# What makes you happy? What makes you smile? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 8, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436 "2024-08-08T18:44:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/1 "2024-08-08T18:44:22Z")
If you’re JD Vance, it’s bogus questions from the media, but I’d like to hear from Dopers, what makes YOU smile? Me? The question made me think of a moment from my time as a scoutleader. We’re in our troop cabin, the older scouts are cleaning up from dinner. 4 teenagers in the kitchen with buckets of water and a heap of things to clean. One of them has tunes cranking from a bluetooth speaker, they’re laughing and yelling and kidding and getting the work done. One perfect moment that I hope they remember for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/2 "2024-08-08T18:51:27Z")
Young children and dogs playing. They don’t need anyone to tell them rules to the game, or what to do. They just play. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/3 "2024-08-08T18:58:35Z")
I find that, no matter how tough my life may be, I can usually get out pen and paper and write 30 things to be grateful for, or unusual advantages I’ve had. I also have maybe 10,000 photos/videos on my computer and can rewatch a lot of happy memories and travels. I used to get fun from composing music, but AI is going to make original composition pretty obsolete. Not sure how to feel about that. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/4 "2024-08-08T19:03:16Z")
My youngest son’s two daughters. They’re both at a goofy age and still in awe of the world around them. Actually, just being able to see my kids on a regular basis instead of, maybe, once a year makes me happy. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/5 "2024-08-08T19:14:23Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I used to get fun from composing music, but AI is going to make original composition pretty obsolete. Not sure how to feel about that. Running has been obsolete for a very, very long time, but we still have competitions for it, and people still enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/6 "2024-08-08T19:16:04Z")
I smile with happiness when I cook something for my family and they eat it and tell me it’s delicious and I definitely have to make it again. Edit to add: Also, my answer to the other easy-slam-dunk question Vance incomprehensibly stuffed up — “why are you a good guy to have a beer with.” I’m a good guy to have a beer with because I pick up the check. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/7 "2024-08-08T20:03:03Z")
Reading and doing Variety Puzzles make me happy. Going to church makes me happiest. Listening to KillTony makes me laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/8 "2024-08-08T20:20:04Z")
I like surprising people. Of course the grandkids tickle me. The Dope makes me happy. Listening to my nutty son come up with all his plots, plans and pilavery makes me laugh everyday. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/9 "2024-08-08T20:32:15Z")
Most common, when I’m playing music with a group, and everything comes together such that we are actually making music, instead of just sawing/plucking away. Funny, b/c peopl ewill listen and say, “You sound really good!” But in the midst of it, I know what we are capable of, and how (unfortunately) infrequently we attain it. When everything is clicking, it just becomes clear and seems effortless. And then it goes away… 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/10 "2024-08-08T23:17:08Z")
I’ve been messing with the bass guitar since I was a teen. Am still not all that great at it, but I enjoy the challenge of figuring out the bass line to a song, by just listening and playing it over and over. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/11 "2024-08-09T00:47:26Z")
Horse flies dive bombing the semi bratty boys in the lake who were making their usual noisy ruckus. That made me smile. They bite. The flies. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/12 "2024-08-09T01:13:26Z")
Heh, evil yet so happenstance. Love it. Along those lines, when the grand boys get to fighting over Lego close to bed time. That means Mom is putting them to bed earlier. I forearm them every night, “Don’t fight at Lego time and you get to stay up later” They just can’t do it when it gets late-ish. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/13 "2024-08-09T01:29:00Z")
Kitty kitty kitty kitty kitties! Looking at the lake. And/or at trees. Hearing from a friend. Lovely cool weather after a hot stretch. Having a good book to read. Fresh raspberries or peas or or or or – Lots of things . . . ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/14 "2024-08-09T04:18:02Z")
Seeing a dog riding in a car with its head out the window. Pure happiness on the dog’s part, which always makes me smile. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/15 "2024-08-09T12:51:13Z")
Taking my dog swimming on a hot summer’s day. It’s his favorite thing to do in the world, and he would gladly spend all day playing in the river if I let him. Simple pleasures. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/16 "2024-08-09T16:37:43Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Horse flies dive bombing the semi bratty boys in the lake Well, you just made me smile by giving me the mental image of horseflies going all Junkers Ju-87 Stuka style with the wailing siren sound. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/17 "2024-08-09T18:08:02Z")
They do! I’ve been out there too, can’t escape unless you dunk your head underwater and then come up for air they’re right back at ya. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/18 "2024-08-09T19:28:50Z")
My dogs: the crooked little pack leader, the well-meaning ugly one, and (gosh, how to say this) the one that’s not too smart and takes up a lot of space. Sitting out on the porch in the evenings with the husband and a glass of wine. All three of the pasture pets. Any wild animals. Occasionally even the damn chickens. New books coming in from the library! You guys make me snicker all the time. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/19 "2024-08-09T19:43:05Z")
My grandkids, I suppose they are the current source of why I smile or feel happy. They say funny things or act in amusing ways. I am very grateful for music. When I hear Neil Diamond sing _I am I said_, I feel god (or something that feels like god.). ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436/20 "2024-08-09T19:46:52Z")
The first couple minutes when the temperature around me changes from very hot to very cold or vice versa Sunshowers Belly full of rice porridge Taste of burnt bits The sound of the beach The sound of giggling Seeing someone else smile in a nice way ~Max [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-happy-what-makes-you-smile/1005436.md?page=2)