The thing I find most interesting about this discussion is that we have not yet seen anyone from the US proudly claiming that by working harder they are more productive than the rest of us. I have seen similar conversations several times on various on-line forums in the past, and there was always a defensive/proud mindset from a significant group, even as those of us outside the US wondered if they realised how much their employers were abusing them.
Since the financial mess of the past couple of years showed that US productivity figures that seemed too good to be true really were just an illusion, I'm hoping that the mindset of the average US worker has become a bit more realistic and a bit less willing to accept (by international standards) abusively long hours and short vacations. It will be good for the workers, and I expect for their employers as well in the long run, since working with better rested and happier employees is one of the surest ways to improve productivity known to man.
The financial mess has created the exact opposite effect. Now, in the name of cost cutting and efficiency, employers are making people work more hours with less vacation time. No one complains and just go with the idea that, "at least I have a job".
The United States has one of the very highest GDP (PPP) per hour worked in the world. Been that way for a long time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28PPP... . It makes sense, given our massive capital stock. So working longer hours here would mean a lot more productivity.
I myself value leisure highly, though. I have a job as a software engineer at a large bank in New York. Right out of college, the bank allows me (and all other first-year developers) four weeks of vacation per year, and I'm taking full advantage of it. I like to travel.
Demand for software engineering talent is so strong right now in the United States that I'm surprised so many Americans on Hacker News feel they can't take a decent vacation. I'm sure if they spoke to their bosses they could work something out. You shouldn't be afraid to ask for a reasonable vacation.
I'm right there with you. I work for a small VoIP company as a support engineer and even we get decent vacation. Plus we work remotely 60% of the time. I've got it setup right now that ever 12 days of work I have 7 days off. Plus I have sick days and personal days. Which I don't need to use as I can just work from home (unless I'm so sick i can't work).
I don't necessarily think that lack of vacation makes you more productive (though I am still not convinced that taking ten days away from the office somehow makes you more productive for the other 255). I do, however, think that most employers will notice when you're gone. Especially for long periods of time. They may not necessarily notice that you're the guy who never is out of the office, but sometimes it's better not to be noticed at all than to be noticed as the guy who always triggers "OUT OF THE OFFICE UNTIL" autoreplies.
Work harder / longer - shift to extreme right-wing politics - slowly lose status as the "greatest nation in the world" - grit your teeth and work even harder / longer...
Since the financial mess of the past couple of years showed that US productivity figures that seemed too good to be true really were just an illusion, I'm hoping that the mindset of the average US worker has become a bit more realistic and a bit less willing to accept (by international standards) abusively long hours and short vacations. It will be good for the workers, and I expect for their employers as well in the long run, since working with better rested and happier employees is one of the surest ways to improve productivity known to man.