By Charles Worren E. Laureta and Monica Pontigon
Photos by Peter Paul Duran
Such a level of joy just seems so unheard of in today’s time and age. The question now remains, how can one ensure to take things slow and have a happy life amid a world that is moving at breakneck speed.
Countries in the Nordic region, such as Denmark, often appear to get it all under control. Whatever the case may be, perhaps there is a great deal going on in Denmark that has kept the country remarkably happy despite the hardships occurring around it.
Franz-Michael Mellbin, the Danish Ambassador to the Philippines, discussed the things that make Denmark a happy country and what other countries like the Philippines can do to attain such happiness.
When the ambassador was asked if the country is somewhat happy, he commented that trust, a welfare system that takes care of everybody, and togetherness are the factors that make a nation and its people happy.
“Trust sounds funny, but why does that make people happy? It makes people happy because you have a lot less friction in your life if you can trust people,” said the Danish ambassador during a talk with the Manila Standard at the Ambassador’s Residence in Makati.
Trust is an important part of Danish culture and society. This may be because of the Nordic economic model of the state, which says that the government, businesses, and people must trust each other in order to do their best.
He also added, “We have a welfare system that takes care of everyone and ensures that people do not drop out, particularly the underprivileged.”
The Danish welfare system includes free healthcare for everyone, paid child care, free education for both Danes and people from other European countries, and more.
Mellbin also said that when things are hard, Danes develop a strong sense of community.
“Danes come from a background of a lot of poverty. Denmark was a very poor country for a very long time, it’s a very poor country. The historical background of Denmark is being a poor country where we have to find ways to work together across social differences and interests and this created consensus. I think this helps Danes to use it as an anecdote,” he said.
He immediately compared this to how Americans restrict their fellow citizens to smoke in a meeting and even kick them out while Danes will suggest things such as moving the meeting outside, taking breaks or even asking them to smoke together.
This is them considering another way of being together. This actually came from a strong feeling from their history which helped build the nation which he also indicates as “a part of the building nation process.”
People in Denmark always work together across social differences and interests, which creates a consensus in building the nation’s process and mitigating poverty and various adversities.
Asked if the Philippines is on track to achieve such happiness, he replied, “I think it could be because you have a good standing point.” National culture is friendly; you have a good departure point that is cultural. I think you could go very far, and then to welfare, which is basically about economic development, which would be very helpful also. Most importantly, you have this smile and are friendly with each other, and that can get you far.”
Ambassador Mellbin also revealed that a lot of Filipinos ask him for pictures, which he does not mind since for him it is fun or engaging.
“I like that people want to take a picture because, I think, you know, the Philippines is happy about people,” he said.
In connection with that, he also did not hide his appreciation for Batanes after being asked which part of the Philippines he could compare to Denmark.
He was surprised when he saw the islands, since every time he thinks about the country, beaches, jungles, and palm and coconut trees are in his mind, as he compared it to Karong Island.
Lastly, the Danish Ambassador said that ‘Danes were basically like Filipinos,’ since they were friendly, sociable, and kind.
“Filipinos are very popular in Denmark, they basically like Filipinos, I think they are friendly and can get along with them; they’re kind, and they’re sociable.” He expressed.