For me at least, there is no correlation between the grandness of an experience and its hedonic kick to me. Wherever I go, I talk to people and this adds immensely to my enjoyment of life.
Ha
Interesting and (for me) very valid take on things.
When out of the house, I often try to look at my surroundings in a new light, or to experience them in a different way. A chance conversation with a stranger, acquaintance or friend can make all the difference between a humdrum day, and one that seems brimming with possibilities and interest.
The way we experience pleasure has more to do with the contrast, I think, than the sheer amount, or quality, of stuff we consume. If you eat a healthy and balanced diet, then it only takes a small amount of chocolate, wine, cheese or (insert your favorite indulgence here) to feel as if you're in seventh heaven. Similarly, as you walk around a familiar neighborhood, if you take the time to see part of it in a new light, it can greatly add to your enjoyment of the day. That's the way it works for me.
A $2 cup of coffee acts as a ticket to sit in pleasant surroundings with good atmosphere and opportunities for good conversation and observations too. When I lived in Los Angeles, I remember one particular retiree who spent many of his waking hours in various public places, nursing a cup of coffee and a book, and occasionally conversing with the regulars who passed by. From my various conversations with him, I think he was of fairly limited means, yet he was participating in the public life of a large metropolitan area - observing and conversing with the many and varied interesting people around him.
Whether you have a lot of money, or a little, living creatively is the key to an enjoyable life, IMHO.
