Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Maybe for you, but the German tariff agreement is a fine way to work.
Time off for holiday (30 work days a year, unlimited sick leave, parental leave, time off for length of service anniversaries, extra time in the summer and at the winter holidays.
For one thing, the Americans I have seen that are overworked are either overworked by choice or from poor time management.
With lunch breaks, most Americans are putting in a good 35 hours a week. There are some obviously that put more in from 40-50 hours, just depends on their situation.
Usually people starting out in full time positions get 2 weeks of paid vacation, but for most as time goes on they get more vacation a year. And then there is always unpaid vacation time as well.
It's up to the individual really based on the choices they make.
Try 40 hours, that's more realistic. Two weeks is three weeks less than five weeks. But two weeks per year is probably enough for most Americans, they don't have anything better to do than stay at their jobs.
Sounds terrible to me Without a driver's license I would be pretty limited in my movements in most US cities, not just cities actually, even more so in the space between them
Plus, you make yourself very dependent on cars and the supply of gas...
But what's interesting is that for all of the talk about how Europe is so less car-oriented, it sure is full of cars.
Sounds terrible to me Without a driver's license I would be pretty limited in my movements in most US cities, not just cities actually, even more so in the space between them
Plus, you make yourself very dependent on cars and the supply of gas...
I don't understand why you think it is terrible. If you live in America and have a good job, then you can afford a car if you want.
If you don't want to buy a car, then you can lease or rent one if you like. It's no big deal at all really.
Or maybe you feel that driving in itself is terrible? If that's the case, then welcome to the modern world. What can I say?
Last edited by BigCityDreamer; 09-18-2011 at 06:43 PM..
I don't understand why you think it is terrible. If you live in America and have a good job, then you can afford a car if you want.
If you don't want to buy a car, then you can lease or rent one if you like. It's no big deal at all really.
Or maybe you feel that driving in itself is terrible?
I haven't owned a car in 15 years living abroad, although I can afford one.
Mostly because everywhere I've lived abroad has so many amenities just out the front door, and easy quick access to excellent public transportation. Plus a ton of just really enjoyable people-centered destination areas within short walking distances.
It's quite a shock when I visit family in Michigan, and there are no restaurants, stores, or even a vending machine in any easy to get to place. A strong sense of isolation. If you do walk on the side of busy highways without sidewalks, and get to a place, it still lacks any destination feel.
There are certainly walkable places in the U.S., but they are the exception rather than the norm. Living abroad, there are very few car-centric places. Although I must admit that even abroad, many people certainly love their cars.
Hearing this makes America a less appealing destination to move to, for sure. I think one month's vacation time is already far too little. I'm not lazy, but give me my three month's travelling and I will probably work harder and be more re-energized to work than otherwise.
Well that's the thing. Many people in this thread have talked about europeans being able to take anywhere between two week to six month vacations. It's that type of thing that will get someone labeled lazy over here.
The US used to be the same way, up to about 50 years ago, back when downtown areas were still the centers of commerce and there was a corner store and pub in every neighborhood. Then the concept of shopping malls and interstate highways were introduced and the walkability of the country (and a large chunk of our sense of community) went with it.
Is it worth a 60 hour week for years and years to burn yourself out just to have an impressive car and big house?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Without a driver's license I would be pretty limited in my movements in most US cities, not just cities actually, even more so in the space between them 
