Poor people were happier that rich people
By careguarden
@careguarden (5670)
Philippines
April 23, 2010 4:28am CST
I've read an article where an economist believe that economic growth does not necessarily improve human predicament nor lead to more satisfaction and happiness. It brings instead, a wealth of diminishing returns. He said that when a poor person could afford his/her basic necessities happiness will be followed. We often think that those rich people were happy because they have everything, the more they have the less they were be happier. Because they always want more, they want so much to be happy that only makes them miserable. What do you think? Do you believe that status of our life does makes a difference when it comes to happiness?
4 people like this
19 responses
@stanley777 (9402)
• Philippines
23 Apr 10
Sometimes- but it depends on the people themselves not how much money they have. I admire those people who remain honest and upright amidst their many assets. Maybe most of the times the rich are unhappy but some are still happy. there are also many poor people who have miserable lives but are still happy. But I do hope the economy would grow so all of will have what we need.
2 people like this
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Yeah, that's what I also hope for, because lots of people who are more suffered from poverty because of our economic crisis. Yeah, its always admirable to see those rich people who remains their feet on the ground inspite all their huge possessions. Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@jane239 (521)
•
23 Apr 10
That doesn't surprise me. Whenever I've seen documentaries about wealthy people they always seems to want the thinks that money can't buy like good health or in some cases, someone to share it all with.
And they always seem to be constantly striving for more rather than just enjoying what they've got.
The documentaries I've seen about people who have very little always get me thinking because while they would change things if they could, they are always grateful for whatever they do have.
2 people like this
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Yeah, I also seen some about it, many people believe and think that money and power did bring happiness in their life. They can't seem to get satisfied for what they have and fail to appreciate their blessings. While some poor people were often happy and grateful for little things that they have. Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@pratheep87 (1227)
• India
23 Apr 10
Yes i too think poor people are happier because they dont have much money. Middle and rich people seeks and ran for extra bucks and they lose the life. Money bring problem and also tension.
Now cheer guys
1 person likes this
@myzire72 (1154)
• Singapore
23 Apr 10
I believe so, careguarden. Rich people tend to have many assets and properties, and they are attached to them dearly. They are constantly trying to make more money, and at the same time, trying very hard to safeguard their belongings from theft, fire, natural disasters, etc. Constant worrying may make them unable to enjoy their wealth. On the other hand, poor people do not have much belongings. Whatever they have, they don't really worry very much about losing them. So, they are not as attached to their belongings. Therefore, they can live happier. In a nutshell, to live life without attachments may be one of the keys to happiness.
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Wow! this can be real true. Rich people were very much attached to their possessions, their heart and mind were on it. So often they worry on how to keep it, and worry if they might lost it one day. They always tried and work each day to have more and more. So its not really easy to be rich..lol While poor people worry less because they don't have property to look after and as long as they can eat and spend time with their love ones that's enough for them. Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@camomile07 (1420)
• Germany
23 Apr 10
I completly agree with this economist. As more you have, more you wish. Most of the rich people never find the peace to enjoy what they already got. If you are a poor person (as one who only has got the minimum to cover dailys needs but not more)but without any debits, you have more time to enjoy live. And enjoing live doesn't mean to spend a lot of money in expensive restaurants, to travel a lot or to spend it on expensive clothes. There are different ways to understand live and to enjoy every second. You don't need money to enjoy and you can't buy peace neither happiness!
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Yeah, many rich people believe that happiness lies on having lots of possession, being fame and having power. That's why they strive hard to get everything they want. They often fail to recognize and be grateful for their blessings, they can't seem to know how to count. While many poor people often satisfied for the little things that they have. Although its all depends on the persons attitude where one can get happiness they want. Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@joedollarhuat (580)
• Philippines
23 Apr 10
This is what I believe: It all depends on personality. Everyone has their own personality,some are optimists and others pessimist. The way you perceive things and are affected to things determines the degree of happiness you can achieve. Status quo doesn't play a factor in these things.
2 people like this
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Well you got your point, the status could not be directly affect ones happiness. But it's also humans nature of being unsatisfied for what they have, so they keep on getting what they want, some people think happiness can be found on material aspects that's why lots work hard and make day into night just to earn and support all their needs. That's a reality. Well that's just my thought. Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
23 Apr 10
That is a misconception done by people who are already successful financially and do not want anyone to approach their goals. Happiness does not depend on whether one is rich or poor. Paul in his letters said that he was content in whatever state he was. He was wealthy, and then poor, had some money, had gone, but throughout it, he was happy because he had the spirit of the Lord in him.
Now I am inclined to be more worried when I do not have enough money because I feel I want to have someone over for a coffee, but not enough in the house, my computer is breaking down, the fridge is not working, etc. (these are examples by the way of why people are unhappy) so for me having a bit more money means I do not have to charge things and pay more interest, I can do more mylotting, I can have friends over, when something is broken, I can pay for the repairs, etc. and of course, I can give more to charity and help others.
So it depends. If you are able to help others and also to afford to get things fixed that are broken, you will be happier when richer, and unhappier when poorer.
If you cannot see the help or the necessity of money to help others, or to fix up what you have, you will be happier poor.
1 person likes this
@angelajoy (1825)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
I agree with that economist. Happiness is a state of mind, and if you want to be happy, you can be happy even if you have only very little. My country is poor, but we are ranked as one of the happiest people on earth. It's just our culture. We always try to be happy even though we are having hardships. Besides, there is more to life than material things, and as the saying goes, "the best things in life are free." ![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Yeah, rich people can live as poor people if they want to, but did you know rich any rich people who tried to change their lifestyle and live as a poor? Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@Cherwin2010 (878)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
yes i agree, because poor people have a simple living life, so even a simple things can make them happy., they are being content what they have as long they can eat food 3 times a day., and when they can earn more income, easily comes to their mind is buying a delicious food good for the family for dinner., and with that simple things can make them happy while partaking the food which is not common i their table., poor people poor happiness as the say., but what is important is happy and satisfied.,
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
25 Apr 10
Yeah, poor people often contented with little things that they have, as long as they have something to eat and their family is at their side, to talk with, give comfort and share laughter, then they will be happy with that. While those rich people can't seem to appreciate a simpler life, they're always on hurry and their life is like race with lots of stress. Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@arreolabryan (856)
• Philippines
23 Apr 10
Greed will kill happiness, but if we know to out grow our greed we will be ok even if we became happy.
1 person likes this
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Yeah, you're right greediness will kill happiness. Its only in sharing and giving ones truly experience happiness in life. So its really a big mistake when one think and believe that happiness lies on getting whatever they want. Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@assinertata (288)
• Philippines
23 Apr 10
I don't believe that life's status does make a difference to happiness. It must not be the basis. although it's true, it could be one of the factors to be happy, but not all the time nor in every circumstances. It actually depends on the person's perception in life.
happy mylotting!
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Very well said, I can't disagree with you. Yeah in some factors money can contribute to ones happiness it all depends on the person and how he/she look and accept the situations. Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@enigmaslife (6)
• India
24 Apr 10
Only Very Few Poor People are happier then the Rich People.
Because They Know their Basics Needs and Living.
And Do not Cringe For Useless Luxury Stuffs They don't need.
And Rich People Always Strive to keeps their living Standard.
So We can Assume Very Few Poor People are Happier then the Rich People.
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
25 Apr 10
Well you have your point, I'm just wondering why in some research it was found that some third-world countries belong to one of the happiest country in the world compared those who are rich country. Anyway, happiness lies on the person not on the status. Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@suhastikoo (5)
• India
23 Apr 10
ya i believe but tht is not true for everytin. there are many situations in life where money doesnt serve the purpose....
1 person likes this
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Yeah, its not totally applicable to everyone. There are so many things that contribute to ones happiness, it could be money, family, power and possessions or anything. So some people believe that once they have lots of money they could be happier, while others believe that having enough will makes them happy as long as they have their family. Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@piya84 (2581)
• India
24 Apr 10
I think those people were lefty.LOL Money is equal to security and there is nothing wrong in chasing it.What they are saying actually is thrust to achieve more and more success has little to do with money but mindset.It doesnt mean all rich people are like that and they are sad and frustrated all the time.
Some poor people are sad as well as they dont have enough money to afford luxury they want.some of them are happy and enjoy life although they dont have much money.
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
25 Apr 10
Yeah, you're right, having lots or less with money, doesn't guarantee one to be happy.It's just one of the factor that contribute to happiness. Not in totality. Just based on some thorough study about people in the society. Happiness still depends on the person. Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@paolonievera02 (153)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
Yes, I believe that the topic (poor people are happier than rich people) is true. Actually the life of rich people is kinda senseless to me. You see there's no hardship on their lives. Just to take care of their assets. That's all they do. They don't mingle much with everybody because they have to their selves on their office tables. As the usual plot in movies, rich kids spare very little time with their parents, causing them to become rebellious, to become rude on other people in lower society.
If rich people may have time for fun then that will be on a bar. they'll drink and get drunk. what's the fun in just drinking for a night then go to office again tomorrow? Instead of finding other activities with friends and extend quality time.
Unlike the poor, particularly the squatters, you'll see the camaraderie of the whole community. Everybody help each other. Everybody knows each each other. They talk much about everything. They spend time together all the time. Though most of the male are always drunk but its how they spend many quality time with their friends. Aside from drinking, they have a lot of activities which they spend too like cockfighting.
Moreover, most poor people love to tell jokes. They make fun of everything, even simple things, easily. When they laugh, everybody laughs. Though grew up with street wordings but to them it's a sign of self expression and sometimes it's part of their jokes so everybody tend to laugh also. Though they mind to earn extra income yet they make sure to enjoy each day.
@kaye_kaye001 (27)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
It doesn't make sense at first. There were still poor people who is not happy with their lives because they can't buy or have such things they want. For rich people, they most likely happy because all things in the world had them. It depends on people wants and needs. If they had it both, then most people would be happier than ever!
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
25 Apr 10
Yeah, you're right it all depends on the person on how he/she look at the things and situations given, its just the money can have such factor when it comes to ones happiness, since it plays a role in our life. Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@totz_6920 (3)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
yes i believe that poor people are happier than rich people because the members of there family is always complete. when male time they are complete. the rich people are busy with there works and no time with there family. the poor people are happier because they are contented for what they have.........
@careguarden (5670)
• Philippines
25 Apr 10
Yeah, you're right poor people did often have such loving and complete family, although they don't have enough money but they always have company, who will always there for them and makes them laugh and makes them feel secure. While rich people were always on a hurry, always on a competition and never have enough love on their life. Anyway thank you for sharing with us and enjoy your day!
@charis777 (31)
• Romania
24 Apr 10
We are here to make some extra money... because we need money for a better life.
For me what it means to be happy is to reach my goals and my ideals in life. And to do that I need some money. I don't need the "happiness" of a poor people.
![](/Content/images/loading.gif)