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unhinged
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the slide back into the worst excesses of capitalism has been slower, less extreme. the french took our idea of democracy, mixed it with a healthy dose of socialism, and have a much better society because of it.
'french labor laws guaranteeing limited working hours and ample paid holidays have achieved almost mythical status in other countries, generating a stereotype of a french worker who barely works at all. in truth, this is highly exaggerated. it is more difficult these days to obtain the permanent contracts that include generous leave policies, and companies can skirt some working regulations by offering overtime. most full-time employees work close to forty hours per week, and french productivity levels remain high relative to other developed economies. so the stereotype of the lazy french worker is well overdue for retirement.
that said, it is true that compared to the united states, french workers enjoy a much better work-life balance thanks to limitations on their working hours. a french proverb argues 'if working hard made one rich, donkeys would be covered in gold' and the french belief that working too many hours is deleterious to one's health and happiness is well known.'
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