Wyh Brits are good business people and Germans produce reliable goods

We've just spent a few days in Germany celebrating Oliver's dad's 60th birthday. The weather was glorious, the parties grand and the people lovely. I had the chance to meet a lot of his family and friends I hadn't met before and chatted about all sorts. A few times I have been asked if my boss had allowed my these days off - and a few times I have been surprised by the question. As it is, when I plan a holiday first of all I check it doesn't clash with the others in the office, then I ask my boss and book. And sometimes I actually ask my boss last... ;-)You see, I know my holiday entitlement and I know my boss wouldn't object me taking time off. And because in the UK there is an understanding that you're a resource, you're valuable despite your job's got to be done. It goes to the extent that here companies compete in being an "Investor in People": "Everyone agrees that people are an organisation's greatest asset", so the investor in people website. Because of the Commonwealth and the English language the UK gets a lot more (young) people come, stay for a few years and then go. They have learnt they've got to be flexible and turned it to their advantage. Their are business people.
In Germany, however, it seems life is more regulated, people kind of like their routines and securities, they are better protected by laws and trade unions, employment rules like holidays and working times are less flexible and undergo the strict scrutiny of the boss. You are more an employee rather than a flexible resource. This doesn't mean people are mistreated in Germany - it's much rather about the approach to work. And life.