In Houston, summer vacation time are almost starting to finish. In fact, today I will visit both of my daughter's schools (for the first time they will be in different schools) for start of the session orientation. August 12th is the first day of school for HISD where my kids go. Typically most office workers who does have kids in school (like me) follows the school vacation schedule. In fact, people who do not have kids or such responsibilities use the time when the kids are in fact in school, because prices are cheaper and popular places a relatively crowded. However, all that is preamble to even figure out can people take vacation or time off from work at all?
Here are some bullets I can come up with and this by no means in a comprehensive list:
Can you afford it? Typically vacation is discretionary spending.
If you can afford it, do you work place offer it? That is essentially the chart above for high income group individuals
If you do take vacation, do you travel or due to prefer to stay in town (staycation!)
Do you take family vacation? Or sometimes you take vacation for yourself? Or do you take both?
I assumed high-income individuals to cut-off the money issue, or got rid off the first bullet all together. The plot above in no surprise, even if vacation is offered and people can afford it, Americans and Japanese take 50% less vacation compared to West Europeans. This is an well established fact. I am not that familiar with Japanese society to comment intelligently about their social practices, so I am not going to discuss Japan. However, I will provide this table below!
| Country | Vacation Days Granted | Public Holidays | Days Typically Taken | Cultural Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 17.6 (avg) | 16 | 10.9 | Strong pressure not to take full leave |
| United States | 15–20 | 7–11 | ~15 | Many unused days, but more flexibility |
There are many factors. It is really surprising that high income group Americans can really afford it, but they typically choose not to take vacation!
| Factor | United States | Western Europe |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Mandates | No federal vacation law; employers set policies | EU mandates 20+ days; France offers 30+ |
| Cultural Norms | Workaholic culture; long hours = dedication | Vacation is expected and valued |
| Job Security | Fear of falling behind or being replaced | Strong labor protections reduce anxiety |
| Social Safety Net | Limited benefits; time off feels risky | Generous programs support time off |
| Workplace Pressure | Pressure to stay “always on”; check emails on vacation | Managers encourage full vacation use |
| Vacation Usage | ~11 days taken; many unused | 25–30 days taken, plus holidays |
This plot above is staggering to me. Not only less vacation is offered in US, people take even less than what is offered! This is simply mind boggling (for both US and Japan). I know for a fact that in India, where I am intimately aware of the urban society, high income group office workers do take a lot of vacation these days.
I think in my workplace in Houston, I have seen all the factors I have listed. I have tried to 'buck the trend' a lot. Not only requesting people that I can influence to take more time off, but I have taken all possible vacations and then some! I have certainly taken more vacation than anyone I know, not just in my workplace, but anyone I know in Houston.
Rather obvious, isn't it. American workplace is stressful. We go through frequent layoffs. We have very limited social safety net, so people are on their own as soon as they lose the job. Burnout is very real in the oil & gas industry. Taking time off from work helps with mental health and resets the burn out.
However, here is the additional twist. I have heard from many family men/women in my age group with young kids that a family vacation is often NOT enough! :) I mean don't get me wrong, I love a good family vacation, but I don't love it all the time! Do read this post from 
In my family we take family vacation, but:
We find that helps us with our bonding and sanity!
That said, as kids go back to school. I am taking off for an weekend trip to my favorite American city, San Francisco, tomorrow. I come back, work a couple of day, and then I am heading to Switzerland! Momma can handle the kids! Didn't she take a trip to Goa last year! It's payback time! :)
