Vacation queerness

The United States is sometimes called the No-Vacation Nation. Europeans have always felt more comfortable taking long breaks from work, but Americans used to think that was why we led the world in productivity. In fact, not so much on the productivity scale and certainly not on happiness scales. Europeans often get six weeks of paid vacation -- PAID vacation. Americans are lucky to get three weeks, and often they are not allowed to take more than one week at a time. Today studies show that Americans do not take even the vacation days they are granted by their jobs because they are afraid of losing said jobs. Works out well for employers, I guess, who can claim they are offering generous vacation benefits when in fact folks feel obliged to come in to work anyway.

Whatever. Daniel and I are heading north to spend a few days with friends in Wisconsin. When we return, I will have to get serious about final preparation for the fall term at PPHU.

I hope you are getting a break from your usual haunts!