By Considering the state of the economy and how much Koreans work, the results of this poll are not surprising:
However, the country ranked at the bottom in terms of life satisfaction. In a survey of career interest, pride and annual leave among 1,000 people aged 15 or older in each member state in 2008, Korea finished 24th with 23.1 out of 100 points, much lower than the average of 54.3 points.
In a negative index survey of pain, hypochondria, and sadness the same year, the country averaged 61.5 points, far above the average of 35.6.
As of 2007, a Korean worked 2,316 hours, the longest among member states and 548 hours more than the average of 1,768. In terms of eight-hour work days, this means that Koreans worked 69 days more than their counterparts. The Dutch worked the shortest hours with 1,392. The Japanese (1,785 hours) and Americans (1,794 hours) also worked fewer hours. [Chosun Ilbo]
2:17 am on April 7th, 2009 1
It never ceases to amaze me how a country can overwork themselves so much and yet accomplish so little.
3:02 am on April 7th, 2009 2
Yup, they say Americans are lazy because they work an average of five days a week. Yet we get more done and are happier. Just because you are at work longer, does not mean you get more done.
Not to mention we have done more in 150 years than they have in 3000 years.
Yeah, American are lazy.
3:06 am on April 7th, 2009 3
Americans that is…
3:08 am on April 7th, 2009 4
South Koreans think that if they work themselves hard they will become rich and happy. Unfortunately, they usually work themselves into deep depression.
7:26 pm on April 7th, 2009 5
They do EVERYTHING ass backwards:
Baseball: a full count in 2-3.
Stocks: An uptick is red.
Think of more examples?
This also goes with the high rates of menatlly ill and suicides. And what is beautiful about the city? Mountains? Check. Women? Check. Recreations of places that look like Grumman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood? Not exactly. Anything else? The Han River? Hehe
7:37 pm on April 7th, 2009 6
crudgemugon – indeed, and then they accomplish even less at work!
1:07 am on April 8th, 2009 7
Considering a repair to a Korean consists of ducttape and velcro. They sure do move around alot, but nothing gets done quite right.
Reminds me of my plaque, it was supposed to say "Goodbye to the land of the not quite right."
It said: "goodbye to the land of the not GUITE right"
4:11 pm on April 8th, 2009 8
chefantwon – I recently ran over a nail on my motorcycle. When I went into the shop, they just plugged the hole. I told them I didn't mind paying for a new tire, because it would be safer, but I had to hem and haw with them to get them to replace the tire, even though it made them more money! I just don't understand the aversion to doing work but the lack of aversion to spending such long hours "at work".