Better to Laugh

Is it just me or are people happier this year?  I encountered very few rude or impatient people in the last week during my shop-a-thon, which was much more tiring than the marathon I did a few weeks ago.  Actually, I can only think of two instances when someone cut me off in a parking lot or someone didn’t smile at me.  There is less money but more happy.  Perhaps gratitude is more abundant because greed is less possible?  I like that!