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Original poster

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

717 replies

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.

OP posts:
dottiedodah · 25/12/2025 10:05

Really OP .Catch a hold of yourself.Hes 16 and a good boy by the sounds of it.Would you really be happy if the pub was shut, and he didnt have a PT job?Lets hope he doesnt become a Doctor or Policeman in the future! Just take a chill pill and celebrate with a nice Roast Beef on his next day off.My own DS is at home today with his new wife .Coming tomorrow and Sunday ( DD BD meal out)

PoorUncleBarry · 25/12/2025 10:04

YANBU Op, people are just lazy 🤷‍♀️ He is your 16 year old child and I see why you're upset.

FairKoala · 25/12/2025 10:02

SheinIsShite · 25/12/2025 09:49

There are not a lot of part time jobs around here for 16 year olds with no work experience.

If it was so obvious if you thought for a moment that your children would struggle finding jobs and all the other issues your children have had over the years (which you have probably ignored) because you live miles from anywhere

Why didn’t you move or why did you move to somewhere so remote in the first place

It really can’t come as a shock to you

UxmalFan · 25/12/2025 10:02

Eh? DS is the one accepting the shifts.

Original poster
SheinIsShite · 25/12/2025 10:01

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Yeah that's just rude and unnecessary.

Merry Christmas to you too.

OP posts:
User34735278 · 25/12/2025 10:01

SheinIsShite · 25/12/2025 09:57

Well police are kind of essential services. As are nurses, fire fighters, air traffic controllers.

Nobody needs to go out for christmas lunch to a pub.

Show quote history

Nobody NEEDS to have Christmas dinner at exactly 1pm on Christmas Day either. It can be done on other days/times at home so your argument is kind of ridiculously pointless isn't it?

TheIceBear · 25/12/2025 10:01

I’m sorry but you are being absolutely ridiculous. I worked loads of christmas including Xmas day when I was a teenager because I worked as a carer. Did it spoil Xmas for my family that I worked ? No it didn’t because they are adults who just get on with it and understood what having a job means. I know that’s different than working in a pub but a job is a job. No one is forcing him to work there .

Glittertwins · 25/12/2025 10:01

Frynye · 25/12/2025 09:19

Im sure he’s grateful for the pay.

Mine certainly is, had a ball at work yesterday and has more shifts including NYE coming up.

Schoolchoicesucks · 25/12/2025 10:00

I'm sorry your DC will miss his Christmas meal with you. But surely you realise that you are being totally U to "blame" people for being too lazy to cook their Christmas meal. If everyone cooked their meals, your DC wouldn't have a job. And your 16 year old doesn't need a job, they want one.

Stop moaning and accept the result of the decisions you and your child have made. Enjoy your Christmas and I'm sure your DC will enjoy the Christmas wages and tips.

ilovesooty · 25/12/2025 10:00

Leavmealone · 25/12/2025 09:50

I agree with you OP. I'm amazed that shop staff should, apparently be entitled to Christmas Day off because "they're so busy and should be spending time with their families", yet those in hospitality are told "well you chose the job, so suck it up".

Shops are closed. Many pubs and restaurants aren't. The OP has known for months her son would be working.

PhantomOfAllKnowledge · 25/12/2025 10:00

We have taken my parents out for Christmas Dinner in the past - they live in a hoarded house so cooking Christmas dinner in it isn't practical, and they can no longer travel far enough for me to host them.

I take the view that you pay significantly more than what you'd pay as standard and my hope is that this is reflected in what the staff get paid for working such a premium shift; and I tip generously.

Justlostmybagel · 25/12/2025 09:59

SheinIsShite · 25/12/2025 09:57

Well police are kind of essential services. As are nurses, fire fighters, air traffic controllers.

Nobody needs to go out for christmas lunch to a pub.

Show quote history

Nobody needs a Christmas dinner at all.

RappelChoan · 25/12/2025 09:59

Hospitality needs to make a profit, which means offering something customers want. My home isn’t large enough for a family get together and so it makes sense to go somewhere that is.

ThatCyanCat · 25/12/2025 09:59

SheinIsShite · 25/12/2025 09:57

Well police are kind of essential services. As are nurses, fire fighters, air traffic controllers.

Nobody needs to go out for christmas lunch to a pub.

Show quote history

Nobody needs to have a roast at home on December 25.

Come on, you must realise you're being ridiculous.

ManyPigeons · 25/12/2025 09:59

Look it happens. Most of us have worked a Christmas Day once or twice when teenagers… your son wants the job and accepted the shift. I used to love working Xmas Eve and Xmas at his age because I’d take home hundreds in tips!

SapphOhNo · 25/12/2025 09:59

Yeah you probably need to grow up OP.

Ridiculous post.

Dollymylove · 25/12/2025 09:59

Good for your son, getting out there and earning some money rather than sat on his arse scrolling, or worse, hanging around with a gang of feral yobs.
Hes young and fit, hes got a good work ethic, he will go far
Stop bloody whinging and be proud of your son

FancyCatSlave · 25/12/2025 09:59

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Whaleandsnail6 · 25/12/2025 09:59

SheinIsShite · 25/12/2025 09:50

No, he does. He was told in August that everyone would have to wok as much as possible over the Christmas period because they are rural and find it hard to get staff. Saying "i'm off home" or "not working today" isn't an option.

Show quote history

So if you knew he would end up working Christmas and that will spoil your Christmas, why not celebrate a different day?

Im a nurse. I've worked every other Christmas for 20 years. We also have extended family a drive away so have always been flexible. Christmas day does not have to be celebrated on 25th, We've celebrated days before or days after so we can all be together and often have more than one "Christmas day"

Moltenpink · 25/12/2025 09:58

We used to fight over the Christmas shifts at that age, as we got double time and loads of tips. Hope your DS gets that too. It used to be a fun atmosphere too with champagne flowing behind the scenes (possibly not for a 16 yr old)…. Happy Christmas, hope he’s home soon x

BeQuirkyMintScroller · 25/12/2025 09:58

Meanwhile I'm here sparing a thought for my aunt whose son suddenly died a few weeks ago.

You have more to be grateful for than you think OP.

just move the dinner to a different time, it's what families up and down the country do.

pottylolly · 25/12/2025 09:58

The problem is you’re babying a 16 yo who’s working. If you want to baby your son don’t let him work, support him financially.

lelosalamanca · 25/12/2025 09:57

And OP, are you saying you’ve never once in your life gone out for a meal or a drink on an occasion that is can be celebrated at home - new year, Easter, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day etc - do you also think that’s lazy too and the staff serving you are hard done by?!

Of course she has. I bet then she wasn't hand wringing about the poor staff

ilovesooty · 25/12/2025 09:57

SheinIsShite · 25/12/2025 09:49

There are not a lot of part time jobs around here for 16 year olds with no work experience.

In that case he's lucky to have been able to secure one.

Original poster
SheinIsShite · 25/12/2025 09:57

frecklejuice · 25/12/2025 09:54

It’s the same with people needing the police on Christmas Eve, why can’t they all behave themselves. My bil is a police officer and was working nights last night so he missed Christmas Eve with his kids, how we all didn’t realise he would be working unsociable hours when he joined I have no idea 🙄 Bloody members of the public needing the police are a joke.

Well police are kind of essential services. As are nurses, fire fighters, air traffic controllers.

Nobody needs to go out for christmas lunch to a pub.

OP posts:
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