To throw into the discussion, France chronically has a very high depression rate [0]. I don't have the exact numbers but there is correlation with high income,

To throw into the discussion, France chronically has a very high depression rate [0]. I don't have the exact numbers but there is correlation with high income, and generally speaking work related mental illness are not uncommon. The image of French people as lazy asses is about a half of the population perhaps. The other half[1] is in a different boat altogether. [0] http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-26/france-u-s-have-highest-depression-rates-in-world-study-suggests.html http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-26/france-u-s-have-hig... [1] wild guess