Of course it says you can't have a chair. What's the reason any employee would cite? Laziness, or maybe they think standing equals more engaged with the customer, which means work.

The reason I say it comes from Protestant work ethic is because that work ethic literally defined American culture before the 20th century. Almost everyone who came from Europe was a Protestant. That work ethic was a huge deal in Germany, the Netherlands, and England. Probably Scandinavia too, but idk much about them.

But the thing is, its not only a glorification of work for work's sake. Its also the shaming and judgement that goes along with Christianity. The Protestant Work Ethic synergized with the Puritans and their concept of a "city on a hill" - in which they specifically believed that society should be everyone watching every detail of everyone's life so they could "be thy brother's keeper." If it sounds creepy and horrible, that's because it is.

That's the main defining feature of early american culture... Unfortunately. And we still have it.