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As others on this thread have said, it's all, really about working smarter. Not seeking to denegrate the Mexicans, I believe that the statistics
that are offered herein, which point up their "hard work", should also be viewed with an eye toward the results or the rewards that come of hard work.
If a man tries to dig a hole in the ground with a pitchfork, he'll work damned hard and will never be successful, yet if he stops long enough to understand
that for all of his work, that he's getting nowhere, he needs to rethink his methodology. If he were smarter, he'd find a shovel. It's all about results, not
an issue of quantity or effort, it's about results, the fruits of his labor, surely moreso, than the many generations of blisters and callouses, on his hands.
How ironic that Mexico is home to the richest man on the planet... Carlos Slim
Equally as ironic, is that Bill Gates has given a greater part of his riches back into our society, earmarked as charity, in the hopes of bettering things for his
fellow man. Yes, Carlos Slim employs a lot of his countrymen and does much for the Mexican people but why not do more for the upcoming generations there,
it is they who will be living in a more competitive world, he'll be gone and we all know that you can't take it with you at dying time. I can't deny that the people
of Mexico, in general, have a fine and honest work ethic but just like every other developed country in the world, they need to find an answer which will lead to
self-sufficiency. Although this world seems cruel today, I'you'd best believe that it's going to get a helluva lot crueler, as we get further down the road.
Just gotta say, in our experience of owning a business with employees in the US and dealing with workers here, the subject study is true.. Just wish these same Mexican people got paid better for all that hard work and could look forward to a better and more secure future..
In Mexico you even have a person that help you to put gas in your car or wash your car, or leave your groceries from the HEB to the CAR.
Is different...
Yes you're right - it's just different.
Long hours don't always mean more time is spent working. I think the study referred to a longer work week and very likely that can be documented. Mexicans have a longer work-week, I think many work Monday through Saturday.
Most Americans consider 40 hours full time, but I think full time in Mexico is 48 hours - or 44 -- I'm not sure.
Americans have less vacation time - 2 weeks is standard, but Mexicans enjoy a month off around Christmas and a week off before Easter but I think there are fewer other days off like national holidays.
And retirement comes much earlier for Mexicans, Americans now look forward to working into their 70s. In Mexico teachers can retire incredibly early.
And of course the typical work week and typical vacation schedule and holidays, retirement ages don't apply to everybody.
Long hours don't always mean more time is spent working. I think the study referred to a longer work week and very likely that can be documented. Mexicans have a longer work-week, I think many work Monday through Saturday.
Most Americans consider 40 hours full time, but I think full time in Mexico is 48 hours - or 44 -- I'm not sure.
Americans have less vacation time - 2 weeks is standard, but Mexicans enjoy a month off around Christmas and a week off before Easter but I think there are fewer other days off like national holidays.
And retirement comes much earlier for Mexicans, Americans now look forward to working into their 70s. In Mexico teachers can retire incredibly early.
And of course the typical work week and typical vacation schedule and holidays, retirement ages don't apply to everybody.
Maybe *upper-class* Mexicans enjoy a month off at Christmas but from my experience, the average worker is lucky if he gets a day or two or three off at Christmas. Some are luckier and their employer might give them a week off. Most workers [mainly construction] I've encountered work 5 1/2 days a week, from 8AM to 6PM during the week and then until 1PM on Saturdays. I suspect they're happy to even have the work and hours - particularly now as the tourist season [at least here - Vallarta area] winds down.
if they work so hard, why mexico isnt a prosperous developed nation?
I think they're working on it in many diverse ways --- in the area of education, the justice system and better commerce [not just tourism, which is a mainstay] Now if they can just deal effectivelly with the drug problem and the mordita system, I think they will forge ahead as one of North America's most vital economies - IMHO a least..
if they work so hard, why mexico isnt a prosperous developed nation?
That goes right to the point, doesn't it ? Why not stay there and work that hard...? Don't have jobs....? Fight for them.....don't feel you are entitled to mine and my grandchildrens. What gives you that right...?
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