Comments on: A world of inspiration: Traveling the World Ten Days a Year http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/ go explore. experience. and be inspired. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:58:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: A world of inspiration: The Rebel | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-2657 A world of inspiration: The Rebel | velvet escape's blog Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:19:52 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-2657 [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...] [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...]

]]> By: Roberto http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-1714 Roberto Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:50:46 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-1714 This post distills perfectly the work-to-live and live-to-work duality. The fine documentary A Map for Saturday explored this American allergy to long vacations, and why you see so few of them doing long-term backpacking. But you also have to consider their health care system. Many Americans get health coverage with their jobs. It's too expensive to pay for it oneself. This discourages people from finding other jobs or taking more time off. This low labour mobility, in turn, creates an inefficient and stagnant job economy: people are just too scared to leave jobs they might not like and lose coverage. And if it's a seller's market for employers, what's the motivation to offer better vacation? This post distills perfectly the work-to-live and live-to-work duality. The fine documentary A Map for Saturday explored this American allergy to long vacations, and why you see so few of them doing long-term backpacking.

But you also have to consider their health care system. Many Americans get health coverage with their jobs. It’s too expensive to pay for it oneself. This discourages people from finding other jobs or taking more time off. This low labour mobility, in turn, creates an inefficient and stagnant job economy: people are just too scared to leave jobs they might not like and lose coverage.

And if it’s a seller’s market for employers, what’s the motivation to offer better vacation?

]]> By: Julie McNeill http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-1587 Julie McNeill Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:34:22 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-1587 I am in the process of planning my husband's long service leave of 3 months with pay, a reward for being with the same employer for 10years and more. First stop Athens, so reading blogs to pick the right spots to experience. The Government is actually running a campaign with the unions to stimulate the economy by telling people who have accumulated leave, to take a break, (preferably in Australia!). Without knowing too much about US industrial relations, like Health care, there seems to have been a brainwashing in the collective psyche against workers rights and unions. (Remember that scene in Paris with ex-pats and Mike Moore about family services). Whilst Australians are more laid back than the French, the same rights to egalitarianism amongst all blue, white collar workers shows in entitlements that one deserves a good holiday for your work! I am in the process of planning my husband’s long service leave of 3 months with pay, a reward for being with the same employer for 10years and more. First stop Athens, so reading blogs to pick the right spots to experience.
The Government is actually running a campaign with the unions to stimulate the economy by telling people who have accumulated leave, to take a break, (preferably in Australia!).
Without knowing too much about US industrial relations, like Health care, there seems to have been a brainwashing in the collective psyche against workers rights and unions.
(Remember that scene in Paris with ex-pats and Mike Moore about family services).
Whilst Australians are more laid back than the French, the same rights to egalitarianism amongst all blue, white collar workers shows in entitlements that one deserves a good holiday for your work!

]]> By: A world of inspiration: Amazing Thailand, Amazing People | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-1013 A world of inspiration: Amazing Thailand, Amazing People | velvet escape's blog Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:10:12 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-1013 [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...] [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...]

]]> By: A world of inspiration: A Patchwork Quilt | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-970 A world of inspiration: A Patchwork Quilt | velvet escape's blog Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:46:25 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-970 [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...] [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...]

]]> By: A world of inspiration: A Confident Smile | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-937 A world of inspiration: A Confident Smile | velvet escape's blog Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:51:33 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-937 [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...] [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...]

]]> By: A world of inspiration: Ghosts of the Past | velvet escape’s blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-856 A world of inspiration: Ghosts of the Past | velvet escape’s blog Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:57:55 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-856 [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...] [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...]

]]> By: A world of inspiration: A Lesson in Humanity from a Thai Ladyboy | velvet escape’s blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-806 A world of inspiration: A Lesson in Humanity from a Thai Ladyboy | velvet escape’s blog Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:25:21 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-806 [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...] [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...]

]]> By: A world of inspiration: A Survivor | velvet escape’s blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-742 A world of inspiration: A Survivor | velvet escape’s blog Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:12:22 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-742 [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...] [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...]

]]> By: A world of inspiration: The Man from Mandalay | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-608 A world of inspiration: The Man from Mandalay | velvet escape's blog Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:47:21 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-608 [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...] [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...]

]]> By: Sherry Ott http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-521 Sherry Ott Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:26:59 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-521 Great article that highlights the major cultural difference between Americans and the rest of the 'western world'. Why is it this way? Why do Americans only have 2 wks of vacation and other countries have 4 weeks minimum? Why can't Americans take off and travel the world like our counterparts? Something I'll never understand! I personally was tired of the 2 wk vacation and finally chucked my career in for a year and a half of travel - best thing I ever did! Great article that highlights the major cultural difference between Americans and the rest of the ‘western world’. Why is it this way? Why do Americans only have 2 wks of vacation and other countries have 4 weeks minimum? Why can’t Americans take off and travel the world like our counterparts? Something I’ll never understand! I personally was tired of the 2 wk vacation and finally chucked my career in for a year and a half of travel – best thing I ever did!

]]> By: The Velvet Parade – celebrating 150 velvet escapes | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-504 The Velvet Parade – celebrating 150 velvet escapes | velvet escape's blog Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:08:25 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-504 [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year By @Travelogged Can we get more days off please? [...] [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year By @Travelogged Can we get more days off please? [...]

]]> By: A world of inspiration: NYC | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-398 A world of inspiration: NYC | velvet escape's blog Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:18:19 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-398 [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...] [...] Traveling the World Ten Days a Year [...]

]]> By: jen laceda http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-383 jen laceda Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:06:49 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-383 I guess I shouldn't complain--I work in healthcare in Toronto, Canada. I've been with our organization for almost 9 years this October. I get 5 weeks vacation. It started with 3 weeks, though. I am fortunate to work in such an environment, but of course, I am in mental health, so that's probably why we get good benefits! Wouldn't it be ironic if we didn't?! That said, I should stop complaining about my job!!! I guess I shouldn’t complain–I work in healthcare in Toronto, Canada. I’ve been with our organization for almost 9 years this October. I get 5 weeks vacation. It started with 3 weeks, though. I am fortunate to work in such an environment, but of course, I am in mental health, so that’s probably why we get good benefits! Wouldn’t it be ironic if we didn’t?! That said, I should stop complaining about my job!!!

]]> By: velvet http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-356 velvet Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:53:12 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-356 Hi Melanie, Thank you for your comment. It is a fun challenge to juggle your vacation time and stretch it as much as possible. Keith Hi Melanie,
Thank you for your comment. It is a fun challenge to juggle your vacation time and stretch it as much as possible.

Keith

]]> By: Melanie@TravelsWithTwo http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-354 Melanie@TravelsWithTwo Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:20:47 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-354 The conversation Liz found herself having with non-American travelers in Greece perfectly mirrors encounters my husband and I have had all over the world...in tiny little increments, that is. To have long, drawn-out conversations about vacation time takes up, well, vacation time! I'm happy to see someone else preaching the gospel of schedule-challenged couples getting the heck out of dodge -- any way they can. The conversation Liz found herself having with non-American travelers in Greece perfectly mirrors encounters my husband and I have had all over the world…in tiny little increments, that is. To have long, drawn-out conversations about vacation time takes up, well, vacation time! I’m happy to see someone else preaching the gospel of schedule-challenged couples getting the heck out of dodge — any way they can.

]]> By: velvet http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-335 velvet Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:17:29 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-335 Hi Dan, Thanks for your comment. I think I'd go insane too if I had only two weeks off a year! Cheers, Keith Hi Dan,
Thanks for your comment. I think I’d go insane too if I had only two weeks off a year!

Cheers,
Keith

]]> By: Dan Maggs http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-334 Dan Maggs Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:34:39 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-334 Here in the UK it's pretty standard to get around 25 days holiday per year enabling 5 full weeks off or more if you can work your days around the national holidays. Generally the longest amount of time people seem to take off at once is two weeks. The 5 weeks off that the Australian couple are allowed to take off in one go is incredible. I think I'd go insane if I could only have 2 weeks off per year, & whilst I see that 5 weeks off is plenty for many....its certainly not enough for me...after all life is for living! Here in the UK it’s pretty standard to get around 25 days holiday per year enabling 5 full weeks off or more if you can work your days around the national holidays. Generally the longest amount of time people seem to take off at once is two weeks. The 5 weeks off that the Australian couple are allowed to take off in one go is incredible.

I think I’d go insane if I could only have 2 weeks off per year, & whilst I see that 5 weeks off is plenty for many….its certainly not enough for me…after all life is for living!

]]> By: velvet http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-333 velvet Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:51:26 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-333 Hi Amy, Thank you for your comment. Cheers, Keith Hi Amy,
Thank you for your comment.

Cheers,
Keith

]]> By: Amy @ The Q Family http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-332 Amy @ The Q Family Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:59:59 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-332 Great post and so true! I have worked at the same company for almost 10 years and yet my vacation time is just merely 15 days. How can we do anything with so little time? Luckily, my boss is pretty understanding so I sometimes did take it all at once for a long trip like Thailand. But it's not encourage and frown upon if I plan to do it every year. Maybe I need to start thinking about relocation. :) We plan to visit Amsterdam in a couple years. Might be a good chance to scope out the possibility. Great post and so true! I have worked at the same company for almost 10 years and yet my vacation time is just merely 15 days. How can we do anything with so little time? Luckily, my boss is pretty understanding so I sometimes did take it all at once for a long trip like Thailand. But it’s not encourage and frown upon if I plan to do it every year.

Maybe I need to start thinking about relocation. :) We plan to visit Amsterdam in a couple years. Might be a good chance to scope out the possibility.

]]> By: velvet http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-330 velvet Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:40:07 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-330 Thanks for your comment. Yes, it's about the same in the Netherlands. Usual corporate policy is 25 days a year. Many companies also have different systems that allow employees to save up for more holidays (for instance, for a sabbatical) or buy more holidays (for instance, by converting part of overtime or bonuses into extra holidays). Cheers, Keith Thanks for your comment. Yes, it’s about the same in the Netherlands. Usual corporate policy is 25 days a year. Many companies also have different systems that allow employees to save up for more holidays (for instance, for a sabbatical) or buy more holidays (for instance, by converting part of overtime or bonuses into extra holidays).

Cheers,
Keith

]]> By: Dave and Deb http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/06/a-world-of-inspiration-traveling-the-world-ten-days-a-year/#comment-329 Dave and Deb Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:28:52 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=1524#comment-329 Canada has the same policy, most of my friends only get 2 weeks a year. We are lucky to both be freelancers working in the film and television business. I couldn't imagine being tied down year after year. Good for Australia to give people 6 weeks. A lot of countries in Europe do that as well. What is wrong with the North Americans? Canada has the same policy, most of my friends only get 2 weeks a year. We are lucky to both be freelancers working in the film and television business. I couldn’t imagine being tied down year after year. Good for Australia to give people 6 weeks. A lot of countries in Europe do that as well. What is wrong with the North Americans?

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