In the early 2000s I think was the time I first used the word Schadenfreude. I was taking such pleasure saying it and was even happier with what it meant.
Now we all know that it is a german word meaning taking pleasure in the misfortune of others. And what race is best known for almost perfecting this trait? Well, your guess is as good as mine.
Take the case of the Bar Exams or any major exams for example. Let’s face it, our tendency is to look for the results not because we want to know who made itbut more of we want to hear who didn’t.
The failure is made more meaningful if he/she is already a part of the winning lottery called life,who already has mostly everything except that. Then secretly we would feel elated but be comforted with the most abused saying…”ahhh, truly you can’t have everything.” Who says we don’t enjoy the public quarrel of a famous couple that has their marriage in shambles? She, a beauty queen while the guy is the scion of a multi-millionaire contractor famous for high rise condos in the country.
We used to put them on a pedestal during the first years of their marriage wishing to be a part of that glorious couple in however way.
The moment we learned there was trouble in paradise, I’m certain it wasn’t sadness we initially felt. It was very secret happiness with a verbal sympathy of “ohhh, even they are not perfect.” And what about that well-o4 neighbor who had an annual international vacation and weekly posts of eating at the poshest and latest restaurants, with the head of the family suddenly losing his job? We didn’t feel an ounce of sympathy, we joyfully asked noiselessly,” well, who’s eating where now?!” Such are classic examples of Schadenfreude which can be attributed to envy, an over-all feeling of misery in one’s life and a general feeling of negativity for why else should we find joy in the su4ering of others?? Enter post covid era and I suddenly learned about the word Freudenfreude, which means the exact opposite.
It is feeling joy in the success or good fortune of others. If Schadenfreude was such a big hit before, why don’t we make Freudenfreude a record-breaking slam-dunking all time top of the charts? Why? Just a few reasons.
Happiness brings about good chi, and a positive outlook which may make our burdens easier to bear; to be happy for others will have a good e4ects on the community since ill will won’t be harbored. And anyway, has your life gotten better since the others’ lives have fallen apart?
