Working holidays

The Chinese haven't got the hang of holidays at all.

For a start, you don't get annual leave; instead you wait for the government to announce when public holidays are to take place and take your time off with the rest of the country. Cue packed trains, overbooked flights and roads groaning with traffic.

A few days ago, it was officially announced that 'Golden Week' would be between the first and seventh of May this year. It's at much the same time as it is every year but it needs to be officially announced before you can book anything for sure.

Wow, seven whole days free! Well, yes, but there's a price to pay: everyone has to work the weekend before the break to make up for lost time - and productivity. It kind of defeats the object of having a holiday at all. But it doesn't half make you appreciate it when it finally begins!