We could do with a little less of it IMO. But I have heard plenty from European expats about the entrenched complacency over there. I'm told people looking to improve some system or product run right into a wall of "Why bother?".

The flipside of that is that Europeans generally get way more vacation and free time, and as a consequence, can enjoy life more.

On average yes they seem to be better off. I have been lucky and have certainly beat the European average quality of life.