Originally Posted by
settlenick
As a European I still find it utterly amazing how little paid leave you Americans receive.
In my country you would get all public holidays off (8 days) then 21 days a year to take whenever you want within reason. And most employers add more days for long service.
maternity is 12 months. 6 months at full pay. And that’s not that generous.
I do understand settlenick. Yes, it is true that in America, due to the private industry setting a lot of their own rules regarding paid leave, our paid leave times aren't as generous as other developed nations. I think [MENTION=173315]gaobest[/MENTION] said it best that while we do receive less time off, our VATs rarely exceed 10% whereas Europe's are more like 15-20%. Darn that is awesome that in Europe you get all public holidays off (here in U.S. it's only in the public sector) and 21 days/year to take off plus additional days for years of service to the company. Not gonna lie that is pretty generous for maternity leave. I know there are pros and cons to living in the U.S. versus abroad but I always love learning more about other cultures and their differences. Thank you settlenick and look forward to sharing more with you
Originally Posted by
gaobest
big yay - I am so happy for you! I’ll always love the nyc TR. I’ve been excited to read this for awhile. I just wanted a block of undistracted Time :-)
i went to Vegas too often as a child and was last there ages ago. I was able to cap my gambling costs to $50 due to tipping over a single 8-10 hour session in downtown Vegas. I had enough fun to know that I’ll never want to return.
I love the details so much. The solo sabbatical TR has even more details and photos of topless hardbody men. Tons.
I hope that you can make it to Vegas. Just stick with your firm budget. :-)
Different cultures for sure. Healthcare is another factor. Ditto for taxes eg a Europe vat of 15-20% while USA vat (sales tax) rarely exceeds 10%. Tons of trade-offs that get tricky to compare. I always encourage envious Americans to relocate because they legally CAN
Gaobest welcome back!
Same here the NYC TR was a pretty amazing TR. Always love your enthusiasm gaobest I wish I had an uninterrupted block of time to write and read TRs, but sometimes, you can't always get what you want haha! That's awesome you also went to Vegas many times when you were young although I hope you do have the chance to get back. I was able to cap my gambling costs, as I understand that gambling is not a way to make a quick buck, but rather, a way to exercise skill and have fun. I put a dent in my gambling budget due to tipping, as there were even more folks I met in various venues who deserved generous tips.
Originally Posted by
gaobest
Btw so nice that you and your mother went to Pbi together. I just had luncheon with my mother yesterday. So it’s special and lucky to do this when possible. Any of us can die of something at any given moment so lucky us for being FlyerTalkers who can have time with our mothers.
Aww thank you I loved going with my Mother to PBI
. That's fantastic I love to spend time with my Mother whenever I am able. No question it's special and lucky to do this when possible and you are so right, we are lucky FlyerTalkers to have time with our mothers!
Originally Posted by
settlenick
A little off topic but this 100%. My mum died suddenly 11 years ago and there’s not a day I don’t miss her, so cherish the time with her. She’s the only one you have.
Originally Posted by
gaobest
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s never easy.
Settlenick not off topic at all. I am so so sorry for your loss and as my Mom gets older, I do worry when she passes of what life will be like without her. I know my Mother has not gotten over the loss of her parents/my grandparents, especially her mother/my grandmother (I was also very close to her). You are so right settlenick and gaobest. I know it's not easy and G-d bless you both!