Yes, the whole busyness mentality is almost certainly a cultural thing, that's interesting that you believe the extreme of that mentality is more prevalent in the United States. I can believe what you're saying given the different countries you have lived in, that must be quite a broad insight and provides an excellent referent point.
I would still like to believe that the Spanish shut everything down for an hour or two each day to fit in a siesta, but not sure it's a convention that is followed much these days.
If we can earn enough money while still retaining what quality of life is left for generations that have come after boomers, then I'm all for it, no matter how you do it.