Is it your perception that Americans work hard?
Asked by
JLeslie (
65743
)
December 11th, 2016
from iPhone
I was talking to my uncle’s girlfriend, who is from England, but has lived in America over 20 years, about vacations. Then the conversation turned to how she used to get 5 weeks vacation in Europe, and that’s one thing that’s awful here in the US. I completely agreed that vacation from work is overall way too skimpy in the US. Many people get no vacation from work, or have to wait until after a year of employment. I personally don’t even necessarily care if it’s paid, I’m primarily talking about time off.
Five weeks is a lot to me, maybe because I’m American, but I think everyone should get 3–4.
Then, about 20 minutes later we were talking about work ethic, and I said I feel most American work very hard. Often too hard. She wasn’t having it at first. I referred back to her statement about vacation and reminded her most Americans practically all they do is work. Almost everyone I know works a lot of hours, and many work incredibly long hours.
What’s your experience and your perception? Let me know where you live and if you’ve ever lived in America.
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4 Answers
I think they work much longer weeks than they did 40 years ago; white and blue collar work pays much less in purchasing power—even many of the professions don’t pay like they used to. The media spreads a defeatist attitude toward the future.
Because of this and other things there is a general perception that America is failing and morale is much worse than it use to be. There is an overwhelming feeling that the future does not hold promise for the next generation and even a widespread apocalyptic sense in many young people that wasn’t there a generation ago, not even during the bleakest times of the 1960’s and 70’s.
All of this has a negative effect on worker’s morale. People will work hard if they believe their efforts will pay off, but that is no longer the perception I see in American society today. It’s mere perception in many cases, but without a fighting will to change things, it will continue to get worse.
Yes, and I agree with everything @Espiritus_Corvus said.
I have always thought the work ethic is over rated and personally, I like the Buddhist philosophy that 6 hours of work a day is more than enough to lead a truly balanced life.
I believe that the stressors of modern work life have, absolutely, taken their toll on the family, relationships and health. When people are working 10–12 hours a day including a commute often and putting in 50–60 hours a week and still not getting ahead and then dragging in at the end of the day completely spent with nothing left to give their partners and children and all they want to do is pour a couple cocktails and check out in front of the TV well….a pretty tragic state of affairs IMO.
Yes, many people have lost hope for a better future and forget financial “security” in about 97% of the population.
Bloody editing time ran out.
Bottom line is I think they work very hard. but their morale in general is terrible. I they often work so hard that their work is less effective than people in other countries who work less hours per week and get more vacation time.
I too look with envy at the time off other countries afford their workers. But your question asked if Americans work hard. Many do many don’t. I have had the opportunity to watch the workers at my company work. These guys work hard. The job demands it. I have also watched many employees accept the job only to quit days/weeks later because the job was actual work. These employees are not under paid either. $12—$18 per hour plus full benefits and upwards of $10,000 in bonuses and 401 K. What is it about the Hispanic work ethic that they know the full meaning of a hards days work and more than willing to do just that and other ethnic workers aren’t?
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