Comments on: Stray observations, 07/01/09 http://burlaki.com/blog/2009/07/01/stray-observations-070109/ Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:51:43 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ilya http://burlaki.com/blog/2009/07/01/stray-observations-070109/comment-page-1/#comment-7852 Ilya Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:46:53 +0000 http://burlaki.com/blog/?p=2322#comment-7852 It is becoming less so these days, but one of the key differences between Western European countries and America is that you don't need to have an ID on your person in order to conduct your daily life here. As I mentioned in a couple of posts elsewhere, you are never asked for an ID when you use your credit card (mainly, due to Pin-and-Chip technology), and that's really the bulk of time you'd have to show your ID in America. Also, Britain got to picture card driver licenses only a short time ago (quite an interesting, if only up to the 70s, history <a href="http://www.metadyne.co.uk/Driving%20Licences.pdf" rel="nofollow">here</a>). I don't know for a fact how long ago that occurred, but middle-aged people are undoubtedly not very used to having a picture license at all. That friend of ours is not middle-aged. But the point is, keeping the driver license in your wallet/purse is neither a necessity nor a standard in England. It is becoming less so these days, but one of the key differences between Western European countries and America is that you don’t need to have an ID on your person in order to conduct your daily life here. As I mentioned in a couple of posts elsewhere, you are never asked for an ID when you use your credit card (mainly, due to Pin-and-Chip technology), and that’s really the bulk of time you’d have to show your ID in America.

Also, Britain got to picture card driver licenses only a short time ago (quite an interesting, if only up to the 70s, history here). I don’t know for a fact how long ago that occurred, but middle-aged people are undoubtedly not very used to having a picture license at all.

That friend of ours is not middle-aged. But the point is, keeping the driver license in your wallet/purse is neither a necessity nor a standard in England.

]]> By: jason http://burlaki.com/blog/2009/07/01/stray-observations-070109/comment-page-1/#comment-7835 jason Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:10:44 +0000 http://burlaki.com/blog/?p=2322#comment-7835 Regarding the identity check, I cringe at the thought of having to present my driver's license on demand, but I also find the thought of not having it on my person baffling. If I'm carrying my wallet, I've got my license. How could your friend have had her purse with her but not any identification? I guess I'm wondering why she wouldn't just keep the ID in her purse? Regarding the identity check, I cringe at the thought of having to present my driver’s license on demand, but I also find the thought of not having it on my person baffling. If I’m carrying my wallet, I’ve got my license. How could your friend have had her purse with her but not any identification? I guess I’m wondering why she wouldn’t just keep the ID in her purse?

]]> By: Jeri http://burlaki.com/blog/2009/07/01/stray-observations-070109/comment-page-1/#comment-7700 Jeri Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:51:42 +0000 http://burlaki.com/blog/?p=2322#comment-7700 Damn - I could use a month's convalescent leave for mental health and fatigue reasons! Preferably during the summer. My company doesn't offer anything of the sort, however, you can negotiate a leave of absence in an extenuating circumstance - but then have to pay to maintain your benefits and have no guarantee of your job when you return (unlike FMLA). Jealous. Damn – I could use a month’s convalescent leave for mental health and fatigue reasons! Preferably during the summer.

My company doesn’t offer anything of the sort, however, you can negotiate a leave of absence in an extenuating circumstance – but then have to pay to maintain your benefits and have no guarantee of your job when you return (unlike FMLA).

Jealous.

]]> By: Ilya http://burlaki.com/blog/2009/07/01/stray-observations-070109/comment-page-1/#comment-7697 Ilya Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:19:50 +0000 http://burlaki.com/blog/?p=2322#comment-7697 Yep, once every few years, non-paid, sounds about right to me... Yep, once every few years, non-paid, sounds about right to me…

]]> By: Konstantin http://burlaki.com/blog/2009/07/01/stray-observations-070109/comment-page-1/#comment-7696 Konstantin Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:20:47 +0000 http://burlaki.com/blog/?p=2322#comment-7696 I am pretty sure my company offers one month of sabbatical non-paid leave. Every three years I think. I am pretty sure my company offers one month of sabbatical non-paid leave. Every three years I think.

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