Today is St Andrew's Day, the feast day of Scotland's patron saint; however, the status of the day is in some doubt: is it a holiday, or is it not? Etymologically speaking, of course it's a holiday, since the word itself is derived from "holy day", and a saint's feast day is obviously a holy day; however, since there are more saints and saint's feast days than there are days in the year, it is blindingly obvious that while they may all be holy days, they cannot all be holidays: at least not for the same people in the same place. There are some people who believe businesses in Scotland ought to close for the day, and that we should all be able to make use of the time for relaxing. Most people would like another day's public holiday, arguing that of all the countries in the EU, Britain has the fewest such days, and that giving us one more would go some way to bringing us into line with our partners across Le Manche. You may be surprised to learn that business leaders are, in the main, opposed to such liberal notions, arguing the country will implode if we had "yet another paid holiday". If most of them had their way we wouldn't have any holidays at all - paid or unpaid - and would get just the one day off each week. The politicians, as is their wont, have decided not to push the case in a serious manner. Their considered solution? Have it as a voluntary holiday. Businesses should let people have a holiday on St Andrew's Day, but those who choose to avail themselves of this right must sacrifice one of the other public holidays. Surrender a spring or summer day for one at the end of November. I don't think so. Swap a day at the beach feeling the sand between my toes for a cold and wet one battling the Christmas shopping hordes? I'd rather poke my eyes out with a red hot poker. Happy St Andrew's Day, everyone.