What is the the basic European workday like?

Question

Trying to get a picture of an average workday of the various countries across the ocean.

This is what I understand happens in Italy:

People start their day (don't know what time) they have about 2 hours midday break, then go back to work until 7-8-9 p.m.

So what I'm asking is (and not just for Italy): what time does the workday start? How long is lunch break? How late do people work until? I know most countries give 4 weeks vacation usually in the middle of the summer, is that still being given?

How is the usual spirit of the place where YOU work?

Thanks all for answering.

Answer 1

it works like this...

first, you wake up at 7:30am and get ready.  You have your crumpet with jam and a spot of coffee with milk.  you are out the door at 9am to take the bus and arrive at work by 9:45.  You put your belongings down and go outside for a smoke.  You get back inside around 10:15 where you surf the web and post to yahoo answers until about half-noon.  You head home for your daily siesta, to arrive back at work at 2pm.  Go back inside, sort through a few bits of paperwork, outside for a drag, and back inside by 3:45.  At 4:15 you go outside again to have another smoke, and get back in at half-four.  Do a bit more surfing and leave about 5:30 pm to go out to the pub for a pint (or two) of bitter.  Pick up some chinese take away on the way home and arrive around 8pm.  Watch a bit of tele then turn in around 11pm.

Answer 2

I used to work for a French company, and when I went over there, their workday was pretty much the same as here in the US.  They started at around 8-9am, ended around 5-6pm.  They took a 1/2-1 hour lunch break; a few people ate at their desks, many went to the company cafeteria.  They did have beer and wine in the cafeteria, but not too many drank it.

All in all, it seemed very similar to the US.  You're right about the vacation; they all got 4 weeks to start!

I work for a British company now, and their days are also pretty comparable to the US...