In 2008 Eric Weiner wrote and published the book The Geography of Bliss, one grump’s search for the happiest places in the world. This paper describes Mr. Weiner’s search for happiness over the course of a year, traveling through ten very different countries, including our own land America. His search has sent him through the darkest corners of the world to the brightest and busiest places of all. “Places that possess, in spades, one or more of the ingredients that we consider essential to the hearty stew of happiness: money, pleasure, spirituality, family, and chocolate, among others” (pg. 2).
Mr. Weiner’s search began in the Netherlands at Rotterdam's World Database of Happiness where he searches for, the happiest places, and even the unhappiest. “All cultures value happiness, but not to the same degree” (pg. 15). Weiner is a grump, he likes his coffee and occasional drink and doesn’t seem to be very comfortable with the word happiness. This journey took him all over the world in his own personal search for that word, Happiness. Weiner is one of the few that were able to show us where happiness is and was able to describe it with greatness. Indeed Eric Weiner did find happiness; the search can lead you on a journey to many different places. For some the search is futile, for others it is the journey and the destination that they find remarkable and the most meaningful. You should ask yourself, what is your happiness level?
For the Swiss Happiness is found in boredom, this is their way of life. At first Weiner wasn't too fond of the Swiss, either, uncomfortable with their quiet satisfaction. The Swiss are Efficient, Clean and, according to Weiner, chocolate is the most important element of Swiss bliss. “The Swiss consume mass quantities of chocolate, and there is some credible evidence that chocolate makes us happier. In order to investigate this link, I visit a chocolate store. It reminds me of an art gallery, an edible art gallery.