Comments on: Vacation Absurdity

By: Maurice Visser

Maurice Visser — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:26:22 +0000

Believe it or not, this information is very helpful to some like me who trade with China and cannot ever get this kind of information out of our Chinese associates. Thanks for the insight and thanks for stating the Chinese week long holidays-now its on the internet and I hope it stays there for all who need it. John, in China, please post more “irrelevant” info on China, it may turn out to be more valuable than you think.

By: Derek

Derek — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 03:51:55 +0000

That was hilariously well written and factually poignant. When I studied abroad in Beijing I was able to enjoy the week long October vacation to the fullest with a trip across China by train and bus. One of the most memorable events of my life.

I was still a student at the time though, and I didn't realize how the days were rearranged like that. Such seemingly backward logic!

By: Wildaly

Wildaly — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:33:13 +0000

Mmm... I'm liking these blogs very much. I've only been reading a few here and there from the older dates and I've found them all quite interesting as well as irreverent. I really do like them. ^_^

This one I found quite funny and though I really have no use for it, since I don't live in China nor plan to, it's always interesting (for me at least) to find out about such peculiarities.

By: Lantian

Lantian — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 09:51:33 +0000

Fabulous post. Without it I would never have understood the re-arrangment so clearly. Certainly no BLCU text explains this.

If old 'anony' from 2005 is around still, you're truely a dork. John's post was funny and insightful, while yours just plunders my time.

By: shawn

shawn — Wed, 03 May 2006 14:41:29 +0000

Great post! Sorry I hadn’t seen it until now!

By: John B

John B — Wed, 03 May 2006 12:10:16 +0000

In my two years at ZUCC I never taught a weekend class. I have principles!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Don’t you think “‘Apparently only the Western mind in its infinite wisdom can see through this treachery’” is taking it a little bit too far? It sounds like you are whining because you get two days less off. This whole diatribe proves nothing except for the fact that even three years in China hasn’t taught you anything.

By: Micah

Micah — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Well, Anonymous (if that really is you name)....

Supposedly this year (2005), we get three days off, then two more by working the Saturday before the 1st (April 30) and working the Sunday after our seven consecutive days off (May 8).

And the reason we only get three days off for a weeklong vacation is to make up for all the time that most (most) Chinese spend reading the newspaper while they're supposed to be doing their job (although this is definitely not the case at my company, nor assuredly at yours either).