to see the rainforest for a few days before heading back home. Again, I'll put in on the list.

Too many places and not enough time is the problem! What is really needed is the euromillions win...

Did you do Cane Toad racing in the Iron Bar, Port Douglas?

Linebreaker, I work in commercial property investment, both direct and indirect. When not on here...

Yeah Guns that is pretty odd but a must do! To be honest I don't remember what else there was to do in Port Douglas...

Bathman_in_London wrote:Linebreaker, I work in commercial property investment, both direct and indirect. When not on here...

Yeah Guns that is pretty odd but a must do! To be honest I don't remember what else there was to do in Port Douglas...

I was picked out from the crowd and given a toad called gay freddy and made to kiss it. God was glad when it was over.

Port Douglas is a great place to see the reef from and relax.

Bathman_in_London wrote:Linebreaker, I work in commercial property investment, both direct and indirect. When not on here...

Interesting. I design commercial office buildings. We'd probably work well together!

I managed to hide at the back while people were being picked out, toad kissing wasn't on my to do list!

We probably would linebreaker! Plus work drinks spent talking about rugby, perfect!