Interesting little discussion of why Europeans have long holidays and Americans not. High tax rates and/or collective bargaining caused it – though that leaves the question of why Europe got into collective bargaining agreements in the first place. And we are back to the fact that America was built by the people who upped sticks and left – largely on their own – whereas industrial Europe was shaped by the people who chose to remain and stick together. And bargain collectively.
Going for longer holidays rather than more pay made people stick together – give people more money and they tend to become individualistic about it, save it or lose it, thus increasing heterogeneity. Mandatory holidays kept the workers together and reduced internal competition, thus preserving the collective mindset.
Anyway, I am rambling. Think I need a vacation. Again.