More matters French...
Le Monde carries news of a poll that shows one in three of the French did not have a holiday away of at least 4 nights in 2004, and adds:
"If access to holidays has been gradually democratised, variations remain significant according to standards of living", comment the study’s authors. In 2004, as in 1999, the lack of money remains the principal principle reason (37 %). Staying at home was a "deliberate choice" for 20 %. 15 % gave health reasons and 10 % work or study related reasons".
While I think we would all agree that a break can do one a world of good, this seems to pinpoint another one of those areas where the French and the British see matters in a very different light, as I'm not aware of non-holidaying being a politicised issue in these parts. And as for our friends across the pond with their standard ten days off a year.... I think the last time I spent more than a few days away other than at the then in-laws or other relatives must have been about four years ago, and the last time I got home less stressed than when I went away still further back. Still, I've got paranoid freelancer syndrome, but don't feel particular ill served by fate. Anyway, as I hope Cranmer would approve, I'm off to the 'Protestant Rome' (Geneva
"If access to holidays has been gradually democratised, variations remain significant according to standards of living", comment the study’s authors. In 2004, as in 1999, the lack of money remains the principal principle reason (37 %). Staying at home was a "deliberate choice" for 20 %. 15 % gave health reasons and 10 % work or study related reasons".
While I think we would all agree that a break can do one a world of good, this seems to pinpoint another one of those areas where the French and the British see matters in a very different light, as I'm not aware of non-holidaying being a politicised issue in these parts. And as for our friends across the pond with their standard ten days off a year.... I think the last time I spent more than a few days away other than at the then in-laws or other relatives must have been about four years ago, and the last time I got home less stressed than when I went away still further back. Still, I've got paranoid freelancer syndrome, but don't feel particular ill served by fate. Anyway, as I hope Cranmer would approve, I'm off to the 'Protestant Rome' (
As a footnote, I read a tale some years back about Leon Blum, France's pre-war prime minister picking up a suit from a dry cleaner in 1945 that he had dropped off in 1940 and finding a note in the pocket thanking him for instituting paid holidays.
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another notable thign from my time backpacking.It always amazed me how few french people I met compared to Aussie,kiwi,kraut,brit SA.
Rather like the yanks they are none too keen on leaving home soil.but then when I toured round france I could see why.
If I was french I'd stay at home
Good point: France does have the beaches, the mountains and the culture. And subsidised (?) flights to Tahiti, Guadeloupe etc.
There's an old French joke about three boys bragging about their fathers:
#1 - 'My dad's the fastest because he's a TGV train driver and goes at 300KPH'
#2 'Pah - my dad's a Concorde pilot and he flies at the speed of sound'
#3 'Double pah - my dad's a civil servant and he's the fastest - he leaves work at 5 and he's home by 4...'
Don't they take French leave?
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