When You´re Smiling! Why Mexicans Are The Happiest People In The World

“When you’re smilin’ keep on smilin’
The whole world smiles with you
And when you’re laughin’ oh when youre laughin’
The sun comes shinin? Through” Louis Armstrong

A couple of month ago the World Happiness Report 2015 came out and while the Top Ten countries are mostly European countries, Mexico stands in a very respectable 14th position, leaving the United States just behind and Brazil followed. These results as interesting as they could be stated something very true to us here at Olympus Tours: people in Mexico is happy.

What is the first thing you can see and feel once you land in places like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta or Los Cabos? Besides the heat of the tropical climate, you can inmediately spot a gorgeous set of eyes smiling at you, the way those eyes smile is as bright as the full teeth smile that goes within the face.

Despite all the bad press that Mexico has been receiving for years now, its people is one of the happiest in the world, why do you think that could be?

Lets break this down to a few attitudes that we feel are the basics of mexican idiosincracy that translates into longer, fuller and happier lives overall.

Kindness: Mexico as a country and mexicans are all about politeness and kindness. There´s no way you won´t get at least a little smile if you wave someone hello on the streets, even shop clerks will always say good morning, afternoon or evening (in case they don´t see you) and will ask you if there´s something else they can do for you. Don´t get us wrong, you will also encounter rude people in Mexico as in any other country in the world, but if they are rude to you is rarely because they have a problem with you and it is more likely to be that they are in a rush because they are late to get somewhere (also the famous mexican puntuality) .

Smile and Laughter: Mexicans are very fond of playing tricks, telling jokes and even pranks. Althought most of the time these are innocent or a bit flirty jokes, they try to take everything that happens as smooth as possible. Is not a lack of passion rather than an always-look-on-the-bright-side attitude towards life and that´s how they are able to make a joke and crack a smile out of basically any situation in life.

The Weather: Thought most the countries that made it to the Top Ten of the World Happiness Report are either Scandinavian and central european countries where the weather is not particularly nice all year round unlike Australia and New Zealand that have different environments and a more tropical weather, Mexico has a landscape and climate variety that are unparallel. You can enjoy a cooler weather in a village looking at a giant volcano one day and the next you can be surrounded by lush jungle and pristine azure waters or surfing while looking to sand dunes and the desert. Who wouldn´t be happy with these change of sceneries?

The Food: Is not just luck that mexican food is considered one of the richest and most delicious gastronomies in the world, therefore, people who eat it tend to be VERY happy people. From the simplest and mouth watering tacos al pastor to a very complex mole (a prehispanic sauce that has over 50 different ingredients), the food is a true reflection of the region where it comes from, the people who cooks it and the people who eat it. If you don´t believe us, just go to the nearest taco stand, get a couple of tacos and while you are tasting all the flavours pay attention to the cook and the people who work there, all smiles and fraternal with each other. If you cook in a good mood, you are going to cook an awesome meal.

These are only four things and attitude that are undoubtely inherent to this vibrant country, where no matter how much or little they have, they will always share it with you. It can be a smile, a nice gesture, a glass of water, a hug, a cold beer or a delicious taco, their advice in love matters, their business expertice and their lust for life. We are proud to count ourselves as part of the happiest people in the world, full of warmth and kindness, otherwise we wouldn´t be the hospitality people of Mexico for nothing, right?