As a European I am always amazed how much the US-citizen work. Very little vacation, very little security and a atmosphere of a very (very very, haha) competetive nature.
As an American I am always laughing each time I read this. There are people on both sides who choose to work a long number of hours. I would not be surprised to read the numbers are not to dissimilar.
Far too much of this workaholic issue only occurs because people want lifestyles they otherwise could not afford. Two cars, the big house or exclusive location, the island vacations, and such, are not necessary for a happy life. Yet there are many who think so and adapt to make it happen. I don't begrudge them for a minute
I will disagree with your first point. As a European who has lived in the US now for over a decade, I can say the OP is correct. Yes, there are people in Europe who do put in long hours, but the overall atmosphere/attitude (for lack of better terms) of work is remarkably different. In the US, you can work without abandon, all day, every day, take no vacation or personal time, neglect your time at home and be hailed as an exemplary for your work ethic. In Europe, the pervasive attitude towards a lifestyle like this is quite contrary to being exemplary. Failing to take vacation time is frowned upon to say the least and often is forbidden depending on your location. Even something a small as working on Sundays will bring disdain from your neighbours. Again, this is not to say that you cannot find the US "work lifestyle" in Europe, it's just that it is not as glorified as it is in the US.
> In Europe, the pervasive attitude towards a lifestyle like this is quite contrary to being exemplary. Failing to take vacation time is frowned upon to say the least and often is forbidden depending on your location. Even something a small as working on Sundays will bring disdain from your neighbours.
This is only an anecdote, but I am a German contractor and when I work long hours, I usually send my emails and push my code on the next morning - still being at work after 20:00 would seem unprofessional and awkward :)
> a atmosphere of a very (very very, haha) competetive nature.
I would call it fear. There is very little actual competitiveness in the workforce, but it looks that way as people go about trying to look important as they fear the next guy who can and will do the same job for $1/h less. The fear of taking vacation is part of this, well, for the few that get vacation time.
American priorities are messed up, work yourself to death so you can retire and enjoy life when your too useless to work.
Yeah, it's absolutely disgusting how desperate and beaten down the American proliteriat is. We have to ask permission to take vacation or sick days, and both are frowned upon. How long you are seen to be working is a very important statistic for workplace prestige, far eclipsing the actual amount or quality of work done. It's important to be seen working long hours, that way when the lay-offs come (and they will come) you aren't in the "slacker" pile like the people only working 9 to 6. Most people think this is the normal and right way to do things, and are fearful of "lazy" systems practiced by the effeminate Europeans. I'm not exaggerating. People actually think this.
I'm not sure there's anyone with a spine to make it change; when I've raised the issue of unionization to my co-workers I tend to get blank or vaguely fearful stares for bringing up something so untouchably controversial.
You are right, and not exaggerating; the workplace culture is more toxic than the labor laws themselves.
In the US, the capital is the big winner (business owner, investors, etc.) Labor loses hard -- even if you are a highly paid professional you are still going to succumb to an unsustainable culture that ruins your QOL.
And please, nobody counter this with stories about how your cool startup or tech job isn't like that. I'm talking about the majority, not various niches and exceptions to the rules.
Oh please, enough with this already. I work in the U.S. for a European company. Those who are competitive are competitive irrespective of nationality or culture; it transcends the atlantic. It is not like there is a magical government employee nature of things in Europe either.
Far too much of this workaholic issue only occurs because people want lifestyles they otherwise could not afford. Two cars, the big house or exclusive location, the island vacations, and such, are not necessary for a happy life. Yet there are many who think so and adapt to make it happen. I don't begrudge them for a minute