Page 8 | To think it’s ridiculous that an extra Bank Holiday has been announced in Scotland because they’ve qualified for the World Cup?

Butterflyfluff · 2026-02-13T16:20:06+00:00

Just that really? What if every country who qualifies decided to do this? What about other sports?

falalalalalalalallama · 13/02/2026 17:48

Butterflyfluff · 13/02/2026 16:31

I just don’t understand why a sporting celebration requires a Bank Holiday - they cost the economy, and in particular small employers, a fortune.

It’s fine saying only government employees get it but then private employers are the bad guys.

And why does this particular achievement deserve one more than other achievements?

Edited

Do you have any idea how huge this is in Scotland?!

They haven't qualified for the world cup since 1998. For a huge number of the population, this will be the first time they have ever got to see Scotland be in the tournament.

Most years they have to endure the national telly going on and on about the world cup as if England is the only country in the UK that matters.

This year, Scotland being in the world cup is immense!!

Even if they lose every game, pretty much the whole country will be behind them. And if they win! Well the government are wise with the bank holiday idea is all I can say 😁

Evergreen21 · 13/02/2026 17:47

My dh is excited so are my kids. It is important to them. I had already decided not to work that day and if the schools are closed one of the two of us would have had to have the day off. I need to check with dh but presume he will have the day off so I have the option to work that day should I fancy it.

Blueunicornthistle · 13/02/2026 17:46

Butterflyfluff · 13/02/2026 17:30

No I don’t live in Scotland but my point has absolutely nothing to do with not getting a day off!

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So again we have to ask, what actual impact will it have on you, that it’s causing you such annoyance.

Even if you run a business (presuming England based) I really can’t see why you are so upset.

SerendipityJane · 13/02/2026 17:46

MrThorpeHazell · 13/02/2026 17:45

Not being in Scotland, I'm not really that bothered.

So you and the OP cancel each other out then.

MrThorpeHazell · 13/02/2026 17:45

Not being in Scotland, I'm not really that bothered.

Differentforgirls · 13/02/2026 17:42

SparkyBlue · 13/02/2026 17:29

When Ireland qualified for their first World Cup in Italia 90 during the Romania match in particular the entire country literally shut down. I’m not exaggerating at all. The factory where my mother worked closed at the workers own expense and most places did similar. And people have nothing but fond memories from it all.

Have you read “The Van” by Roddy Doyle”?

JustSomeWaferThinHam · 13/02/2026 17:39

The Scottish Women’s Football team qualified for the World Cup in 2019. I can’t seem to find any details of a bank holiday for that - they must be in there somewhere.

tedibear · 13/02/2026 17:36

Yes it’s ridiculous and there will not be many people getting an extra days holiday, let’s be honest. It will be some Scottish government staff. Businesses would have to pay for it if they did it too.

I live in Scotland and work for the government but it isn’t the Scottish government. We have offices in Scotland, England and Wales so I doubt we will be getting it off or there will be carnage!

Original poster

Butterflyfluff · 13/02/2026 17:35

PandoraSocks · 13/02/2026 17:32

So why are you so put out? Is it because Scotland is able to make its own decision?

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Oh my days! What kind of paranoia is that!

it’s not the country that is the issue - it’s the principle of doing something with such far reaching implications for such a spurious reason.

OP posts:

Arlanymor · 13/02/2026 17:33

IceOnTheLake · 13/02/2026 17:30

Elective surgery stops on bank holidays, of course it does.

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It honestly doesn't - it reduces, it doesn't stop. Unless a hospital is being run really inefficiently.

PandoraSocks · 13/02/2026 17:32

Butterflyfluff · 13/02/2026 17:30

No I don’t live in Scotland but my point has absolutely nothing to do with not getting a day off!

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So why are you so put out? Is it because Scotland is able to make its own decision?

IceOnTheLake · 13/02/2026 17:30

Arlanymor · 13/02/2026 17:19

So you think this is what happens for every bank holiday do you? Operations stop? The police stop policing? That is in no way the real world.

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Elective surgery stops on bank holidays, of course it does.

Original poster

Butterflyfluff · 13/02/2026 17:30

SerendipityJane · 13/02/2026 17:28

Can I join the list of people curious as to whether you live in Scotland or not ?

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No I don’t live in Scotland but my point has absolutely nothing to do with not getting a day off!

OP posts:

SparkyBlue · 13/02/2026 17:29

When Ireland qualified for their first World Cup in Italia 90 during the Romania match in particular the entire country literally shut down. I’m not exaggerating at all. The factory where my mother worked closed at the workers own expense and most places did similar. And people have nothing but fond memories from it all.

PandoraSocks · 13/02/2026 17:29

Ninerainbows · 13/02/2026 16:29

Then they would have a day off work. So what? There will be no meteor strikes or giant sinkholes opening up.

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🤣

Arlanymor · 13/02/2026 17:29

igelkott2026 · 13/02/2026 17:22

They do when the bank holiday is decided at short notice. Operations will have already been scheduled and they'll have to be cancelled.

It's not like the bank holidays that happen every year that are scheduled around from the outset.

The police won't stop working but most of the NHS will.

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You mean postponed as opposed to cancelled? Which is what happens due to staff shortages and illness on a daily basis. I worked in hospitals for 15 years and had to deal with short notice stoppages - strikes! - and actually they were calmer and better times in the hospitals because we didn't get half as many walk ins and actually a lot more consultant-led care, because they would get extra money and it really made it worth their while. We had three tiers - emergency, urgent and routine. Some routine operations got postponed, but really not so many more than in an average week when staff were away due to illness or training or emergency leave - it's also only a single day after all - it's moving around one day's worth of planned procedures. Sad and surprised to hear if that has changed these days, although I appreciate I've not worked there for a while.

SerendipityJane · 13/02/2026 17:28

Butterflyfluff · 13/02/2026 17:27

I’m surprised that so many people think adding a random Bank Holiday in, at fairly short notice, for an extremely spurious reason, doesn’t affect anyone not living in that country.

It’s an absolute minefield for employers of any business with operations in Scotland, for a multitude of reasons. Not least deciding if you are going to honour the date or not.

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Can I join the list of people curious as to whether you live in Scotland or not ?

Differentforgirls · 13/02/2026 17:28

EnterQueene · 13/02/2026 16:49

I think it is typical SNP nonsense, pandering to the saltire painted faces lowest common denominator.

I hope the Scottish Government also provide additional investment for domestic abuse support. Alcohol fueled abuse of women increases significantly when Scotland lose - as they will.

It’s a day off!

Original poster

Butterflyfluff · 13/02/2026 17:27

whattheysay · 13/02/2026 16:56

What difference would it make to you what a country you don’t live in does?

I’m surprised that so many people think adding a random Bank Holiday in, at fairly short notice, for an extremely spurious reason, doesn’t affect anyone not living in that country.

It’s an absolute minefield for employers of any business with operations in Scotland, for a multitude of reasons. Not least deciding if you are going to honour the date or not.

OP posts:

MrsBelindaMay · 13/02/2026 17:26

We had an extra bank holiday for the royal wedding. I wonder which event might be more unique and less frequent

Blueunicornthistle · 13/02/2026 17:24

Butterflyfluff · 13/02/2026 16:49

That’s going to backfire if it transpires that only public sector workers ending up getting it.

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Backfire in what way?

Do you really think someone who was planning to vote SNP in the May elections will suddenly decide not to because other people are getting some time off a month later?

Various NHS Scotland or Councils bodies already take public holidays (e.g September weekend or Fair weekend) that most people don’t get. The sky does not fall in.

bec81 · 13/02/2026 17:24

AnotherCuppaWillDo · 13/02/2026 17:11

No more ridiculous than getting a bank holiday when the Queen died or when Will & Kate got married. Good luck to the Scots! It means a lot to so many of them

Exactly what i was going to say. When I lived in England I happily took the day off for some queen celebration. She might have turned 70, or been queen for 70 years or something. As a proud Republican Irishwoman, I have no interest in celebrating the queen or her family, but enjoyed the day off nonetheless.

PandoraSocks · 13/02/2026 17:23

igelkott2026 · 13/02/2026 17:18

If that was aimed at my comment, well it's true isn't it?

But it's not just in Scotland that women get abused when the male football team loses, men in England are more than capable of coming home pissed and beating up their wives too (also when they win).

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I know that happens. But what does that have to do with having a bank holiday? The abusers will abuse whether there is a BH or not.

igelkott2026 · 13/02/2026 17:22

Arlanymor · 13/02/2026 17:19

So you think this is what happens for every bank holiday do you? Operations stop? The police stop policing? That is in no way the real world.

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They do when the bank holiday is decided at short notice. Operations will have already been scheduled and they'll have to be cancelled.

It's not like the bank holidays that happen every year that are scheduled around from the outset.

The police won't stop working but most of the NHS will.

MoiraPlunkett · 13/02/2026 17:22

tigger1001 · 13/02/2026 17:13

Won't lie - I love that bank holiday! Am lucky enough we close for the Christmas break and it's great knowing not back until 3rd jan (or closest working day to it)

we actually don't close any other public holidays but would really miss that one lol

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Some years ago I worked in a team where everyone was Scottish apart from two of us. Jan 2nd was pretty grim for the two of us in England as we got the deluge of post Christmas work😫