Why do White People seem so happy most of the time?

[Anonymous]

Living graciously - being self sufficient, being grateful, knowing what you have and appreciating instead of coveting what every other person has. Personally, these things make me far happier than relying on others and being disappointed. Seriously.

OF COURSE you're going to be miserable if you constantly think the next guy has more this or that and is happier because of it. Thats just a crazy way to live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Living graciously - being self sufficient, being grateful, knowing what you have and appreciating instead of coveting what every other person has. Personally, these things make me far happier than relying on others and being disappointed. Seriously.

OF COURSE you're going to be miserable if you constantly think the next guy has more this or that and is happier because of it. Thats just a crazy way to live.

Well, it's been found that those who do "rely" on others- people who have strong relationships with others- cope better with life's tough times than those who strive for total independence. Thinking you can do everything on your own just sets you up for failure- society works because of everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP, please save us. Is this exchange helping answer your existential question

OP Here. Nope, this exchange about manners on the Metro is not helping to answer my question.

Perhaps I should have used a different example.

I actually listened to what some of the earlier posters wrote and when I went out during my lunch break today I attempted to put the 'fake it til I make it' advise into use. When I stood in line at Potbellys to get a mixed berry smoothie the white lady who wrung up my order was so cheerful. She smiled plenty, was upbeat while taking my order and even thanked me for ordering afterwards. No matter how hard I tried to muster up the energy to smile back and return the cheer I just couldn't. It was an Epic failure!

OK, "faking it" is not the right mindset...it is more about finding something to appreciate, to feel cheerful about. The smile then follows. In your own example, you were devoting your mental chatter to "I have to smile I have to smile I have to smile..." Next time, quiet down the chatter, and fully focus on the berry smoothie. Give it a good sip, enjoy it, and I guarantee you'll give a nice smile back to the waitress

OP Here. Thanks. This is good advice. I think I may have been trying to hard. I'll go and get a smoothie again tomorrow for some practice

+1 It's definitely about appreciating the little things - the way the sunset turns the clouds pink, maybe a little clump of flowers that you see on the way to work. You get the idea. I'm white but my life has been pretty rough. People who know the story are usually shocked and frequently ask me how I have not ended up a wreck because I am generally a cheerful person. And it really is about finding the silver lining in pretty much any situation. There's so much beauty in almost every moment. You miss that if you aren't paying attention. Thanks to the pp for reminding us all to keep our eyes on the good stuff.

[Anonymous]

Let's take a moment to appreciate the six smileys and the beautiful comment above.

Regardless of race, at the core we all aspire to the same.

[Anonymous]

20:01 - Nope. Relying on others for emergencies but surrounding yourself with friends is one thing. Using people or having the "what can you do for me" attitude is quite another. The latter guarantees failure. We all know those who subscribe to "it takes a village" to overkill; they use people and people get tired of them VERY quickly!

Every successful AND happy person I know is self sufficient and surrounded with great friends who they do NOT use.

That, and appreciating the little things like nice weather, health, good people...the list is endless....is how people are happy.

[Anonymous]

^ Who recommended relying on others for everything?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Living graciously - being self sufficient, being grateful, knowing what you have and appreciating instead of coveting what every other person has. Personally, these things make me far happier than relying on others and being disappointed. Seriously.

OF COURSE you're going to be miserable if you constantly think the next guy has more this or that and is happier because of it. Thats just a crazy way to live.

Well, it's been found that those who do "rely" on others- people who have strong relationships with others- cope better with life's tough times than those who strive for total independence. Thinking you can do everything on your own just sets you up for failure- society works because of everyone.

The difference between these two posts may answer the OPs questions and clarify some of the differences which cause some people to generally appear to happy in public settings and why others may appear less so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On the issue of happiness (or perceived happiness) many men like foreign women because they say American women are unhappy and rude.

That's because foreign women have lower expectations and are more easily satisfied with financial support. I'm American born, and I don't need my man for money.

[Anonymous]

I am white and am happy a lot because I know how lucky I am. I have living children to raise, a partner who loves and respects me and vice versa, a career I love. I worked hard for it all and took a lot of shit to get here. I have survived great loss, difficult childhood with abusive father and clinically depressed mother, paid off tons of student loans, etc... I know I have it good right now and am so thankful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am white and am happy a lot because I know how lucky I am. I have living children to raise, a partner who loves and respects me and vice versa, a career I love. I worked hard for it all and took a lot of shit to get here. I have survived great loss, difficult childhood with abusive father and clinically depressed mother, paid off tons of student loans, etc... I know I have it good right now and am so thankful.

Good for you. I am in a similar situation and have lost sight of being thankful. Just feeling overwhelmed by a lot but in therapy to help get it back. I know I should be happy and beeat myself up b/c I'm just not. I feel like an ingrate.

[Anonymous]

They are so happy because they don't have a hard life. They are oblivious at how bad things can be, most of them haven't even been in a physical fight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are so happy because they don't have a hard life. They are oblivious at how bad things can be, most of them haven't even been in a physical fight.

Yeah, most of them have never even kicked somebody.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are so happy because they don't have a hard life. They are oblivious at how bad things can be, most of them haven't even been in a physical fight.

This isn't a race issue, it's a wealth issue.

[Anonymous]

Just came from the MVA. Can vouch that white people are not happier. Damn those were some grumpy ass employees!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just came from the MVA. Can vouch that white people are not happier. Damn those were some grumpy ass employees!!!

Whats MVA?