Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
Apr 19th 2018, 6:20 am
#61
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Location: back to where I came from
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Apr 19th 2018, 12:07 pm
#62
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Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
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Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
Yesterday, I listened to two cradles discussing recent holidays, one was fresh off the plane from Antigua (a week), The other had recently been to Hawaii (three weeks unpaid). Upon returning from Hawaii, the one had kept us enthralled by reciting the prices in the Costco there and their equivalents in Canadian dollars. The returner from Antigua straightaway said she hadn't been to Costco and explained that she hadn't left the resort. "In the morning I sat on the beach, then I went in for lunch and then I sat on the beach in the afternoon". "What about the evenings?" asked the big box adventurer "It was dark so I didn't go out, the resort wasn't very well lit". "Yes, it gets dark early in Hawaii too, we like to have a big TV".
In February we had a little holiday (one week unpaid). On coming back a cradle asked "where did you go?". I said "Los Angeles" to a look of complete bewilderment "never heard of going to California for a holiday".
(Note that I do realise that there a dullards all over the world and that in a more exciting work environment in Canada I might find people who've been about a bit. It's just that I haven't seen an exciting work environment in Canada).
Apr 19th 2018, 12:14 pm
#63
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Joined: Nov 2009
Location: Somewhere in Hamilton, ON
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Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
I know about Canadian cottaging. If I had to choose between that and the English type I'd struggle.
Yesterday, I listened to two cradles discussing recent holidays, one was fresh off the plane from Antigua (a week), The other had recently been to Hawaii (three weeks unpaid). Upon returning from Hawaii, the one had kept us enthralled by reciting the prices in the Costco there and their equivalents in Canadian dollars. The returner from Antigua straightaway said she hadn't been to Costco and explained that she hadn't left the resort. "In the morning I sat on the beach, then I went in for lunch and then I sat on the beach in the afternoon". "What about the evenings?" asked the big box adventurer "It was dark so I didn't go out, the resort wasn't very well lit". "Yes, it gets dark early in Hawaii too, we like to have a big TV".
In February we had a little holiday (one week unpaid). On coming back a cradle asked "where did you go?". I said "Los Angeles" to a look of complete bewilderment "never heard of going to California for a holiday".
(Note that I do realise that there a dullards all over the world and that in a more exciting work environment in Canada I might find people who've been about a bit. It's just that I haven't seen an exciting work environment in Canada).
Yesterday, I listened to two cradles discussing recent holidays, one was fresh off the plane from Antigua (a week), The other had recently been to Hawaii (three weeks unpaid). Upon returning from Hawaii, the one had kept us enthralled by reciting the prices in the Costco there and their equivalents in Canadian dollars. The returner from Antigua straightaway said she hadn't been to Costco and explained that she hadn't left the resort. "In the morning I sat on the beach, then I went in for lunch and then I sat on the beach in the afternoon". "What about the evenings?" asked the big box adventurer "It was dark so I didn't go out, the resort wasn't very well lit". "Yes, it gets dark early in Hawaii too, we like to have a big TV".
In February we had a little holiday (one week unpaid). On coming back a cradle asked "where did you go?". I said "Los Angeles" to a look of complete bewilderment "never heard of going to California for a holiday".
(Note that I do realise that there a dullards all over the world and that in a more exciting work environment in Canada I might find people who've been about a bit. It's just that I haven't seen an exciting work environment in Canada).
I agree there’s not so much fun here as there was in the U.K. Dont get me wrong I’ve had a few laughs but not the way we used to at work in the U.K.
That being said I’ve just joined a brokerage in anticipation of my impending real estate license and they seem to be a bit of a giggle!!
Now to plan my horizontal week on a beach....
Apr 19th 2018, 12:18 pm
#64
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Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
The woman across the room now has a real estate license, that's useful as we can see the full mls listings for places and that is sometimes a laugh.
Last edited by dbd33; Apr 19th 2018 at 12:21 pm.
Apr 19th 2018, 12:28 pm
#65
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Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Orton, Ontario
Posts: 2,032
Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
Your problem is you are putting “exciting” and “work environment” in the same sentence.
I agree there’s not so much fun here as there was in the U.K. Dont get me wrong I’ve had a few laughs but not the way we used to at work in the U.K.
That being said I’ve just joined a brokerage in anticipation of my impending real estate license and they seem to be a bit of a giggle!!
Now to plan my horizontal week on a beach....
I agree there’s not so much fun here as there was in the U.K. Dont get me wrong I’ve had a few laughs but not the way we used to at work in the U.K.
That being said I’ve just joined a brokerage in anticipation of my impending real estate license and they seem to be a bit of a giggle!!
Now to plan my horizontal week on a beach....
Apr 19th 2018, 12:49 pm
#66
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,982
Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
Back in the day it used to be fun to work in a hospital and then something happened in the late 80s and it all stopped.
Apr 19th 2018, 1:34 pm
#67
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Joined: Nov 2009
Location: Somewhere in Hamilton, ON
Posts: 4,307
Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
The best office parties ever were definitely when I worked for Remax, but given that you pay them for the privilege of working there rather than the other way around, they could afford it. The amount I paid Remax per month pretty much gets me a full year with my current broker. His view on office socials is that he is a real estate broker not a party planner and if we want a party, we know where the pub is. I like him.
I would put money on it being me who organizes a Christmas party... happy days!
Apr 19th 2018, 2:36 pm
#68
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
My work is okay excitememt wise. Only problem is just about everyone is in the 20 to 23 range which means being the old guy, I dont get invited to the fun things co workers plan.
Apr 19th 2018, 7:51 pm
#69
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Posts: 2,113
Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
The majority of my friendships have been formed through the workplace.... in my last company I was always the social organiser as we got bugger all from the company, in fact the only two good things about that place were the people I worked with and the decent salary offered by the company.
Apr 19th 2018, 8:17 pm
#70
Dive Bar Drunk
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 8,648
Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
My last company there were 6 people on the team 22 to 25. I'm 38. It didn't feel right having a beer after work. I'd make an excuse then roll to my local.
Apr 19th 2018, 8:19 pm
#71
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Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 8,648
Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
That's pretty much what my husband said, he may look at it from that point of view if he ever gets to the negotiation stage 
The concern seems to be shifting to me as I probably won't be able to negotiate anything going back into the workforce after 20 years out.
Like all of life's big decisions we need to weigh up the pros and cons.
For the record, I am in NO WAY trying to put Canada down, it's my first choice country but I am not going to venture blindly into such a big life change. I appreciate people pointing out the good, the bad and..well, even the ugly!
The concern seems to be shifting to me as I probably won't be able to negotiate anything going back into the workforce after 20 years out.Like all of life's big decisions we need to weigh up the pros and cons.
For the record, I am in NO WAY trying to put Canada down, it's my first choice country but I am not going to venture blindly into such a big life change. I appreciate people pointing out the good, the bad and..well, even the ugly!
I worked in recruitment 2014 to 2016 for large banks and telco's. They were happy to give mid to upper level management back office rolls such as IT & Marketing 20 days vacation if the candidate pushed for it in negotiation.
Apr 20th 2018, 12:23 am
#72
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2016
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 183
Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
I've really turned into an old fart!
Apr 20th 2018, 4:59 pm
#73
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Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
I had age group of 23-30 when I was at the bank. I am always up for a few beers and a laugh. However, I found them boring compared to any younger ones I worked with back in the UK. Not much craic and seemingly incapable of having even a moderately in depth conversation. Wasn't even the normally hilarious bitching session about work that takes place on an evening out.
Apr 20th 2018, 5:24 pm
#74
Every day's a school day
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Was Calgary back in Edmonton again !!
Posts: 2,667
Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
i have 7 weeks vacation this year..so far i have taken 0 days.
Apr 20th 2018, 6:35 pm
#75
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Work/life balance with only two weeks holiday
Yeah the young co workers dont always converse well or they prefer to sit on an electronic device.
I had age group of 23-30 when I was at the bank. I am always up for a few beers and a laugh. However, I found them boring compared to any younger ones I worked with back in the UK. Not much craic and seemingly incapable of having even a moderately in depth conversation. Wasn't even the normally hilarious bitching session about work that takes place on an evening out.