The reason you get the impression that countries like Portugal or Greece prioritize leisure is that you spend your vacations there and mostly interact with the wealthier residents. The relaxed Greek pensioner who speaks fluent English may appear to be middle class by your standards, but is actually a member of the elite. The actual average Greek is the one who is busting their butts off mopping the pristine facade of your Santorini Airbnb.

Portugal actually has one of the longer working hours in the EU. Despite the reputation that Greeks are lazy, they actual work the longest. If the upper classes of these nations worked harder, they would create more higher-skill jobs for the average resident, so they wouldn't have to resort to working menial jobs for longer hours.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_average_a...

I think there’s a level on which a chill society doesn’t feel as much collective need to produce as much, though your point is very valid as well. A 11 hour workday that involves a hammock and a nap for instance. Or, a crazy idea, if one can provide some security for themselves with a more basic job. This isn’t really what exists, it’s usually richer countries with more leisure. But not always

From every German tourist visiting Portugal: "Oh its so nice that in Portugal, the supermarkets are every day open"

Mind you the two hour lunches with a bottle of wine and naps are something.

Where's the line that separates mediocrity from greatness?

So anything aside from hyper capitalism is mediocrity? This is a sad way of looking at the world.