It's no suprise to hear that Americans are work obsessed, and I'm not downplaying the desire to be ambitious or wanting to be successful in your career, but at what cost? Luca Spaghetti, a truly jovial fellow, explains to Julia's character Liz, that while many Americans work their asses off and feel guilty at being away from their computers, Italians universally uderstand that they deserve R&R, and have no qualms at enjoying it. Luca makes a joke about "Miller Time," and that in America, there are designated, appropriate, yet limited, times to take a load off. In Italy, when an Italian wants to enjoy life, there are ample opportunities to do so. To me, that is a perfect way to live. (Luca also jokes that most often, when Americans have time off, it is spent consuming Millers - but hey, you have to let off steam somehow!)
There are 52 weeks in a year, and at my current job, you have to work a full year to gain 1 week of vacation. After a 3 month probation, you get ONE personal day every 73 days! When you sit back and think about it, that's ludacris! This is life, and to think of how many hours you toil away behind a computer, it really is a downer. I see, and have seen, people working 60+ hours in a week, not counting endless hours on blackberries, never skipping a beat for lunch, and it is still not enough. I am a student in the school of thought that completely stands behind a 3 day weekend, or at the absolute very least, universal summer Fridays. There is too much to experience in life to cram into a Saturday or Sunday. And even if you did choose to just sit back & really relax, dolce far niente style, 3 days would be tremendous.
To balance this argument, I have to say that I am completely grateful to have a job that affords me a wonderful apartment and the ability to enjoy time off with my friends, creating memories that make us happy. When my friends and I touch on this subject, which is very often, it usually ends with a "that's life" shrug. But who says "that's life" is justified? A more accurate sentiment would be, "that's American." I'd love to have a daily siesta and minimum 4 weeks vacation, which is standard in most of Europe, but unfortunately, that aint the case! What's most important, and most realistic, is to (apologies for the cliche) live life to the fullest. I am optismistic when thinking of what can be accomplished on limited vaction and time off ... and that's what keeps me going.
With that being said, sometimes I just can't shake the gnawing feeling I get when I'm at work or commuting & wishing that I was free more often. I acklowedge that this feeling is directly related to happiness in the workplace, so I hope it subsides once I'm truely at peace with my career. Nonetheless, it creeps into my mind Monday-Friday, usually btwn 10am-6pm. (Side note; loving work or not, I think I'll always be a proponent of a 3 day weekend!)
I realize that our society is rooted in a maximum productivity mindset, but I just wish there was a way to re-evaluate this with a compromise that puts less emphasis on working yourself to death and more on enjoying life. We all deserve la dolce vita.
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