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Not sure about in the US but in Canada, I thought workers are entitled to take a two to three-week leave annually?
There are no laws mandating minimum vacation time in the US.
Paid time off varies greatly in the US. Some industries and some companies are much more generous than others. For instance, I worked in banking and I had three weeks of paid vacation, plus two weeks of paid sick time, plus 9 paid holidays per year, so that totals over five weeks of paid time off. That is typical for that industry.
My husband is a consultant and while he doesn't get any PAID time off, he is very well compensated for the time he works, and his work schedule is two weeks on and two weeks off. So he gets 26 weeks off per year. He could choose to work three weeks on and two weeks off if he wanted to make more money but he likes the schedule he's on.
So as you can see, there is a lot of variation here.
I agree that it is not "likely" that you would get rich in the US - but it really depends on what you mean by "rich". It is far easier here (imo) to obtain a family home, 2 cars and have some extra cash to blow on other luxuries. I am way better off here in terms of what I can afford and disposable income than I was in the UK, and I think that is true for most of the people I know.
As for Sickandtired's comment: technology is hardly "behind" here, and Britain doesn't even manufacture cars anymore. Ever heard of Tesla? Probably one of (if not THE most) innovative car companies in the world right now. As for shower heads -
Actually, I think that Tesla is more of a battery company that happens to make cars. The market of the future is batteries that can store renewable energy and which allows homes to come off the grid. Elon Musk who founded Tesla also owns a Solar Company (the one that has a stand in Home Depot).
Actually, I think that Tesla is more of a battery company that happens to make cars. The market of the future is batteries that can store renewable energy and which allows homes to come off the grid. Elon Musk who founded Tesla also owns a Solar Company (the one that has a stand in Home Depot).
I think that Tesla will be in future a battery company is more accurate. But also, there's a lot of disruption going on in the auto industry. Detroit is beginning to fear that it may be reduced to making hardware for vehicles controlled by Silicon Valley software. I once saw a list of companies described as auto industry disrupters. There must have been 100 companies on the list.
I think that Tesla will be in future a battery company is more accurate. But also, there's a lot of disruption going on in the auto industry. Detroit is beginning to fear that it may be reduced to making hardware for vehicles controlled by Silicon Valley software. I once saw a list of companies described as auto industry disrupters. There must have been 100 companies on the list.
That was an interesting article. Thanks for posting.
I know this is off topic but it is an interesting subject.
I always find it interesting to speculate on 'disruptive technologies'. My first taste of that was the early digital cameras (the one you put a diskette into). I had a client who processed film and they couldn't get their minds around the prospect of their business simply going away. Twenty years on and even the mighty Kodak has gone to the wall.
So we can imagine battery and solar technology disrupting the traditional utilities or internet based content disrupting TV companies. And we can see how Skype and VOIP has disrupted traditional telephone services. And these are just three examples off the top of my head. I am sure there are plenty of others.
Actually, I think that Tesla is more of a battery company that happens to make cars. The market of the future is batteries that can store renewable energy and which allows homes to come off the grid. Elon Musk who founded Tesla also owns a Solar Company (the one that has a stand in Home Depot).
Right - I have the solar panels from Solar City. Tesla is a phenomenal car though in terms of performance and safety. It is considered one of the most innovative car concepts in the world right now.
Right - I have the solar panels from Solar City. Tesla is a phenomenal car though in terms of performance and safety. It is considered one of the most innovative car concepts in the world right now.
Apols for off topic again. I recently came across this app that allows you to purchase the output of other peoples solar panels. http://www.yeloha.com/
English people seem to have had a long standing sense of jealousy toward Americans. Probably it was born of the deprivation after WWII while Americans were riding high economically. They thought we had it all--and it was true, we did have it pretty good in the 1950s. England rebuilt and caught up plus they have a better lifestyle in general. Mostly they do not live to work, they work to live. Mostly they aren't caught up in the rat race life style and few days off with long work hours. They still have some degree of quality in their lives and more time to spend with family and more time for travel.
I don't notice the jealously and resentment toward Americans so much anymore. There could still be a dislike of loud Americans and fat Americans. Most of us don't like loud people either and many of us are appalled at the level of obesity over here.
Most Brits do have a strange idea that we have great weather over here. But that's because so many of them go to Florida during the winter. They would be in for a rude awakening if they went to Florida during the tropical summer with the insane heat and humidity, bugs, snakes. Same thing if they went anywhere in the north during the winter. I knew one who came here in January, couldn't take the freezing cold weather, and returned to England early. Our northern winters are much more harsh than yours Dark and depressing too.
It's the gross generalizations and misconceptions. A lot of Brits I have known think of us by what they see on tv and in the movies. You know how wrong that can be because you know how wrongly you are perceived by us when we watch your tv and movies. Most of you don't live in palaces and have servants--but you'd be surprised how many Americans think you do.
I think Brits who are attracted to great wealth and want to own a lot of "stuff" think this is utopia for striking it rich. True to an extent, but you will sacrifice a decent lifestyle to get rich. There is still opportunity here and you could earn big money but you will work long hours and probably six days a week, no leisure time. It's not even as true as it used to be and these days people are having a hard time getting good jobs.
So a lot of it is based upon stereotypes and false perceptions. When in the UK I've always been treated extremely well by people. They will go out of their way to be helpful and kind. I could generalize and say that the British are all great, but all I can say for certain is that everyone I have ever known or come into contact with in England has been extremely nice to me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by in_newengland
Originally Posted by in_newengland View Post
I think Brits who are attracted to great wealth and want to own a lot of "stuff" think this is utopia for striking it rich. True to an extent, but you will sacrifice a decent lifestyle to get rich. There is still opportunity here and you could earn big money but you will work long hours and probably six days a week, no leisure time.
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I didn't say you WILL get rich, I said you COULD. But what a lot of people don't understand is that you can work your tail off here and still just be getting by. It's not a utopia. The people would have just as much chance of getting rich in England as they would here. This country is no longer a land of opportunity, although in some ways it could be superior to England in getting ahead. For example I think it's been said on here that social class and accent can still hold you back sometimes in England. Here, not so much.
As a child of British parents, who was raised in Canada and has lived in the US for almost 20 years, I think you've nailed it. I, too, find that many of the Brits who have romantic notions of the US and Canada are those most enamored with "stuff."
In many ways America is behind us, for example, look at the mobile phone technology there the phones are years behind ours, also look at the fixtures in baths; they don't even have moveable shower heads.
English people seem to have had a long standing sense of jealousy toward Americans. Probably it was born of the deprivation after WWII while Americans were riding high economically. They thought we had it all--and it was true, we did have it pretty good in the 1950s. England rebuilt and caught up plus they have a better lifestyle in general. Mostly they do not live to work, they work to live. Mostly they aren't caught up in the rat race life style and few days off with long work hours. They still have some degree of quality in their lives and more time to spend with family and more time for travel.
I don't notice the jealously and resentment toward Americans so much anymore. There could still be a dislike of loud Americans and fat Americans. Most of us don't like loud people either and many of us are appalled at the level of obesity over here.
Most Brits do have a strange idea that we have great weather over here. But that's because so many of them go to Florida during the winter. They would be in for a rude awakening if they went to Florida during the tropical summer with the insane heat and humidity, bugs, snakes. Same thing if they went anywhere in the north during the winter. I knew one who came here in January, couldn't take the freezing cold weather, and returned to England early. Our northern winters are much more harsh than yours Dark and depressing too.
It's the gross generalizations and misconceptions. A lot of Brits I have known think of us by what they see on tv and in the movies. You know how wrong that can be because you know how wrongly you are perceived by us when we watch your tv and movies. Most of you don't live in palaces and have servants--but you'd be surprised how many Americans think you do.
I think Brits who are attracted to great wealth and want to own a lot of "stuff" think this is utopia for striking it rich. True to an extent, but you will sacrifice a decent lifestyle to get rich. There is still opportunity here and you could earn big money but you will work long hours and probably six days a week, no leisure time. It's not even as true as it used to be and these days people are having a hard time getting good jobs.
So a lot of it is based upon stereotypes and false perceptions. When in the UK I've always been treated extremely well by people. They will go out of their way to be helpful and kind. I could generalize and say that the British are all great, but all I can say for certain is that everyone I have ever known or come into contact with in England has been extremely nice to me.
What a great post. I have a friend from the UK and he recently moved back to the UK for the very lifestyle reasons you just mentioned. He also loves Australia and may go back there as well.
The US has a terrible work life balance going on. Our govt just doesn't stand behind the people like the govts in Europe. And the problem is far too many Americans hate the Fed Govt and want it totally out of their lives. They actually think that a lifestyle like in the 1890's was sooo wonderful. It is depressing to live in a country with so many fearful and low information voters. I can barely stand it anymore here. And this election is really scaring me.
I agree that it is not "likely" that you would get rich in the US - but it really depends on what you mean by "rich". It is far easier here (imo) to obtain a family home, 2 cars and have some extra cash to blow on other luxuries. I am way better off here in terms of what I can afford and disposable income than I was in the UK, and I think that is true for most of the people I know.
As for Sickandtired's comment: technology is hardly "behind" here, and Britain doesn't even manufacture cars anymore. Ever heard of Tesla? Probably one of (if not THE most) innovative car companies in the world right now. As for shower heads -
Lol at this. Go read the latest list of best cars in America by Consumer Reports. Based on over 400,000 responses Tesla got an awful rating. Of course only one American car in the top ten. And this is a rating system by American consumers based on reliability of the cars they purchased. American built stuff from appliances to houses to cars is crap compared to Europe.
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