Americans take fewer vacations. Americans work longer hours. Americans retire later. Americans revolve their lives around work. Americans work too much. They dedicate their entire lives to their career, to getting promoted to a higher position, to getting a higher salary, to getting further and further in the workplace. Americans are so busy with their jobs and careers that they end up neglecting other things, like their personal lives. Unlike people from other countries, Americans don't take enough free time for themselves. Americans have little to no free time each week. According to the article “Overloaded America: 12 Charts That Will Make Your Blood Boil,” some countries give workers 37-48 hours off each week. Other countries give workers 24-36 hours off each week. Americans in comparison have almost no free hours (Gilson). Even on weekends, Americans find their lives consumed by work. A survey of employed email users showed that 50% of them check their work email on weekends and 34% check their work email while on vacation (Gilson). Americans can't find a middle ground between work life and personal life. The same article showed other factors that impact the overworked life of an average American, and one of them is the 67% increase in the cost of living since 1990 (Gilson). Or, the fact that the minimum annual wage is only $15,080. On top of that, you need to have an income of $30,000 to be able to say you truly have financial security. So, perhaps this is why Americans find themselves having to work longer hours and having to work harder. It's because our economy is relentless, and in order to make a living, things like vacations and days off sometimes have to be put aside... middle of paper... I'm dissatisfied with his life. At one point in the play Hapyy says, "I don't know what the hell I'm working for." Sometimes I sit in my apartment, all alone. And I think about the rent I'm paying. And it's crazy. But then again it's what I've always wanted. My apartment, a car, a lot of women, and yet, damn, I feel alone” (Act 1). This quote shows how hard work is something that does not necessarily mean or guarantee a happy life. Yes, work brings money, but that money can't buy experiences or, more importantly, can't buy back valuable time. America is known for many things. It is famous for its sports, fast food and, of course, Hollywood. Yet it is infamous for being home to millions of workaholics. It is home to millions of people who literally work themselves to death. This country is plagued by non-stop work and it is a disease that has no cure.