I recently came across a "call for participation" from an author who is writing a book on happiness: what it is, and where it is. The author has a hypothesis based on a "geography of happiness, [...] that place matters, that where we live has an impact on our life's bliss gradation."

According to the World Database of Happiness, Switzerland ties with Denmark and Malta as the happiest countries on Earth. The author plans to visit a number of countries, including the happiest as well as the unhappiest (Moldova) to test his hypothesis. A Swiss friend of his has invited Swiss (or people living in Switzerland) to contribute their own opinions. The original "call" is here. My own response follows.