ARE CZECH PEOPLE HAPPY? (The World Happiness Index 2021 results will shock you!)

[@ErtaiCZ]

We are a grumpy bunch. And we love every moment of that!

[@BuriBuster]

I love being angry, it makes me happy. I hate being happy, it makes me angry.

[@tipsychipsy1601]

Co to je grumpy bunch?

[@simonaogunfeitimi7124]

Are we?

[@AntonioVillagomez]

@@BuriBuster lol

[@jakubp.6987]

@@tipsychipsy1601 Doslova parta nevrlých

[@vendyp01]

I'm honestly in awe of your incredible grasp of the czech mentality... I don't think I could have put it better myself..

[@DreamPrague]

Thanks Vendy! That means a lot.

[@josefjusta4624]

​@@DreamPrague Yep, I have seen fewtimes the misunderstanding about czech culture etc. And it is hard to do some generalization of country with 10 milion members. But, I think the sumarization of what happines means for czech people is so true.

[@thespalek1]

Exactly!! :)) I really found out new things about myslef! :-D

[@pioneersaigon]

Velký respekt tomu, jak hluboko vidíš obyvatelům Česka do duše. A velmi jsem se nasmál. Jsi jediná, u které opravdu vím, že můžu dát like na video ještě předtím, než si ho pustím :-)

[@jirihruby2679]

Jo Jen super.

[@mikinakCZ]

You remember the tornado in Moravia? Well, everyone immediately came to help. The money raised for the help was just astonishing, and the amount of volunteers was ginormous. We may not donate to donations, but when a disaster strikes, oh boy be sure the Czechs are there for each other

[@DreamPrague]

Totally true

[@jakubsolc]

To donate money, that is only a imperfect way how to donate an equivalent of our own time (since money of funds is spent by buying the time of craftsmen). Although donations of money is not so wide spread in the Czech Republic, let s see to the case of tornado 2021 or flood in 2002, 1997. Many czechs donated their time by direct way - they offered their own hands and building material as well.

[@irena4545]

IIRC, when there was that huge earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia, Czechs' donations per capita were higher that American...

[@BHFJohnny]

Well, that was the first big tornado. As climate continues to evolve, we will see extreme events more often. I don't think there will be much of a help after seventh tornado that year.

[@beth12svist]

@@jakubsolc I think that's the key difference. Czechs often prefer concrete actions. And there may not be quite so many private charity drives and therefore not so frequent giving, but there are for example a lot of people who support other causes, like environmental ones, in other ways. There have been individual organisations and even individual people buying land in order to turn it into nature reserves recently, for example - and of course there are money drives for those. That sort of thing is harder to quantify and compare to other countries, but it's definitely symptomatic of something about the Czech national personality... P.S. It would be interesting to compare how much people in each country give repeatedly to the same cause, not necessarily every month but regularly. Comparing the two aspects of charity giving would be quite telling, too, I think, since, as Jen explained, the frequent Amerivan giving is actually symptomatic of an _unhappy_ aspect of the American way of life.

[@ayronnehned]

Jsem krajně nespokojený z toho , že jsme v indexu spokojenosti až na 18. místě . :)

[@DreamPrague]

😂

[@MrSonofsonof]

"Mamčo, dnes jsem měl 100% ze zkoušky matematiky!" "Ale tys měl také 100% minulý měsíc. Chceš mi snad říct, že ses vůbec nezlepšil za celý měsíc?"

[@DonPedro6901]

Úžasný komentář

[@veronicahenge1164]

😁😁😁

[@tetst_54546]

Myslím, že na to, čím vším naše země musela projít je to skutečně zázrak, že se máme tak dobře. Většina národů by toto nedokázala.

[@slouberiee]

You are glowing, and your hair is wonderful, Jen :)

[@DreamPrague]

Wow, thanks! I've been eating better :)

[@davidrosa6180]

Pa: za tu dobu co sleduju tvá videa jsem se dozvěděl o svém národě opravdu hodně děkuji 👍

[@kasuha]

Complaining is part of our social interaction culture. It makes you feel better since you let out the steam. Hearing others complain about similar things makes you feel better because you see others are in the same mess as you. After you spent evening at the pub complaining about things none of you can do something about, you go home happy and you have strengthened your social bonds.

[@KMarik]

Well said.

[@beth12svist]

"Sdílená radost je dvojnásobná radost, sdílený smutek je poloviční smutek." There are aspects of the national tendency to grumble that are annoying (such as some people's tendency to vent to complete strangers), but this much is definitely true.

[@cutelionfish7104]

@@beth12svist That quote sounds familiar... William Shakespeare, maybe? I'm not sure, but for some reason he seems like the man to say this.

[@beth12svist]

@@cutelionfish7104 No idea. It's just something people say.

[@jakubsolc]

Naše národní povaha je být nespokojení. To nás činí šťastnými. A kdo je šťastný, může být i spokojený, čímž se z celé věci stává paradox, s nímž nemůžeme být spokojeni. Tedy jsme přecejen šťastní.

[@Petr1331]

Kdyz chces nekoho nastvat, rejkni mu ze jsi spokojeny ze uz to nemuze byt lepsi😂

[@dudoklasovity2093]

mne chcipla koza. a co chces novou? ne, chci aby chcipla i sousedovi!😂 I love Czechs❤️

[@SilvieFicova]

ten konec jsi trefila - opravdu spokojenost pro nás znamená něco jiného než pro vás - synonymem je velmi často štěstí (dobré vztahy s lidmi, vnitřní klid, absence strachů, ne kariéra, peněženka a společenská prestiž - to je polní tráva)

[@adelakremplova3550]

"They are satisfied with their life (even though they'd never admit it)" :D :D :D Love that :D That's like a perfect description of czechs. Love this video btw. Interesting point of views.

[@veronicahenge1164]

Děkuji, jste milá, vtipná a inteligentní a velmi😊zvídavá-díky bohu. Čím víc vás poslouchám a čím víc poslouchám (pravidelně) zprávy ze světa ( I z USA), tím víc si uvědomuji, že je to vlastně štěstí, že žiju zrovna v této zemi.

[@janhank2302]

Já mám radost z maličkostí,a to mne dělá šťastným.

[@standajanko9119]

Přesně

[@ivannovotny4552]

Jan: You nailed it...!!

[@robertkovar8710]

Co je to stesti? Muska jenom zlata..

[@DreamPrague]

presne tak

[@lukasplaczek8912]

Super práce! Skvělé čtení obou mentalit, parádní video!

[@martinherak4286]

Hi Jen, excellent video. Your observations are very apt. You are my favorite noCzech :-) I wish you best.

[@richardkaba5306]

Další nádherné video. Díky.

[@tobytja]

Je úžasné, jak citlivě vnímáš českou povahu a různé aspekty života tady. Čas od času se ještě vyskytnou situace, kdy si něco vyložíš nepřesně nebo chybně, ale většinou to jsou jen drobnosti. Občas si všímáš i věcí, které třeba mně nikdy nedošly, protože jsou pro mě přirozené.

[@martinyamaha147]

Myslím si,že si zasa vtipne a dobre vystihla o čom si chcela hovoriť.:-) Zasmial som sa ,naučil niečo a možem zasa týždeň čakať.

[@feggyo]

Jen uplne naburava moju mienku o americkej povrchnosti. Ach, tie predsudky :)

[@dixussatt7978]

I like your videos so much. So enriching.

[@annavalkova1559]

Hello Jen, great video🙂 I think that especially last few minutes explain best the czech perception of happiness

[@dudoklasovity2093]

Jses uzasna miluji tvoje videa a jak presne chapes a vsimas si ty rozdily i nuance mezi 🇵🇭 a 🇺🇸 A mas supr smysl pro humor 👍👍👍👍

[@szpflyer4367]

Jen, ahoj and konichiwa from Japan, Since the last pre-invasion moments before COVID-19 launched its assault upon our world, your videos have surprised and informed me with lucid, scintillating commentary about life in the Czechlands, often with comparisons to life in the US-even down to the neighbourhood of my youth. To say your body of work has been helpful is to commit violence to understatement. Your chosen topic of this week answers unspoken questions about the relative happiness of Czechs vs Americans. Cultural differences between the two countries creates conflicting definitions of language people will use to describe their happiness, even if those involved think everyone involved is on the same page. Life in Japan over 21 years off and on since the 70s never fails to prove to me that assumptions of commonly accepted definitions vary across cultural lines. Thus, inevitably there is a bit of an element of apples-and-oranges (more like Valencia and Cara Cara oranges) in your presentation, but absolutely nothing that diminishes its validity and relevance. Particularly poignant was your discussion of corruption in the US and Czechlands. My Moravian wife lived a few decades under Communism before leaving for N. America in the 90s, and now recoils at the thought of having to live in a nascent authoritarian regime in 2024. My thoughts exactly; thus my motivation to learn as much as possible about the practical aspects of life in CZ. When (if?) 45 becomes 47, we’ll be beyond hearing about election lies. As a suggestion, your viewers may benefit from a contrast-and-compare study of medical procedures and practices between American and Czech hospitals. There’s nothing scarier I can think of than being admitted into a foreign hospital with little knowledge of the local language. Providing a basic Thomas-Guide like outline of what new patients might expect would provide real value to folks travelling to/from these countries. I write this from my room in a prominent national hospital in Nagoya, and thank my lucky stars for being able to converse easily with docs and nurses in the local language. Without some insight, I’d prefer not to try this in CZ. Thanks, Jen, for you tremendous contributions. よろしくお願いします！ Cheers, jl

[@ondrejmarek1980]

hey Jen, could you some time in the future do a crossover in a form of something like a panel of multiple expats living here sharing their experiences? podcast format might suit you nicely

[@DreamPrague]

Im on it Ondřej!

[@janurban7030]

SPOKOJENOST - neznamená rezignaci či to, že není co zlepšovat... Jsem se svým životem spokojený i ovšem nadále na sobě pracuji a posouvám se dál a dál, jenže si tu cestu užívám, nežiju v budoucnosti - žiju tady a teď a to je spokojenost... Vím, že může být i hůř, že lidé hladový, nemají kde bydlet a každý den žijou ve strachu... Ne spokojenost neznamená rezignaci, ale to, že jsi vděčný za to co máš... 😊 P.S. Pouze můj osobní názor, zkušenost a pocit - není myšleno všeobecně a pro všechny lidi... 😊

[@FluffySylveonBoi]

I am Czech and I enjoy every day, just like my uncle. I wouldn't change anything, I love my life and especially having lot of time for my hobbies, friends and family :) I haven't been sad for years tbh, so it is more than just satisfaction. I realized my life long goal and that's what makes me feel happy all the time. I don't need to complain, it's pointless, rather I can talk about my hobbies for hours. I go to a pub where I have friends with similar hobbies and it's not sports or politics, these always bored me. I am so happy I was born here, I wouldn't go anywhere else. I have good people here and good home and nice family and especially pivo and kofola.

[@DreamPrague]

What a delight to read this first thing in the morning!

[@richardhrubes4585]

wow you´v really learned a lot about czech nature . great findings and according my point of view all´v been correct . nice job .

[@kombasanpracka]

You´re very on point. Great observation and understanding :)

[@frantisekvacovsky9499]

Až dostaneš České občanství,kandiduj na prezidentku. Myslím,že by jsi měla hodně velkou šanci zabodovat.💓

[@DreamPrague]

Jste moc milý, Františku ☺

[@MuzLesaz]

@@DreamPrague A až se konečně taky naučíš mluvit česky...

[@phdj535]

I think that a better translation of "spokojený" in this context would be "content", rather than "satisfied". Great video by the way, as usual.

[@DreamPrague]

Good point!

[@LDurrrr]

I enjoyed this video and your opinion more than I thought I would just from reading the title. Great job!

[@Me-du7qb]

You are exactly right!!!! I'm czech living in Sweden for last 20 years and there for able to see my "czechness" even more clear in contrast to my growing "swedeness".... Strange thing is that last few years I feel more and more my czech upbringing comming through, almost like it was suppressed underneath for the sake of fit in and now it just explodes... Now I teach my co-workers how to make deep fried cauliflower with tatar sauce as the best vegetarian food, I try to explain that honesty to their bosses doesn't pay off and there IS a big difference between men and women in every context, it's not just a social construct.... With other words I'm becoming less politically correct and more and more the old czech "know-it-all" style......😉 I love living in Sweden but I love my czech mentality witch has been both curse and blessing for me for all those years, at the same time. I feel the one of the most czech thing abous us is that we always "read between the lines", it' s a sceptical way off thinking we possess and that is very difficult to shake off....it's something I've never truly succeeded with. I love watching your channel, I laugh out loud every time!! I send links to your vloggs to my swedish friends, mostly to make a point... "see? We czechs are all like that, it' s in our blood!!!! Like beer"!!!! Please continue do what you do, you do it very well!!! 👍😃❤️🤗

[@Hana-qk7gr]

As a Czech living in the Netherlands for more than 20 years I witness the same: After years of trying to fit in my new country, my Czechness is getting more and more the upper hand. And I'm spokojena.

[@Me-du7qb]

@@Hana-qk7gr me too, uplně nejspokojenějši!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@drakulkacz6489]

@@Me-du7qb I think that reading between the lines is a good ability. I am able to forecast what will happen sooner that it comes. Much more than people who are not used to do that. I take it as a gift. And our ability to improvise also.

[@PresleZmatena]

So true on the Czechness coming out after couple years abroad. And the differences between men and women.

[@DreamPrague]

That's so interesting! I'm so curious how the Swedes differ from the Czechs. And that fried cauliflower sounds delish.

[@petrberanek9128]

I am not that surprised by this. It is really good in here. We have free time after work, we have work, we can buy all essential things for not that much money. We have enough time to pursue hobbies, getting injured or sick does not ruin us through medical bills. We can choose any job we want, we have pretty good education system for our children. We can travel anywhere we want (well... aside from covid) live anywhere we want, we do not have to be afraid that tomorrow we might be hit by a missile because of some war, or some rando on the street shooting us with machine gun. Yeah, things could be definitely better, but things could be way way worse... so we should enjoy what we have.

[@DreamPrague]

I feel the same way, Petr!

[@globalstudiescpcc]

Much enjoyed this segment; thank you. Just viewed a 2021 dramedy called “Language Lessons.” Think u and Honza might enjoy…

[@ZemplinTemplar]

"It's almost as if we've had so much freedom for so long, that we forgot what we really means." There is a certain old Slovak saying or idiom: "Od dobroty aj pes zbesnie." - "From pleasantness, even a dog becomes rabid." Meaning, too much of a good thing, including comforts and certainties, can cloud people's judgement, and at worst, make them forget what sacrifices had to occur in the past (or have to occur in the present), in order to keep ensuring they can live a peaceful, comfortable life and have basic human and civic rights, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, equality before the law, don't have to fear reporting corruption, etc. People do often lose their perspective on this if they've lived the good life for long, and start taking things for granted, or avoid noticing hardships around them (ones that they themselves could help improve, at least a little bit). This is a potential threat to any country. I've noticed people have started taking democracy a bit for granted even in some central European countries, though there have been thankfully some wake-up calls. Functional democracies and civic societies are never a given, they can wither away if we lock ourselves into complete ignorance or become a little too self-absorbed. As for the notion of satisfaction: I think it has to do with a certain sense of humility. We humans tend to be creatures who are never truly satisfied. However, things like workoholism or perfectionism tend to tempt us into thinking "this is not enough, I have to achieve more", or even "I have to become an over-achiever", etc. Already in the early 18th century, Daniel Defore incorporated an interesting little idea into his Robinson Crusoe story. He has Crusoe ponder whether it makes much sense to treat his island as a place to just constantly gather from and exploit from, like he saw among many of his countrymen and others back in Europe. Not just exploitation, but this urge to greedily accumulate more and more, either in property, material goods, or social standing and prestigious titles... never satisfied. Living shipwrecked for so long on his lonely island in the Caribbean, he asked himself, "Was all that greediness and neverending lack of satisfaction really all that smart ?". Admittedly, Defoe might have been moralising a bit, but this is an idea that holds true even centuries later. It's an age-old human problem. Never having enough, seeking too much perfection, or power/influence, or wealth, or fame, or whatever, but not really finding a sense of happiness despite it all. Furthermore, happiness is more of a transitory thing, we need to constantly rebuild it and rekindle it, because it's dynamic, not static.

[@DreamPrague]

I agree. On topic, I was just listening to a podcast talking about a study which showed that when a person has suffered more, they are in general more compassionate towards others.

[@aliciaz]

yup, my grandma used to say all the time and also when someone was complaining about tiny thinhs she said "Vojnu na nich" - meaning - Give them war (so they have something real to complain about). And she was a person who lived through both world wars

[@Turtle1631991]

So... Is Czech Republic getting better or is everywhere else getting shittier? 10:43 is so true. I spat my tea and started laughing over here. You are absolutely correct!

[@tetst_54546]

I think it is indeed getting better. It is getting better slowly, but steadily in my eyes. Other countries usually have more inovative approaches, but they also seem to fail more frequently.

[@PavelSkollSuk]

Everyone gets shittier faster than us.

[@FeroVlkolinsky]

"Thumb up" and "thumb down" buttons are now definitely inaccurate - we need "Love" button. Love your vids.

[@toruvalejo6152]

Hi Jen, the Old Quibbler at your service again! ;) Just briefly: 1) Spending time with extended family vary within Czechlands and it is not just a question of leisure time - the more to the east the less "german" and the more sociable within families people are. Sometimes Czechs have quite funny/pitoresque ideas of how communal is family life of Moravians but if you ask Czechs how often do they see extended family or how many of them they invite to their birthday parties (I mean how big family party they hold) you notice quite a difference. Moravians definitely are naturaly more sociable (a bit more "mexican" if I can use clumsy comparison). ;) 2) When it comes to freedom - I can relate to your explanation that people who lived everyday oppression for years value their freedom more then those who never experienced lack of freedom (Even today I myself still feel very special every time I cross Czech borders - because crossing border was something VERY SPECIAL in the past...!) - but in Czechlands this applies only for people let's say of 40 years and older. Younger people might measure it by simple comparison of freedoms in USA and home. Long story short - Vicent Vega in Pulp Fiction summed it up by saying: "If you get stopped by cop in Amsterdam, it's illegal for them to search you. I mean that's a right the cops in Amsterdam don't have.". Add some bitter stories of growing "political correctnes" and factual rebirth of mccarthism in today's USA and you have a clear comparison why young Czechs still can feel free more then 'Muricans. 3) Corruption is something that few Czechs would see as positive - and same few Czechs would never concede themselves as corrupt when it comes to them personally. Bottles, flowers, chocolates, coffee bags etc. are pretty common gifts when dealing with any Czech clerk - but it never prevents those Czechs from thinking that corruption is bad - for them corruption simply starts with bringing packs of money and those gifts are just "little something" to please the clerk and procede related matter more smoothely... Would you believe that private doctors are corrupt as well? Pharmaceutical companies pay them travels to congresses, hotels, specialised literature in exchange they prescribe their drugs - and those docs do not see themselves as corrupt! So when it comes to corruption perception - there is great gap between common ideas and common practise in Czechlands... :/ 4) I know Mick Jagger is Englishman but - he can get no satisfaction as well - so why should you do?! :D I hope that helps - if you want more, just write. :) CU again soon!

[@DreamPrague]

Thank you, OQ! I like your comparison of Moravians as Mexicans, and I get the point. For some reason more "southern" people are always more family oriented and sociable, even within one country! I'll have to spend more time there.

[@Chucky2240]

)

[@beth12svist]

@@DreamPrague But in this case I think even Northern Moravia is like that to a degree (although South Moravia definitely holds the first prize for sociability and community living, often to a fault). If I may make a suggestion - you should come visit one of the folklore festivals that happen in Moravia (if Covid allows). It's a great excuse to come visit, and see it all in action taken up to eleven. ;-) P.S. Maybe go to the one Strážnice (I have to confess I have not visited that one yet) and visit the modrotisk workshop there while you're at it (that I _have_ visited). Indigo resist printing. That's now part of the UNESCO intangible world heritage (or whatever it's called in English) sooo... definitely a Central European treasure that foreign tourists are usually unaware of! They have 200-year-old print blocks in regular use!

[@petrmaly9087]

Also, Havel is beloved among certain group mainly in Prague, but he is by no means universally liked and had several highly controversial policies that alienated him with big part of the population.

[@masokombinatchleba1645]

True, Havloids are mainly in Prague

[@alexlola4723]

the summary at the end was very apt!

[@czechboy72]

Thank You for explaining to me how I feel about the TWO. Gotta pack up and move back 😁

[@tomaccuphose5535]

Odhadla jsi nás přesně, mimochodem mě fascinoval ten stolek s kytkou v rohu na jiném stolku :-D

[@raduna2106]

Love your hair! 😻

[@miroslavmoc3835]

Jen for Prague Castle - Jen na Hrad. I am very shocked by every your video. We need the president who can see in our soul and I think you can. Your videos are very exact about our mentality. 🤣😂 Jsem spokojen s tvym vykonem. 🤣😂

[@honzavlcek4021]

There is an HDI (Human development index) index based on various data, such as wealth, environment, education, healthcare, etc. In this ranking, the USA is in 17th place and the Czechia in 27th place. But! There is a modified calculation of this index (called IHDI), which also includes whether all these conveniences are available to all citizens of the country, not just the richer ones. And in this ranking, the Czech Republic is in 12th place while the USA is in 28th place. it is interesting to think about this as well.

[@CZProtton]

Miluju tvůj humor, Jen. Skvělá videa :) Taky bychom teda měli být dál jako... Jen 18?

[@beth12svist]

Kolik je na světě zemí? 18 je dost dobrý výsledek... Vemte to tak, že jsme v první dvacítce. :-)

[@fajkoson]

"kecáš" :P hahha, love it

[@SilvieFicova]

Jsme nejšťastnější národ na světě. Ale jelikož tu žije hodně cizinců, tváříme se zoufale, aby vám to nebylo líto, a abyste nám tolik nezáviděli ;-)

[@ladymacbethofmtensk896]

Happiness is always idealized, in much the same way children idealize birthday cake as the perfect food, just because it is sweet and little else.

[@jindrichcapek7842]

I agree with your assesments :-)

[@antovonh]

Your videos are so interesting :)

[@paulselinger6658]

Hi Jen, you hit the nail on the head with Czechs being a grumpy bunch. In a comment to one of your vlogs a Czech was complaining about the horrible life in California. When I replied that my life here is peachy, he went bonkers over me feeling that way. Dissatisfaction seems to be expected, even mandatory. Still, I am happy to report that San Diego is peachy today, as every day... also thank to your weekly supply of entertaining vlogs! :-)

[@feggyo]

I find grumpiness less annoying than keeping a permanent smile :)

[@DreamPrague]

yeah, I wonder, if life is so shitty in California, why stay they for so long, right? I'm glad you love San Diego, as do I. We spent our summers in Del Mar as children and I knew I was the luckiest every single day.

[@smutnejklaun]

@@DreamPrague If life is so peachy in California, why to stay for over 9 years in Czech Republic, Jen? I wonder... I mean, after all Cali is your home, right? Why not to return there? There is no place like home.

[@stanislavmatousek9148]

Wow, love this video. Hit the nail on the head. Especially with the reasons why to be grumpy. It made me laugh - so true and so Czech.

[@mortisCZ]

Give me freedom or give me cheap beer. :-D This is clearly meant as a jab at our tradition of sedentary dissatisfaction. We're bit of a posers in our collective frowns. Most people I know admit that life's not perfect but it could be much worse and that's a very common idea of satisfaction around here so there is no surprise that we see ourselves as relatively happy. If I may use a hyperbole I would complain that my job is difficult, my pay barely pays for my mortgage, my spouse has a sharp tongue after her mother, that vacation felt so short and I have to plan my visit to my doctor because my back hurts. This just means that I have a job that allowes me to pay my own house with a woman willing to live with me and that I've had a vacation. This also means that I complain about my hesitancy to listen to my doctor but it's not a dread of not being able to afford one.

[@mortisCZ]

Oh I've watched last few minutes and you've hit the note too. :-)

[@DreamPrague]

🤓

[@radovanzelenc8736]

Hapiness depend of methodic.Thank you for you video.

[@carlosgranja1001]

Very nice 😃 fully agree 😁

[@deadlymagecz4186]

In the context that you use "spokojený" at the end, "content" might be a more appropriate equivalent as I have generally heard it to be used similarly to what you described

[@hagar6213]

Jen má moc hezky udělané vlasy.

[@Bo-tz4nw]

Nice to hear, just an idea: Maybe showing more of the cityin your videos, why so many selfies here? (By the way ."..will shock you" Maybe the American way. Shock? Probably not. In Europe we probably don´t get shocked that easily, maybe a difference? Still, really glad you appreciate the city!)

[@Alice-ze9ol]

The satisfaction thing was the most shocking one, but it seems that it is perfectly correct. Drive to continuous improvements and looking for a better whatever is a never-ending rat race with no winners. Thank you for you amazing videos, I always enjoy them!

[@DreamPrague]

Thank you Alice!

[@jansvoboda4293]

I do not think it is the drive for improvements that is the issue. A perfectly content person, a stoic can have drive for improvement. But that drive is internal, a self realization. The anxiousness I think comes from external competition with fake ideals-idols, trying to rise in status, hence becoming a slave of other's opinions.

[@vlastaprikaska578]

Have you made a video about how Czech love their dogs, "pejskaření?"

[@quetzalogg]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnSxYaZ6o61sitU

[@rehurekj]

I think some of the points you made( not disputing them as you got quite a grasp on Czech way of living after living almost as a Czech for a decade) can be summed up under managing ones expectations- here in England its quite rare, almost as everyones got the inner feeling of being entitled to good things only. Its like one just cant expect to win lottery when they buy the ticket, its a game where almost everyone lose, so if they dont win it didnt crush them and theyre still fine with their lot but when they win its very pleasant surprise that makes their day or life depending on the sum. Its the same as you said we just expect some level of corruption from our politicians, we know theyre just humans and we Czechs low key know to expect the worst from anyone we doesnt know, so when they are actually revealed as corrupt it doesn't ruin our perception of politics and country and fellow human beings, which isnt( in all 3 cases) very good to start with. Czechs have saying" expect the worst" or "count with the worst" and while more idealistic( sometimes unrealistically so) nations like Americans see it as pessimism for Czechs its realism as when we are mentally ready for the worst to happen it also means there are occasional surprises in our lives when the worst doesnt happen while those idealists expecting everything gonna work as it theoretically should all the time dont get those nice surprises but the opposite so in the end Czech way brings into ones life more happiness and make it more content IMHO. PS I think the more apt translation of "spokojeny" would be content and not satisfied and you used the word content in the description but not in vid itself.

[@DreamPrague]

I think in that regard the Brits are very similar to Americans. I will probably always be more optimistic than the Czechs, but I do agree that managing one's expectations is a good way to find "contentedness". :)

[@michellemaine2719]

I only lived in CR for my first 11 years, but I have always lived my life as a somewhat grumpy realist. It made fitting in with Americans extremely difficult. I do way better with the sarcastic and secular Brits 😉

[@tsevca]

I think your view of the charity opinions among Czechs is something we would never think of, but is actually quite right. But I think there is one more reason, why Czechs don't rely on charity as much. When I went to school and we talked about financial classes of Anglo-American world, our teacher told us about half of them doesn't exist in Czech Republic. Like the top 3 and the lowest one maybe. We don't have people so rich they made charity their job, because they don't have to worry about even their grandchildren ever working with what they already have, even if they spend their lives giving it away. And the differences between people are not so big. At least they didn't use to be and we didn't feel it, it got worse in the last years. When few years ago, a woman started a charity to pay for school lunches, most of us were surprised someone couldn't afford them. When we spend our lives saving money for something (things we sometimes never even get to buy despite it) or paying loans, because we can't afford to buy quite simple things without it, we feel that taking away money from our family to give it to someone doing not that much worse or in bad situation by their own doing (taking loans they can't afford, because people don't read the contract properly or consider possible situations is very common reasons of financial problems) isn't right. Before the revolution, there was a saying that those, who don't steal, steal from their own family. And that thinking is still rooted in our minds. Even with things like taking the free sugar home when ordering a coffee. Or my mother telling me to ask for more asthma medicine than I actually need, because it might get more expensive, so it's better to have some extra for those times. In recent years, the situation is changing. There are people significantly poorer and because of things not their fault. But Czechs are not used to it yet.

[@conceptalfa]

Regarding charities, where ever it might be or who ever receives it, is there actually someone checking up where the money winds up or how it is used, or is it just some kind of a gest that will just be forgotten moments after???

[@jasonhamilton8562]

Here's how they measure generosity: "Generosity is the residual of regressing national average of response to the GWP question “Have you donated money to a charity in the past month?” on GDP per capita." An interesting result of this is that with America's enormous GDP, the US score will suffer. Making up some numbers, let's say 60% of one group gives to charity and had a GDP of $1,000 per capita. Their score would be .065. If 40% of another group gives, but has a GDP of 100 per capita, their score would be .40. They are trying to say that, because the US is a richer country, people should give more. But, with the US GDP being so high, it would be very difficult for the citizens to achieve a high score in this category. Check out other sources for charitable giving by country. You'll find the US ranks much higher in most cases.

[@colwilpro]

I feel proud that I've saved so many lives by following all those arrows on the floor at the supermarket 🥉 🏆😁

[@smarter_in_5_mins]

We have to live through some unsatisfactory moments in our lives to better appreciate the opposite. And we, Czechs, can be happy that many things we complain about are in fact so-called first world problems (a.k.a. trivialities made-up by people who have all essential things for their life). So, yes, we are mostly happy, but shhhh (pssssst) 😃

[@krekolos421]

No one needs to know

[@mellocello4u]

As usual Jen nails it. She states the facts with a delightful sense of humor

[@thespalek1]

Honestly I am shocked about the reults. :-D I believe they must have done the survey among some people on drugs or something... But the real shocker: I never knew, what ANO stood for...:-D And last but not least, it really got me, how you described the difference between perception of freedom. And how Americans maybe do not appreciate freedom, as people from post-com countries do. It was exactly my impression from many discussions I had with (mostly young) Americans...Kind of ..virginity maybe:-D I don´t mean this bad in any way. An I do not mean to change anyone´s oppinion or something..I believe in freedom of view ;) but I honestly hope, that it changes, as freedom is easily given up (for your own protection, ideology, strong leader - whatever, it allways sounds sweet, that´s why you go for it) and it´s really, really hard to get back, once it´s gone. And than your index of happines goes through the roof, because you cannot afford to not play along.

[@NameAmin]

whaat the camera quality is trough the roof! nice

[@GandalfWhite11]

Jak řekl Karel IV (V. Brodský), v muzikálu noc na Karlštejně, nad sklenkou vína: “toho víno vyrostlo zde v Čechách. Zdá se poněkud trpké, ale to jen na první ochutnaní. Jako všechno v této zemi.”

[@robertsinclair2135]

I must say your acting is funny, entertaining even

[@patrikcechov9738]

,,kecáš" :D :D :D

[@indianrohlik]

Václav Havel :-D maybe those with pink glasses

[@starman5028]

Love the video. You are funny. You should try stand-up.

[@DreamPrague]

Ha, thanks Starman. Literally my biggest fear in life is being on a stage trying to make people laugh. I'll stay behind the camera for now :)

[@skoky76]

Happiness is purely subjective feeling imho. It cannot be measured :-). Someone is happy that he is living in a safe place (one of the safest on Earth tbh) and being able to grow up kids and enjoy the family life, while other in the same situation might not feel happy , because he is still having a feeling that he is missing something :-). So I guess happiness is more about that "missing something" feeling :-). Less you miss something - more "content" and happy you are imho. And I can tell you - older you get you in general have less feeling of missing anything , so in general I tend to become more happy more older I am. Not sure if that is an anomaly, but I feel it like that :-)

[@iannickCZ]

That is so correct

[@abirwait5636]

The first time I noticed the existence of Washburn guitars. Who plays?

[@luciedvorakova2167]

Accurate description of Czech mentality :) I would note that these indexes are a huge approximations only, because comparing the whole USA with only a small portion of the EU (Czech rep.) doesn’t make much sense. New York City is certainly not the same place as some rural area in Texas, as well as Paris is certainly not the same place as some rural area in Bulgaria.

I love rural Bulgaria. 😀

[@beth12svist]

That's another good point. I imagine there are far huger gaps that the US on the whole needs to average over than there are in Czechia...

[@luciedvorakova2167]

@@beth12svist That’s my point, United States of America are union of 50 states with a total population of 331, 5 millions and those states certainly aren’t all the same (they doesn’t even have same laws). Czech rep. on the other hand have population of 10,7 millions and is just one member state of the EU. So comparing CZ with USA is the same like comparing EU with e.g. Arkansas, just comparing incomparable.

[@antonbecher9637]

Jsem překvapený jak přesně Jsi vystiha Českou mentalitu! 🤫🤫

[@jannovak9756]

There's no direct translation for "spokojeny" It just sits right between happy and satisfied...

“I’m fine” 😉

[@matotuHELL]

Well I would say content.

[@abirwait5636]

I would say "being content". I didn't love my job, but I was content. Bylo to OK.

[@matotuHELL]

Interesting. I see a Washburn case. Do you or Honza or Tobík play the guitar?

[@michellemaine2719]

I love freedom to roam. I never felt like I had that in the US due to so many properties being private, at least on the East coast. I would also translate spokojeny as content(ed).

[@dandapanda]

That's it! I miss freedom to roam so much in Canada! It's crazy how vast this country is, but the only wild places you can go are just designated parks and curated "wildernesses". The moment I walk on a beautiful field by the road, I immediately feel like a suspect with some nefarious intentions as within minutes some pick up truck rolls in out of nowhere and observes me ostentatiously. I've been once warned I could get shot for doing that. Madness. Vyjít si jen tak do lesa nebo na louku je snad ta nejúžasnější svoboda kterou Češi mají a která mi v Kanadě strašně chybí.

[@michellemaine2719]

@@dandapanda I didn't realise it was like that in Canada too. Bummer 😢

[@beth12svist]

Ah. That may be one of the explanations for why Finland ranks high. :D They actually have a law that says roaming forests and picking produce in forests is a universal right... or something to that effect.

[@Geker3]

From what you said Jen, it sounds like Americans value their public image over their own happiness. And if I may say my opinion on it: That is simply worng.

[@toruvalejo6152]

Public Image Limited? Frankly - I do not care... Just listen!

[@DreamPrague]

I never thought about it that way, but you're right. It's important for us to look happy and successful on the outside, even if we're not that way on the inside.

[@helenatokarska8364]

The frustration will find its way soon if this is a case.

[@Geker3]

@@helenatokarska8364 Yup, that's may-be why some new studies show Americans actually more over-worked than Japanese and rising suicide rate in the U.S.

[@michellemaine2719]

This is absolutely true. I came close to killing myself living there. Moved away 3 years ago and have never been happier (except as a child living in CR).

[@mariepetrekova6055]

Super video A také dobré vlasy.

[@68leiah]

Jen, Vánoce se blíží, mohla byste prosím natočit video o vašich vlastních vánočních tradicích tady v Praze? Co jste převzala od místních a co dodržujte z amerických zvyků.

[@saad-t7k]

Jen, nevím, jestli znáš Karla Kryla, ale dnes jsi mi ho připomněla: Politikům se nevěří, politici se kontrolují. ;)

[@joannachang6272]

So true, my Czech husband admits that he and most of Czechs are grumpy. And about Presidents, Czech President doesn’t have so much power as USA President.

[@Dream-bebe]

😊❤

[@thisperson1654]

Do I have what i want ? No. Do I have what I need ? Yes. I am happy.

[@Petr1331]

As allways spot on! 👍. Made my day again😂 I’m one of proud Czechs satisfied in my life, having nice house, family, good friends, decent job I like….what else would I need??? More money ? Status? We are Czechs, we don’t give a sh** about social status! We can go to have beer with president…..except Vaclav Klaus of course🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BJKage]

The happiest we are when we have something to bitch about.

[@honzaa.7250]

To konečné shrnutí bylo takové... Pěkné a milé, až jsem zase o něco spokojenější :)

[@kristynamalkova8155]

I'm little confused .. Because when a count every number and then divide by 6 than USA have less point than czech. How its possible czech is in 18 place ? When Avarage its around 66 points and USA only 36 .. Can someone explain me this ?

[@thamirivonjaahri6378]

I can say, that my definition of satisfactory day is when I can leave the work with no overtime due to untimeliness of colleagues from the second shift, or not having to listen to some random dude's phone rant about bullsh*t I can inform of, but can't do a frakin' thing about...

[@keenmate9719]

I think "alternative facts" are outdated, these days it's more like "my facts" and my facts are all that matters. What are my facts based on you ask? My feelings.

[@beth12svist]

I've come across the English expression "living my truth". It's usually applied to finding one's own identity, and so far so good, but as a Czech I can definitely see how easily it can slip into "my perception of reality is all that matters and if you correct my truth, you're intruding on my freedom" which is... less okay.

[@yose42]

just WOW!

[@peteblazar5515]

We are nation of atheists. We don't pray(work) more for achieving ours goals. We just lower our expectations and achieve satisfaction. ;-)

[@morthiumcz1204]

"People vote lesser evil." Well, like we got any other choice.

[@PavelSkollSuk]

1) We are quite happy despite the circumstances. 2) What is on paper, what rules and prohibitions, differs from real human interaction a lot. 3) The only statistics you can trust are those you falsified yourself. -- W. Churchill

[@deadrightsadvocate]

The GDP of the USA is not ranked number 7. Not even close. The USA is by far number 1 at 19tril...

[@romanvanousek6846]

možná někdo odpovídal ironicky a nebylo mu porozuměno :D .. jinak osobně považuji vysokou spokojenost i nespokojenost za špatnou .. oboje má negativní vliv, způsobuje totiž stagnaci, člověk který je příliš spokojen nemá důvod k změnám a inovaci, člověk který je příliš nespokojen se může zlomit a rezignovat.