They Don’t Work 24/7: 5 Vacation Customs in Europe That Drive Americans Crazy

Last updated on February 16th, 2025 at 02:24 pm

More Than Just a Siesta

For many Americans, “vacation” means a brief, tightly scheduled break—maybe one or two weeks a year. Yet in much of Europe, time off is taken seriously—we’re talking long summer closures, month-long family escapes, or national mindsets that value personal well-being over constant productivity. From an American standpoint, it can feel bizarre or inefficient: “Don’t they want to keep working and earning?” Europeans, on the other hand, see extended vacations not as a luxury, but as a human right—a direct route to balancing life and preventing burnout.

If you’re an American traveling or temporarily working in Europe, you might face shuttered shops in August, offices that vanish for weeks, or colleagues who don’t check emails after 5 PM. Below are 5 vacation customs that can leave U.S. visitors baffled—and how to survive (or even embrace) them without losing your mind.

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1. The August Shutdown (Everyone’s Gone, City Closes Shop)

Why Americans Find It Crazy
Imagine you’re in Paris or Rome, expecting bustling streets and shops mid-August. Instead, you see half the city boarded up—“Closed for Vacation until End of Month.” Americans with limited yearly leave can’t fathom entire businesses vanishing for weeks. “Who keeps the economy running?” they wonder.

Why Europeans Do It
August is peak holiday season—many southern European countries (France, Italy, Spain) endure scorching heat, so residents escape to coasts or mountains. Historically, factories shut down to conserve energy, and families used that time for collective rest. Over decades, it became a cultural norm: the entire city quiets, locals recharge, and by September, they’re back fully reenergized.

How to Cope

• Research if the region you’re visiting has a major August exodus. Northern Europe might be less extreme than southern.
• Plan around it: if you must go in August, accept that certain restaurants, shops, or small businesses may be closed. Tourist hotspots remain open, but local gems might be on holiday.
• Embrace the hush: smaller crowds, an excuse to explore whichever venues do stay open. Some tourists find the calm enchanting—though others miss full city life.

Takeaway
The August shutdown is Europeans saying, “We value real breaks more than 24/7 commerce.” Americans find it shocking because in the U.S., a store that closed for an entire month might go bankrupt. Over there, it’s tradition—and nobody’s bankrupt. The world keeps spinning.

2. Five (or Six) Weeks of Paid Vacation, Minimum

Why Americans Find It Crazy
Americans averaging 10–15 days of paid leave per year can’t believe many Europeans see 25–30 days (not counting public holidays!) as standard. Some unionized or older contracts push that to six or even seven weeks total. The idea of a month off in a single chunk sounds surreal or “lazy.”

Why Europeans Do It
Many European countries legally mandate 4–5 weeks minimum (France: 5, Germany: 4 plus extra days, etc.). The logic is straightforward: better mental health, family time, and productivity upon return. Governments see it as a social good, not an optional perk. For employees, it’s part of a robust labor rights tradition post–World War II, ensuring the workforce avoids burnout.

How to Cope

• Don’t expect colleagues to quickly respond if you email them in mid-July; half your team could be in the Alps or at a beach.
• If you need something urgent, clarify deadlines way before peak holiday times.
• If you’re an American on a short contract, you might not get the full holiday, but you’ll see how coworkers vanish for big chunks of time. Plan around it—frustration won’t help, acceptance might.

Takeaway
For Americans juggling minimal PTO, seeing peers vanish for half the summer can sting. But from a European standpoint, this extended break fosters a happier, more balanced workforce—less churn, more loyalty. The difference is cultural, not personal laziness.

3. Actually Unplugging—No Emails or Work Calls After Hours

Why Americans Find It Crazy
In the U.S., 24/7 connectivity is common: “If the boss pings you at 9 PM, you respond.” In large swaths of Europe (especially France, where there’s a “right to disconnect” law), employees vanish after hours or during vacation, ignoring work emails or calls. Americans might think, “What if an emergency arises?”

Why Europeans Do It
European labor policies often protect personal time fiercely, banning employers from expecting responses off-shift. People see evening or weekend hours as personal/family time. This results in clear boundaries—morning is for emails, night is for friends or rest. A manager who demands weekend availability might face staff pushback or even legal trouble.

How to Cope

• If you’re an American manager or colleague, schedule communications within local work hours. Don’t assume a “late night Slack message” is normal.
• For emergencies, clarify a special plan. Usually there’s a designated on-call person, but not the entire team.
• If you’re traveling on holiday yourself, follow local norms—try truly unplugging. You might find it refreshing.

Takeaway
Yes, it might feel foreign if you’re used to constant hustle. Yet many European employees see it as essential for mental health. Americans who adapt often find less burnout—a concept that’s slowly catching on stateside, too.

4. Extended Midday Lunch Breaks—“Who Works at Noon?”

Why Americans Find It Crazy
In the U.S., lunch often means a quick sandwich at your desk, maybe 30 minutes if you’re lucky. In parts of Southern Europe—Spain, Portugal, Italy—a midday meal can be 2 hours or involve going home. Shops or small businesses may close around 1–3 PM. Americans expecting “grab-and-go” are confounded: “Wait, you shut down the store mid-shift?”

Why Europeans Do It
Historically, high daytime temperatures or older work structures allowed siestas or long lunches. It fosters a more relaxed pace and family connectivity. Even in cooler climates, some countries champion a bigger lunch for better digestion, returning energized for the afternoon. Meanwhile, many Americans operate in a relentless 9–5 with a minimal break.

How to Cope

• Don’t assume you’ll run errands at 1:30 PM. Some towns truly do close half the shops. Plan your day accordingly.
• Embrace sit-down lunches—taste local dishes properly instead of a frantic snack.
• If you’re on a tight sightseeing schedule, pack water and small snacks to tide you over if local eateries close midday.

Takeaway
Sure, Americans may see it as inefficiency; locals call it a balanced life. Pausing midday is integral to their flow—not mere laziness but a time to reset.

5. Vacation Means Entire Offices Go Dark

Why Americans Find It Crazy
It’s not just the August closures—entire offices might collectively shut for a week or two at some point (often in manufacturing or older industries). Americans might be stunned: “Don’t you lose business? How does the company function?”

Why Europeans Do It
Collective breaks ensure everyone truly disconnects without FOMO. Some big factories or corporate structures plan summer closures, letting families align holidays. They see it as beneficial for morale—no partial skeleton crews. It’s a tradition that fosters unity, so upon return, everyone’s equally recharged.

How to Cope

• If you’re dealing with a European partner or supplier, note their scheduled shutdown. Don’t push deadlines into that blackout period or you’ll get radio silence.
• For travelers: if the entire local workforce is on holiday, a city might be subdued. Use it to your advantage—less crowded museums or roads (except in tourist hubs).

Takeaway
In the U.S., staggered leave ensures offices remain partially staffed. In Europe, a shared break can unify staff. Americans may see it as a productivity risk; locals see it as everyone’s right to unwind simultaneously—no guilt or missed memos.

Conclusion: Europeans Really Don’t Work 24/7—And That’s the Point

Yes, these 5 vacation customs—August shutdowns, extended PTO, unplugging after hours, long midday lunches, and full office closures—can drive Americans crazy with apparent “inefficiency.” But from a European lens, they’re well-earned and historically rooted. The goal? Avoid burnout, nurture family ties, and preserve mental health. Many workers return more productive and engaged.

For Americans traveling or collaborating with Europe, it’s wise to accept these differences rather than fume. Adapt your schedule, plan around the big holiday months, and respect that “work-life balance” is more than a corporate buzzword—it’s a daily reality. Who knows, you might even find yourself appreciating the calmer pace. After all, there’s a reason so many Europeans appear more relaxed on those breezy summer days—they’re simply not working 24/7.

Pro Tip
If you’re planning a European trip during prime vacation season—July–August—double-check local calendars or office closures. Book accommodations and tours well in advance, and don’t panic if you get an auto-reply email: “I’m on holiday until September.” That’s just Europe’s unwavering stance on living life beyond the office. Bon voyage—and maybe relax a little, too!