Because my international practice involves working with folks all over the world, I keep a keen eye on world holidays and do my best to schedule my work around them. This is one of the best ways I can show my respect for other cultures.
The folks overseas always appreciate the extra attention to detail and you will be amazed how far this will take you in building long term relationships.
There are several big holidays coming up in the next several weeks that will temporarily slow or even halt the business activities of several countries. The two biggest holidays take place in China and Brazil. China celebrates its New Year next week and Brazil Celebrates Carnival the week of February 22.
For other international holidays be sure to download the 2010 World Holidays Guide. The guide lists the main holidays of over 43 countries. I’m not sure why Brazil and India were not listed but here they are:
Brazil
January 1 – New Year’s Day
February 26-27 – Carnaval
February 28 – Ash Wednesday
April 13* – Good Friday
April 21 – Tiradentes Day
May 1 – Labor Day
May 13 – Ascension Day
June 14* – Corpus Christi
September 7 – Independence Day
October 12 – Our Lady of Aparecida
November 2 – All Souls’ Day
November 15 – Proclamation of the Republic
December 25 – Christmas
India
January 26 – Republic Day.
February 12 – Mahashivratri.
February 26 – Milad-Un-Nabi
March 28 – Mahavir Jayanthi.
April 2 – Good Friday.
Aprril 5 – Easter Monday.
April 28 – Buddha Purnima.
August 15 – Independence Day.
September 2 – Janmashtami.
September 10-11 – Id ul Fitr (End of Ramadan).
October 2 – Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday.
October 17 – Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami).
November 2 Guru Nanak’s Birthday.
November 5 Deepavali or Diwali (Festival of Lights).
November 16- 17 – 17 Idu’l Zuha/Bakrid (Feast of the Sacrifice).
December 7 Muharram (Islamic New Year).
December 25 Christmas Day.
December 26 Boxing Day.
*Cajun Nation
February 7-28 – Super Bowl celebration and Mardi Gras
*With so much going on, New Orleans might as well be a sovereign nation for the moment. Don’t event think about getting anything done there in the next few weeks. With the Saints’ Super Bowl victory and Mardi Gras, February will be a month-long holiday for these folks.
-Santiago