I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I remember reading something once about the folks from temperate countries being less prone to taking things easy - no 'manana' culture and siestas during the afternoon. This and the desire to get the fuck out of the rainy lands helped them go out and kick ass (or try to).
I'm not defending or attacking what was said/read, because I, like yourself, can't be sure of the full context.
