I don’t know if it was a tourism board or whatnot, but I know the misunderstanding there was. The study was about contentedness, not happiness per se, and in Finnish culture, complaining is sort of frowned upon, so basically some interviewers went on the street in several countries, and took down how people said they feel about something. And they ask if a Finnish person is content. And Finns don’t really complain, so… next thing you know the study is being touted as having measured happiness and Finns having topped the list.
I don’t know if it was a tourism board or whatnot, but I know the misunderstanding there was. The study was about contentedness, not happiness per se, and in Finnish culture, complaining is sort of frowned upon, so basically some interviewers went on the street in several countries, and took down how people said they feel about something. And they ask if a Finnish person is content. And Finns don’t really complain, so… next thing you know the study is being touted as having measured happiness and Finns having topped the list.
Can’t complain, thanks.