Why Are So Many Americans Obsessed with Working?

Posted4 months agoActive4 months ago

austinallegro

6 points

5 comments

rte.ieOtherstory

calmmixed

Debate

40/100

Work CultureAmerican SocietyProductivity

Key topics

Work Culture

American Society

Productivity

Discussion on why Americans are obsessed with working, with comments highlighting cultural differences and economic pressures.

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Light discussion

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12m

Peak period

0-1h

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1.3

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01Story posted
Sep 4, 2025 at 3:43 AM EDT
4 months ago
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02First comment
Sep 4, 2025 at 3:55 AM EDT
12m after posting
Step 02
03Peak activity
2 comments in 0-1h
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04Latest activity
Sep 4, 2025 at 7:01 AM EDT
4 months ago
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Discussion (5 comments)

Showing 5 comments

palmfacehn

4 months ago

1 reply

>In Ireland, people work to live, but too many Americans live to work. If you ask someone in Ireland to tell you about themselves, you will probably find out what county they are from, what sports they follow, and even their position on Ireland's most closely-fought controversy (Lyons vs Barry’s). Ask an American, and you will immediately find out what they do for a living.

I've always found this to be weird and off-putting. Okay, ask if it is important, but if they don't understand the response, that's on them. I understand that people frame things through their own experiences, but it is strange when wage based employment is assumed to be the only way to earn or live. It is a poor way to start a casual conversation.

slumberlust

4 months ago

I've had success asking people what keeps them busy. Even with Americans it helps to frame the question a bit. Ofc they can still talk about work if that's on their mind, but they sometimes also talk about life events or hobbies/projects instead.

throwmeaway222

4 months ago

1 reply

because our mortgages are so large that if we lost our job we'd be f'd 6 ways til Sunday

gladiatr72

4 months ago

Stacked on top of property taxes (in most states). Even with 65% of the principal paid, my monthly payment is twice what it was initially.

Nif4c

4 months ago

No one asks why farm or circus animals are obsessed with being farm or circus animals, because exiting the structure that provides them their Identity is not possible.

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ID: 45124676Type: storyLast synced: 11/17/2025, 10:10:32 PM

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