ooby_dooby: We are very industrious people. When you start a new job you have to earn a paid vacation it isn't automatically given to you. It usually takes a year on the job to get a weeks paid vacation and 6-9 months to get on their medical insurance coverage if they even offer it. Many small co's don't.
I worked for a company that imported a product from Holland and every summer the plant would shut down for 2 months. This created tremendous hardships for us because we had to anticipate everything we would need for the next 2 months such as repair parts. If we didn't order enough, we were screwed. This also financially impacted us because we had to invest so much in inventory every year. It was a contributing factor why the cost of their product was so expensive.
I wouldn't say 'industrious' actually...it's just that your working rules and entitlements are so different to those in Europe and dare I say, to the rest of the world. I found it, at times, counter productive that staff had no free time, they appeared tired. When I explained to friends the way it works in Europe, they were astounded and wondered why the USA didn't have those pratices! We, of course, don't have to bother about medical insurance, it's free....that said, it isn't the best in the world but at least you don't have to take out a second mortgage to use the ambulance! I had an accident on my Harley and I had to pay $7000 ABOVE what the insurance paid..and that was only for 17 stitches in my left hand!
To be truthful, I can't see a company closing down for two MONTHS...two WEEKS yes for that is the norm for a summer vacation in Europe.