Hmm, living in a hot country with strong UV index myself (Malaysia), I would avoid the sunlight too, especially at midday.

But I've been to Germany before, and most of the time, the weather is so cold that the sunlight feels comfortable to be under, even at midday, except during the summer when the heat can be unbearable too.

I'm not sure what the weather and the UV index are like in the U.S. though as I have never been there. But I believe people in the U.S. might be motivated to seek sunlight exposure for vitamin D benefits.