Teenage Chris: “Oh man, I can’t believe my dad wants me to mow the lawn Saturday. I went to school ALL WEEK. Sure, I was done at 2:30, and get 3 months off the summer where I work part-time 24-32 hours max…and get a fall break…and spring break…and 3 weeks around Christmas…and every major holiday…and parent-teacher conferences…and when it snows. Yes, it’s a riding mower and I listen to Pearl Jam on my Walkman and it takes all of 45 minutes – CAN YOU BELIEVE WHAT I HAVE TO DO ON MY DAY OFF?!”
20’s Chris – “I get only a week’s vacation, 2 personal days and 5 sick days with this job? Looks like I can call off hungover or when I get a new video game 12 times this year.” I seriously called in once and this was the conversation. “I need to take a vacation day.” Boss: “You’re out of them.” Me: “Really? Hmm. I’m sick.” Boss: “You have to bring a doctor’s slip if you’re off all day.” Me: “I’ll be in after lunch, I think I’m OK to work.”
30’s Chris – “I get way more time off now! Finally, years of hard work have paid off! Just think of what I can do…after I fix the hot water heater, catch up on yard work, finally get that dentist visit done, run to Lowe’s, paint the siding, clean the gutters, rearrange the basement, reshingle the roof, replace the faucets, install a new door, get my car worked on….oh shit, I got sick and had to use my extra vacation day. Maybe I’ll take off a day next year!”