Americans work 25% more than Europeans

[draykorinee]

Its also why Europe is crumbling around your ears with the exception of some hard working countries..cough Germany cough

This isn't 2012, nearly all European countries are seeing solid economic performances the last few years and particularly this year.

[Kuntantee]

Entire world works more than Europeans because rights of employees are well-protected in Europe.

[Deleted]

37 hour weeks and 6 weeks paid vacation. And a 2000$ vacation bonus every year

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Its also why Europe is crumbling around your ears with the exception of some hard working countries..cough Germany cough

Completely false.

[Docturphil]

Sounds like you still had a roof over your head as well as the basics covered.
Don't you comprehend what that means?
You. Had. Help.
A lot of us didn't/don't even have that much.
Or to repeat: [I]No government service to help, no family...nothing.

There is no college in this. Too damn busy paying for those basics that you obviously didn't have to worry about.

Yes, I had a roof over my head and the basics were covered. What's your point? Even most impoverished people have that. Impoverished people have cell phones and internet access these days. What's your point?

And, sorry... you said no government assistance? Are we talking about the same country here?

And once again, a bunch of my family was in the type of situation you're talking about yet they were able to go to college and make something of themselves. How did they manage to do that if it's as impossible as you're trying to make it out to be?

Also, you're talking about this as if you've been in poverty yourself. In case no one has told you this yet, YOU can make something of yourself if you haven't already. You just have to be dedicated.

[Shadowferal]

Yes, I had a roof over my head and the basics were covered. What's your point? Even most impoverished people have that.

You don't know wtf you're talking about is the point. You imagine you've had it hard, but not as hard as some that I know.
I certainly don't have a cell phone. And my cheap dial up is directly connected to my hard line so I can't get calls when I'm online. (Which doesn't bother me one bit since I am by myself)
My situation isn't unique.

And, sorry... you said no government assistance? Are we talking about the same country here?

Welcome to the US, where you're penalized for not having family.

And once again, a bunch of my family was in the type of situation you're talking about yet they were able to go to college and make something of themselves. How did they manage to do that if it's as impossible as you're trying to make it out to be?

If you're together then you're not alone in getting anything. You most certainly don't have to worry about the basics of living. You can easily make the time to get an education whereas those of us have to keep working just for those basics that you obviously take for granted. If we stop...we sink and lose it all.

Also, you're talking about this as if you've been in poverty yourself.

Born and raised in it. Know what it's like to go hungry and sleep in the street. Don't pretend you know anything about it, unless you've worked more than two full time jobs just to stay the hell out of it...with no help at all.

There are only a few ways out, join the military, organized crime, dead, or you get lucky..like I did.

[Docturphil]

You don't know wtf you're talking about is the point. You imagine you've had it hard, but not as hard as some that I know.
I certainly don't have a cell phone. And my cheap dial up is directly connected to my hard line so I can't get calls when I'm online. (Which doesn't bother me one bit since I am by myself)
My situation isn't unique.


Welcome to the US, where you're penalized for not having family.

If you're together then you're not alone in getting anything. You most certainly don't have to worry about the basics of living. You can easily make the time to get an education whereas those of us have to keep working just for those basics that you obviously take for granted. If we stop...we sink and lose it all.

Born and raised in it. Know what it's like to go hungry and sleep in the street. Don't pretend you know anything about it, unless you've worked more than two full time jobs just to stay the hell out of it...with no help at all.

There are only a few ways out, join the military, organized crime, dead, or you get lucky..like I did.

I never claimed that I had a rough life, or that I know what it's like to be impoverished. I'm extremely grateful for the life that I've had and I have a lot of respect for people who have worked hard to get to where they are. All I said was that I didn't inherit any money, nor did I have anyone pay for my education. That's all that I have said. I'm not trying to play that off as if my life was so rough.

My only point in all that is that anyone can pay for their own education. Anyone can take out student loans, graduate, find a decent job, and pay off their loans. I'm just saying that being in that situation doesn't mean you can't get out. You apparently are proof of that. You say you got lucky, but was it really luck? I have a feeling you worked pretty damn hard.

I feel like one of the biggest disadvantages that impoverished people have is that they don't believe they can get out of it. It's not that they are stuck, it's that they feel stuck. I feel like if more of them realized the potential that they had, there would be much less impoverished people in this country. Would you agree?

[Beazy]

What happens if I work 50 hours a week by my own choice?

Do none of you guys love your job?

[draykorinee]

What happens if I work 50 hours a week by my own choice?

Do none of you guys love your job?

Unless the job is Pornstar I'm not going to put in any overtime.

[smaktat]

Is that why you guys have so much more time to play WOW? Damn Id be happy if I would only have to work 40 hour weeks.

that bait tho

[Cannibalus]

It's not about how much you work it's about what you work. If you're a mindless peon that wants to get rich people richer, fine, work 50+ hours/week like a retard. Also most long hours "work" comprises of activities that many people can do or are qualified to, so if you don't meed your quota, there are 30 waiting in line for your job. That's why you need to go to college OR invest in your own firm, all-in-all be smart and take calculated risks, as opposed to being an extension of your boss' right hand and being told what to do (shit corporate work like sorting emails or printing till you fall asleep on the fax machine fall into this category).

[Shakadam]

What happens if I work 50 hours a week by my own choice?

Do none of you guys love your job?

Probably plenty of people who like their jobs well enough.
If however you like your job more than you like your free time you have some seriously fucked up priorities.

[Shadowferal]

Probably plenty of people who like their jobs well enough.
If however you like your job more than you like your free time you have some seriously fucked up priorities.

no no...I believe that people who have careers are doing what they love. And as they saying goes; "Do what you love, and you'll never work another day in your life."
If your job is your passion, then the hours put in aren't a consideration.

Sadly, I think that's more the exception than the rule.

[Deja Thoris]

Is it meant to be some kind of badge of honor that Americans work longer? I mean kids in 3rd world sweatshops work longer than Americans, do they "win"?

I'm happy to work 40 hours a week with good vacation time and benefits. I'm not sure Americans having terrible workers rights or the relentless pursuit of consumption is a positive?

[Kithelle]

Exactly. It isn't an "addiction." It's the fact that wages are so low that one has to work more than 40 hours a week to get by. But we can't raise the wages because that'd be communism or something.

^ This

I'm honestly surprised...sounds rather nice in other countries...I grew up with 40+ hours a week being the norm...just another reason to wish I could pack my bags and move to greener pastures.