Australian men are happiest when they are having sex or surfing the net, but women prefer to get their endorphins racing by having meals with friends and petting their pooches, according to the 2008 Australian Happiness Index.
Rest, relaxation and entertainment topped the list for both men and women in the index, with quality time with your partner also making the top four for each sex.
But that's where the similarities end.
Sex ranks as a top five activity to make men happy and surfing the internet tops even that at number three.
Sex and the internet were also top 10 choices for women to make them happy, but enjoying a family meal and playing with pets or children ranked much higher.
Eating comfort food scored in the top 10 for both sexes, but the more discerning men questioned said they preferred great food and wine or drinking with friends to reaching for the chocolate.
Despite urban myths to the contrary, shopping does not make all women happy - only 30 per cent were happiest when shopping for new clothes, shoes or accessories.
It may come as little surprise that just 14 per cent of men were happiest when shopping.
One in two women said reading a good book made them happy whereas less than one in three men said the same, and 36 per cent of generous-natured women said buying gifts made them feel joyful, compared to a miserly 19 per cent of men.
The index was compiled by marketing consultants The Leading Edge who spoke to more than 8,500 Australians aged between 18 and 64.
"Australians are made happy on a week-to-week basis, not by possessions and achievements, but by entertaining experiences and by meaningful interactions with others," The Leading Edge managing director Karen Phillips said.
The index has been designed as a marketing tool to give businesses a better picture of their target customers.
Top ten activities that make men and women happy:
Men
1. Entertainment 61 per cent
2. Rest and relaxation 60 per cent
3. Digital entertainment (internet) 52 per cent
4. Quality time with partner 49 per cent
5. Sex/intimacy/romance 48 per cent
6. A family meal 45 per cent
7. Pets 39 per cent
8. Helping out a friend, enjoying great food and wine, physical exercise 37 per cent
9. Drinking with friends 36 per cent
10. Learning something new 35 per cent
Women
1. Rest and relaxation 66 per cent
2. Entertainment 61 per cent
3. A family meal 55 per cent
4. Quality time with my partner 54 per cent
5. Pets 51 per cent
6. Playing with children or reading a good book 48 per cent
7. Helping out a friend 43 per cent
8. Eating comfort food 41 per cent
9. Sex/intimacy/romance 40 per cent
10. Digital entertainment (internet) 39 per cent