Health

Study Finds ‘Joy Gene’ Absent Among Many Germans

Study Finds Joy Gene Absent Among Many Germans

Considering the high level of fiscal and political instability found in neighboring nations amidst the Euro crisis, it may come as a surprise to hear that a new study finds that 46 percent of Germans say they are increasingly unable to enjoy anything due to the stress of everyday life and the feeling of being constantly reachable. The gloom is heightened among younger participants, as the study by Cologne market-research institute Rheingold finds 55 percent of  young Germans claim to feel they have lost their ability to feel good.

Spiegel Online reports that it is not primarily the economic distress of the continent stressing the comparably well-off Germans, but rather “their own perfectionism.”

During hours of individual and group interviews, the researchers analyzed how 60 subjects felt pleasure. They also scrutinized the results of a representative survey of 1,000 men and women commissioned by the liquor companies Diageo and Pernod Ricard.

Among survey respondents, 81 percent said that they experience pleasure best when they have managed to achieve something first. “As the saying goes, business before pleasure,” said 61-year-old female participant Wiltrud.

Spiegel notes that the study’s researchers have managed to identify a sequence of steps that typically lead to enjoyment for Germans, which they have named “pleasure DNA.” Step 1: feeling you have earned something. Step 2: preparation for the longed-for pleasure. Step 3: letting go and clearing the mind. It is this final steps that comes most difficult.

Many Germans apparently lack crucial components to this “pleasure DNA.” Though some 91 percent of the study participants said that pleasure makes life worthwhile, only 15 percent could recall moments in which they were able to forget their worries and feel truly happy.

“Our joy gene is increasingly defective – we’ve forgotten how to enjoy ourselves,” say researchers. The study found that additional frustration can be linked to more intimate obstacles uncovered in the interviews, including the inability of many Germans to enjoy intercourse without distraction from raunchy images running through their mind.

“This results in the requirement to cut a good figure even during sex,” says researchers. “That is to say, holding in their bellies instead of enjoying the moment.”

Finally, the study finds that jealousy plays a role in impeding the ability of many Germans to enjoy life.

“Many think, ‘man, how does he do it,’” Rheingold psychologist Ines Imdahl tells Spiegel. “When we get agitated about the Greeks’ high pensions and ample vacation days, naturally pleasure-jealousy plays a role.”

However, is the southern European way of life something that Germans would strive for?

“That doesn’t suit us,” Imdahl says.

Comments (70)

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  • swimmer1940
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 10:57am

    Germans do know how to have fun, and enjoy life. It’s simply that they are a people who are serious about hard work, educating their young, and don’t like having to support. their indolent neighbors to the south.

    Report Post »  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 4:08pm

      More BS from the liberal prog commies. Whenever a group of people do not want to pour money down a commier rat hole, the commies come up with a study that says they don’t have this or that “gene”. What a crock of puke. Typical prog crap.

      Report Post »  
    • Cesium
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 5:01pm

      This is why Germany is probably the only country that is able to sustain a highly socialistic government structure.. I don’t expect the rest of the world to function like Germans so no to socialism.

      Report Post »  
  • Mary Helen
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 10:51am

    In the US the older Germans in my family knew how to enjoy themselves for hours playing Pinochle and drinking beer. If asked if they were happy, I think they would probably not know how to answer that;. They had worked hard and did not owe anyone a dime! Very satisfied? Yes!

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 11:06am

      Alcohol has synthetic Joy Booster in it :)

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • Constructionist
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 9:01am

    Those of us with German blood do, however, have an ample supply of the “kick the hell out of the French every 20 years” gene.

    Report Post » Constructionist  
    • turkey13
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 10:45am

      Who could have any joy knowing that your heritage was killing 6 million jews! Taking a 3 month old baby and smashing its head in against a brick wall or just clubbing it in the head with a rifle stock. Cutting an old womans throat and start pulling gold fillings before she was dead and then proclaiming you was the Master Race. The atrocities just go on and on.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 11:02am

      @TURKEY…
      You are presenting the Result of National Socialism… as a Racial Issue… rather than the Problem of an Ideology, where the same Result would be achieved under Islam!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • cal_105
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 8:43am

    Must be all of that pure race breeding back in the 1930 and early 1940′s brought on by the Nazi elite?

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 11:10am

      Now… do a Study upon Vikings, Mongols, & Aztecs!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Arshloch
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 2:26pm

      Actually, the problem is an old one best stated by an old saying – “when your up to your prat in alligators it’s hard to remember that you are there to drain the swamp”. Or if you will – In a country surronded by slackers, lazies and miscellaneous other fools what’s to cheer about?

      Report Post » Arshloch  
  • MOLLYPITCHER
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 8:01am

    I know a woman who spent 20 or so years in Germany. I think she is the most miserable, and critical person I know. Then I know another woman who actually IS German, and she’s so joyful, it almost seems fake. But she has been living here in the states for the last 20 years.

    Report Post »  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 8:12am

      Exactly we had a german immigrant family move into our neighborhood when I was young. They were great they really knew how to have a good time.

      Report Post »  
    • VinnieSquawker
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 9:26am

      It’s all about face. Once they get out, they can kick back and have fun. Put them back in and they turn into last year’s potatoes. It’s a bizarre culture. Unfortunately, I know from experience…

      Report Post » VinnieSquawker  
  • Magyar
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 7:10am

    The ‘joy gene’ gone, eh? –take a look at some footage of Hitler‘s speeches and his ’sad’ adoring sujects looking like they ALL had a thrill going up their legs! Open the vaults–you’ll feel better! Sieg Heil!

    Report Post »  
  • 00gabooga
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 6:24am

    Now we know the answer to “Why so sour, kraut?”

    Report Post » 00gabooga  
  • RamonPreston
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 5:47am

    I found the missing German joy-gene. It’s called Pilsner. (I hope I don’t have to explain it.)

    Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 7:44am

      How I miss Motten Pils, but I still prefer a good Kristalweizen at times. One of the grocers here kept a decent supply until they closed a few years ago.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • trueamerican40
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 1:51am

    I have German in me and I am quite joyful in the fact that Jesus has redeemed me and promised me eternal life. This is just another distraction on how the media and colleges and the godless left have infiltrated the American populace with MARXISM-LENINISM. Wake up and expel the traitors to OUR Constitution. We were created equal and God loves everyone from every race–inferiority complexes are a tool for the Communists to lull every American to a numbing sleep. Wake up and expel this evil or America will fizzle out and be remembered no more.

    Report Post » trueamerican40  
  • Cosmos102
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:02pm

    Germans had a lot to feel remorseful about after WWII. The world never stopped reminding them. Now it appears that German young people have become so despondent, they have stopped having babies to the point that their race may one day disappear. I think the problem is that each generation has allowed itself to become wards of the State. Socialism strips people of their uniqueness by telling each man, woman and child how to live, and what they have to offer, rather than allowing them the freedom to think for themselves and blossom, the way God has intended. Someone here wrote that the German people have lost their belief in God. I see the evidence of this to be true as well.

    Report Post » Cosmos102  
  • 1stworlder
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:00pm

    Oddly I am german and wonder why they researched a joy gene before IQ genes, violence genes. Nerve cells that make up the brain are the most expensive biologiclly to make and maintain. A nerve cell sucks up over 20x the resourses of muscle cells.

    Report Post »  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 10:00pm

    As an American with plenty of German Heritage + throw in being raised by a ‘Depression Baby’ father? A Happy German is a person who has worked their azz off all day-FINISHED the job and look forward to a good meal, love from your family, and beer! lol

    Somehow, I think this study has more to do with the avg. German KNOWING somehow, someway, kinda like GW Bush post 2008, EVERYTHING WILL BE THEIR FAULT.

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • 1stworlder
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 9:53pm

    Why in the world would we seek out a joy gene before IQ genes and violence genes? Oh wait those are the 3rd rails that even the Nobel prize winner for discovering DNA Dr Watson got raked over the coals for discussing the inheritability of intellect
    . “” there is no firm reason to anticipate that the intellectual capacities of peoples geographically separated in their evolution should prove to have evolved identically. Our wanting to reserve equal powers of reason as some universal heritage of humanity will not be enough to make it so.”

    Report Post »  
  • inblack
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:32pm

    “including the inability of many Germans to enjoy intercourse without distraction from raunchy images running through their mind.”

    This is what we call the internet. It is immoral to view porn, because it causes a distorted view of sexuality. Sadly the Germans have too little of the “religion gene”.

    Report Post »  
  • inblack
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:24pm

    “Step 1: feeling you have earned something.”

    This is the step missing from Southern Europeans and way too many Americans.
    This is also the reason the Germans are so productive, because joy is tied to accomplishment.

    Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:02pm

    That’s the same here with libs,they’re always miserable and they want to spread it to everyone else.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • VinnieSquawker
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 9:29am

      Bingo! And they do not understand that you do not make small men big by tearing down big men.

      Report Post » VinnieSquawker  
  • BO_Bill
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:54pm

    Another description of Germans is ‘responsible grown-ups’.

    A video of a contrasting demographic.

    Report Post » BO_Bill  
    • HKS
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:01pm

      They tend to see things as they are as opposed to the way they would like them to be.

      Report Post » HKS  
    • seeker9
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:12pm

      My mother told me I was 1/32nd German. So speaking as a joyful GermanAmerican, I expect my joy genes to be back to par in November.

      Report Post » seeker9  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:18pm

      SEEKER9 Good one seeker,I‘ll see you at Octoberfest we’ll celebrate Barry’s upcoming defeat.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:19pm

      But do you have High Cheekbones?

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • inblack
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:30pm

      @ BO_BILL —- Agreed.

      “Many think, ‘man, how does he do it,’” Rheingold psychologist Ines Imdahl tells Spiegel. “When we get agitated about the Greeks’ high pensions and ample vacation days, naturally pleasure-jealousy plays a role.”

      I don’t think too many Germans are wondering how the Greeks do it. They know they are living off the backs of their children and grandchildren and the backs of the German people.

      They would be smarter to wonder why they keep bailing out the Greeks who lack the “work” gene, but have plenty of the “entitlement delusion” gene.

      Report Post »  
  • gbgreta
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:53pm

    I’m German on both sides of my family. I tend to relate better to other Germans even tend to gravitate toward German heritage in friends and co-workers. Yes, we really DO secretly (or not so secretly) think the rest of you all are disorganized, irresponsible, frivolous, and would do much better if you’d just follow our advice.

    The world would work better if we ran it. Just a fact, not opinion.

    Report Post »  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:55pm

      No offense ….but that’s kinda what Hitler thought as well.

      Report Post »  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:08pm

      Ole Adolph thought he could rule the world to and it didn’t turn out very well.Although the trains always ran on time.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • gbgreta
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:09pm

      PS. Many of us have a VERY dry sense of humor, and yes, we are often laughing into our sleeve…;)

      Report Post »  
    • seeker9
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:25pm

      Being 1/32nd German, I understand completely.

      Report Post » seeker9  
    • Wolf
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 9:15am

      Give a German two beers and they think they can conquor the world.

      Report Post »  
    • panache
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 10:45am

      I like you and haven’t even met you.

      Report Post » panache  
  • PETTYDRAMA
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:48pm

    You can tell that most of the Beckbots like Beck himself are of German descent. Now it all makes sense why they constantly want WWIII….LOL!

    Report Post » PETTYDRAMA  
    • aragona
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:55pm

      I didn’t realize that Germans posted on this board. Is there a Blaze site in German? I thought we were all Americans here, with perhaps a few Canadians and a smattering of other English speaking peoples.

      Also, I didn’t realize that Glenn Beck was German! I thought he was an American, too!!!!! Oh boy…..

      Report Post »  
    • inblack
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:33pm

      PETTYDRAMA = Troll

      Report Post »  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 5:54am

      Sprechen sie deutsch, Aragona?

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
  • Gary S
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:47pm

    Could it be that they are the only adults in the room?

    Report Post »  
  • qpwillie
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:37pm

    It’s just as well. Nothing can be more annoying than a jolly German.

    (Tweak Tweak)

    Report Post » qpwillie  
  • Ravings of a lunatic planet
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:26pm

    This is SO true about the Germans. When I visited Germany years back, I was always wondering why they never laughed…….We were in a cafe one day and I asked the waiter why didn’t anyone every smile or laugh. He said that “ we are too serious about everything” and they don’t know how to enjoy themselves……..we then traveled to Austria…..now THEY know how to have a good time! Totally different people……..

    Report Post » Ravings of a lunatic planet  
    • amerbur
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:35pm

      Perhaps we should be thankful for the Germans right now. They have been working to hold up all of Europe. I might be a bit grouchy were I them.

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:42pm

      Don’t know where you are going with this .. HIT LER was born in Austria .. I guess he went to Germany to have his “good time” with people who would be soooo serious as to follow him. Frightening.

      Report Post »  
    • Shamrock241
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 7:34am

      I noticed the same thing in Moscow when i was there not much laughing from the Russian people very quite.

      Report Post »  
  • amerbur
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:21pm

    Perhaps they just need to learn to be thankful. I find that just stopping, looking around me at the gifts that surround me, fills me with joy frequently, mostly the sky and the trees, the mountains. Then if I continue to look around, I see beauty every where and then in my heart I begin to thank all the individuals that have built the things that make my life easier and more interesting, Then I think of those that died to give me freedom. Oh wow, I am getting so happy just typing this, I can hardly contain myself. I am so fortunate and blessed – thank you every one that has made my life better!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • Wolf
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:42pm

      You make an interesting observation, Amer, though I have to take an different tack. I appreciate every day, thank God every morning I put my feet on the floor. But I can‘t think of a time I’ve been happy in at least the last 40 years. I haven’t been miserable, for sure, yet ‘happiness’ is something I’ve never been able to define, let alone achieve.

      Report Post »  
    • inblack
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:36pm

      @WOLF

      I said a prayer for you. Hope you find happiness and joy soon.

      Report Post »  
    • Wolf
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 9:19am

      Thanks, InBlack, appreciate it. Joy comes with the morning. Thinking about this yesterday, I came to the conclusion Jesus wouldn’t find much in this world to be happy about today, either.

      Report Post »  
    • VinnieSquawker
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 9:34am

      Damn, Wolf. You must be German. Maybe you think too much?

      Report Post » VinnieSquawker  
    • amerbur
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 4:15pm

      Perhaps happiness is the wrong word Wolf. I have tremendous bouts of joy, usually associcated with Gods gifts and creation. I believe it is sin in the world that has given us so much pain, suffering and ugliness. But look at Gods creation, the earth, in all its increadible color and variety, the vast universe, and the unseen world of protons, electons and, DNA. God gave of a mind that allows us to discover how his creation works and to create. He gave us a mind to appreciate life when we are blessed to give birth to one of his brand new creations, he gave us the ability to love others and do good for others. When we open our eyes to the power and the majesty of God, how can one help but be overflowing with love for the creater and giver of life and for all his creation and his ways. He is why I love freedom. It is the responsibilty of the individual to choose God and the love of God over the evil that is sin, the thing that perverts and destroys, and causes pain and suffering to generations. Look at Gods creation, listen to his instruction and practice his instruction and it is the path to joy.

      Report Post »  
  • ebayer
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:18pm

    You can always tell a German…but you can’t tell him much. :)
    It‘s hard to believe they can’t find joy in Germany with all those hot German Fräuleins runnin around. :)

    Report Post »  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on May 28, 2012 at 6:15pm

    All the need is to invade some country and the will be back in their “happy place”.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
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