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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:
BennyHenny · 25/12/2025 09:56

Our teens have worked on Christmas Day over the years, we just adjusted timings accordingly for the dinner and carried on as normal with the rest of the festivities.

And OP, are you saying you’ve never once in your life gone out for a meal or a drink on an occasion that 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?!

Lemonyyy · 25/12/2025 09:56

The pub will be bringing in a huge amount of money this week, which will get them through leaner times in January. Otherwise you’d be on here whinging about your son being let go from his job in a month!

Christmas changes quickly at that age, over the next few years he could be working, travelling, with a partner’s family….best to enjoy spending Christmassy time together rather than specifically Christmas Day.

ilovesooty · 25/12/2025 09:56

katepilar · 25/12/2025 09:48

I find the whole concept of restaurants open weird, where I am places close for Christmas.

Well there are plenty open here. I'm going out for a curry with a friend and her family. £37.50 for the set menu - very reasonable I think.

xxxwd · 25/12/2025 09:55

This is one of the most mental things I’ve ever read on here!

SergeantWrinkles · 25/12/2025 09:54

Bloody hell op. THAT’s quite the take! I’ve worked. Christmas Day before! It’s a pub not the gulag. Get a grip!

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.

PodMom · 25/12/2025 09:54

mydogisthebest · 25/12/2025 09:49

You like shit food then?

Show quote history

Wow, read between the lines. Maybe they’ve had a bereavement?

also, maybe they are sensible enough to go somewhere which doesn’t serve shit food. 🤷‍♀️

I cook a decent roast but I’m perfectly happy with the roast dinners at some local establishments, others not so much. So i only go to the decent ones.

RudolphTheReindeer · 25/12/2025 09:54

If he CHOOSES to do over his 8 hour contract that's up to him isn't it. Nothing do with anyone else.

BCBird · 25/12/2025 09:54

Jackiepumpkinhead · 25/12/2025 09:17

Possibly one of the most ridiculous posts I’ve seen this year.

I agree. He does not have to work there. If you knew he was going to.busy why not do a Christmas dinner on a different date so he can attend?

Evaka · 25/12/2025 09:53

OP you're being uber crazy.

WildFlowerBees · 25/12/2025 09:53

You’ll be such good company today with all the anger and bitterness oozing out of you. You can’t change it, you now have a choice sulk or make the best of it and have another lovely dinner with your ds when he’s not working and make the day special for him.

Heronwatcher · 25/12/2025 09:53

Good grief how awful for your son being forced to work unpaid for all of those lazy, work shy sprout peeling avoiding bastards. I’d be calling the police as this sounds like modern slavery. If only he had agency over his own choices…oh wait…

ohidoliketobe · 25/12/2025 09:52

This busy period is potentially keeping the pub open during a tricky time for hospitality. Which in turn will keep his colleagues, many of which will have families to support and bills to pay, in employment.
Well done your son on his work ethic.

ilovesooty · 25/12/2025 09:52

katepilar · 25/12/2025 09:42

Not sure why you are getting the nasty replies. Yes, it is ridiculous.

Why?

Hibernatingtilspring · 25/12/2025 09:51

OP you might want to teach your child about employment laws and boundaries. Though I'm my experience teenagers are often happy just to have the chance to earn some extra cash.

Would you prefer it if everyone stayed away from the pub and they were let go because there wasn't enough work?

lelosalamanca · 25/12/2025 09:51

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 had 6 months knowing this, why the temper tantrum now?

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".

Original poster
SheinIsShite · 25/12/2025 09:50

aperollingintotheweekend · 25/12/2025 09:48

Entitled much. He doesn’t HAVE to work the shifts, seems he is happy to do so. Perhaps I can see why…

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.

OP posts:
everywhereeverything1 · 25/12/2025 09:50

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.

On reflection I think you’re getting a lot of stick. It’s a tough one the first year, but you’ll find ways around it to make sure you all enjoy the season

mydogisthebest · 25/12/2025 09:49

EmpressaurusKitty · 25/12/2025 09:49

You’re one of those unimaginative people. We’ve got very good reasons for going out for Christmas dinner this year.

Show quote history

You like shit food then?

lelosalamanca · 25/12/2025 09:49

You are being extremely precious and ridiculous.

Your son is admirably working very hard over Christmas in an industry that he knew full well would be open during Christmas when he took the job.

Loads of us have worked over Christmas (including myself as I worked in healthcare). It's not the end of the world, you just adjust your meal times accordingly.

How about instead of throwing a toddler tantrum, you teach him that its wonderful he is working so hard, that you are proud of him, and that his family will happily move dinner around so he can enjoy Christmas.

Or, you could just continue sulking and pouting and being a misery for the rest for the day.

The choice is yours...

Original poster
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.

OP posts:
EmpressaurusKitty · 25/12/2025 09:49

mydogisthebest · 25/12/2025 09:46

Personally I can't understand why anyone would go out for Christmas dinner. Roast dinners are never the same in pubs, restaurants etc. Horrible roast potatoes, often frozen yorkshire. YUK.

You’re one of those unimaginative people. We’ve got very good reasons for going out for Christmas dinner this year.

katepilar · 25/12/2025 09:48

I find the whole concept of restaurants open weird, where I am places close for Christmas.

aperollingintotheweekend · 25/12/2025 09:48

Entitled much. He doesn’t HAVE to work the shifts, seems he is happy to do so. Perhaps I can see why…

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