Unhappy Happiness Of Miserably Contented People

That was a good laugh Susila. I suddenly realized I probably complain too much too! But then I follow the maxim : Ya dil ki suno duniya waalon, Ya mujh ko abhi chup rahane do, main gham ko khusi kaise keh doon, jo kehte hain unko kehne do!" Now I better be careful before I become a crabby, cribby old woman.

Good question. Are such people happy to be unhappy? Maybe they are bored of not having any unhappiness and actively seek it? Or they are just venting? Or see it as another topic of conversation like the weather? After all, their problems also keep changing like the weather.

Are such people in search of attention? Well, might be. It takes all types to make the world, doesn't it?

The episode in the hotel room was hilarious. The worry seekers. We used to always tease my mom saying she would worry that there was nothing to worry about, but it was not about herself. It was always about others.

I find the question many people ask docs "Doctor, is it anything to worry about?" I always wonder what they expect the doc to answer. "Yes, of course. Please worry about it 3 times a day for 5 minutes each time. It will relieve you / your dear one of the problem".

Oh dear! What do we do with them what do we do without them? I mean worries and worriers.

 

Please try to divert the topic because I can understand. Some people will go on even if we divert. Close ur arms , so that u will feel confident, when they complain. Be patient and naturally divert the topic maybe by saying that person Mr A too had same health issue but now he is totally fine. If we talk ALWAYS positive at least they will stop complaining to us. I will tell u a secret some people come to me to only tell their problems . even I can't figure out. Now I seriously don't have time now for all that . I need my peace too.

 

Dear SCS,

I really enjoyed the logic you have employed. There is an expression economic theorists use for it. They call it revealed preference. Simply put, if you are a logical person doing something instead of doing other doable things, then it means that you prefer doing whatever you are doing, instead of doing other things. You are revealing your choice and the assumption is that you choose what pleases you most. Call it happiness if you will.

Interestingly enough, this simple principle has now been questioned by people who work on the boundary of economics and psychology. This branch of the subject is called Behavioural Economics and lots of young people work in the area these days. I have an American friend, Richard Thaler, from my PhD days, who has made quite a name for himself in this subject. Rumour has it that he had even been shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Economics and missed it by the skin of his teeth. Not long ago, he sent me one of his books called Misbehaving. It contains examples of the sort of happiness you drew our attention to. Behavioural economists though do not agree that you are exercising rational choice. They simply say that people are not naturally rational.

I think I need to read the book carefully. I am not able to put down my thoughts too clearly right now.

Cheers.

oj

 

@SCSusila,

Depending on the mental make-up of each individual, they interact with the fellow beings. It could be to express truth in their words. It could be to avoid anyone else thinking that they are doing well. It could be a habit of merely analyzing the health to the micro level. It could be to gain sympathy from the fellow-beings. It could be a cry for help. It could be their way of handling their health issues with equanimity by talking about it. It is difficult to judge.

Viswa