These programs [american TV shows that explored their relationship with security and happiness in a very superficial manner] highlight the tendency to use Denmark as a lightning rod for critics of traditional American society and values on the left as well as for those on the right who warn against the inevitable decline of a society weighed down by excessive entitlements.

Responses to the O'Reilly and Oprah comments on the internet by many Danes and foreigners married to Danes reject the idea of the Danes being so happy. One reader, Alan Robinson, wrote in more realistic terms in January 2010 to the British daily newspaper, The Independent, that had published a story on the most happy country study, commenting. "My wife is Danish and I've lived in Denmark myself longer than I've lived at home in the UK. And guess what? Sit 10 Danes round a table with a pot of coffee and give them a piece of sticky cake each, and they'll sit there for an hour uttering banalities to each other and having a great time.

That's how Danes see happiness. Anything that is "hyggelig" is happiness.

However, someone needs to explain the high Danish suicide rate, and the expression on people's faces as they walk around town. Happy Danes? I'd say content, but not particularly happy."