AIBU to think that the shops should stay closed on Boxing Day and Christmas Day...

[PeaceofCakeAndGoodWineToAllMN]

...so that the staff can have 2 days off? I don't work in retail, my sister and friends do. Surely we can manage for 2 days without shopping so that they can have a rest? I know that this is part of their job, seems rather scrooge like to me though.

YANBU but the fact that the shops are heaving on Boxing day means a lot of people don't agree. Can't see the need for it myself.

Can't see the need for them being open I mean.

Yeah, they should close petrol stations, and restaurants and pubs, too. And no buses, trains and taxis either.Close hospitals, too!

There's no need other than to feed our consumer culture. Why get up at 5am to get to the Next sale for 6am? It's stupid.

Don't be daft, WidowWadman hospitals are obviously necessary. SHops aren't - everyone can manage without going for two days, surely? I'm a bit ambivalent about garages and pubs/restaurants - not sure we really need them either.

Well not everyone celebrates Christmas you know...... Other religions, cultures etc....

We don't need pubs/restraunts/garages to be open either. Have a little Christmas spirit and think of the staff! It's not the same as a hospital

You don't have to celebrate CHristmas to be able to stay out of a shop for 2 days! THe majority of those working in them do, so they deseerve the time off. SUrely?

My sister and my daughter work in retail, so my opinion is that YANBU. I would like to see the shops closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, a couple of days at New Year and also a return to Sunday closing. Retail workers are entitled to a life. They are under appreciated and under paid.

What did people do when the shops were closed on Sunday and Christmas Day was on Saturday/Monday?? People managed.

I'd like to know what kind of sad bastard wants to go sales shopping at Next at 6am on Boxing Day anyway.

John Lewis and fenwicks near us are closed boxing day.

Alrighty - but not everyone is Christian or into Christmas - so closed shops also imposed on those who are not into Christmas at all. Personally I don't go near a shop on boxing day, but wouldn't want to impose my choice on others.

It's the same argument as the one opposing 24h shopping or sunday opening times.

I will be up, and out at 5.45 for the next sale........

Quite right Rich. My sister is coming to visit next week, she's had to fit me in when she has the time off work. She only has Christmas Day off. She works in a card shop so it's not exactly going to be a huge problem if it's closed for a couple of days.

I have always thought it's really sad that all the sales start on Boxing Day - all those weirdoes standing in line to get in to buy shit Next clothes. When you've already probably spent a shitload of money on stuff you don't need, why the hell would you need to go out and buy more stuff?

Having said that, a lot of shops near me are open because where I live is a predominantly Muslim area - nothing wrong with that at all, I think it's the sales that bother me. The rampant consumer culture in this country really bothers me. I don't know how people can be arsed spending SO much over Christmas, getting all uptight cos they didn't get what they wanted and then go out shopping on Boxing Day too.

To drop dd off at work there!!

Honestly, I do not even GET why people go to the sales. You can buy everything cheap online anyway, so why bother?

Seriously, why do you want to shopping at 6am? The clothes at Next are horrific anyway.

Also, I believe that people work in shops will still get the occasional day off and don't work 365 days/year

I think needing to sale shop at that time is a bit sad, too, TheCrackFox especially just after Christmas. If I lived in a Muslim country I'd expect to have restaurants impose Ramadan (not picking on any religion, just an example). Some things should be imposed on those who don't want them - like the speed limit etc.

Aw, I feel sorry for your DD LittlestLightOnTheTree.

2 days over Christmas isn't really asking too much is it? Next clothes look cheap, I wouldn't want to shop there. They used to be really good quality, now they are just an expensive Primark. It's the hype which makes people get up at stupid o'clock to splash their cash at one of their sales.

YABU

YANBU, when I worked in retail it was bloody hard work, the madness of christmas eve last minute shoppers, then having to stay late to do all the sale markdowns then back in at 9am boxing day to deal with the crazed sale shoppers and moaning people returning stuff, an extra day off would have made a real difference.