My brother's missus...
... is a Merkin (as some of your old-timers might remember) and has a childhood friend who lives in the US: Nina.

Nina is pretty much a sister to my brother's wife, but only gets to visit the UK with maddening rarity. This apparently is due to the land of the free having only a week of holiday per year... or something or other.

The Scene: 10 or so of My brothers best mates and respective missuses. Party at his house, Nina is in the UK and visiting, and brother's wife - 2 glasses of wine down - has realised that Nina has to leave the next day. Floooods of tears, much sobbing etc.

Both disappear upstairs to talk quietly. A few minutes later Nina pops her head round the door, and gives us an update. I was in awe that one person's departure could cause so much grief, so I decide to make this point known...

"So to sum up Nina, you're leaving, and She's so upset about this that she can't stop crying?"

"Yup"

..... Now.. I MEANT to say It must be nice to know that you mean so much to her

Instead I said "You must be so proud of yourself"

A total and utter brain-fart.

The room went quiet, and I became the centre of scornful attention. :o(

I had to chase a crying Nina down and explain what the hell I'd meant to say, but the scars remain.
( Humpty Dumpty was Pushed Is unaware of having any limits., Fri 28 Nov 2008, 7:53, 2 replies)

Worse than just only being allowed a weeks holiday;
Americans can have more than a weeks holiday, but employers are not obliged to give ANY paid holiday at all, so most Americans can't afford to take more than one week per year unpaid.
(Seance Trumpet has got no beef with a man enjoying a croissant, Fri 28 Nov 2008, 13:06, closed)

Not Quite
I get 2 weeks paid holiday. It sucks. In my opinion, at least one two week vacation is required plus sundry days throughout the year.

On the other hand, that is just what is standard practice here, it's not the law. Employees and employers are free to negotiate the terms they want. If only Americans were a little more about working to live than living to work...
(Richy_T hundreds if not thousands of dollars, Fri 28 Nov 2008, 19:56, closed)