Why do Americans work so much?

[dvh]

Surprise, I am American. Some background:I am a late 30's male, college educated doing a job I love. I am a PGA Professional and the Facility GM for a golf course/hotel combo. I easily work 60 hours a week and have 2 children that I spend almost all of my free time with.

My wife and I often have small arguments about the hours professional people put in. My thought is if you are going to be successful you have to strive to be the best. To me the hours are a byproduct of working to achieve that goal. I tell her 60 is reasonable for professional/salaried people.

The average household income in the region I live in is, I believe, around $50k annually. Hard to break that as an hourly worker and to double that number (which is still a small amount to many Balla poker players) takes a certain amount of dedication and time committment.

Just curious how many share my thoughts, or am I a chump?

[bogey1]

I work 40-45 hours a week and make nearly $100k.

I'd never work 60 hours a week for more than a very short duration. My stomach goes to acid reflux hell, I'm exhausted, I miss my wife and kids, they hate me because I'm never there, I get flabby because there's no time for the gym...

[kerowo]

If you got a boss to convince you that working 60s was standard for a 40 hour a week salary then you are a chump.

[vbm]

I make $90k and work a MAX of 35 hours a week. Usually less.

I also get 28 days paid holiday a year.

No idea why you work so hard

[CharlieDontSurf]

I work 10 hours a day 5 days a week...and make 31K [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[Blarg]

[ QUOTE ]
I make $90k and work a MAX of 35 hours a week. Usually less.

I also get 28 days paid holiday a year.

No idea why you work so hard

[/ QUOTE ]

28, wow that's very nice.

Your situation is very nice all around. Not many people can match that.

[Rootabager]

You here teachers really are underpaid but my mom makes around 75k and works 186 days a year.

She has been teaching for along time with a rank 1 but that is still alot of money for only working half the year.

[vbm]

While I agree that my situation is quite nice. 35 hours and 20+ days holiday is fairly standard for UK/Europe.

The Brits are supposed to be the hardest workers in Western Europe. God knows what the averages are for the French and Germans. I assume 35 hour week is standard but I gather they get more holidays [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[ZeTurd]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I make $90k and work a MAX of 35 hours a week. Usually less.

I also get 28 days paid holiday a year.

No idea why you work so hard

[/ QUOTE ]

28, wow that's very nice.

Your situation is very nice all around. Not many people can match that.

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually, that's pretty standard if you hail from a Scandinavian country and are decently educated / entrepreneurial.

[good2cu]

Theards like this really put into prespective how good high-stakes online pros have it. I truly feel very lucky.