I wonder if this had found women were more unhappy than men would we be
told it was evidence of discrimination and how unfair the world is to
women?

-------------------------------------
http://www.conocophillips.co.uk/jet_press_office/press_releases/not_so_desperate_housewives.htm

Not so desperate housewives


24th March 2005

New research reveals the happiest people in Britain

Who's the happiest person in Britain - a millionaire, a pop star or a
premiership footballer? The answer is none of them. But, if you are a
married woman in your mid fifties, living in Leeds with two children
and your star sign is Sagittarius, it's likely that you've got a lot to
smile about. According to a major study into UK happiness by Jet Smile{at}
this is the profile of the happiest person in Britain.

The research involving over 2000 people, published today at
www.smile-at.co.uk, discovered that the job we do has the most
significant impact on our happiness. While women were identified as the
happiest sex, it's unlikely to be a career woman who is the most
satisfied with her lot. In fact, rather than being desperate
housewives, stay-at-home moms are happiest in their role, closely
followed by health professionals.

At the other end of the scale IT workers said that they were very
unhappy. The study revealed that the person with the least to smile
about is likely to be a thirty something male IT professional, who is
separated with no children and lives in Southampton.

Roy Roley, spokesperson for Jet's Smile{at} loyalty programme, said:
"Our cashiers serve a cross section of the population at our service
stations every day and while some customers will engage in friendly
banter, others might seem a little glum. We were interested to find out
the crucial factors that make us happy or sad. What makes us smile and
why are some people happier than others?

Roy Roley continues:
"It seems that the old saying is true - money doesn't make you happy.
Health is more important than wealth for almost 75% of people in the
UK. However, for those in traditionally poorer paid industries or
perceived less wealthy parts of the country, such as Liverpool and
Manchester, money is more significant. So, while money doesn't
necessarily make you happy - it does seem to help!"

The research also found that the Monday morning blues really are a
myth. It's on Thursday that people are likely to be down in the dumps,
with Monday being a happy day, coming second only to Saturday and
Sunday as the days when we smile the most.

Roy Roley added:
"The Smile{at} study exploded a number of cultural beliefs about when
people are likely to be happy - perhaps they should re-write the song
to 'I don't like Thursdays'!

"Also, we often stereo type older people as the Victor Meldrew
generation, but in fact men and women over 55 were revealed as the
happiest group in society. Rather than having one foot in the grave,
they are more likely to have a spring in their step."

Issued on behalf of Jet by Citigate.  For further information contact
Joanna Buckle, Emma Ward or Emma Hayes at Citigate on 0121 456 3199 or
email joanna.buckle{at}citigatec.co.uk

Notes to editors:
ConocoPhillips Limited is the UK refining and marketing subsidiary of
ConocoPhillips, a major, integrated energy company active in more than
40 countries.  In the UK ConocoPhillips markets fuels under the Jet
brand name through a network of distributors and some 600 service
stations.  Play Jet Street by visiting www.jetstreet.co.uk



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