[Max]

Since there seem to be a lot of holidays floating around, I thought I'd post this to get your responses on which country has the most recognized holidays.

After an ...ahem, 'exhaustive' search, I have come to the conclusion that the US of A has the most number of holidays in the calendar year.

Don't think so? Look at the following site and do a country search on holidays for the US and you'll see what I mean. Read on....

http://www.earthcalendar.net/_php/countrysearch.php

[KnowItAll]

That list is sort of invalid -- not everything on there is a mandated or even recognised holiday. "National Tartan Day" ... give me a break.

[caroline13]

National Tartan Day? That's definitely not on our corporate list of recognised Federal holidays ... if anything I think the US has the least number of mandated holidays.

so it's great that I'm now living here in HK, because I take the US but also HK holidays!

[Max]

That was the point, KiA.

Which country in the world would actually dedicate a holiday to the humble rubber eraser??

[golfduke]

i think we have more holidays, but as far as bank holidays (days off from work), HK has MUCH more.

Americans usually get 7-9 days per year, whereas HK gives out something like 14 or 15.

[Nutta!]

Errrm, France anyone?

[siva]

Well, I remember when I was living in Tokyo they had really unusual holiday celebrations...ie: Holiday for the sea god and the like… Well, actually I’m benefiting from one of these stupid holidays today. There is a public holiday here today because of a horse race, I’m not kidding!

[Louiseamanda]

HI

If true, I guess you need it in USA. Dont they have the smallest annual leave entitlement per year (ie 4 weeks?)
That is what I've been told by both Americans and non-Americans.

Also, in UK there are a certain number of 'Bank holidays'; which everyone has ...but then other holidays for certain religions which they may get off, according to their employers discretion. THe Jews have quite a few (having worked with many) and often I felt a little 'envious'! since I didnt get (for example) holidays of obligation(RC) off work, but they get Hanukah etc etc
L

[rNb99]

This is interesting. I never knew that the US has the most recognised holidays. I have to say Australia is definitely not the country that has the most holidays. Oh well, that's what I thought anyway. I might be wrong.

[Sleuth]

We do have a lot of holidays in the US, just no one gets to take them off. Some indicate to retail stores that they should have a sale, others are for various interest groups petitioning Congress.
On National Tartan Day there is actually a parade and speeches in Washington, DC.
In the US, annual leave tends to start at 2 whole weeks. Here we get our 4th week after 15 or 20 years of service (and hardly anyone stays in one place that long anymore).