I think it is one of the things that makes us prosperous in peace and fearsome in war is the freedom to think and act, and the work ethic to act.
I often hear anecdotes of people from European countries that come to the USA, and say that we work too hard.
It’s true. We do. (I was on the road at six this morning and just got off a call now. We work hard.
But we value the independence that prosperity can bring to those willing to work for it.
By the way-thanks for your service...I gleaned from another post of yours you went to Annapolis. Thank you.
I looked at your FR profile again, and read again about your appreciation for your Mom and Dad.
It’s great to see full pictures of them. And reading your praise of them, I can imagine being in their presence. It’s a fine tribute indeed.
I would say the East Asian work culture is similar to what we have in the USA.
When do most of my work these days at the library of the local University. And if you arrive early, you usually some Asian students. I think it derived from the Confucian culture and what they call “filial piety” — a respect for elders and your parents.
It’s a great virtue because it gives you a heightened sense of family and thankfulness for what you have in this life.
On the other hand, filial piety (as interpreted in Japan) perhaps goes too far to an American’s liking. It puts big burden on a family’s first-born son who becomes responsible for taking care of his parents into old age — having them live in the same house. And that’s especially burdensome to the wife of the first-born son who must put up with the demands of a cantankerous mother-in-law.
The countries of Japan, Taiwan, and Korea are also big fans of baseball.