Eric Weiner continues his journey to find
different points of view concerning cultures and their different meanings about
happiness, which makes him end up in Switzerland. His first encounter with the
Swiss people was not really a positive one, which was weird since they are
considered to be nice and neutral. It was in Africa where he met a couple and
he didn’t like them because he saw them as people not very helpful instead just
people that have everything perfectly placed and with no problems. This gave
him a little perspective about them before actually visiting their hometown and
getting to know them a bit better.
He continues his journey to actually go to
Switzerland and find out if they are really happy within themselves instead of
just with their lifestyle. Little did he know that the Swiss people just live a
“happiness life of boredom” as Weiner
said, where they have money, good jobs, clean streets, etc. but still are not
emotionally happy. Yes, they are happy with the confortable life they live and
don’t have any reasons to be sad. But the “happiness” that Weiner emphasizes, the
sentimental one where you get even chills by thinking about it or even cry as in
“tears of joy” does not exist in Switzerland. This can be seen when Weiner
says, “Okay, so the stereotype is true.
Switzerland is efficient and punctual. Also wealthy and with hardly any
unemployment. And, oh, the air is clean. The streets are nearly spotless. And
don’t forget the chocolate, which is delicious and plentiful. But happy? I saw
no joy on the faces of the well-tented Swiss couple in Africa. Only quiet
satisfaction, tinged with just a trace of smugness.”
This kind of observations makes me think of the people that view the
term happiness with someone who needs to pursue a “perfect life” in order to be
happy. When I say perfect life I mean as in having everything stable (jobs,
family, surroundings…) and within that, you are happy instantly. Everybody has
different meanings of happiness, but I think the most important thing about it
is that it comes within oneself. Where one can have everything or nothing
and can still see pass that and feel joy and bliss. It comes from one and its
different aspects of achieving it; it’s a satisfaction, a feeling where your
personality depends in how to achieve it. It’s not something you buy in a
store.
I like what you said about how the Swiss have no reason to be sad. I think that shows us great insight on what they consider to be happiness. They may have a lot if not of their material needs taken care of but,they may be searching for something else something emotional or spiritual to fulfill them internally and make them achieve true happiness. It was funny to read how the author had a bad experience with the Swiss since, like you said, they are usually considered to be very polite and reserved. I agree everyone has different meanings and ways to achieve happiness just because we do not see it or feel it does not mean it is not real or a valid way to be happy.
ReplyDeleteThe Swiss really do have a different perception on what is supposed to make them happy or sad and it kinda seems skewed from our point of view but for them it is all they know. This brings to question how they would react in other places like Puerto Rico where almost nothing works like its supposed to which would in contrast to what they are used to, because while everything working in order and being clean does sound like a dream (because honestly who hasn't waited more than an hour for a bus at least once in their life) it does seem kind of monotone. I might have to actually as a tourist from Switzerland, I'm curious now.
ReplyDeleteI concur, happiness cannot be bought in a store. What means happiness to me, may not mean happiness to you. You have to find it for yourself and achieve it.
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