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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be sickened with the commercial greed on boxing day

64 replies

pinkmagic1 · 27/12/2011 17:28

I love to shop and love a bargain as much as the next women but was saddened that more shops than ever opened their doors on boxing day and some at the crack of dawn. I felt so sorry for the shop workers as I have worked in retail and understand the pressure some may have been put under to work even when they didn't really want to. I think it is getting really greedy and sad if shops can't shut for just 2 days in the entire year and let their staff celebrate Christmas with their families. I didn't enter a shop yesterday out of principle. What do others think about boxing day opening?

OP posts:
Winkly · 27/12/2011 17:31

YANBU. January sales used to be in January. If it could wait til now it can wait another week, and that applies to those who don't celebrate Christmas also.

scentednappyhag · 27/12/2011 17:32

There was a similar thread a few days ago?
I feel sorry for people who had to work and didn't want to, but at the same time I appreciated having some escape time wandering around the shops yesterday. Not everyone celebrates Christmas, so I don't see much of a moral dilemma either. I'm sure there are plenty who'd agree with you though.

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/12/2011 17:32

I don't care if they open but why so early? I feel for the staff who have to be there at 5am. I've worked a lot of Christmases. It would be the early start after Christmas that would annoy me.

troisgarcons · 27/12/2011 17:34

Nothing was open round here (other than mini-marts) even the mall was closed. I live in London. Bugger all open today either.

SuePurblybiltbyElves · 27/12/2011 17:34

I heard on the radio that they had to close entire main roads near Bicester Village outlet shopping because people had parked all over them. I did hoik the JPs a little then, I must admit.

theincredibequeenofwands · 27/12/2011 17:35

I have to work Christmas (nursing). My partner (shop manager) also had to work yesterday. Neither of us minded.

If people don't want to work Christmas hours then they have the choice of working elsewhere, it's up to them.

I went to the shops yesterday for some bits and bobs before I went to work myself.

I don't see the big deal.

scentednappyhag · 27/12/2011 17:36

Don't get me wrong, the 'aggressive shoppers' are terrifying Grin

Tee2072 · 27/12/2011 17:36

It has very little to do with consumer greed and everything to do with the economy. Shops are fighting for every pound of revenue and will open as and when they need to be to gain the edge.

Anniegetyourgun · 27/12/2011 17:45

Shopping on Boxing Day is just wrong. It's a day for chilling out, playing with any presents that aren't broken yet, slowly digesting the far-too-much you ate yesterday, later on eating turkey sandwiches and the remains of the chocolate log, and if you're the energetic type or have dogs who need exercise, going for a short brisk walk nowhere in particular. Popping a brick in your handbag, sharpening the elbows and marching off to do battle in shops can surely wait for the New Year.

Winkly · 27/12/2011 17:45

Yeah but they wouldn't find an advantage in opening if not for people buying. I've worked at Christmas in retail and.in emergency services and leave you to guess which of the two I resented.

slavetofilofax · 27/12/2011 17:45

I don't think shops should be shut for the sake of the workers, there are plenty of people who have to work over Christmas. It's just part of certain jobs.

I do think it's ridiculous that they open so early, there is no need for that at all. And I'd prefer it if the sale didn't start on boxing day so that people didn't clog up the road in a desperate bid for a bargain because it means that those of us who do want to visit family get stuck in horrendous traffic.

It's nice for the shops to be open for some people though, I was glad that the year I had to spend boxing day alone becaue my dc went to their dad that I could at least have a girls day at the shops with another single mum friend.

ilovesooty · 27/12/2011 17:50

Not everyone has family to do things with on Boxing Day.

And I agree with the person who said that with the economy in the state it is shops probably need all the opening hours they can get.

lljkk · 27/12/2011 17:52

We were in Norwich city centre today & it was brisk trading (DD was desperate to spend Xmas money, luckily all done in one shop). I felt for the staff everywhere we went, they seemed so rushed off their feet, I can remember being young worker & glad for the hours myself, but I hope most customers were polite & understanding of delays.

Omgomgomgomg · 27/12/2011 17:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mandy2003 · 27/12/2011 18:00

All the shops in the town centre may well have been open yesterday and today but as there are no buses I've got no way of finding out Xmas Sad

dreamingbohemian · 27/12/2011 18:01

But WHY are people shopping on Boxing day? Didn't everyone just get their presents? What could you possibly need to buy?

I'm not much for shopping so freely admit I Just Don't Get It.

NinkyNonker · 27/12/2011 18:01

Yanbu, but just avoid avoid avoid...but those who want to (would rather extract my own eyeballs with a spoon tbh) can.

ilovesooty · 27/12/2011 18:03

dreamingbohemian I didn't get any presents.

I bought myself a pair of shoes and a pair of boots yesterday. I was actually in Amsterdam and nearly all the shops were open.

FellatioNelson · 27/12/2011 18:04

I completely and totally agree with you OP. Sickening is the right word. And slightly pathetic.

LaurieFairyCake · 27/12/2011 18:08

I don't think it's sickening in this recession - there will be some people who needed new things and could only afford them in the sale and have been waiting to buy them Sad

dreamingbohemian · 27/12/2011 18:10

sooty but is it a holiday there?

I'm in France and the shops were open, but as it wasn't a holiday it wasn't totally mobbed.

I have no problem with the shops being open really, I just don't understand why thousands and thousands of people all want to spend their precious holiday hours in such crowded shops.

Sorry about the presents though, hope you like your new boots... Amsterdam has gorgeous shops if I remember right Smile

chubbybunny · 27/12/2011 18:11

yanbu and hamleys can piss right off for sending a Christmas Day sale email.

ilovesooty · 27/12/2011 18:13

Yes, it's a holiday in Holland too, but as Amsterdam's a tourist city I expect things open on public holidays as a matter of course. Boots are lovely thanks Grin

itsstartingtofeelalotlikexmas · 27/12/2011 18:14

People shop because they get cash for Xmas - teenagers for example

Why shouldn't the shops open for those who don't celebrate Xmas?

I do feel the 5am start is ridiculous though, I hope the staff are paid double time or something

SugarPasteChristmasCake · 27/12/2011 18:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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