The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]

maybe all the brands in kosovo have fucking smiley logos

I think you’ll find there’s a direct correlation between these figures and the prevalence of over-selling in those countries.

The Kosovo answer might have something to do with prolonged peace in the area perhaps… the longer they go without fighting, the happier they are.

Last year many countries oversaw the establishment of a declaration of independence for Kosovo, so perhaps the civilians are feeling optimistic that things are starting to change there?

If I was I sure as hell wouldn’t be sitting in research groups talking about car insurance (wow!!!) for the next two weeks. Not very feeling 60% optimistic at the moment for fucks sake >:(

actually the kosovo answer is based in fear and a case of overselling, albeit to one’s own mind.

for the sake of argument,I am willing to assume that the people asked where albanian. serbs either were not aproached or declined to answer, cause that side will give you a 100% “shit is worse than ever” answer.

Now with 25% unemployment, rampant coruption,political fighting, issues on every border, drugs and human trafficking and drying up of funds sent from relatives who work abroad due to economic crisis, the population is giving an anwer based on the fact they have selfproclaimed independence. this is what keeps them still positive.

As for lebanon, fuck me if I know. though with the amount of female beauty that walks around Beirut, I’d be a happy little camper as well..

It’s such a shame to see Croatia and Serbia on the pessimist list. Last year I spent time in both and they were massively upbeat about the future. Mind you that last year.

And I spent a load of time in Dubai with a bunch of Lebanese – they have got to be some of the most upbeat people alive, I’ve never meet a more realistically optimistic crowd.

Simon,

you are right about them being optimistic places. At least Zagreb and Belgrade (ever been to Belgrade on the boat clubs along the river?)

But they both have a rural population that is just worn out. Who don’t care at all. some research i read estimates 3 out of 4 adults on the balkan suffer from depression and other forms of stress related ilnesses.

There is no middle class. just poor, rich and those wanting to leave. the biggest issue the balkans have is the massive brain drain that is occuring. If kids are the future, then finding ways to keep them is the number 1 issue.

what I find funny is Macedonia. They are on the brink of civil war, so either they asked the wrong people (those wanting to break free) or TNS don’t do it to well.

Mind you it should also be FRY Macedonia. Greece will not find this typo to funny.

Rob, seeing as english is not my native language, that one flew right over my full head of hair 🙂

I have three things to say:

T
N
S

In this context, I’m surprised you’re surprised Rob.

I think its all relative. If you are starting from a low base (relatively low personal freedoms, relatively low incomes, relatively low feelings of security etc) then even a modest expectation of improvement is grounds for optimism.

But if you are in a society where most things work most of the time then holding on to what you have (let alone improving it) becomes more problematic.

The anomolies are Australia and New Zealand in the optimistic category. What have they got to be so optimistic about? I think in part it is because as societies they havn’t yet learned that big neighbours can invade them; social structures can break down; the world can suddenly turn against them – all these things will happen to them eventually (and have happened already when the British “invasions” trashed aboriginal and Maori societies).

Also not sure why Ukraine is so pessimistic – are they expecting a Russian invasion?

Hi ya fella, been a while – bloody work followed by half-term in rural Wales with no coverage of any sort other than grass. Better balance now. So make sure you’re interesting.

Hi Andrew …

I actually disagree – I don’t think it’s relative at all. Of course the logic of what you’re saying is bang on … but the nations that have endured greater hardships in life are not just optimistic about the future, they embrace positivity in almost every aspect of life.

Their level of cynicism is almost nil – despite being let down time and time again – which is defintely out of proportion with what ‘logic’ tells them [and us] what they should be feeling.

Vietnam … a place that has survived 1000 years of war against incredible odds …. is the most positive place I’ve ever visited and the last 5 years have literally been non-stop travel.

It’s not ‘tourism optimism’ as seen in other places like Thailand for example, it is something that has infused deeply within the entire population, even though so much points out that they are not in such a great place.

The secret is that rather than being positive about the possibilities of the future [though that has started to happen with international investment] they simply don’t take life for granted … whether it’s food on the table or getting a book … they think that is a good thing and from there, they believe they can help themselves and their country to a better brighter life.

The issue with the richer nations is that despite all their flag waving at times of sport and war, their focus is on themselves so life is based around fear [of loss] which given the untold riches they/we have, is pretty pathetic all in all.