It was a lonely trip to work this morning as the entire country was still tucked up snug and warm in their lazy beds. Everybody else in the land has the day off except for us in our international organisation bubble. This usually works in our favour when we get the more unusual holidays like some Muslim holy days or my favourite – UN Day (whoever even knew that such a thing existed) and everyone else has to work while we sit at home laughing like evil witches. A day off always tastes so much sweeter if others have to work. Today however is Ascension Thursday and the Dutch consider it important enough to shut down for the day while we have to slave away at our desks. It seems at work we’ve used up all our Christian holidays for the year and Jesus has to make his return trip without our celebrations.
It is a bit silly though having a bank holiday just a couple of weeks after the last one (Queen’s Day) and a couple of weeks before the next (Whit). Why can’t they all be stretched out a bit more evenly. They’re very mean with their bank holidays in The Netherlands. After Whit they’re done until Christmas – absolutely nothing in between. Couldn’t we have a few when the weather might be a bit better thank you very much. Plus if Christmas (or even their national day Queen’s Day) lands on a Saturday or Sunday then it’s the workers’ misfortune and no extra day is given. How harsh is that? Some of us live for our days off!
Anyways I have decided that while I must be at work today surely nobody would mind awfully if I took it a wee bit easier than normal. Besides I can say it’s all about integrating into my adoptive country – when in Rome… (or Rotterdam).
I suggest you spend the entire day reading blogs. It’s what I do, and it works very well – I get no work done, and they pay me for it.
Go on then – twist my rubber arm
I was reading with interest that Labour, I think, propose to introduce another bank holiday here in Ireland around February and Valentine’s Day, if elected.
Normally I HATE Valentine’s Day on account of me being the Male Version of Bridget Jones; eternally single. But anything that gets Bank Holiday attention is fine by me.
That’s brilliant – now the Greens or the PD’s should say they’ll bring in two extra bank holidays if elected and then there might be a bank holiday election auction!
I’m with Kav. Read his post about wanking in Math class. It’s a doozie.
That’s one reason I like living in Northern Ireland rather than England – two extra public holidays on St Patrick’s Day and July 12th (because of course there has to be a holiday for each side). My English workmates are always wildly jealous that they’re still slaving away while we’re taking it easy. Or there again, maybe they’re just reading blogs or doing the other Kav thing.
Conor, I’m still getting used to Canada’s holidays so I hear you. The worst of it this year is that the big national holiday “Victoria Day” falls on our wedding anniversary.
Maud Gonne appropriately called her “The Famine Queen” in 1899. I see know point in celebrating her legacy.
My company is horrible with the holidays. Christmas, New Year, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving. That’s IT. Anything else is vacation.
Makes me want to cry.
I firmly believe in maximising all holiday opportunities, particularly as a global citizen like yourself. When I was living away, I insisted on winding down for Paddy’s Day, St Stephen’s Day and any other largely fabricated Irish national celebrations I could come up with, while also when in Roming on the Argentinian national holidays – May 25, July 9 etc. Hardly a week went by without some reason to down tools. It pays to live a double life, betimes. I’m only gutted I hadn’t heard of UN day until now.
Stretch out, son. Take it easy. With cadbury’s caramel.
Oh, I’d Iove to see you laugh like a witch!
Blarney – I’m lucky enough to have read it before its disappearance
Nick – and I bet neither side moan that much about having to take a day off work for the other’s celebration
Medbh – I agree – just pretend that the entire country is celebrating your anniversary that day!
Sassy – that’s nowhere near enough. A memo needs to be sent – who can I address it to?
Fionat – You have absolutely got the right idea. Mark UN day in your diary now – 24th of October! I also celebrate my half birthday – have you thought of that one too?
Minge – Oooohh memories – I loved the ad and the bar. I tell you what – I’ll do my witch laugh for you in exchange for a Caramel Mmmmmm
While you’re whining about having to work today, do you not think you should perhaps come clean about how many public holidays you actually get?
(note cunning use of ‘you’, as if I am somehow deprived…)
I love the idea of Valentine’s Day as a public holiday. Then I can stay at home and wallow in being single rather than sitting at work hoping for some grand demonstrative gesture in the form of 12 red roses from, say, Brad Pitt.
I say vote Labour! Well, for those who can vote in the Irish elections.
Sorry, Conortje!
Jovica – Always the bitter word! Well on last count our work gives us nine official holidays which is exactly the same as in Ireland – however if they go ahead with the fabulous idea of making Valentine’s day a holiday then I’d be down one
The Dutch however only get about seven a year (and some of them can disappear if they fall on the weekend).
As for you voting labour – I know you – you’d vote for whoever had the best looking candidate
Nope, I was wrong; TWO extra bank holidays proposed: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/ireland/politics/article2525584.ece
Notice, though, how it says they haven’t got permission from Fine Gael (ok, so it didn’t use the word permission, but it’s as good as, roight!)
Two days – good grief – does this mean you’ll be voting for Labour Alan?
I like to think I have a few more morals that just a couple of extra Bank Holidays… On the other hand…
Seriously, though, this election, who am I voting for; I honestly don’t know.
If it’s any consolation, I was up with the sun too. I had an exam at nine this morning.
Alan – I wouldn’t know either if I had a vote. I fear I could be easily swayed with the promise of some extra days off work, or some free beer or a gift voucher or something …… no wonder they don’t let me vote.
Dario – I hope it went well for you. It’s an amazing relief when they’re all finished isn’t it. When are you done with them all?
I’ll be finished the 29th. They’ve gone pretty well so far, and thanks for the comment you left on the blog a few days back.
Dario, you’re extremely honest in your writing and I find that refreshing and brave. You say some things that I have only ever thought about – let alone spoken to someone about. It’s wonderful! Good luck with the last few exams. You finish on my birthday – guess we’ll both be celebrating that day
I’ll down sambucas for both of us!
Conor, it even get’s more weird in NL. Remembrance day, 5th of May is only an official holiday once every 5 years. And even then the employer isn’t always obliged to give the day off!
But I fully understand the days off thing. It was a wonderful month for me, working in a international organisation bubble in Dublin!