aysha
When visiting San Sebastian, in the Basque region of Spain, I learned very quickly the difference between hot and lazy. AS many have already stated, the cultural history created the myth. When it was afternoon in San Sebastian, it was like walking around on the sun. Naturally, it is impossible to get work done, or do any massive physical labor. So everyone takes a siesta. Then, as it cools down into evening, the work starts again. Instead of stopping at dusk, the work continues late, taking advantage of the cool night. So where an American might work ‘9-5’, in San Sebatian, work might be something like ‘8am-12pm…4pm-8pm’. Same amount of worktime, just in different styles. AS far as poor countries being in hot areas, it is true that there are many. However, there are also many in every other weather catagory. Russia, former Soviet countries, and Tibet are very far from rich, and are all very far from the equator.