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....

Yes, dredging up from my O-level geography - zones of ease, temperate zones (forget the term) and zones of hardship... with the middle one stimulating more... something or other.
But it was a long time ago and may be a bit un-PC these days.

It works within Britain mind you ;)