In chapter 16, re-connection one: to other people, the author mentions” They wanted to know: Does trying consciously to make yourself happier actually work?” The research compares the United States and some Asia countries. Basically, they tracked people who deliberately pursued happiness and some of who weren’t. The result shows that if you pretend you are happy, you will not feel happier in the United States. In the opposite, you will become happy if you pretend you are happy—if you live in Asia countries. When I saw this result, it allows me to think about what kind of factors can cause a huge difference.
The main reason is the culture difference. American’s personality is kind of selfish which they usually only care about themselves. But people who live in Asia, they usually think as “a group”. In my personal experience, the issue I mentioned above is true. I am from an Asia country. Even you pretend you are happy, you will finally feel happier in Taiwan. Because people are really care about their friends and family, you will feel be taken seriously. And they also like group action which they will invite you to join with them. As time goes by, you will become happier. After I came to the United States, I noticed something which most people only care about themselves. I do not mean Americans don’t care about people, it’s just that in most cases they get along with people in their own way. In this case, you are not happy will not be very attentive. Naturally, you won’t be happier.
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