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

He has chosen a job that potentially means working Christmas.

Everyone knows that when they take this kind of job so it was always the chance. I say that as a nurse who has worked wvery other Christmas, its part of the job

For some, going out for lunch or to a pub on Christmas day may be the only company they have. Or the only way they can have family all together if no room to host. Whatever the reason, people are entitled to use a service that is open

I hope with your attitude you don't use taxi's or takeaways or service stations on bank holidays as that would be pretty hypocritical...

One of the most ridiculous posts I've ever read!

Christmas is a bit ‘meh’ at his age. Maybe he’ll have more fun at work - the atmosphere will be amazing and he’ll have a laugh with all the other employees and the customers. Maybe it’s where he’d rather be!

I bet he doesn't mind. And I don't blame him.

What? Been at the sherry?

As your children grow into adults, Xmas evolves and changes.

They have friends, jobs, girl or boyfriends or interests/adventures that means they aren't necessarily going to be spending any of the Xmas period with you at all, let alone just skipping.

This is normal life. He has chosen to get a job and earn money. He might decide to go spend a few years living n Australia and not be around at all at Xmas in the future.

Don't be a bitter person bemoaning that your children aren't small and opening their presents on your bed any more and you aren't the centre of their world and more. He is growing up - that's life.

He chose to work in a pub.

I’m not going to disagree with you on Christmas Day but I’ll put another perspective - my partner works late shifts in a large supermarket warehouse. He only gets Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve off (every other year it’s Christmas Day, NYE, NYD). No extra pay. There are just the two of us, 60 years old. We live in a small flat and frequent a lovely local pub. They’re putting on a Christmas Day meal for the first time this year and we thought we’d try it. My partner has no resentment towards people buying food right up till Christmas, the only thing we regret is not getting better educations 😂

@SheinIsShiteyour son has a good work ethic to do all those extra hours and to step up when needed. I’d be proud of him.

Presuming he’s on a zero hours contract, he could refuse the shifts? Maybe he should be grateful of earning some extra cash?

I would be happy to have a 16 year old with a good work ethic. I have quite a few older friends who have recently suffered bereavement, some without children, they don't want to cook for themselves,so are going out today.. some cannot cook owing to health issues. I was nursing, mostly in hospitals,mil and sil used to say I couldn't be working...it was Christmas! I had one Christmas night off in 20 years.

I second that

One thing I will say for OP is that the first year my brother wasn’t home at Christmas it was a very tough adjustment.

Doesn’t mean any of us would have posted something like this though!!

I'm sure they can't compel him to work these extra hours? How does your DS feel about it? If he's ok with it, then all is good. If not, point him to the ACAS website and help him frame the right words to say 'no' politely to the extra hours.

At any rate, of course it isn't the fault of people who choose to eat out at Christmas. Are you actually the actual Grinch?

His hours are unlawful - he shouldn’t be working more than 8 hours a day and needs at least a 12 hour gap between shifts.

😂😂😂

...and then there are those elves...🤷‍♀️

It's one of the few days a year that many pubs make lots of money, by all means advocate for pubs closing at Christmas and other big occasions but don't expect them to survive it!

Exactly. I bet OP would be the first to complain if they shut over Christmas/NY then had to close permanently due to lack of profit. Then she'd be saying the owners didn't think it through properly and how unfair it is her boy had no job.

I agree. It’s my son took a job in hospitality but I don’t think he should have to work shifts I don’t agree with. Peak MN. 😂😂

He didn’t have to work today if he’s done his contracted hours already this week.

he didn’t have to take a job in a pub
you could have your Xmas day on another day entirely like tomorrow or at the weekend.

YABU.

It’s just my dad & me today, I’m vegetarian & he isn’t & his oven is crap, instead of going to all the hassle of cooking we’re going to the local pub for lunch.

Because they’re open & offering the service.

Would you rather the pub was empty all day & lost lots of money from it?

You're embarassing yourself OP

GROW UP. The caps were accidental but I'm going to leave it as I think it fits.

Your son isn't a little boy anymore. Christmas changes, and will keep changing as their lives grow.

You're in for a tough road ahead if you think tou can be Mama Bear forever more.

i am really looking forward to my lunch out, not in a place that does 700 covers though

Don’t be that mother OP.