Apart from generating a heated exchange of views about whether Europeans or Americans are more ignorant about one another’s countries, this thread highlighted the contrast in the number of days people can expect to take off work each year in the USA and Europe.
I’ve worked (in London) for a few companies with offices in the USA and have been intrigued by e-mails from the west side of the pond announcing that so-and-so would be out of the office today because he/she is taking a Personal Day. I’ve also seen them mentioned, but not explained, in other threads.
So can anyone give the Straight Dope on these for a European who was to shy to ask? What are Personal Days, how do they differ from any other kind of day’s leave, and how many do you get where you work?