I enjoy telling people in other countries about the American work ethic. The reason we get ahead, I explain, is that we work very hard. "America is the land of opportunity to work your tushie off."
And to join clubs, send your kids to private schools, own a bunch of nifty stuff as a result of your work.
This raises eyebrows, especially in commie countries where no one is allowed to work much or to own much. Castro, for example, tells the poor beleagured Cubans that in America, some people have to work two or three jobs. Rotten capitalist pigs. Soon they'll own three apartment houses in downtown Cleveland.
Many foreign visitors comment on how hard Americans work. I can't help remembering the social engineer who decided that anyone who is over 5'10" should not play volleyball. Not fair. btw, this seems disingenuous to me, as TV news crews often work round the clock.