We don't get May 1 as a public holiday over here. Apparently, celebrating the working man/woman is not seen as a priority -- largely because there aren't that many of them, I suspect. Cycling through the Vondelpark during the day reveals large numbers of people lazing around, not all of them tourists. The Netherlands has a very high proportion of part-time workers in the workforce, and some of the most generous sick leave in the world. It used to be back problems that dominated this area, but now that they can test more accurately for that and provide ergonomically sound work areas, "stress" has become very popular. The result, of course, is higher tax bills and a culture of loafing off the state. I know I should be more sympathetic, but there are some things about this country that drive even the most socialist-minded to Economist-style right-wingness.
But at least I'm not letting it get to me.
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