Something I still don't understand about other countries.

[TheBeardedJedi]

Hi all, it's been a while, and now that things have settled down in my workplace(s), I have a question for those of you who are 2nd or earlier gen U.S. citizens or are outside the U.S.:

What exactly causes most of the people I'm around who are not from a long family history of Americans to have such a strong work ethic or skillset in general? I've met people from Venezuela, Europe, El Salvador, Bolivia, Singapore, etc. in my line of work, all of which perform on a very high level compared to most Americans at my job. I get little snippets of information from them here and then, most of them saying they found America to have a lot more opportunity than some places they have been, but I never really understood what _exactly_ motivates them to push so hard in different areas. Is it simply a motivation from being in a different place? Were they surrounded by people in their respective country that treated things like designing and math like they are extraordinarily important? I notice that a lot of people on these forums are from different places in the world, yet nearly every single one of them could code in circles around me (which is why I'm here; to learn). What exactly makes people outside the U.S., at least from what I've seen, so skilled at particular crafts and trades compared to the average or even above average American citizen? I am curious to understand how; this is something that, as a 2nd gen American, I find to be absolutely fascinating. I don't mean any offense by what I'm asking, it just intrigues me how entire groups of people from other places can be so skilled at something like coding or math, and if it has anything to do with one's country values, that's all.

Thanks.

[dpJudas]

I don't think people outside the U.S. are more skilled in general. What you are most likely experiencing here is that you see all the lazy Americans in real life, but at the same time only see the foreigners that one way of another made themselves visible to you. Trust me, every nation has its share of slackers and unremarkable people. If you grab a random Dane on the street here and started talking to them you wouldn't find them any more special than what you have at home.

[TheBeardedJedi]

Thanks. It's entirely possible that I'm only seeing one side of things at my workplace. I do find myself around a lot of people who in general work extremely hard at a particular skill and become great at it, and then I also am around a lot of people that don't seem nearly as go-go-go all the time. In my case, it's mainly the ones that came from another country that seem to be the harder workers, and again, that's just what I've been seeing.

[Gez]

People who decide to uproot themselves for an opportunity at a better life, by definition, are a lot more driven than those who do not.

I mean, it's not an easy decision. Moving away from your friends, your family, all the things you're used to, including your own language...

[NeuralStunner]

I wouldn't consider myself that skilled, but work ethic counts for a lot. A lot of Americans (even from my generation, mind you) have been well indoctrinated on their personal specialness, "other people are counting on you to do your job" seems to escape them. My workplace sees a lot of turnaround from kiddos who think they can dick around and get paid, as soon as they realize "oh god I have to work?" they top coming back.

[Rachael]

My workplace sees a lot of turnaround from kiddos who think they can dick around and get paid, as soon as they realize "oh god I have to work?" they top coming back.

What kind of work is that? Sorry I am curious.

But yes, this is a problem I see a lot.

[NeuralStunner]

What kind of work is that? Sorry I am curious.

Retail, freight unloading and stocking in particular. Physically demanding for sure, but oddly it's anything involving following directions and basic problem-solving that seems to escape people.

[Rachael]

Ah, I used to do that, myself. Not a fun job, but it sure as shit beats department associate, or cashier.

[Darkcrafter]

What motivates people from countries other than US to work harder in my opinion? A fear to lose their job and lose everything. No matter how worse it gets with time about their conditions of life, government or environment, the majority of people always find opportunity to show how loyal they are and find excuses for all the bad stuff bosses do. I left such a place a while ago because I couldn't cope with safety measures anymore nor I wanted to have more scars. What I heard in the end was like you will come back when grow up.