I spent some time in a couple places in the caribbean with 3rd-world economic conditions, where large families commonly live in one-room shacks w/o utilities. I was fortunate enough to be able to also spend some time with the richest people on the island(s), hotel/resort owners and the like.
From what I could tell, on the whole, the poor villagers seemed much happier than the rich peope. The rich griped on and on about how everyone was out for their money, the help was robbing them blind, the taxes are killing them, etc. The villagers were smiling and friendly. They did not seem angry to be poor. The poor neighborhoods had little crime. Strangers would help each other.
The area certainly has its problems, I do not mean to idealize poverty, but it is different there. It's always warm, and enough good food grows wild so that no one ever really goes hungry, maybe that is part of the difference. Whatever it is, I found the experience to help with my perspective on the money/happiness issue.
From what I could tell, on the whole, the poor villagers seemed much happier than the rich peope. The rich griped on and on about how everyone was out for their money, the help was robbing them blind, the taxes are killing them, etc. The villagers were smiling and friendly. They did not seem angry to be poor. The poor neighborhoods had little crime. Strangers would help each other.
The area certainly has its problems, I do not mean to idealize poverty, but it is different there. It's always warm, and enough good food grows wild so that no one ever really goes hungry, maybe that is part of the difference. Whatever it is, I found the experience to help with my perspective on the money/happiness issue.
