Touchpoint Oy’s Post

WHY DOES ITALY CLOSE FOR AUGUST? How does the entire country of Italy and most of Europe shut down in August? It is a shock to many foreign Customers when they hear that offices and businesses are closed entirely for this extended period. However, this tradition, at least in Italy, stems back to Roman times. The Ferragosto Holiday stems back to a celebration of the festival of Emperor Augustus. The holiday was initially a day of rest for all the field workers after weeks of hard work on the farms. In the Renaissance period, this holiday was moved to align with the Assumption of Mary on August 15th. History lesson aside, there is also a very practical aspect to consider, where we live and work the temperatures in July and August reach 35-37 C° with a very high humidity rate that raises the perceived temperature, a temperature that is compounded by the temperature of the machinery in production, all for a less than optimal working condition. Therefore, between the traditions that reign strong in Italy and the boiling condition we are in, we would like to inform you that BDL's summer vacation will start from August 5 to 23. See you on August 26, refreshed and relaxed!!! #bdlinjectionmolder #bdlplasticbackingpads #backingpadsforflapdisc

Some Chinese main public holidays in 2024 -- Feb.10~17 Spring Festival holiday (8 days) -- Apr.04~06 Tomb-Sweeping day holiday(3 days) -- May 01~05 Labor’s day holiday(5 days) -- Jun.10 Dragon-Boat Festival(1 day) -- Sep.15~17 Mid-Autumn Day Festival(3 days) -- Oct.01~07 National day holiday(7 days) We Sinoway team will check emails everyday in holiday since the customers abroad are still active during this period. Besides, Some items are stopped offering price before the holiday such as clarithromycin, azithromycin etc. due to tight supply in the market. The price of some items tends to increase after the holiday e.g. Chlortetracycline. www.china-sinway.com #chinesepublicholiday

Over Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam), I decided to take a week off. Destination? My son’s place just outside Hamburg. Goal? Reconnect with family. Disconnect from the digital world. Honestly? It wasn’t easy. I did slip into an hour’s group call with my Chilipeppers. And, yes, I peeked at emails. 🙄 But guess what? Even with those tiny online moments, the week was FANTASTIC. 🤗 The weather? Not perfect. But Saturday? We spent it all outside. We hit the bustling market, worked in the garden, and fired up our first barbecue of the year. Instead of my usual screen time, you could find me: → crafting birthday party invitations with monster teeth and googly eyes, → exploring the new neighbourhood by bike and on foot (my son and his family moved last year), → building epic Lego and Duplo structures (that mysteriously collapsed under “unknown” circumstances 😲 ), → reading long-forgotten children’s books aloud (with Oscar-worthy voices in the “Grandparent’s Performance” category), → watching "Feuerwehrmann Sam" every evening, and → snatching moments to read "The Bloody British: A Well-Meaning Guide to an Awkward Nation" (Spoiler: hilariously accurate). LESSONS LEARNED This week reminded me of the sheer joy in life’s simple pleasures. 1️⃣ Taking a break from technology? Absolutely essential. I found myself rediscovering the sound of birds chirping in the morning and the pleasure of a good book. 2️⃣ Resetting and recharging? Best done with family and everyday activities. The laughter around the dinner table, the smell of home-cooked meals, and the warmth of a hug—these are the moments that truly rejuvenate the soul. 3️⃣ And monster-themed birthday invitations? Surprisingly therapeutic. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic and creative about diving into a world of silly monsters and colourful designs. 🌶️ So, what’s your best way to unwind? #SparksOfEnglish #LetsTalkBusiness

German Traditions: From Lost Things to Schultüte. It is no secret that knowledge of cultural traditions helps establish a deeper connection with a country and its history. In this context, let's take a look at some German traditions that belong to the great cultural heritage of the country. 🔹Lost items: When someone comes across a lost item, such as a hat, they hang it on the nearest tree to make it easier for the owner to find. 🔹Sunday silence: Germans make a clear distinction between their work and personal life. Almost all shops and cafes are closed on Sunday, giving German workers the opportunity to spend the day with their family and friends. 🔹Advent calendars: Have you ever used an advent calendar with a new window with candy opening every day? This tradition comes from Germany. 🔹Polterabend: There is a unique German wedding tradition known as Polterabend. The night before the wedding guests break porcelain under the newlyweds' feet to attract good luck. 🔹Schultüte: Children can feel anxious at the start of school year, so in Germany they often receive a Schultüte, a decorated paper cone full of gifts, on the first day of school to bring joy to the moment. Which interesting German traditions do you know? 🤔 Let us know in the comments.👇

🌸 Exciting news! The official start of spring is just around the corner. As we approach March 21st, the spring or vernal equinox heralds the beginning of this vibrant season. I mark this date on my calendar because from here on, the days gradually lengthen, letting sunlight take the lead over darkness. Spring fever is a universal sensation, celebrated in diverse ways across cultures. Here are a few favorites: 🌸 Cherry Blossom Festival – Japan In Japan, the blooming cherry blossom trees hold deep significance. Families and friends eagerly anticipate this time to gather, picnic, and revel in music and drink. 🌸 The Songkran Festival – Laos Come April, Laos transforms into a giant water fight, celebrating their New Year. Amidst the peak of the dry season, homes and holy places undergo cleansing, and the streets become a playful water-filled battleground. 🌸 Sechselauten – Switzerland In Switzerland, this holiday concludes with the burning of winter, symbolized by a snowman filled with explosives. Perhaps this explains why the Swiss never engage in wars – they channel everything into their snowmen! These celebrations remind us that spring is a season of renewal. In the past, people viewed spring as a time for resolutions and new beginnings. My take? Let's celebrate both. What spring traditions do you have? Share them in the comments! 🌷🌼 #SpringIsComing #SpringTraditions #Renewal #CelebrateSpring

As we count down to IMA’s International Conference in Stockholm on October 18, let’s explore one of Sweden’s unique cultural treasures: “Allemansrätten,” or the Right to Roam. Discover how this concept fosters a deep connection to nature and environmental responsibility. Sweden’s “Allemansrätten” is a remarkable concept that allows everyone to freely explore nature, even on private land. This law encourages outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and foraging, fostering a deep connection with nature while respecting the environment and landowners. Allemansrätten underscores Sweden's commitment to environmental stewardship and accessibility to nature for all. Imagine the freedom to wander and explore beautiful landscapes without barriers. How can we draw inspiration from this and advocate for more accessible natural spaces in our own countries? #RightToRoam #Allemansrätten #Sweden #NatureAccess #IMAisyournetwork #IMAConference2024 #IMASweden

Mixed Spring Thoughts I was wrong. My previous post showed me looking forward to a sunny spring. The past couple of weeks in Luxembourg have seen hail and icy rain falling in between sickly bouts of unenthusiastic sunshine. Lucky I’m not a meteorologist! But the mixed weather has been symbolic of something deeper. On an upnote, my local area has been blooming with daffodils. My mother was Welsh and both my parents’ birthdays fell as March turned to April. The sight of massed yellow trumpets swaying in the breeze always brings back happy memories of my parents and my childhood, sparking a gratitude to my parents for their sacrifices and child-rearing efforts to turn my kid sister and me into decent adults. Next month sees my late sister’s birthday. Spring always brings other memories that dampen the happy thoughts. Moving on… I spoke highly of Tenerife last time. Since then it’s has been suffering from anti-tourist protests and graffiti. Lucky I went when I did. The local population is protesting the lack of adequate housing as too many properties are rented-out to tourists and all construction work features hotels. The south, as I mentioned, profits from the influx of tourists splashing the cash renting jet-skis and paragliders, filling the restaurants and boozing as only tourists can do. Thirty-two percent of the island’s income is from tourism, much of which stays with local businesses. Elsewhere, the “ordinary folk” see little benefit from tourism, though I must admit I saw no slums. I wish them success in improving their living standards. Why not sign up for my Newsletter? https://lnkd.in/eveYyYfT

If you are in #Norway, this Friday you can celebrate Constitution Day. Take a look at this quick tutorial on how to celebrate independence in country just like the locals do. #visitnorway #holidaytravel #travelbloggers

Another random fact) It seems that it is often assumed that Russia has a lot of public holidays and therefore a lot of days off, but this is not true) Russia is among the top 10 countries by the number of public holidays, but not in the top five) The top looks like this: 1. India — about 20 public holidays a year. 2. Colombia — about 18–20 public holidays a year. 3. Mexico — about 15–20 public holidays a year. 4. Venezuela — about 15 public holidays a year. 5. Brazil — about 12–15 public holidays a year. #randomfactHR

Moroccan Holidays Today we celebrate in Poland the Labour Day, which is a public holiday (though some of us in finance must work on month end closing). Incidentally this is also a holiday in Morocco, but not in Canada or USA. Working in the global corporation exposes us to multitude of festivities held in specific countries and coordination of work gives us another challenge. Last time I’ve mentioned our payroll process; we have established quite a detailed calendar that takes into consideration holidays of all parties concerned. The only free day that our three countries have in common is the New Year celebration (1 January) although in Morocco we have also the Amazigh New Year day (14 January) and Islamic New Year (this year on 19 July). Naturally we celebrate different religious festivities, some of them are movable in all countries, so the planning must be done every year anew. We all have Independence Day: 11 January in Morocco, 11 November in Poland, 1 July in Canada (Canada Day). Actually 11 November is held in Canada as Remembrance Day, which has its Polish equivalent either in 1 November (All Saints Day) or 15 August (Polish Army Day). Moroccan equivalent would be probably 20 August (Revolution Day). Labour day in Canada is held on September 2nd which falls in the period of leaves turning reddish-yellow; while in Morocco and Poland we enjoy warm spring weather - Poles usually go camping these days. But not the ones closing the month…