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Happiness

Date: Oct 22 2010

Grammar: Simple Present Tense

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Intro

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The United States’ Declaration of Independence states that all people have the right to pursue happiness. But it doesn’t explain what you can do to become happy, or how to stay happy all the time.

The World Database of Happiness measures which countries are happiest by asking people all over the world if they’re happy. The U.S. ranks 23rd on the happiness index, below countries such as the Netherlands, Thailand, and Bhutan.

You might think that the richest countries in the world would also be the happiest, but that isn’t necessarily true. People are happy (and unhappy) for different reasons. Find out what makes Marni and Dale happy.

Dialog

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Dale

Marni

Dale: So Marni, are you happy?

Marni: You mean right now, or in general, or…

Dale: Generally, how do people stay happy?

Marni: That is actually a very good question. And I want to be, I strive to be happy, but you know, I can succumb to a little sadness, a little depression from time to time. You know, nothing debilitating, but I get glum, I get blue about world events or things when I see injustice is happening. Sometimes it’s hard to not feel the weight of the world on your shoulders.

Dale: Is there a way for you to steer away from that by looking at the bright side of things?

Marni: Well I feel like part of that is the people I know. I have good friends and family that support me, and you know, people I can talk to. I think that that’s a huge part of it.

Dale: Do you know…the United States is a melting pot of cultures.

Marni: Sure.

Dale: And now they’re saying that some cultures are happier than others. I mean, do you agree with that? I mean personally, I’m a Philippino guy, I’m generally happy. I think it is culturally, my culture, we are happy people.

Marni: You know, it’s an interesting question. I’m not really certain. I don’t know if it’s a cultural thing, I think there could be something to that. But here in the Northwest I think sometimes it’s hard to be happy because of the weather. People are affected by the weather. Sometimes that can happen. So who knows, if it’s cultural or environmental.

Dale: Do you think it’s the sun?

Marni: I don’t know. But I am all for finding the key to happiness.

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Discussion

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Dale asks Marni if she is happy. Marni says that she tries to be happy, but she isn’t happy all the time. Sometimes she gets depressed when she thinks about all the problems and injustice in the world. But her friends and family help her feel happier when she’s blue.

Dale, on the other hand, is pretty happy all the time. He thinks that happiness might be cultural. Dale is from the Philippines, and he says that people from the Philippines are usually happy. Marni thinks that weather might have to do with happiness. Where she lives, it rains a lot, so people might be less happy there than in sunnier places.

Are people generally happy in your country? What makes you happy?

Comments

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Cvetlana

Ukraine

I fully agree with the saying: Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder…

Dahlia

Turkey

I agree with dr_arbuz. I am from Turkey and i live in Istanbul. Istanbul is a very big ciy and a melting pot of cultures too. Most of people struggle for conditions of life and it makes people aggressive and unhappy but actually they are not trying to be happy or think positively. So i think it is their fault in general. Because we should try to be positive even if conditions are unbearable. For example if you are sad, you shouldn't listen touching songs :))) it makes you more unhappy :O)

abaziiz

Saudi Arabia

Dear all

I wish add every one to my friends

dr_arbuz

Russian Federation

Hey! You are happy when you can share your happiness with somebody.

I think in Russia a lot of people not happy. In big cities people like to run for money and they don`t see beautiful things, they think about future, about a new car, a new TV, a new mobile phone, a new shoes… Many people spend much time before TV, computer and see just walls in home and office. It`s not good for your health! Begin to dance and smile everywhere and you will happy in any weather

jmrock

Mexico

yess, we in mexico are so happy, with a lot of traditions and "fiestas" i think that although we arent the biggest country, talking economically, we are happy cause there are true reasons for be, for example, we re so traditionals and familily is so important and money also but not so much.

in general happines is like u want to see

greats from mexico!!!

kukuka

Ukraine

No, people here are mostly glum and unhappy…not because of the weather, there are many other reasons to be unhappy here in my country. That's so sad and makes me feel blue very often. But I don't succumb to depression and low spirits, quite the contrary, I'm striving for happiness, I really do. It's debilitating work though.

tiara2tiara

Philippines

I want to be always happy, but looks like I don't find any yet. They say, you can just find it within yourself if you bring happiness to other people. I guess so.

tiara2tiara

Philippines

I want to be always happy, but looks like I don't find any yet. They say, you can just find it within yourself if you bring happiness to other people. I guess so.

Dess

Russian Federation

I belive in Happiness, but it's virtualy impossible to be happy all the time. The happiness is the part of life, or properly to say some goal of life that turn on the ignition to live through.

Vinni Lima

Brazil

People are very happy here in Brazil, although all the problems, sometimes seem that the people forget all the bad things. my country is a good country to live, because of the sun, the great and friendly people, etc !!

Live here makes me happy, I like it!

koxa

Ukraine

In general people in my country are not happy due to bad political strategy and as a result a bad living standard….but individually as for me, happiness it's everything what you do with pleasure, it's surrounding people who can help and advise you in any troble's time and simply just talk)

mayoya.mai@hotmail.com

Egypt

i think that this topic relate to the psychologist for anyone.for example from my point of view happiness has a great deal with the culture for people and the religious

Romio79

Russian Federation

Sport, music, knowledges, love, friends, work, helping people, success, victories, nature, sea, sun, travellings.

melamarc

Philippines

we all know that every one of us have a problems that comes in our way, we are sometimes take the risk and sacrifice something that are valuable to us. but even we took that risk, we fight for it, we avoid being depressed because Filipinos are friendly and Generous and we help each other for the better future and the all made us happy. :)

ruanjable

China

An old saying from China "Happiness is what you are having, not what you are missing"

ruanjable

China

People all over the world define Happiness in different ways. So it's really hard to tell because happiness is a complicating thing.

liuyouth11

China

i tkink so !

liuyouth11

China

i tkink so !

oalkathiri

United Arab Emirates

Actually the life now can't help you to be happy at all the time because the life has many problems if you go to the economy u will find problem if you go to the social life you will find problem so unhappiness is related with the problems. how to solve these problems and be happy at all the time by more faith with god and try to do positive things like give money to the poor people or help the people who are looking for the job like that in my opinion you can be happy.