thursday, May 1st, 2008

Lily of the valley and the Labour Day (Muguet et Fête du travail)

The first of May was the beginning of the first half of the year for the Celts and in the the Middle Ages this was the month in which you had to get engaged, but now in large parts of Europe (except the Netherlands and Switzerland) it is the day of labor (French 'Fête du Travail'). To commemorate the 1 May 1886 when the American trade unions called more than 400,000 workers to demonstrate for the eight hour day; 8hrs work (travail), 8 hrs sleep (sommeil) and 8 hrs to relax (loisir). Since then the first of May is traditionally dedicated to the social achievements of this demonstration.

Un brin de muguet pour le bonheur

And what I find strange is that in France on that day you do not have to work. I would just think that everyone is going to work like never before (or tasks), but here everyone has a day of. Except us of course, as independand self-employed we see for ourselfes how to make maney while having to entertain our children.

And since 1 May this year happened to be a Thursday and it is yet almost weekend why would you then also go to work on Friday ... I mean, utterly pointless, so France has quite a nice long weekend starting today. Well they really needed it, I think, after three grueling days, lundi, mardi, mercredi, which didnt seem to end. Before that, they already had two weeks vacation and a few weeks earlier also, so you have no idea how exhausting it is. And so it will be the same again next week, because on May 8 is the anniversary of the capitulation of the German army and therefore Friday also is a day off again. And why not the following Monday and, and so it goes on and on.

Anyway, the Labour Day in France is more than just another familyday or 'grasse matinée' (have one's sleep out). This day is inextricably linked with the muguet (lily of the valley), primal symbol of happiness and the beginning of spring. On this day the French give their loved one(s) a bunch of lilly of the valley to show their love and friendship. And that changes things for such a worthy cause they may have several days off in a year get a free day, unpaid of course, because love is priceless. So, we commit ourselves today to 'un jour chômé' (mandatory day off) and whether from the supermarket or from a damp todlers hand, we buy a bunch of Muguets, for charity, for goodwill, for love, for friendship for happiness, hope and spring.

Muguets, si je pouvais poster leur parfum... (if i just could post ther delicate perfume)

Poll : the french have at least 37 vacation days per year, is that too many?
Selection		Votes
yes, I emigrate to France	41%	63
non, j'exige plus journées de vacances	16%	24
yes, ridiculous, spoiled bunch	18%	28
no, they deserve it	16%	25
other or no opinion	8%	13
153 votes total
(endresult 18-5-2012)

posted by Maartje Heymans at 23:33  |  send a comment

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