Americans work hard. And when it’s time to take a break, a much-earned, battery-charging vacation? Far too often, we don’t. That’s not just me talking (although my wife would tell you I fit that picture), the data confirms it: In 2018, Americans did not use 768 million days of paid time off—time that could have been spent kicking back with families or friends or traveling or (god forbid) just not working.
Whether by choice, fear of looking bad or even fear of losing a job (especially when so many feel lucky to have one), what makes this pattern particularly jaw-dropping is a comparison with other countries. By law, employers in France are mandated to provide 30 paid days of vacation each year. In the UK, the number is 28. In Austria, Denmark, Finland, Spain and Sweden, the number is 25 days. Italy, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and New Zealand? They get 20 days of paid vacation (in addition to paid holidays). Some employers, by the way, give more than these minimums.
And in the United States, proudly hailed as the world’s richest country? The average number of legally mandated paid vacation days is…zero.
So all this got me thinking about the value of vacations, especially during this Fourth of July weekend and as vaccination rates have convinced people that they can pack their bags and travel again: What does a good vacation look like? Where will you go this summer? What will you do? And what is the best vacation that you’ve ever had?
As always, I look forward to hearing about your thoughts and experiences—and the opportunity for this community to learn from each other.
Towards the end of my career, I started taking a month off a year. I learned the hard way the 1 or 2 weeks was useless. You need at least a week to relax, sleep etc. some vacations were for travel which is always good. Some vacations are just for sitting and watching the waves. And with kids it’s about keeping them occupied or seeing family. So I think it changes with time and circumstance. Still I say give me a beach and I’ll be happy.
vacations vary for different reasons. i love to have a wow moment by visiting very different countries than ours!! Costa Rica eco tour...soooooo beautiful and all the animals in the wild there! wow. thailand has some very beautiful areas but the city...it's a wow moment to see how crowded and different the culture is there! greece and the islands....culture, history and just beautiful in some areas. istanbul turkey...wow...sooooo beautiful and the art! my next trip will be to Africa for a safari and to see this wonderful lands of a very different world and of wild animals....can't wait!!!
Late this summer, I'm driving to PA to visit my daughter and her family, including my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter. Next year, I turn 65, so I'd like to take myself on either a cruise from St. Johns to Lima, if the cruise line makes vaccinations mandatory, or I'll rent a place on Kauai for a month. All depends on COVID, of course. In 2019, I did a cruise from Athens to Dubai, and it was wonderful. I got to see Petra, which is absolutely amazing.
My ideal vacations are road trips with my dog to see friends at the Washington coast, where I just happen to be right now, surrounded by friends. I live in Idaho, so either the coast or mountains are good for me. That being said, I am getting on a plane! and visiting my sister in Minnesota in September. They live just south of the Canada border, it is a stunning area of this country. I like to travel to different states but Europe is second best.
At this time when so much of our nation is tribalized by our politics, I found a most uplifting series of conversations with taxi drivers while spending a 10-day vacation in Washington DC. Throughout my life, I saw dad always strike up a conversation with those he met whether it was at a mall, restaurant, or service station. Like him, I too have much the same attitude when it comes to talking with others as it provides insight into the world around me and seems like a polite way to proceed through life.
So, while in our nation’s Capital I did my own small survey of the roughly dozen taxicab drivers who took us to places around the city. I always started by asking how their day or night was going and then proceeded to ask how long they had been living in the D.C. area. From there I asked where they grew up.
I was heartened that each of the men driving cabs was chatty and open about their life and experiences in this nation. From Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Morocco, Sudan, and Sierra Leone each had strong feelings and all, but one, had language skills that made it easy to convey them. The vast majority were of the Islamic faith and, were as proud to talk about it as anyone would be about their religion. One soft-spoken man from Ethiopia seemed so humble and sincere about his life and outlook that upon leaving the cab I turned and offered the Islamic greeting of “peace be upon you”.
All the men had come to this country to make a better way in life. Most had been here for about 15 years, a couple arrived only about 7 years ago. Some had traveled with family and others came alone. A man who came from India to get an education started his own restaurant. An Ethiopian driver was surprised we knew of some foods from his native land such as Injera and Doro Wat. We told him that in Madison we live close to a restaurant that makes these foods. He smiled and told us that in his land Dor Wat is reserved for special days as it takes lots of ingredients and time to make.
Each of the drivers had made a bold choice of leaving the place of their birth to seek a better life. It required in each case learning a new language, culture, currency, and adapting to the weather. It meant at times, as with the driver from India, leaving every member of his family behind and seeking something different. It is a phenomenal undertaking to make such a journey.
And they work hard. They are not slackers. Most lived in Maryland where rental properties were more affordable. One driver spoke of the rent increases over the past decade where his two-bedroom apartment now costs over $2,000 per month. Other drivers told of their small children. In one case a driver wanted his son to learn his native language at home while also speaking English at school. My husband, James, as a professor of languages, heartily agreed and offered some tips on how to make that process work.
I saw America at its best during the rides past the city sites I so love while conversing with truly inspiring and uplifting reasons why this nation is special.
As dad well knew a person can learn a lot when you take the time to talk to others.
I have three daughters, and have always worked long hours. When each turned 16, I took her on a father-daughter trip -- her choice. My oldest chose the west coast; we were not wealthy at the time. My middle child chose Paris. My youngest chose Greece. Now they're gone, and that time I had with each is a treasure. The location is secondary.
My favorite vacations were to cruise. I'm a Scorpio and love being around water. Still hope to. Maybe next year. Been to the Caribbean (twice), the Panama Canal and Bermuda. Nothing like being spoiled!
Towards the end of my career, I started taking a month off a year. I learned the hard way the 1 or 2 weeks was useless. You need at least a week to relax, sleep etc. some vacations were for travel which is always good. Some vacations are just for sitting and watching the waves. And with kids it’s about keeping them occupied or seeing family. So I think it changes with time and circumstance. Still I say give me a beach and I’ll be happy.
As a photographer vacation usually means exploring observing recording and when I can afford it one cappuccino after another in Italy
vacations vary for different reasons. i love to have a wow moment by visiting very different countries than ours!! Costa Rica eco tour...soooooo beautiful and all the animals in the wild there! wow. thailand has some very beautiful areas but the city...it's a wow moment to see how crowded and different the culture is there! greece and the islands....culture, history and just beautiful in some areas. istanbul turkey...wow...sooooo beautiful and the art! my next trip will be to Africa for a safari and to see this wonderful lands of a very different world and of wild animals....can't wait!!!
Late this summer, I'm driving to PA to visit my daughter and her family, including my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter. Next year, I turn 65, so I'd like to take myself on either a cruise from St. Johns to Lima, if the cruise line makes vaccinations mandatory, or I'll rent a place on Kauai for a month. All depends on COVID, of course. In 2019, I did a cruise from Athens to Dubai, and it was wonderful. I got to see Petra, which is absolutely amazing.
My ideal vacations are road trips with my dog to see friends at the Washington coast, where I just happen to be right now, surrounded by friends. I live in Idaho, so either the coast or mountains are good for me. That being said, I am getting on a plane! and visiting my sister in Minnesota in September. They live just south of the Canada border, it is a stunning area of this country. I like to travel to different states but Europe is second best.
Just spent three days in the wood of Harriman State Park in Rockland County, NY. I like woodsy vacations. This one was perfect. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ1VP8Wsqv1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
At this time when so much of our nation is tribalized by our politics, I found a most uplifting series of conversations with taxi drivers while spending a 10-day vacation in Washington DC. Throughout my life, I saw dad always strike up a conversation with those he met whether it was at a mall, restaurant, or service station. Like him, I too have much the same attitude when it comes to talking with others as it provides insight into the world around me and seems like a polite way to proceed through life.
So, while in our nation’s Capital I did my own small survey of the roughly dozen taxicab drivers who took us to places around the city. I always started by asking how their day or night was going and then proceeded to ask how long they had been living in the D.C. area. From there I asked where they grew up.
I was heartened that each of the men driving cabs was chatty and open about their life and experiences in this nation. From Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Morocco, Sudan, and Sierra Leone each had strong feelings and all, but one, had language skills that made it easy to convey them. The vast majority were of the Islamic faith and, were as proud to talk about it as anyone would be about their religion. One soft-spoken man from Ethiopia seemed so humble and sincere about his life and outlook that upon leaving the cab I turned and offered the Islamic greeting of “peace be upon you”.
All the men had come to this country to make a better way in life. Most had been here for about 15 years, a couple arrived only about 7 years ago. Some had traveled with family and others came alone. A man who came from India to get an education started his own restaurant. An Ethiopian driver was surprised we knew of some foods from his native land such as Injera and Doro Wat. We told him that in Madison we live close to a restaurant that makes these foods. He smiled and told us that in his land Dor Wat is reserved for special days as it takes lots of ingredients and time to make.
Each of the drivers had made a bold choice of leaving the place of their birth to seek a better life. It required in each case learning a new language, culture, currency, and adapting to the weather. It meant at times, as with the driver from India, leaving every member of his family behind and seeking something different. It is a phenomenal undertaking to make such a journey.
And they work hard. They are not slackers. Most lived in Maryland where rental properties were more affordable. One driver spoke of the rent increases over the past decade where his two-bedroom apartment now costs over $2,000 per month. Other drivers told of their small children. In one case a driver wanted his son to learn his native language at home while also speaking English at school. My husband, James, as a professor of languages, heartily agreed and offered some tips on how to make that process work.
I saw America at its best during the rides past the city sites I so love while conversing with truly inspiring and uplifting reasons why this nation is special.
As dad well knew a person can learn a lot when you take the time to talk to others.
I have three daughters, and have always worked long hours. When each turned 16, I took her on a father-daughter trip -- her choice. My oldest chose the west coast; we were not wealthy at the time. My middle child chose Paris. My youngest chose Greece. Now they're gone, and that time I had with each is a treasure. The location is secondary.
My favorite vacations were to cruise. I'm a Scorpio and love being around water. Still hope to. Maybe next year. Been to the Caribbean (twice), the Panama Canal and Bermuda. Nothing like being spoiled!