Well,first of all let me say that I'm from Italy and unfortunately have never been to the USA even though I've been dreaming of visiting the country since I was a child.Anyway,I'm still very interested in finding out anything about the culture.I must say that my opinion about America has always been deeply conditioned by the media.In particular movies and TV series made in the USA.I know that Americans normally are proud of their country and when asked I received many answers telling me that the USA is the land of freedom.There's just one thing that I can't understand.A friend of mine lives and works in Miami and he likes it.He has just told me that there people quite often don't have holidays during the working year.I was taken aback because here in Italy everybody has got at least 4 weeks holiday per year.So,how can you say that that is the land of freedom if the government makes you work so hard?
2006-12-01 03:51:30 · 5 answers · asked by Brenno 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Hi there! I'm an American and you are right, most of us are very proud of our country and love it dearly. However, that the USA is the land of freedom is propaganda. We're indoctrinated as children to believe that the US is the "land of the free" and that "everyone can have the American dream" and that stuff. It just isn't true.
The thing your friend told you about holidays here is accurate. There are only a handful of government holidays and some people don't even get those off. I didn't even know that Italians get four weeks worth of holidays per year! Does that include Sundays off? Dang...my husband would kill (not really) for four weeks of vacation a year! (He gets an average of 1 1/2.) Maybe we'll move to Italy!
2006-12-01 04:04:24 · answer #1 · answered by Avie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where to start?
Freedom isn't free.
The United States is not how it is depicted through the press and movies.
We celebrate our own holidays and traditions and customs according to our heritage.
We are the great American melting pot.
My heritage is Finnish and Irish and American.
The government that as you say makes us work so hard also protects us.
We are police officers, teachers, lawyers, laborers, and so on.
We work so that we can be a "free" country and not be killed because we worship on Saturday or don't believe in something.
America is the land of the free and the home of the brave.
We have freedom of religion and other rights.
I love my country and I love God.
I would say that the majority of Americans stand strong behind God and country!
God Bless the USA.
2006-12-01 12:00:00 · answer #2 · answered by elibw 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what your friend is referring to because we do have holidays. Memorial Day in May, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years Eve. Also, if you talking about vacation most employers offer some type of time of to their employees usually at least two weeks a year. The problem is some people tend to be workaholics and don't always take their alloted time. They just work through the year and get paid for their vacation time too. It's a bit sad, but don't let those party poopers discourage you, most of us love our time off and cherish each and every minute.
2006-12-01 12:02:28 · answer #3 · answered by Shel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh sweetie it is not up to the Government to tell anyone how often that we can have holiday . It is usually up to us which company we work for . We do choose who we work for .
2006-12-01 12:13:32 · answer #4 · answered by Geedebb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no one forces you to work that hard...you CHOOSE to work.
2006-12-01 11:56:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋