If we were to talk about happy nations, we’d surely be among them. Who said Jordanians are grumpy or unhappy? Believe me — behind that serious face lies all the joy in the world.
There are countless examples: When a Jordanian receives a full salary — with no deductions for loans or guarantees — he feels like he’s got a mysterious money transfer from China. Happiness level: maximum. When he changes the oil of his Kia Sephia and washes it, he says: “The engine sounds like a bee, even the drive feels smoother!” and he’s on top of the world. When he pays his property tax during the year-end discount period, he feels victorious. Charging his phone feels like getting a blood transfusion. Renewing his driving licence makes him feel like a rally champion in Jerash. Renewing his health insurance card? Suddenly he’s confident his blood pressure and sugar are perfect: “I feel strong as a horse!” When he pays the electricity bill, light literally shines from his face — shake his hand and you might get a shock. And when he buys some lamb liver at month’s end and his wife fries it with two onions, he says: “This is paradise!”
So tell me, with all these sparks of joy, how could anyone say Jordanians aren’t happy?
Happiness can’t be measured by global indexes or international reports — it’s found in the smile after paying a bill, or the quiet joy when the salary comes in full. Because despite hardship and that trademark frown, Jordanians live happiness their own way — laughing through pain and finding delight in life’s simplest moments.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen… We are a happy people — not grumpy. Our laughter is always there, just busy sometimes.
By Atef Abu Hajar
If we were to talk about happy nations, we’d surely be among them. Who said Jordanians are grumpy or unhappy? Believe me — behind that serious face lies all the joy in the world.
There are countless examples: When a Jordanian receives a full salary — with no deductions for loans or guarantees — he feels like he’s got a mysterious money transfer from China. Happiness level: maximum. When he changes the oil of his Kia Sephia and washes it, he says: “The engine sounds like a bee, even the drive feels smoother!” and he’s on top of the world. When he pays his property tax during the year-end discount period, he feels victorious. Charging his phone feels like getting a blood transfusion. Renewing his driving licence makes him feel like a rally champion in Jerash. Renewing his health insurance card? Suddenly he’s confident his blood pressure and sugar are perfect: “I feel strong as a horse!” When he pays the electricity bill, light literally shines from his face — shake his hand and you might get a shock. And when he buys some lamb liver at month’s end and his wife fries it with two onions, he says: “This is paradise!”
So tell me, with all these sparks of joy, how could anyone say Jordanians aren’t happy?
Happiness can’t be measured by global indexes or international reports — it’s found in the smile after paying a bill, or the quiet joy when the salary comes in full. Because despite hardship and that trademark frown, Jordanians live happiness their own way — laughing through pain and finding delight in life’s simplest moments.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen… We are a happy people — not grumpy. Our laughter is always there, just busy sometimes.
By Atef Abu Hajar
If we were to talk about happy nations, we’d surely be among them. Who said Jordanians are grumpy or unhappy? Believe me — behind that serious face lies all the joy in the world.
There are countless examples: When a Jordanian receives a full salary — with no deductions for loans or guarantees — he feels like he’s got a mysterious money transfer from China. Happiness level: maximum. When he changes the oil of his Kia Sephia and washes it, he says: “The engine sounds like a bee, even the drive feels smoother!” and he’s on top of the world. When he pays his property tax during the year-end discount period, he feels victorious. Charging his phone feels like getting a blood transfusion. Renewing his driving licence makes him feel like a rally champion in Jerash. Renewing his health insurance card? Suddenly he’s confident his blood pressure and sugar are perfect: “I feel strong as a horse!” When he pays the electricity bill, light literally shines from his face — shake his hand and you might get a shock. And when he buys some lamb liver at month’s end and his wife fries it with two onions, he says: “This is paradise!”
So tell me, with all these sparks of joy, how could anyone say Jordanians aren’t happy?
Happiness can’t be measured by global indexes or international reports — it’s found in the smile after paying a bill, or the quiet joy when the salary comes in full. Because despite hardship and that trademark frown, Jordanians live happiness their own way — laughing through pain and finding delight in life’s simplest moments.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen… We are a happy people — not grumpy. Our laughter is always there, just busy sometimes.
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