Everyone has their own definition of happiness. Photo: IC

The International Day of Happiness was proclaimed on June 28, 2012 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. That year, CCTV made a special investigative program asking thousands of Chinese from every walk of life the same question: Are you happy? It sparked heated discussions online. For the first time, people nationwide started to think about "happiness."

According to the World Happiness Report in 2015, the 10 happiest countries in the world were mostly in northern Europe. Switzerland took the crown with a happiness score of 7.587 out of 10, followed by Iceland (7.561), Denmark (7.527) and Norway (7.522). Canada was ranked fifth and the US was 15th. China ranked 84th among all the 158 countries and regions surveyed.

The next International Day of Happiness is on Sunday. Although it is not a public holiday, millions feel it is still worth celebrating around the world. Shanghai, as an international metropolis, embraces people from many different countries. With more foreigners coming here to visit, work or live, how they view happiness is a question worth posing - so the Global Times took to the street to ask foreigners how they defined happiness and if they felt happy in Shanghai.

Alexander Parra, sales, Spain

I think the happiest thing about Shanghai is that I am freer than ever before, definitely. Before I came here I lived with my parents. It seemed that I was kept under their wings all the time. Now things are different - I do what I want and enjoy the freedom. But honestly speaking, homesickness happens now and then. Sometimes I think going to the park nearby might adjust my mood, but sadly, the air pollution only makes things worse. So every time I feel a little down, I still pick up the phone and talk to my family. You don't realize how important they are to you until you leave home.

Joseph McCormick (right), engineer, the US

Since I came to Shanghai five months ago, the happiest thing I've done is practicing and learning to do qigong (a traditional movement and energy system). I learn it at the Shanghai Qigong Research Institute. It's just amazing. I feel very light, very peaceful and very happy afterward.

I think happiness means being curious and exploring new things, or, simply having a fun conversation would suffice, because happiness is not about how much you have, it's about how we feel inside. Thus I love to find a quiet place and do tai chi regularly to find my inner peace. Anyway, it would be awesome if we could have a day off on the International Day of Happiness, which means I could have more time doing qigong and having juice with my friends, just like I'm doing right now.

Mary (left), retired, the UK

We just arrived this morning on a cruise ship, but I've started loving this place. I think happiness is to be loved and to love people. But it would also be nicer to be closer to one or two people besides your family. Just like this morning, when we were at the Maglev station, the girls there realized we were English and they helped us to fill in the questionnaires. That's very good.

For most of the time, I think I am so lucky, maybe the happiest person in the world. I have family and friends, and people I care about. When I feel unhappy, I go out for a walk or play tennis with my husband. We hit the ball very hard - just like we are fighting all those annoying troubles.

Merantine Paree, design manager, Holland

The true meaning of happiness is being healthy and having something to look forward to, which, for me, is travelling. But I think I would be happier if I could travel with people I love, instead of travelling alone. Yesterday evening when I was walking along the Bund, three ladies from a northern part of China came up to me and I took a picture of them. The night view was charming and I love to chat with people from different cultures. That was a very special experience in Shanghai.

It's great to know that we have an International Day of Happiness, and I think it is a day worth celebrating for people in modern life, because we are too hasty. If I could have a day off on that day, I would spend some time visiting museums here.

Nguyen Quanghung, teacher, Vietnam

I have been to Shanghai several times. At first, I came here as a tourist, but later I did interpreting as a part-time job, which gave me more opportunities to experience Shanghai.

I still cherish memories of strolling down Shanghai streets with a person I like. We intentionally avoided places full of people. And there was one time we even happened to visit Fudan University on Handan Road.

For me, it's difficult for one to achieve true happiness if one pays too much attention to things like money, power and complicated interpersonal relationships. When I studied for a PhD in China by myself, talking with a close friend was luxurious, let alone hanging out, or having dinner or something, but gardening brought me great comfort. If I feel frustrated or have to tackle tedious tasks, I go to the flower markets or antique stores to relax. It always works.

Lina Maia Kotsdredoff (middle), businesswoman, Germany

I think happiness means waking up every morning with a smile and doing what makes other people happy, so it's a feeling. I have to admit that material stuff can be relevant to happiness, and that's why I think life would be happier if there were less poor people in the world, but that doesn't mean being rich equals happiness, because it's absolutely not measurable in money.

Actually I quite enjoy this moment with my friends, spoiling ourselves with nice restaurants and sightseeing. It would be superb if a happy person could deliver his happiness to more people, just like what regularly happens between we three.

Global Times - Qu Xinyi contributed to this story