The happiest time of the week

Which is the best time of the week? For many people it is Friday afternoon, when they finish classes at school or work. Then the weekend comes, two days of freedom! On Saturdays and Sundays there is no school, no working, just rest and hobbies.

Long ago weekends were different. People worked for six days and the seventh day was the market day. At that time there were no shops around to buy tools, clothes or food. They went to the market to do some shopping. Children didn't go to school on that day, either.  Later shops opened, then supermarkets. People can go shopping now every day.

It was only seventy years ago that more and more countries made the weekend longer. They added one more day to have rest. In Europe people have a long weekend, from Friday evening til Monday morning. There are still countries where the weekend is only one day. In Nepal only Saturday, in Iran only Friday is free. In India people go to work on Saturday and children also go to school for at least half day. Only Sunday is the rest day.

• How long is your weekend?
• How long is the weekend for your parents and friends?
• Which day does your family shop?
• Do you go to markets? When?