Why Americans Are The Worst Vacationers

Ahhhh, summer's here, and with it come trips to the beach, bar-be-ques, fireworks and vacations. Been on a vacation yet this summer? How was it? Did you come back feeling rested and refreshed? Good for you. Or, did you get swept up into a modern 'American-style' vacation: unable to forget about work, anxiety about email pile-up, tweeting every moment as it happened, and returning home wiped out, cranky and desperate to get back to the desk and routine? Taking time to unwind is hard enough, and knowing how to unwind properly is another matter.

What has happened to our vacations? We work all year, and save up our hard earned dollars for a getaway, only to spend far more money than we intended, race around, and get annoyed with each other. For families, the trends are mega watt destinations like Disney, Great Wolf Lodges or all inclusive resorts with constant stimulation, plenty of places to burn cash, and little in unstructured relaxation or spontaneous adventure.

Many are not able to take a vacation at all this summer - can't afford it. Sadly, these are often the times we need it the most. A vacation can be created with very little money; the commodity we are all lacking is time. Whether the job doesn't allow it, or workers are afraid to leave; Americans take fewer vacations than most other countries, and the ones we do take are getting busier, more expensive and consumer driven. Are we the worst vacationers in the developed world?

Only 14% of Americans took two weeks of vacation last year, and the number of Americans taking family vacations has dropped by a third in the past generation. The price we pay, by not getting away to unwind, is huge on our physical health, relationships, and emotional sense of well being.

Why are we reluctant as a culture, to support taking time off? Are vacations too costly to our GNP? Turns out job stress and burnout is said to cost our country over $300 billion per year. Our European friends have managed to compete in the modern era while continuing to take their month long "holiday"- are they just slackers?

As much as we'd like to think so, the answer is, no. The level of productivity per worker is the same, or slightly higher that ours, despite the fact they work 300 fewer hours per year. Europeans spend half the amount on health care as the US. They are requiring less health care, partly because Europeans are 50% less likely to have heart disease, hypertension or diabetes before age 50 than Americans.

Rethinking the importance of time off yet? Vacations are not just luxuries, or pithy pastimes for the rich. Statistics are showing that other countries who take regular vacations are happier, and live longer than we do. In 1980, people in only 10 other countries lived longer than we do. Now, people in 41 other countries live longer. Wow. That's a pretty compelling reason to make sure that all Americans are getting some R&R, and that we learn how to truly "get away."

As a matter of fact, 137 other countries are ahead of us in guaranteeing at least some vacation time. We have none. Zero. No required vacation time or paid holidays. According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, 28 million Americans -- or about a quarter of the work force -- don't get any paid vacation. We are the veritable Ebenezer Scrooge of the world for R&R. At a minimum, every European worker is guaranteed four weeks paid vacation by law; most get six or more.

Fortunately, there is a new bill, called the H.R. 2564: THE PAID VACATION ACT OF 2009, introduced by Congressman Alan Grayson, to offer one week of paid vacation time for companies with over 100 workers, increasing to two weeks after three years, for all employees working at least 25 hours per week. Grayson proposes more vacation will stimulate the economy through fewer sick days, better productivity and happier employees.

Keep in mind seven days is modest, compared to the required 20-30 days of vacation time required in Europe and Australia. Canada and Japan offer 10 days minimum to start. According to an article in Politico, "the United States is dead last among 21 industrial countries when it comes to mandatory R&R."

John de Graaf is the national coordinator of Take Back Your Time, an organization challenging time poverty and overwork in the U.S. and Canada, and is a frequent speaker on issues of overwork and over-consumption in America. DeGraaf is fighting to make sure this bill is seen, understood, and pushed to pass to President Obama's desk. He is hosting the first national "Vacation Matters Summit" conference on August 10-12 at Seattle University.

DeGraff states on his site, "A new poll finds that more than two-thirds of Americans support a law that would guarantee paid vacations for workers. The poll found 69% of Americans saying they would support a paid vacation law, with the largest percentage of respondents favoring a law guaranteeing three weeks vacation or more. Take Back Your Time advocates for three weeks paid vacation or more."

Supposedly, the "idea" for advocating for paid vacation time came to Senator Grayson when we was at Disney World. He said,

"there's a reason why Disney World is the happiest place on Earth: The people who go there are on vacation."

He went on to admit that,

"as much as I appreciate this job and as much as I enjoy it, the best days of my life are and always have been the days I'm on vacation."

I found this rather funny and ironic. While Disney is an amazing place, I am not sure it is the ultimate place for a relaxing vacation. I believe there are two types of vacations these days. One type is to "see-do-buy." Enchanted by ads with pyramid water slides, entertainment and activities, these vacations clock a mile-a-minute pace, and usually run a hefty bill. They are fun for sure, but I am not convinced they provide the type of deep unwinding our bodies require to combat stress and fatigue. Our family has taken several of these vacations, and by the end, I am ready for a break!

The other type of vacation is just to "be," with plenty of time to read, sleep, walk, and downshift. The recession is creating an interesting vacation trend this summer- a huge spike in camping trips and visits to National Parks. Cheap, full of fresh air and untold beauty, a trip like this is sure to help gain perspective on what matters, exercise the body, and offer time for more thoughtful conversations than, "Dad, can I have a few more tokens?" A national park, local hike or gazing at scenes of natural beauty, is a key component to unhook our nerves and reset the proverbial clock for any age, single, young couples, families, or retired.

I asked about the difference between consumer vs. natural vacations to Bill Doherty, the Director of the Citizen Professional Center, and Professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. He said,

"Given the trend towards shorter and shorter vacations, it does seem to be the case that American families are packing in more activities into shorter time periods: fly to Disney World, run around for several days, and fly home. That's different from the traditional long road trips and the trips to the ocean where they family holed up for a couple of weeks. The biggest benefits from family vacations come from down time and family members entertaining themselves, not from crowded entertainment schedules and consumer festivals. It's kind of like the difference between a family dinner at home and a quick trip to McDonald's."

Moral of the story? If you believe vacations should be required, write to your local congressional leaders and express your support. Then, carve out a little sunshine for yourself, spread out a blanket, close your eyes and relax. Think of it as your own personal stimulus package.

Have any good vacations stories to tell? Love to hear them! Feel free to leave a comment below. If you would like to receive regular updates of this weekly post, click on "Become a Fan" at the top. Bon Voyage!

Follow Kari Henley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/karihenley

Comments

[Featherdust]

People who don't take vacations are harder on the planet, constantly reaching for hyperpackaged convenience products and zipping around in personal vehicles. And their kids tend not to have relationships with nature, which doesn't bode well for future generations caring about the natural world that keeps us all alive. Read this short, compelling interview with John de Graaf:

http://www.ecohearth.com/eco-zine/eco-heroes/742-lack-of-leisure-is-killing-us-and-the-planet-an-interview-with-john-de-graaf.html

[HECTORINF]

This is buls#$t, what happend to the people who works in small companies?
I work in a company with 25 employees and makes more than 2 millions a year in sales and they don't pay me vacations. I haven't taken vacations for the last 3 years, and I'm about to quit my job to find another one who pays me less but with vacations and health insurance.

[Marimeko]

We can't relax because we need to make enough $ to pay for our luxurious SUV's, our McMansions, all our bad habits, etc.,etc. Europeans ARE happier---they drive small cars and don't waste the way we do. Most importantly they are a much more cultured society, they appreciate their history, architecture,etc. They also LIKE their healthcare!!!! Perhaps we should let go of our big egos and take a cue from them.

[Lionel De Mun]

In my country (France), there is a voluntary scheme called (roughly translated) SaveTimeAccount
that allows the employee to save up to 3 weeks out of his 6 weeks yearly vacations each year, to
be used later or at convenience. It seems to me a very good deal for the worker, but I'm sure it must be very expensive for the company, so when everything is said and done, I don't understand how such a scheme can be good to industrial productivity.

[MJinCanada]

Between vacation time and health care, I'm really surprised more Americans aren't applying for Canadian citizenship.

BTW, in the Middle Ages in Europe, the average peasant had 80 days of holidays -- literally holy days -- scattered throughout the year. Some of them were feast days when the lord of the manor showed off his piety, generousity and wealth by putting on a nice spread for all comers (like a company picnic and barbecue).

[potrerohillman]

this article reads like a martian's view of america work ethic. mandatory paid vacation really seems beside the point. would the majority of people be benefited from it? i doubt it.

there are those who would spend more on a vacation to vegas or some other locaion where they would eat too much, drink too much and expose themselves to other unhealthy activities. there are those who would have no idea what to do. there are those who would stay at home and watch tv or go to the mall.

it is a cultural issue that involves quality of life.

the statistics on productivity are false arguments. has the author actually lived in another culture where longer vacations allegedly equate with productivity. shops that close half the business day, restaurants that are opened for limited hours, wildcat strikes.

there is nothing wrong with a vacation, so says i returning from 10 days of doing nothing in rio (yeah i know it's winter there, but still oh so lovely). however, there is a lot more to this vacation thing than simply ordering everyone to get paid two weeks off.

[OpalSky42]

I'm saving up to drive up to Lake Superior and stay in one of the bed & breakfasts in the Upper Penninsula, MI, and go hiking, birdwatching, and a lot of sitting on the shore watching the waves. Maybe I'll take in the Great Lakes Museum at White Fish Point, and drive to the Leelenau penninsula and visit wineries. (My sister who lives in the area says it's a great week or two and I can't wait.)

[Justin Braun]

Reading this article has been a real treat. I don't know what you're doing in the near future, but I am getting a tent, loading up my bike, and going camping somewhere new with big trees. I can't wait!
Thanks for posting this article, and please keep up the good work!

[goodgravy]

what's a vacation?

[boredwell]

The crux of the matter is the word "vacation." Though its root stems from "to vacate," the true meaning is more often than not a carry-on item. Like our baggage, vacations are filled with too much "stuff." Americans want to SEE stuff, DO stuff, EAT stuff and BUY stuff rather than experience the true value of vacation - the luxury of being away, getting away from the daily expenditure of energy we put into our daze-to-daze whine and grind. But Americans seem by and large to take their angst with them. We seem to want MORE rather than LESS which is the reason we go on vacation in the first place. To get away FROM IT ALL. Apropos, I just returned from vacation where I often heard Americans complaining "There's not enough time in the day to do EVERYTHING!" "DO NOTHING," I wanted to tell them.

True, it's difficult perhaps to break daily habits the moment we are packed and ready to speed off to our much-deserved destinations. Americans, please, get a move on. Make your break a fresh start. But first and foremost, to relax should be the only goal. Enjoy the road less traveled.

[BluGrrl]

Here, here

[frisbeeredcat]

It is sad for me to read these posts. What are we doing to ourselves? Humans weren't made to sit at a desk 8-10+ hours a day. Read about early humans: they hunted, fished, grew crops and rested a lot.
Travel (especially overseas), is so good. To see how others live, and experience something different opens you to an array of knowledge, creativity and I'd say you are less fearful of others that are not like you! I've come to see the basic goodness of others and even with some bad experiences, chalk them up to learning!
It saddens me to see others constantly trapped by work. Fortunately, I've been able to work for myself, I buy very little and spend my money on travel.

To the young people out there: Don't let material possessions trap you into a lifetime of servitude, get out and see the world! (Don't wait too long because your body starts to give out!)
–FRC

[csavage]

Hush....our corporate fiefdoms don't want to see such "unAmerican" posts. It threatens the culture of corporate serfdom our government worked so hard to instill. Let your boss cut your pay and drop your vacation-it's better than losing your health insurance, isn't it???
HMMMM????
And now, to distract you, Sarah P.'s gonna go rogue and hold another press conference-you betcha!

[metalborg]

I believe vacations are absolutely essential. I always use my paid vacation and usually a few unpaid days as well. When I did contract work and had no paid vacation I took even more time off (6 wks a year).
There are plenty of cheap vacations: bike touring, camping, staying home and finishing projects, and my favorite: sleeping in late. If your boss fires you, well, he was going to fire you one way or another.

[Kris H]

The factory where my brother used to work closes down for two weeks in the summertime and EVERYBODY goes on vacation. That's not always possible, as in my job.

But I do like the idea. I think we need shorter work weeks in general. What if every weekend was a three-day weekend?

[norkas]

My vacation consisted of taking ALL the contents of neighbors house while they were on vacation and placing them on e- bay so they will have a chance to buy them back when thry return.

[Turtleposer]

Lol....You don't live next to me, do you?

[hydeparksq]

Move to France and try it for awhile...not as great as it sounds...

[MJinCanada]

I worked for a small company for a while that closed down for two weeks every year too. Too many people were essential for operations to go on staggered vacations.

The boss was also good about letting people save up a little overtime to take as long weekends for special events.

[Daniel Jordan]

I read your article with interest but thought that you missed an interesting aspect of Americans on vacation. It seems that many of the Americans I meet that are travelling in foreign lands (including your 51st state, Canada) is this tendency that everything be the same as back home. I hate to generalize (and I'm doing it anyway) but I have seen enough complaints from Americans getting angry that they can't use their Discover card to pay for a meal to know where the term 'Ugly American' comes from.

[metalborg]

What your seeing is the symptom not the disease. The ugly american is the result of someone who doesn't get out much. I've met plenty of fellow americans who have never traveled overseas,and some who have never been outside the western US. When they finally do travel they are like fish out of water (George W. anyone?). Of course we do breed a few who are impervious to any sort learning or perspective (George W. anyone?)

[Turtleposer]

Interesting. I've seen a lot of people from foreign countries do the exact same thing when they're over here. I'm from an area of the country with a fair amount of foreign tourists What do you know! I didn't know there were "ugly" people from around the world. It's a small world after all!

[SaquaroSue]

Hear, hear! I live in an area that attracts tourists from all over the world (near the Grand Canyon) and have seen appalling manners on the part of European tourists.

My own pet peeve? Cigarettes! There are certain nationalities that shall remain nameless, that insist that they must be allowed to smoke wherever they want, just like home. You know who you are. You aren't at home. You can't. You cannot smoke in hotel rooms or in restaurants. It is illegal to smoke on the bus or the train. You cannot smoke in stores. And ferchrissakes, please try to not set the entire Mogollan Rim on fire by dropping your ashes and your butts on the ground!

[findingmuse]

Gosh, you're going to hate this, but I have to agree with Turtleposer. I've been embarrassed by my fellow citizens (my own frickin' mother is the WORST, by the way) while traveling outside the U.S., but I've befriended and hung out with enough ex-pats from various faraway lands now living stateside to see they are guilty of the same.

I think it's more of a human thing--people are most comfortable with what's familiar. It's scary to be in a place where nobody's doing it the way you're used to.

[Deadgnome]

Because we have our priorities in the completely wrong place.