patrick.net

Apparently not as stupid as American workers who work much harder than their French counterparts for less. Seriously three hours of work a day? Clearly the French have much to teach us.

"They get one hour for breaks and lunch, talk for three, and work for three." I need one of these job application.
My job experience: I've perfected the breaks,lunch & 3 hrs. of talk. I might need some training for the 3 hrs. of work.

Teach us about how to be worthless and not feel guilty about it.....

New Renter says

Apparently not as stupid as American workers who work much harder than their French counterparts for less. Seriously three hours of work a day? Clearly the French have much to teach us.

MMR says

Teach us about how to be worthless and not feel guilty about it.....

New Renter says

Apparently not as stupid as American workers who work much harder than their French counterparts for less. Seriously three hours of work a day? Clearly the French have much to teach us.

So you feeling of worth are completely tied to your job? How sad for you.

HEY YOU says

"They get one hour for breaks and lunch, talk for three, and work for three." I need one of these job application.

My job experience: I've perfected the breaks,lunch & 3 hrs. of talk. I might need some training for the 3 hrs. of work.

Note how the lunch hour is counted as part of the official 7 hr work day. Nice!

Thanks Mish, this is very informative!

Mish says

This is pretty wild

It's also pretty factually inaccurate. Apparently some co-op student already threw most of the CEO's theory under the bus by publishing his daily work schedule at a car factory.

Working hard is a virtue, apology if you didn't understand what I meant.
My goal is to not have a 'job' but rather a 'career' and to be an 'entrepreneur'. Currently my 'job' is student.

This is a generalization that is easily proven false based on various parameters, but in general, I don't think a lot of French people take pride in their work.

I'm not necessarily a religious person, but aren't sloth and gluttony among the 'seven deadly sins'.

New Renter says

MMR says

Teach us about how to be worthless and not feel guilty about it.....

New Renter says

Apparently not as stupid as American workers who work much harder than their French counterparts for less. Seriously three hours of work a day? Clearly the French have much to teach us.

So you feeling of worth are completely tied to your job? How sad for you.

I think a three hour work day is about right. I've tried all combinations, from double-shifts to 14 hours to 8. None too much to my liking.

MMR says

Working hard is a virtue, apology if you didn't understand what I meant.

My goal is to not have a 'job' but rather a 'career' and to be an 'entrepreneur'. Currently my 'job' is student.

This is a generalization that is easily proven false based on various parameters, but in general, I don't think a lot of French people take pride in their work.

I'm not necessarily a religious person, but aren't sloth and gluttony among the 'seven deadly sins'.

No problem, Sure doing a good job is something to be proud of. Work can yield a great sense of accomplishment and a GOOD job adds to life. Good jobs seem to be the exception rather than the rule for most people though.

If the French did not take pride in their work why would French cuisine be renowned throughout the world? Michelin tires are damn good tires, SOMEONE must take pride in making them. CERN is half French and that is a hell of a feat of engineering. The TGV, French nuclear reactors, all good stuff.

People stop taking pride in their work when they are not treated fairly, not when they are pampered.

As for the sin of gluttony, have you looked at the average American lately?

I agree with everything you are saying. I hadn't quite thought it out. I like and admire all the examples you mentioned. I actually had to look up CERN....I now realize that it refers to the LHC.

I certainly wish there was a TGV-esque system of rail in the US. It is a great engineering feat but I'm still not 100% convinced that such innovation is happening in France as in the past.

The French educational system is pretty impressive. Although I don't agree with everything in the curriculum, in terms of rigor, the IB program is good preparation for the critical thinking necessary to survive and excel in STEM majors.

French is definitely my favorite type of cuisine. I eat 'French-ish' food at least once a week.

Maybe you're right about people not caring due to unfair treatment, but many people have 35 hour work weeks. I'm not sure I know anyone with a precise 9-5 job anymore, whether in medicine or engineering.

not to generalize but American gluttony is a topic that comes up in my house every single day, particularly with regards to health, wellness. I'd say it's heartbreaking, but the frustration of seeing people develop illnesses that cost a lot of money to treat and with mediocre results is palpable. The worst part of obesity related illnesses is that, although there may be a genetic element, the diseases (i.e. diabetes, cardiovascular disease) is generally avoidable. I'm of the mindset that a significant number of cancers are avoidable as well.

New Renter says

If the French did not take pride in their work why would French cuisine be renowned throughout the world? Michelin tires are damn good tires, SOMEONE must take pride in making them. CERN is half French and that is a hell of a feat of engineering. The TGV, French nuclear reactors, all good stuff.

MMR says

Maybe you're right about people not caring due to unfair treatment, but many people have 35 hour work weeks. I'm not sure I know anyone with a precise 9-5 job anymore, whether in medicine or engineering.

And IMHO mandatory work schedule creep a bad, not a good thing. With fewer hours spent at work it is easier for a two income family to have a work schedule where one parent is working while the other is home with the kids. If both parents are working at the same time then unless they are lucky enough to have a willing relative nearby a nanny is needed which just adds to the family expense.

At least one American CEO agrees with this idea:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/opinion/sunday/be-more-productive-shorten-the-workweek.html?_r=0

The question you have to ask is are those employees getting actual work done in those extra hours or are they all just chatting on Patnet?

How about you Mish?

JodyChunder says

I think a three hour work day is about right. I've tried all combinations, from double-shifts to 14 hours to 8. None too much to my liking.

JC, You ARE the man!

Why do American conservatives get so incensed about the French 35-hour work week?

finehoe says

Why do American conservatives get so incensed about the French 35-hour work week?

Jealousy!

New Renter says

Jealousy!

Have to agree there. The French care about their work. But they care about their personal lives and family more. But apparently the party of 'family values' thinks that's a bad thing.

gbenson says

Mish says

This is pretty wild

It's also pretty factually inaccurate. Apparently some co-op student already threw most of the CEO's theory under the bus by publishing his daily work schedule at a car factory.

Link?