# Is Good Friday a public holiday where you are? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 17, 2014, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313 "2014-04-17T03:31:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/1 "2014-04-17T03:31:07Z")
It’s Maundy Thursday afternoon and the office is starting to quieten down in anticipation of the four day Easter break. We get Good Friday and Easter Monday off as public holidays. What’s the Easter public holiday situation where you are? ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/2 "2014-04-17T03:35:31Z")
Yep, four day weekend biotches! Woot! I’m in Canada and work for the provincial government. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/3 "2014-04-17T03:58:35Z")
We don’t have national holidays in the way other countries do, the states make their own determinations and federal holidays only apply to the federal government. Good Friday is neither a federal holiday or a holiday here in Rhode Island. 14 states have Good Friday as a state holiday. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/4 "2014-04-17T04:02:04Z")
Not anywhere I ever lived. Seems strange to me for it to be a holiday, but no worse than Christmas I guess. I’m not a fan of holidays, but I do enjoy days off. ---
**Author:** ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/5 "2014-04-17T04:44:04Z")
Yeah, four day weekend here in Finland. Though I’m working on Friday for double pay but that’s fine with me too. ---
**Author:** ![williambaskerville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f14d63/32.png) [@williambaskerville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/williambaskerville)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/6 "2014-04-17T05:54:06Z")
Here in Ireland, it’s complicated. It’s not a public holiday, but the banks are closed, and it’s illegal to sell alcohol tomorrow, so the pubs and a lot of restaurants are closed. Most shops are open, though. If you’re not a banker or a barman, though, and you want the 4 day weekend, Good Friday counts as one of your vacation days. (Monday \*is \*a public holiday). Most people do take it off, and I’ve never worked it. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/7 "2014-04-17T06:50:35Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > Yep, four day weekend biotches! Woot! I’m in Canada and work for the provincial government. In Saskatchewan, Good Friday is a public holiday, but not Easter Monday. However, Easter Monday is a holiday for federal public servants. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/8 "2014-04-17T10:13:07Z")
Both in Spain and Germany; it is also one for the Swiss (I’m not sure if that’s in the whole country or not). It Spain it’s officially determined at the national level: we have national, regional and local holidays. Easter Monday is a holiday in Germany, Switzerland (again not sure if the whole country) and about half of Spain (regional). ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/9 "2014-04-17T10:20:18Z")
Yep! Although I’m probably working it. Monday is too- likely working that as well. England. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/10 "2014-04-17T10:25:33Z")
Yep! Although I’m probably working it. Monday is too- I’m likely working that as well. England. ---
**Author:** ![Charley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/97f17d/32.png) [@Charley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charley)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/11 "2014-04-17T10:30:23Z")
Singapore public holidays are a mix of key events taken from the major groups in the country - so some Chinese, some Christian, some Hindu etc. We get Good Friday off. It’s the first year I’ve had a 3 day rather than 4 day break (although I’m not working at the moment, so it’s hardly significant). We’ve got another 2 or 3 public holidays coming up in the next month or so though, so it’s not too traumatic. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/12 "2014-04-17T10:56:22Z")
US markets are closed so I have the day off, but it’s not like it’s an official holiday or such. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/13 "2014-04-17T11:39:14Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > US markets are closed so I have the day off, but it’s not like it’s an official holiday or such. By markets do you mean “stock exchanges”? AFAIK, the supermarkets, etc. here in Kansas will be open as usual. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/14 "2014-04-17T11:51:34Z")
Yep, Good Friday and Monday are national holidays in the UK. I was surprised to discover last week that Good Friday isn’t a holiday in Italy. We also get two separate bank holidays in May (May Day and Whitsun). Our holidays really stack up at this time of year when there’s a late Easter. ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/15 "2014-04-17T12:03:28Z")
It is a holiday but most of the expats, including me, are taking advantage of the relative quiet to get caught up on some other work. The drivers are off so I will catch a shuttle in a couple of hours. Angola ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/16 "2014-04-17T12:19:00Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > By markets do you mean “stock exchanges”? AFAIK, the supermarkets, etc. here in Kansas will be open as usual. Yes, folks in the finance industry usually have the day off when the stock markets are closed, like Good Friday. I’m working tomorrow but my wife, who is a public school teacher, has Friday off. Many folks here in Massachusetts also have Monday off for Patriot’s Day but also not me. I have to take a vacation day because I’m volunteering at the marathon starting line. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/17 "2014-04-17T12:25:06Z")
My business is open every other Saturday. For Easter weekend I make sure it works out that we are closed Saturday. But Friday and Monday are business as usual. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/18 "2014-04-17T12:35:57Z")
Sometimes I’m amazed by my level of ignorance. Despite living in the U.S. For over fifty years and usually paying attention,mI had no idea Good Friday was such a thing. Obviously I was aware of the concept, but the day passes most years without me realizing it has come and gone. (Not unlike Flag Day). I didn’t know, or had forgotten, the stock exchanges (and Banks?) we’re closed. Do people generally go to church on Good Friday or just Easter Sunday? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/19 "2014-04-17T12:36:21Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > In Saskatchewan, Good Friday is a public holiday, but not Easter Monday. However, Easter Monday is a holiday for federal public servants. Well I’m a federal public employee, of a crown corporation. We get good Friday off, but not Easter Monday. I’m thinking of taking Monday off anyway. I could use the rest. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313/20 "2014-04-17T12:41:24Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Sometimes I’m amazed by my level of ignorance. Despite living in the U.S. For over fifty years and usually paying attention,mI had no idea Good Friday was such a thing. Obviously I was aware of the concept, but the day passes most years without me realizing it has come and gone. (Not unlike Flag Day). I didn’t know, or had forgotten, the stock exchanges (and Banks?) we’re closed. It’s easy to ignore Good Friday as a lot of businesses/offices that close for Good Friday are actually closing for “Easter (Observed).” I know that’s why I won’t be working tomorrow. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-good-friday-a-public-holiday-where-you-are/686313.md?page=2)