| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: How long are you away on holiday per year? (in total) Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How long are you away on holiday per year? (in total)".
This poll was originally submitted by Sonja Allen
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a ... See more This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How long are you away on holiday per year? (in total)".
This poll was originally submitted by Sonja Allen
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629 ▲ Collapse
| | | | Steven Capsuto 
United States
Local time: 09:35
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Depends how you calculate it | Jul 11, 2008 |
I tend to take long-ish trips and work half-time while away. I usually spend about six weeks a year doing this. In terms of work and income, it's the same as taking three weeks off per year, but this way I get to see more of the world (or see more of my geographically distant family) at a more leisurely pace.
[Edited at 2008-07-11 17:07]
| | | | | Difficult to add it up | Jul 11, 2008 |
The nature of our family business (pig farm) makes it very difficult to get away for longer than 2 weeks max at a stretch, and even then there is extensive phone contact (we have yet to find the perfect farm manager and certainly couldn't afford to pay one!). I would LOVE not to have to think about work at all and switch off for a proper length of time, because I think it would be so restorative. Right now I'm wondering if we can even go away at all this summer.
But before I have y... See more The nature of our family business (pig farm) makes it very difficult to get away for longer than 2 weeks max at a stretch, and even then there is extensive phone contact (we have yet to find the perfect farm manager and certainly couldn't afford to pay one!). I would LOVE not to have to think about work at all and switch off for a proper length of time, because I think it would be so restorative. Right now I'm wondering if we can even go away at all this summer.
But before I have you all reaching for the tissue boxes (or saying how lucky we are to have even two weeks), we do make up for this for having three or four three day weekends dotted over the year.
That said, it's unusual for me not to have a translation project on the go - even if it's on the back burner. ▲ Collapse
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I love travelling, and I probably spend more time than I should going to all sorts of places. I want to know if any other freelancers feel guilty / awkward about taking time off, because when you don`t work, you don`t get paid - it isn`t like an office job where you get a certain amount of paid holiday per year. I guess we all need to take breaks though - all those hours spent staring at a computer screen can`t be all that healthy.
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Laureana Pavon
Uruguay
Local time: 10:35
Member (2007)
English to Spanish
+ ...
MODERATOR | For me it's also difficult to add up.. | Jul 11, 2008 |
Strictly speaking, I would say I'm away from home/office for more than 3 months every year. This is typically divided between several 2-week periods plus at least 4-6 weeks that I spend in England/Europe because I think that it is extremely important from a professional point of view to keep in touch with both my working languages.
However, most of the time I take my work with me, so probably my "holidays" (i.e. days that I do not work) are actually much the same as if I had a regular offi... See more Strictly speaking, I would say I'm away from home/office for more than 3 months every year. This is typically divided between several 2-week periods plus at least 4-6 weeks that I spend in England/Europe because I think that it is extremely important from a professional point of view to keep in touch with both my working languages.
However, most of the time I take my work with me, so probably my "holidays" (i.e. days that I do not work) are actually much the same as if I had a regular office job in Uruguay: 3 weeks.
I love the fact that I can decide to travel any time I want, it's just too bad that my husband can't
Cheers!
Laureana ▲ Collapse
| | | | Jeff Whittaker
United States
Local time: 09:35
Spanish to English
+ ...
| First vacation in eight years | Jul 11, 2008 |
I just returned from my first week away in EIGHT YEARS (went to Paris in 2000). I went mountain climbing in Montana - no cell phones, no TV, no internet.
[Edited at 2008-07-11 18:29]
| | | | carol so
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:35
Member (2008)
English to Chinese
+ ...
| Holiday Dilemma | Jul 11, 2008 |
I am new to translation and just started working as a full time freelance translator from this year, and decided to take my first days off next week, for 3 whole weeks!
It's really a dilemma for me as I was working so hard these days and really want to take a rest, but at the same time I have all those silly worries that I may lose so many opportunities when I am away- which as a new translator I cant afford to miss any jobs assigned to me.
I definitely will take my lap... See more I am new to translation and just started working as a full time freelance translator from this year, and decided to take my first days off next week, for 3 whole weeks!
It's really a dilemma for me as I was working so hard these days and really want to take a rest, but at the same time I have all those silly worries that I may lose so many opportunities when I am away- which as a new translator I cant afford to miss any jobs assigned to me.
I definitely will take my laptop with me and do some small easy jobs in those 3 weeks. I just worry that before I am really established people will forget me so easily. I am sure some of you may have similar experience, or probably you have already passed this stage, so can anyone please share your thoughts or opinion? How would you keep in touch with your agents and PMs when you are away? ▲ Collapse
| | | | Laureana Pavon
Uruguay
Local time: 10:35
Member (2007)
English to Spanish
+ ...
MODERATOR | Notify your regular clients | Jul 11, 2008 |
carol so wrote:
How would you keep in touch with your agents and PMs when you are away?
Carol, I think we've all had the same dilemma. In fact, even though I've been a freelance translator for 16 years, I still try to keep each and everyone of my customers happy because I don't want to lose any during my holidays.
What I usually do is inform my regular clients that I will be away and let them know that during that period translations might take a bit longer than usual (this will probably do the trick with translation agencies and PMs as well).
When you get back, just send everyone a reminder to let them know that you are fully available again. This is a good way to keep in touch with your customers.
I hope you find this helpful, and wish you a lovely holiday!
Laureana
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| More than 4 weeks, but ...! | Jul 11, 2008 |
Every 4 months I take a break of about 10 to 14 days. Actually when I'm off work I usually do some small translations as being on a full time holiday makes me feel very guilty (I dunno why, after all I work very hard throughout the year, including the weekends).
| | | | | Just 2 weeks, but.... | Jul 11, 2008 |
...I completely forget about work. I don't even have a laptop with me. My two colleagues at the office take care of everything. And I do the same for them with they are away. The only way to give my family a bit of quality time!
[Edited at 2008-07-11 20:03]
| | | | | Actually ... | Jul 11, 2008 |
MikeBrady wrote:
all those hours spent staring at a computer screen can`t be all that healthy.
I do agree with you mate: when I started out working as a translator I was 1.81 x 65 Kg. After 4 years I gained 10 kg. I feel sort of chubby and I'm worried one day I may end up like those massive obese men you see in the American movies. Holiday time is essential to do long walks and lose weight!
| | | | Henry Hinds
United States
Local time: 07:35
English to Spanish
+ ...
In memoriam
In the last year and a half I have been gone at least 30% of the time on vacations or tending to other business at the same time. But when I leave I am still equipped to work and continue serving my clients. My absences have been for up to six weeks at a time.
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Erzsébet Czopyk
Hungary
Local time: 15:35
Member (2006)
Russian to Hungarian
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SITE LOCALIZER | just a dream... | Jul 11, 2008 |
Jeff Whittaker wrote:
I just returned from my first week away in EIGHT YEARS (went to Paris in 2000). I went mountain climbing in Montana - no cell phones, no TV, no internet.
[Edited at 2008-07-11 18:29]
Jeff, next time please, take me with: my last vacation was in California in 2002. Since I divorced in 2003 and established the company in June 2005, I had no money/no time for vacation. Now I am in the middle of a long project and still dream about having JUST my bedtime (just a bit more than 4 hours/day), not vacation...
| | | | | Working for agencies | Jul 12, 2008 |
...means that there should be backup somewhere. I don't feel I have to be reachable at any point in time (anybody can be replaced), so any time I have a break or a holiday, I don't check my email and don't take any mobile phone or anything remotely related to a computing implement. I send notices well in advance in order for people to get organised.
It all adds up to more than 4 weeks a year (I am French).
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 15:35
Spanish to English
+ ...
usually only for a week or 2 at Xmas most years when I go back to Scotland, visit family and friends, go shopping, experience some horrid weather, etc.
I live in Valencia, Spain, which for most brits is a holiday spot, and now that I'm back in the city, I can cycle to the beach in 15 minutes, or scoot down the coast to a less crowded spot in less than 30 mins.
For example yesterday, Friday, I'd finished all my pressing tasks by lunchtime so was abe to nip down the coast for a stroll ... See more usually only for a week or 2 at Xmas most years when I go back to Scotland, visit family and friends, go shopping, experience some horrid weather, etc.
I live in Valencia, Spain, which for most brits is a holiday spot, and now that I'm back in the city, I can cycle to the beach in 15 minutes, or scoot down the coast to a less crowded spot in less than 30 mins.
For example yesterday, Friday, I'd finished all my pressing tasks by lunchtime so was abe to nip down the coast for a stroll through a nature reserve to a quiet beach for a few hours sunbathing and swimming - the perfect way to de-stress!
In fact if it doesn't rain today (as the forecast predicts) I'll probably head down there again with a picnic lunch and some company...
I must admit that I do take my laptop everywhere on holiday though, just in case... and anyway, you can use it to watch movies too, not only work ▲ Collapse
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