In the Swiss state of bliss

In Eric Weiner's "The Geography of Bliss," the author and self-styled unhappy person writes about his quest to pinpoint the happiest places on earth. "We speak of searching for happiness, of finding contentment, as if these places were locations in an atlas, actual places that we could visit if only we had the proper map and the right navigational skills," he writes. "I pack my bags and depart my home on what I know full well is a fool's errand... That's OK. I'm already unhappy. I have nothing to lose."

His journey begins, not surprisingly, in the Netherlands, a country where dope — like prostitution — is legal. It also happens to be the headquarters of the World Database of Happiness (coincidence?). Based in Rotterdam, the WDH is a serious research institution responsible for compiling global findings on happiness research. Mr. Weiner lifts a few trends from the data — optimists are happier than pessimists, marrieds are happier than singletons, people having affairs are happiest until they are found out, at which point they become massively unhappy — but he discovers nothing geographically conclusive. So, he makes his own map, combining clues from the WDH and his own experiences as a foreign correspondent for NPR, and boards a train to Switzerland.

"I feel an unexpected sense of relief," he says as the train pulls out of the station. "Freedom even." Freedom from what, one wonders, in a country where nothing is forbidden. "Freedom from all that... freedom," he writes. "Tolerance is great, but tolerance can easily slide into indifference, and that's no fun at all. Besides, I can't live with so much slack... If I moved to Holland, you'd probably find me a few months later, engulfed in a cloud of Moroccan hash, a hooker under each arm."

In Switzerland, trains run on time, highways are well-maintained, and public bathrooms are spotlessly clean. Not surprisingly, the Swiss rank abovepar on the happiness index. "Switzerland is a highly functional society," Mr. Weiner reports, "and while that may not be a source of joy or even happiness, it eliminates a lot of the reasons to be unhappy." He goes on to say, "Happiness researchers have found that, from a statistical point of view, the Swiss are on to something. Better to live in this middle range than to constantly swing between great highs and terrible lows."

And isn't that true for life — and love — as well? Those even keel Swiss, with their delicious fondue and strangely practical knives, have discovered the secret to contentment. In my younger days, when I didn't know better and thought drama equaled love, I would have laughed at the idea of happiness from stability. But now — older, wiser, and more domesticated — I see the sense in the concept. Not to say the tumultuous states of my youthful relationships weren't fun — let's call them Thailand or Brazil — but all that uncertainty creates love fatigue. Now, I'm glad to occupy a place where predictability reigns. It's like being in the Switzerland of relationships: partners call regularly, lovers express their feelings honestly, and love runs its own functional course.

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