Chinese May Festival

So, what's the May holiday in China all about? It's considered one of the 3 "golden weeks" in China, more so, weeklong National holidays. The others being National Day and CNY.

Their May HOliday is actually Labor Day, in many countries it's celebrate on May 1st, one of the few exceptions to that is the US.

For China, this marks an attempt to stimulate spending and apease those who feel workers get too little time off, turning the May Holiday into a "Golden Week" started in 1999. Predictions are that more than 110-150 million people would travel to be with their families, or simply for vacation, outstripping the record for travel.

China's tourism revenue during the 14 golden weeks since 1999 totals $52.9 billion, with up to 1.07 billion tourist trips taken, the China Daily reported. In any given year, these 3 weeks account for 1/4 of the yearly tourism related income.

Believe it or not, the largest National Parade of the year, larger than CNY, is held during this Golden Week in Tian'anmen Sqaure.

This seems like such a simple idea, to make longer holidays out of the biggest and in some cases most culturally significant days in China. Sort of like much of Europe shutting down for the month of August. REvenues must soar, tourism businesses must flourish along with transportation, routine shopping, many aspects of the economy receiving a valuable boost.

Add to that the reality that all of those individuals able to take these 3 separate 1 week vacations are likely to return to their jobs refreshed, renewed and ready to hit thier jobs hard. Even better, imagine a month off, guaranteed in Europe during the summers...

Imagine.

Why is it that one of the most powerful, 'richest', most advanced nations in the world does not comprehend the value of it's workers, of it's citizens? Why is it that this nation continues to expect longer and longer work hours, little vacation time and often an inability for some to use the vacation time they are granted?

Let's not even talk about parental leave, PAID, parental leave.

Why is the US so far behind many nations, in being unable to provide decent work-life balance to the masses? Why is the idea of a month off to do a charitable work program, or a sabatical or just 4 weeks paid vacation at the start of your career when you are likely to be able to use it.

So on this May Holiday, one the Golden Weeks in China, my hats off to all those on break this week, on a tourist trip, or with their families, or just taking in some peace and solitude.

E and I can only hope that in Magpie's lifetime that the US learns work-life balance is not just two 4-letter words. Our wish for Magpie, that she is always able to take breaks, smell the roses, see the sunsets and renew her spirit.