You are right about that. Part of me admires Europeans for their ability to completely forget about about work at the end of the day and just relax at home or at a cafe. However, the American side of me is amazed at how Europeans can relax when there are still things that need to be done at work.
This difference in work ethics is very real. When I sold my house in Washington State last year before moving overseas again, my realtor worked hours that would shock a European. I left a voicemail message for her after midnight once, and she called me back within ten minutes. She was at work! Several times she stopped by my house at 9:00 P.M. or so to take care of business. Selling real estate was what defined her (her children were already grown and successful), and she was very good at what she did. She made a lot of money, but she earned it!
The fact that she EARNED it would alone be enough for armies of people to hate her. There is no such thing as "earning" it, in their minds.