Not only does a higher percentage of American adults work, but they also work more hours per week and more weeks per year. In 2004, the French worked 28% fewer hours per person than Americans, and the Germans and Dutch each put in 25% fewer hours, and the money they earned was correspondingly lower—almost 30% less income per person than Americans received.
这一比较可以作为大西洋两岸生活方式区别的象征。美国人每周工作时间更长，休假时间更短，但是他们有更多的钱可以花。不仅美国成年人工作的比例更高，而且他们也每周工作更长，每年工作更多的星期。2004年，法国人比美国人人均工作时间少28％，德国人和荷兰人少25％，而他们挣的钱也就相应比美国人少。他们的人均收入几乎要比美国人低30％。