>In Ireland, people work to live, but too many Americans live to work. If you ask someone in Ireland to tell you about themselves, you will probably find out wh

>In Ireland, people work to live, but too many Americans live to work. If you ask someone in Ireland to tell you about themselves, you will probably find out what county they are from, what sports they follow, and even their position on Ireland's most closely-fought controversy (Lyons vs Barry’s). Ask an American, and you will immediately find out what they do for a living. I've always found this to be weird and off-putting. Okay, ask if it is important, but if they don't understand the response, that's on them. I understand that people frame things through their own experiences, but it is strange when wage based employment is assumed to be the only way to earn or live. It is a poor way to start a casual conversation.