According to Wikipedia, Labor Day is a public holiday or day of festivities held in honor of working people, in the US and Canada on the first Monday in September, in many other countries on May 1. If you are wondering how to make Labor Day chit chat with US Clients, read on….
Why is Labor Day Important?
For most people, Labor Day has lost it’s true meaning, and now a days people look at as a day off work to relax, travel, or spend time with friends and family. While the Memorial Day holiday marks the official start of summer, Labor Day marks the official end of summer. During this time of the year, schools and colleges start back up after their summer vacations which started back in mid May to late June.
Why is Labor Day on a Monday in September?
When setting Labor Day as a national holiday in the US policy makers probably chose the day from a practical standpoint. The holiday previous to Labor Day is 4th of July or Independence Day while the next would be Thanksgiving (the last Thursday of November). Since there would almost six months until the next holiday, they probably thought it would be good to add the holiday in at this point. Probably another reason for this holiday falling at this time is that the weather is still good and families would be more apt to travel and spend money.
When is Labor Day in….
While Labor Day always falls on the first Monday of September, the date changes every year.
What Days Do People “Take Leave”?
“Taking leave” is the Indian way of saying “days off” or “time off.” Your US and Canadian counterparts probably won’t use this Indian English idiom. Instead, they will be more apt to say “day off” or “time off.”
As Labor Day is a national holiday, the first Monday of every September most companies and all government offices are officially closed. In addition to having a vacations day on Monday, many others opt to take off extra days; either day or days the week before or the day or days of the week Labor Day falls on. Colleagues with children starting school the day after Labor Day or two days after Labor Day may take off days to help their kids get ready for their first day of school.
What topics or questions can I ask to make small talk?
The following topics are fair game to ask your colleagues about:
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Blog author camping at Antelope Island State Park, Utah |
(Only use #4 or #5 if you know about their kids.)
(In #5, use names when you know them. Among many in the US “school” is used to mean school and college.)
Video Pictures of Labor Day Celebrations
Updated Oct 2018, May 2020, Feb. 2023
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