[KarlInOhio]

Often in Europe the actual number of hours is longer, but most of it is socializing and low energy work. Hustling Americans can get meetings over fast and can multitask. Americans seem so serious at work to some people.

That's interesting. I was in Germany and felt the opposite. They were prompt to get into work and efficient and hard working (no chit chat) during work hours. But you did not want to get between the Germans and the door when the end of the shift hit - you would be crushed by the prompt and efficient Germans promptly and efficiently leaving. They were hard at work at 4:59pm and gone at 5:01pm. But that may have just been the culture at that factory.

[ADSUM]

I was in Germany and felt the opposite. But you did not want to get between the Germans and the door when the end of the shift hit - you would be crushed by the prompt and efficient Germans promptly and efficiently leaving.

Sounds like the federal government and the unions in Washington DC. As an auditor I observed this behavior often with coats on and hands folded waiting for the bell to ring.