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.

It's 2 days over Christmas Stewie. The shops have been open today.

YANBU. I think it really really sad that after all the frenzy of the pre-christmas rush, people are totally incapable of staying out of the shops for two bloody days

^that

They all do a service for their community herbie. They are not feeding the consumerit culture in the UK.

YANBU, DH is a supervisor at a garage and they are open 365 days a year - he is working for 5 hours tomorrow.

YANBU

No, they get paid for it!

well dp and i are just about to start out annual camp outside the local branch of next, ready for the 6am boxing day sale

yanbu, I wish they would close, feel for staff that have to work

There's no need for the 'FFS' just because you don't agree herbie!

And herbie, im pretty sure that all servicemen/women etc are quite aware of the demanding nature of their choosen career choice.
It sucks yes, but it has always been that way for the services, it will never change.
However we can all remember a time when shops were closed on sundays, and closed at 5pm and they were closed on the BH.
It has all changed because we have all got greedy and demand to have permenant access to shops online or for them to be open instore.
The world wouldn't colapse if we reverted back to the old opening schedules.

My shop is closed for 1 day this year, tomorrow, we are open very early, and close 8pm, 7 days a week, if someone phones in sick we are pressured to cover etc, so some people are working ridiculous hours, for not good pay.
We are never guarnteed 2 days off together because we are all on 5 out of 7 day contracts etc.

Just because some people are in a worse situation, herbie, doesn't mean that shops should be open. The bigger picture is that, as others have said, we have become obsessed with shopping, as a country. It's not just about acquiring what we need any more, it's a way of life, a hobby, and I find it really weird.

I'm sure the shops make plenty of money, but I personally find it sad that people would rather be out shopping than relaxing at home for a couple of days.

Maybe people are skint - I know I am - but I'm still having Christmas. You don't NEED money to have Christmas, you know!

The point is that Boxing Day is a bank holiday, and I personally think that non-essential services should be closed.

It is worth it to the shops, but more often than not the people working in them arn't being paid more for working on a BH, and have had only 1 day of for christmas day.
Oh, and just to balance out your statement about people on benifits wanting to work right now,, ive had to do 3 x 12hr shifts at work because some guy on benfits decided that he didn't want the extra hours becuase he would have to pay more of his rent this month etc.
That has meant i haven't put my son to bed for 3 nights, nor have i seen him in the morning because i have to leave home at 4am to get to work on time, whats the point of me working to pay for christmas if i don't get to enjoy being with my son over a few days?

It wasn't forseen that everyone in retail would eventually end up not ever being able to book a holiday from november to january.
TBH herbie, im not persuded by your argument, it has always been this way, you are part of the services, then if your needed your needed.
My dad is from a military family, my grandad was chief of police, and my other grandad a fireman, i know how it is growing up without all your family around, but we were raised to accept that their jobs we for a higher cause, and that they were away protecting all of us, family, and the UK.

You sound quite bitter about your situation, i don't blame you, but retail isn't on the same scale as the services in comparison of importance, i don't see why you are comparing them.

Sunday closing a good thing? What are you talking about? Talk about rosy tinted glasses!

I remember my mum having to trundle around shop after shop for hours, multiple days, when we were kids to get everything the family needed, usually after school whilst my dad was still at work.

Sunday closing only works if you have a stay at home parent to go to the bank / do shopping and household chores whilst things are open during a working week.

It's bad enough having a GP surgery / dentist that's only open very strict times, but we just about manage it (taking half days here, half days there between us).. if DH and I had to fit in haircuts, Dr appointments, post office stuff, paying bills, buying presents, buying DCs shoes/school uniforms, going to the bank... all fitted into the working week, I've no idea how a modern family structure would fit it all in.

Actually, it's one reason why I'm in the process of changing my bank at the moment - the branch near to us doesn't open at the weekends, and as far as I know never has/never will - and neither DH nor I work continuously / reliably near one, which has always made dealing with any problems a total pain. So I'm off to find a bank that's not stuck in the 1950s and realises that the majority of families doesn't have a SAHM to do household chores in the 9.15am - 5pm Mon-Fri timeslot they're open... which is when DH and I are usually at work.

BUT herbie, they all know this when they join the forces, and you know when you end up in a relationship with them, why do you think i always said i would never marry a service man?
I've lived with not seeing dad, uncles, grandads etc.
The point i am trying to make to you is, that the requirements of service people have always remained the same, always.
Retail has changed dramatically, and in an extremely unfair way to the people at the bottom rung.
I didn't always have to work like this, but when i changed jobs my contract was different, if i didn't sign it, i didn't get the job, and i didn't qualify for anything else.
I feel sorry for your situation and your friends, but it doesn't make me feel any different, or humble. sorry, i just can't get emotional about that environment anymore.

But fifteenfiftyfive, the vast majority of stuff can be bought on the internet now. Bills/banking can also be done online. I hardly ever go to the shops any more. OK, some people don't have the internet or don't want to use it, but in 20 years time, that won't be the case.

I don't think you NEED a stay at home parent any more to be able to get everything you need in life.

In any case, what on earth are people buying on Boxing Day?

I remember my mum having to trundle around shop after shop for hours, multiple days, when we were kids to get everything the family needed, usually after school whilst my dad was still at work.

Shops are open 24 hours a day now and with on line shopping etc it is so different than the days you talk about.

People could operate their lives if shops were shut on Sundays and if you couldn't then you should not be allowed to live on your own.

The argument above with the police, firemen and military 'v' shopworkers is just plain daft.