Page 10 | Probably - but people too lazy to cook their own christmas dinner are spoiling mine

TheScottishPlay · 25/12/2025 17:27

PermanentTemporary · 25/12/2025 09:19

Wow you can be immensely proud of him. That’s a great work ethic at 16. He’ll go far ❤️
Happy Christmas!

This! Merry Christmas.

omggggggg · 25/12/2025 17:25

Bore off. He could say no. He obviously wants the money.

C152 · 25/12/2025 17:23

Well, I totally disagree with your point of view, OP, but well done for raising an independent, responsible young man. It's great he's got a job and is taking it seriously. 30+ years ago, I and nearly every teenager in school worked at least one part time job. It was seen as normal. And teens got paid the lowest wage, so they were most in demand for shifts, as each store manager had a budget to stick to. I don't think that's ever going to change.

Howmanycatsistoomany · 25/12/2025 17:22

Get over yourself OP! People going out for Christmas lunch are keeping your DS in a job. 🙄

SunnySideDeepDown · 25/12/2025 17:20

You should have a problem with the pub owner, not the people utilising the service.

Fixydodah · 25/12/2025 17:19

Just back from my bought and paid for lazy lunch. Really enjoyed it. Waiting staff, all ages. I gave a special smile to one who looked the youngest. Smiled in both appreciation and commiseration in case he too had a bonkers, bitter and self obsessed mother like the OP.

PetethePlumbersToolkit · 25/12/2025 17:18

Our offspring both worked in hospitality as teens. We had one or both working on Christmas day for about 6 years, plus most of December and NYE. It's horrible and Christmas just didn't feel the same.
That said, we had both done our time in retail when we were in our teens and going through university, but at least got Christmas day off!
Feel for you @SheinIsShite you don't get these years back.

user1492893992 · 25/12/2025 17:14

SheinIsShite · 25/12/2025 12:56

Why is MN always like this - there are no shades of grey, everything is black and white, or extreme.

Believe if you like that every single person eating out today is disabled or recently bereaved, or has some other serious issue which has forced them out of their home. I don't believe people in those categories make up the majority.

And please stop with the ridiculous comparisons with A&E.

DS was told plainly that he had no choice if he wanted to keep his job. It was basically work when we need you over Christmas or there is no job. As I explained before, there is not much choice round here for jobs for people with no real experience or skills. He would prefer not to be working today, he has done loads of shifts, he's knackered, and needs a break. Initially in August when they were told about Christmas working it was said the staff would be on short shifts - 8am to 1pm, or 1pm to 6pm. That changed when they accepted more and more bookings and saying no to extra work is not really an option.

Despite all the accusations about me being thick or dim I do completely understand why hospitality want a lucrative December to make up for a lean January.

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Everything is black and white for you too it seems. While going out for dinner on Christmas is my worst nightmare I can see why some people do it. Those who have been bereaved or are sick and can’t face cooking a dinner, those who work non stop until Christmas Eve in their jobs and just want to relax for the day. Those who can’t, or won’t, cook for whatever reason. All reasons beyond being too lazy.

TheMorgenmuffel · 25/12/2025 17:10

Things dont have to be a need.
Its ok for people to do things because they want to.

NewNameforThisPost2025 · 25/12/2025 17:08

Kattley · 25/12/2025 17:00

Well I’ve just come back from the local having eaten out for the first time ever on Christmas Day because I’m lazy. No, wait, it’s because my dad died this year and my aunt and none of us four left could find the energy or to arrange a happy family Christmas and wanted to do something totally different to get through the day. It was a godsend and we thanked all the young servers who said they didn’t mind working because the atmosphere and the tips were good! But, hey this was a fake post by OP anyway. Happy Christmas.

Yes, exactly.

NewNameforThisPost2025 · 25/12/2025 17:07

Excuse me, some people cannot cook Christmas lunch, like the years my parents had terminal cancer and we were so grateful that places were open so that the caregiver (me) didn't have to do it on top of everything else. 😡 There are MANY reasons why some people can't coo a Christmas dinner, including major depression. And who's forcing your DC to work in a pub anyway??

Kattley · 25/12/2025 17:00

Well I’ve just come back from the local having eaten out for the first time ever on Christmas Day because I’m lazy. No, wait, it’s because my dad died this year and my aunt and none of us four left could find the energy or to arrange a happy family Christmas and wanted to do something totally different to get through the day. It was a godsend and we thanked all the young servers who said they didn’t mind working because the atmosphere and the tips were good! But, hey this was a fake post by OP anyway. Happy Christmas.

L00kingAround · 25/12/2025 16:59

Maybe OP's son wanted to work today? Judging by the posts, I can see why!

ThatCyanCat · 25/12/2025 16:57

BlackCat14 · 25/12/2025 16:55

Brilliant post 🤣

Love how it’s the fault of the people who want their Christmas dinner in a pub, a service made readily available, that your son has to work today. It’s not like he chose to work there or anything, and the fact he’s working today is well, his job?

My sister is a midwife and working today. Shall I do a post slating all the women who dare go into labour today, and blame them for ruining my Christmas, because my sister isn’t around to enjoy dinner with us?

Blame all those Easter parties!

TiggersTheOnlyOne · 25/12/2025 16:57

Nature of the beast of teen jobs is they’ll pick
up the rubbish shifts nobody else wants. It’s the natural order of things… a couple of years ago when mine were still in education they both worked at lifeguards at Centre parks and had to work Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. As a single parent it meant I was on my own all day (as they ended up having to do double shifts). It wasn’t anyone’s idea of fun but they needed/wanted the jobs so they did it. We had our Christmas dinner on 28tn and just did nibbles when they eventually go home on actual Christmas Day.

BlackCat14 · 25/12/2025 16:55

Brilliant post 🤣

Love how it’s the fault of the people who want their Christmas dinner in a pub, a service made readily available, that your son has to work today. It’s not like he chose to work there or anything, and the fact he’s working today is well, his job?

My sister is a midwife and working today. Shall I do a post slating all the women who dare go into labour today, and blame them for ruining my Christmas, because my sister isn’t around to enjoy dinner with us?

Mapletree1985 · 25/12/2025 16:46

Congratulations to your DC for being a reliable and hardworking member of a team. It's too bad your pride in him can't be something you relish for Christmas, but I guess having a son you can be proud of is no substitute for eating turkey at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on the 25th December.

WearyAuldWumman · 25/12/2025 16:31

Menopausio · 25/12/2025 15:43

My parent is late 80's and in poor health, my DB and SIL are also disabled/ in poor health. They have booked Christmas dinner out. Not too lazy, unable to manage .
Im a nurse and was working earlier today, just found out Im needed later too.
Its ONE DAY @SheinIsShite .
Give your head a wobble.

Yup.

My BIL, his wife and sister are eating out today.

His wife has complications from a stroke. His sister is recovering from cancer.

It would be impossible for my BIL to cook a full meal and look after them both without exhausting himself completely. They were supposed to travel to stay with their son's family, but BIL's wife had a health crisis last month and can't travel at the moment.

Ergo, his son's family has travelled to see them and they're all dining out together. My BIL isn't expecting his son and DIL to cater for 8 whilst wrangling three excited children after they've travelled from Scotland to England.

FerrisWheelsandLilacs · 25/12/2025 16:24

SheinIsShite · 25/12/2025 09:15

My youngest DS is 16 and works in a pub kitchen. Dish washing, food prep, plating starters/dessert. He is contracted to do 8 hours a week which is usually OK. Obviously this time of year is busy and because he is not at school he has more shifts.

School finished on Friday, he worked Friday evening. And Saturday, and Sunday. Did an extra shift on Monday afternoon as they were short. Yesterday was rostered 11-6 but got home at 22.50 as they were so busy and needed to prep for the 700 covers they have booked today between 12 and 4.30pm. He starts again at 10am this morning, and although they have said he'll be done by 6.30 I don't believe that so he will more than likely miss our family meal.

So all of you paying £85 a head for Christmas lunch in a very standard chain pub, thanks for that.

Totally appreciate that some people have to work and we are all grateful to the police, fire, midwives etc. But going out for your Chrtistmas lunch is not essential.

I agree. It’s almost as bad as those who get sick and need medical treatment or need emergency services on Christmas Day - it’s disgusting selfish behaviour 🧐

FreyjaOfTheNorth · 25/12/2025 16:17

Other jobs are available.

HTH.

RachelGreep87 · 25/12/2025 16:16

You could have had your Christmas dinner at 9 am to include everyone.

Roobarbtwo · 25/12/2025 16:13

Maverickess · 25/12/2025 15:28

Thing is though, as a customer are you willing to pay more, or accept a lower standard so that breaks and finish times can be observed - or is that not your problem as a customer?
Because the customers are the ones who pay for the service, and ensuring staff are treated fairly comes at a financial cost.
If all hospitality staff tomorrow worked to 'rule' you'd be seeing prices increasing or standards dropping because it costs money. But if people can't or won't pay more for the service then it runs on the staff working through their breaks and past their finish times.
Would you be happy as a customer in a restaurant at any time of year to be kicked out or to be refused a dessert, or be told you needed to be out by X time because the staff are going home, or wait an extra half an hour for your meal because chef is on his break? Likely not, and you'd be expecting that break or finish time to be covered with no drop in service- but of course that means another member of staff who needs paying - which ultimately comes from the customer.

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It shouldn't be one or the other. Staff should be treated fairly and they are legally entitled to breaks. If this employer isn't giving them they are breaking the law. It is completely unreasonable that a half six finish becomes an 11pm finish

I'm surprised that the OP isn't more upset at her son's working conditions than the fact that people choose to eat out on Christmas day

BrightLightTonight · 25/12/2025 16:06

Well, I have just got back from a lovely restaurant meal. I am definitely not lazy, but after 28 years hosting my (now 96 year old) mother without any family support, I decided that this year I would take the easier option.

Seagullstopitnow · 25/12/2025 16:02

He sounds like an amazing young man, he's going to do well in life.

I have eaten out for Christmas twice, I won't do it again as it was quite frankly overpriced and underwhelming, BUT we tipped over double the amount we would normally to thank the (mostly young) staff that were working that day.

They appreciated ut.

Golightly133 · 25/12/2025 15:59

My daughter is an assistant manager in a large pub chain we had Christmas dinner 2 weeks ago with all the family as she always ends up with a warmed up dinner, hospitality is
what it is, he chose this job I try not to put any pressure on her as she is busy enough x