Are French People Just Lazy?

I have a side of the family that looks down on me only working 40 hours a week. The same people that complain about remote work because they "don't know what the workers are doing". One of them said to me "I'm paying them for 40 hours a week, how do I know they're working that amount". They calmed down after I asked if they're paying them for time or for work.

I think a lot of Americans are proud to spend long hours working and that there's a culture that equates working more with general validation.

Personally i'm happy that the French are protesting any negative change to retirement, despite how small. It seems like the US is already becoming a work-till-you-die country.