6-8 英国的银行假日

British Bank Holidays

British bank holidays have been recognized since 1871. The name Bank Holiday comes from the time when Banks were shut and so no trading could take place. Even though Banks are still closed on these days many shops now remain open.

Traditionally on a Bank Holiday many businesses are closed to enable the workers to have a holiday. This time is often spent with the family on mini breaks and outings. Anyone who works on Bank Holidays usually gets paid extra -- “time-and-a-half” or even “double time,” negotiated for them by the Trades Unions.

In England and Wales there are six bank holidays: New Year's Day, Easter Monday, May Day (not necessarily 1 May), Spring and Late Summer Holidays at the end of May and August respectively, and Boxing Day1. There are also two common law holidays on Good Friday2 and Christmas Day.

Scotland has nine public holidays: New Year's Day, January 2, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day (not necessarily 1 May), Spring and Summer Holidays at the end of May and the beginning of August respectively, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

In Northern Ireland there are seven bank holidays: New Year's Day, St. Patrick's Day3 (17 March), Easter Monday, May Day (not necessarily 1 May), Spring and Late Summer Holidays at the end of May and August respectively, and Boxing Day. There are also two common law holidays on Good Friday and Christmas Day and a public holiday on the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne4 (12 July).

What happens when bank holidays fall on a weekend?

There are holidays in lieu of5 those public holidays which fall at weekends. Shops, museums and other public attractions, such as historic houses and sports centres, may close on certain public holidays, particularly Christmas Day.

注释：

1.Boxing Day 节礼日（英国和部分英联邦国家的法定假日，在圣诞节的次日，如遇星期日则推迟一日，按俗这天向雇员、仆人、邮递员等赠送匣装节礼）

2.Good Friday （基督教）受难节（复活节前的星期五）

3.St. Patrick’s Day 圣帕特里克节（以在爱尔兰建立基督教会的英国传教士、爱尔兰主保圣人圣帕特里克 [389?～461] 之名命名的节日，时间为3月17日）

4.the Battle of the Boyne 博因战役（信奉新教的威廉王于1690年在爱尔兰的博因战役中击败信奉天主教的詹姆士二世，为庆祝战胜日7月12日，传统上举行盛大游行）

5.lieu [5lju:] n.〈古〉位置；替代；in～(of)（以……）替代

英国的银行假日

自1871年起，英国便有银行假日了。“银行假日”这个名称起源于银行关闭以至所有交易暂停的时期。如今，尽管银行在这些日子里仍然关门，但是很多商店还是照常营业的。

按传统，在银行假日，许多商家都停业，以便员工们可以休假。在这期间，人们通常是与家人共度时光，小憩或者短途旅游。在银行假日工作的人，一般会得到额外的报酬——“原工资一倍半”或甚至“双工资”，这是工会为他们争取来的。

英格兰和威尔士有6个银行假日：新年、复活节星期一、劳动节（不一定是5月1日）、春假和晚夏假（分别在5月底和8月底）以及节礼日。另外有两个普通法假日：耶稣受难节和圣诞节。

苏格兰有9个公共假日：新年、1月2日节、耶稣受难节、复活节星期一、劳动节（不一定是5月1日）、春假和夏假（分别在5月底和8月初）、圣诞节和节礼日。

北爱尔兰有7个银行假日：新年、圣帕特里克节（3月17日）、复活节星期一、劳动节（不一定是5月1日）、春假和晚夏假（分别在5月底和8月底）以及节礼日。另外有两个普通法假日：耶稣受难节和圣诞节，还有庆祝博因战役周年的公共假日（7月12日）。

如果银行假日恰好是周末会怎么样呢？

如果公共假日恰好是周末，有别的假日可以替代。商店、博物馆以及其他公共景点，如历史名宅和体育中心，在某些公共假日会关门，尤其是圣诞节。