8 Reasons Why Lebanon Is Better Than Austria, Europe’s Happiest Country

Did you hear that Austria was named Europe’s happiest country? While we’re not a European country, we truly believe we give their happiest place a run for its money! Here are 8 ways Lebanon outshines Austria, and by the application of the transitive property, surpasses the entirety of Europe.

1. The people

I didn’t want to open with this one but in the spirit of squashing the competition, I had to pull out the big guns. I don’t know about you, but I can only name two Austrian men and only one of them is Mozart. The other? Not so great.

2. The language

Arabic is definitively a more beautiful language than German. Don’t believe me? Here are 26 of the most beautiful words in the Arabic language.

3. Eco-diversity

Sure, you’ve got the Alps, but considering Lebanon’s eco and biodiversity given its size—from coastal areas along the Mediterranean to mountainous regions—it knocks Austria out of the park (despite us not having many actual parks but shhh).

4. Food

You didn’t think we’d write a list about the amazing things about Lebanon without mentioning the food, did you? In Austria they have tafelspitz which is…BOILED BEEF. Sounds great. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s culinary delights include *clears throat* shawarma falafel knefe tabboule fattoush hummus mtabbal kibbe manouche sfiha kafta wara’ 3inab sfouf mjadra fasoulya….

5. The weather

Trade Austria’s freezing 2 degree Novembers for a dip in the Mediterranean and a walk along Manara because we get 300 days of sunshine.

6. You can get virtually anything, at any time

Most businesses in Austria are closed by 6 or 9 PM depending on the industry. Meanwhile in Lebanon: I need a carton of strawberries, rolling paper, and 15 muffins at 2 AM. No problem. They’ll even deliver it. If you get a sudden craving for something in Austria on Sunday, you better have accounted for it two days prior because nothing will be open.

7. Your neighbor inserting themselves into your life > your neighbor ignoring your existence

People tend to keep to themselves in Austria. In Lebanon, the kaak vendor knows your kid had pneumonia last week.

8. Hummus

Can you tell I ran out of points?