Although there is a lot to say for a cross country road trip, the U.S. doesn't offer as exotic of holidays in as accessible of a way as the U.K. Afterall, if you live in the heart of Texas, just going somewhere like Las Vegas on a "holiday" would be more expensive and involved than taking an EasyJet from Edinburgh to Amsterdam or even Cyprus. Still, I do think that it comes down to cultural priorities. I am not sure what ours are on but they aren't nearly as keen on a decent holiday.
Exhibit A:
The basic rights of a UK full-time employee. Yep. That's right a MINIMUM of 28 days paid annual leave each year. I love how it is called an "entitlement". That is exactly how it is looked at.
In the U.S., what is the "entitlement" of annual leave? NONE. Yep. That's right. Apparently we are known as the "No Vacation Nation."
Example? I work 2-3 days a week as an hourly (minimum wage - at least the exchange rate is in my favour though) housekeeper. I get more paid days off as an employee than any job I have ever had. Ever. School district, the city, private employers.
Are you ready for Exhibit B?:
There are network telly programmes here dedicated to get the most (and what you deserve) out of your holiday. I present to you Save My Holiday (not sure if it will play for you overseas folk) from BBC 1 Scotland. Ironically, I discovered this programme whilst making beds and dusting furniture at the hotel where I work. How to describe this programme...?
It is a documentary with two hosts who follow different Brits that phone in with issues about their holiday. From the intro to the programme:
"We're going to coach you in the art of complaining...so you get what you paid for. Don't put up with second best."
Problems range from cleanliness or safety issues in hotel rooms, sub-par food at the hotel, misrepresented amenities at destinations, and what turns out to often be the most dramatic at times, bouts of food poisoning. Here is one story from "episode 7" (still available to watch for 6 more days on BBC 1 Scotland). Two friends are on holiday at a resort and they start to feel ill on the second day.
Host: "....that's when their holiday...hit the skids." <cue in super super dramatic music-kind of like "America's Most Wanted") On only their second day their paradise holiday had taken a depressing nose dive. Shortly afterwards, Sharon was also shot down with the same bug." ---- pans to a zooming view of a toilet (a la "CSI")
There are lots of other great moments "Save My Holiday" has to offer. And if you are ever in the market for tips on how to maximize your entitled holiday days, I would heartily recommend watching an episode or two before planning your trip. That way, you won't end up like Sharon and her friend - needing to phone into "Save My Holiday" for help. You will be a savey consumer that knows how to make the most of those 28 days a year you get.
28 days? That's like a typically February - AN ENTIRE MONTH of entutled vacation? Yes please.
ReplyDeleteSo true. The Brits do have all of Europe to explore with cheap direct flights. But I love our National Parks and good ol' Utah has 5!
ReplyDeleteWow, the no vacation nation? harsh harsh, harshity, harsh. You heading to SLC soon? And just think, all the while you're being paid!
ReplyDeleteYou're not allowed to take the 28 days off at once though. It's meant to be throughout the year. If you work Bank holidays you get days off in the year as well to make up for the fact you worked that day.
ReplyDeleteHolidays are important for us, mainly because we work more hours a day than other places. If you work as a supermarket assistant you work from either midday to 8/9 in the evening or my hours which were 7 until 6 in the evening.
I quite like our time off we're allowed a year. I don't know why you complain of it.
My American job offers me 28 paid days off per year, even though they aren't required to! As much as I want to hate corporate America, I can't this time! I'm using one of my paid weeks off get married and enjoy (and get paid for!) going on a honeymoon.
ReplyDelete@princeharry: Cate very clearly stated several times that she thinks the UK holiday requirements are a good idea and that Americans ought to do follow suit. I don't know why you think she was complaining.
To Prince Harry.
ReplyDeleteWorking from midday to 8 is 8 hours. If you do this 5 days a week it equals 40 hours per week. That is considered full time in the U.S., nothing out of the ordinary. What exactly is your point?