The problem is with work ethics, not with jobs.

In Japan, it's impressive to see how people perform even the most menial jobs with dedication. It's the Yoda approach: do or do not. If you do a job, do it well. So, you will see people whose job is to stand in the rain and watch over a construction site exit making sure people in the sidewalk do not get run over by trucks exiting the site, doing their job with utter dedication. Even if it rains. Even if the job is crappy. I'm sure these people would rather have a different job — but as long as this is the one they have, they will sure as anything do it well!

What is killing people's work ethic in your opinion then?

How is that person in Japan paid? Are they able to live comfortably and not have to worry about whether they are going to be bankrupted by an unexpected medical problem or bill?

From my perspective, A major problem in the west is that it has become unaffordable for so many people and they are always stressed about money which permeates into the rest of their life. If you are always on the precipice of being homeless it is understandable why they are stressed and able to be exploited by predatory companies working them to the bone.

The average level of work ethic in the areas I frequent has cratered over the last 6-7 years.

I can feel it happening to me as well. I used to get super anxious if I wasn't going to be able to respond to a work email within a few minutes. Basically chained myself to my desk at home M-F. Remember phone calls? Having to answer a ringing phone within 15 seconds or you could be perceived as delinquent? No one is responding quickly to anything anymore.

Keeping myself amped up 8 hours a day for vendors and customers who are 1000% asleep at the wheel is too much. I wait for meaningful work to accumulate now and work in bursts. This definitely contributes to the downward spiral, but I don't know what else to do. Human energy is finite. I'm willing to stick my neck out really far for really long if it seems like others are willing to do the same, but it doesn't feel like that kind of situation right now.

> So, you will see people whose job is to stand in the rain and watch over a construction site exit making sure people in the sidewalk do not get run over by trucks exiting the site, doing their job with utter dedication.

That kind of job existing in the first place is the problem. And that could be well called subservience instead of work ethic.

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