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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wish there was some way to ban shops from starting their sales on Boxing Day

231 replies

Daisysbear · 08/12/2015 13:39

Yet again, unfortunate shop staff will have to turn up for work at crack of dawn on boxing day to deal with the throngs crowding in for the sales.

Years ago, it was just understood that the shops stayed closed for a couple of days after Christmas. Customers survived forty eight hours away from retail therapy, staff got a proper Christmas break, and we were all forced off the shopping treadmill for a couple of days.

AIBU to wish it was mandatory for all shops (except small corner shops etc selling essentials) to stay closed for at least one day after Christmas to stop all the frenzied buying.

ps I know this wouldn't really work in an increasingly multi-cultural and secular society, but it would just be nice if it could.

OP posts:
Leelu6 · 08/12/2015 18:53

ps I know this wouldn't really work in an increasingly multi-cultural and secular society, but it would just be nice if it could.

I wouldn't say it's due to a multi-cultural society. It's all about making money and nothing to do with different cultures.

Buxtonstill · 08/12/2015 19:00

I don't celebrate Christmas. I love the triple time I will be paid on Boxing Day.

ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO · 08/12/2015 19:03

Op I am a big advocate to change sunday trading hours, however I agree with you re boxing day, its a real shame.

Owllady · 08/12/2015 19:05

As if people need to go out and buy food on boxing day when they've spent the previous month stocking up and over spending on food/drink!:o

Lots of non Christians celebrate Christmas, myself included!

I think they should stay closed too but they've been opening for donkey years (another who used to work in retail ) so I doubt anything will change, even if we moan about it. The best way to get them to 're think is to stay at home and don't take part in the buying process.

Badders123 · 08/12/2015 19:06

A lot of shops are opening New Year's Day next year.
I have never gone shopping on boxing day and never would.
It staggers me to see the shoppers grabbing trolley loads of stuff when the shops open again on Boxing Day! Surely you can manage 24 hours?
One year the small co op where I lived opened for 4 hours on Xmas day.
Never happened again so I assume they had no customers!

Andrewofgg · 08/12/2015 19:10

The current government has shown no inclination whatsoever to interfere with the desires of big business

Neither did the Coalition and neither did Blair/Brown. They all prefer the interests of the consumer. Good thing too: that's all of us.

There is no way to stop online trading 24/7/365 - nobody is going to force the banks to charge extra for Bank Holiday trading - and that is already an unlevel playing field. Competition from the bricks and mortar shops must not be further restricted.

DaisyBear If there were no broadcasting - or perhaps just one radio station with recorded music and a few news bulletins - a lot more staff would not have to work either. If the petrol stations had to close so we could only travel one tanks-worth of fuel, that's more people having a rest. Where do you want to stop? Pubs? Restaurants? Or indeed churches?

MiaowTheCat · 08/12/2015 19:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Andrewofgg · 08/12/2015 19:19

Miaow Boxing Day as in 26/12 or the Boxing Day holiday as in 28/12?

Either way good luck - it will be hell.

mysteryfairy · 08/12/2015 19:23

I'm sure it's not that many years ago that nothing opened on Boxing Day in the uk. I think within the lifetime of my 20 year old DS the Next sale didn't start until 27th. I also think Marks and John Lewis didn't open on Boxing Day in past years.

I'll be interested to see what happens next year when 26th falls on a Sunday. Will retailers launch sales when they can only do six hrs and no stupid o'clock start? Or will we get an extra day?

PuppyMonkey · 08/12/2015 19:29

Are we not allowed to go on MN on Boxing Day either? I assume someone from MNHQ will need to come in to keep it running, so obviously you'll be against that too op.

And we better not watch telly either. Same reason.

Or read the DM online, as journalists will have to work over Christmas.

Or go to restaurant.

Or pub.

Or cinema.

Or use phone for doing that frivolous chatting thing.

Or does your annoyance only apply to retail?

Andrewofgg · 08/12/2015 19:52

mysterfairy 26 December next year is Monday, it being leap year. You will have to wait till 2020 to see what happens on Sunday 26 December!

Adelecarberry87 · 08/12/2015 20:00

Guys your all moaning about shops being open xmas eve and boxing day but some people carers,nurses, doctors have to work christmas day and get minimal time with family.

coffeeisnectar · 08/12/2015 20:24

I think some are missing the point.

After weeks of frenzied shopping it's baffling that anyone would feel the need to go back out first thing on boxing day, to buy yet more stuff.

Doctors, nurses, carers are not really the same. That's an essential role. My dd works p/t in McDonald's but will be going on to be a paramedic after uni. I fully expect her to be working unavoidable hours and shifts as it comes with the job, it's a role that's on a par with all emergency services and no one can go into that job and not realise this. We need these people. We need this service.

We do not need the shops open on boxing day.

Andrewofgg · 08/12/2015 20:32

coffeeisnectar What is essential? Public transport? Petrol? The AA? Broadcasting? Pubs and restaurants? Newspapers? Fresh food in the shops the first morning they are open?

We would not die without these things but we expect them, don't we?

BackforGood · 08/12/2015 20:37

YANBU at all OP.
It's not even about celebrating Christmas - it's about letting the poor retail staff have a couple of days off together after their busiest month of the year.

I don't get the 'supply and demand' argument either, because if all shops were shut on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, then no shops would be losing out to their opposition, and no shopper would be 'beaten to a bargain' by any other mad person as nobody would be buying anything on the two BHs.

I don't even see the argument for needing 'essential' shops open. If you are disorganised enough to not have a particular item in your house, you aren't going to collapse for lack of it for 48 hours.

PuppyMonkey · 08/12/2015 20:47

So Coffee, you won't be going on MN or watching any telly over Christmas?Smile

ItsaTenfromSanta · 08/12/2015 20:53

The joys of working in retail:(

This year it's my turn to work.

It's not only Boxing Day, the run up to Christmas is sale prep, which means three night shifts till 6am and then a 5am start on Boxing Day

I'll get to see my husband for about four hours in the week running up to Christmas

HelenaDove · 08/12/2015 22:04

mystery next year Boxing Day will be on a Monday Its a leap year.

HelenaDove · 08/12/2015 22:14

My experience of retail over Christmas was many years ago. Every member of staff used to be searched before leaving at the end of the day yet this employer didnt show as much care for their staffs property and provided lockers that didnt lock.
Christmas Eve was particularly lovely. I entered the staff room to find my bag and its contents strewn all over the floor.

I reported it and the assistant manager asked if anything was missing I said "no it doesnt look like it" They said "Well it doesnt matter then." Yep if only these hypocrites had had as much regard for the staffs property as they did their own.

I phoned my bank who advised me to cancel my bank card the same day (Christmas Eve) just in case someone had copied down the numbers So no card over Christmas. Retail at Christmas really is fab Hmm

Owllady · 08/12/2015 22:21

I posted this on the other thread yesterday but when i used to run boxing days, most people used to come in to bring broken stuff back, or stuff they didn't want and whilst they were at it, they'd tell you you'd ruined their christmas :o

Mehitabel6 · 08/12/2015 22:26

I would love to ban it. I refuse to go out shopping on Boxung Day and think the staff should have a rest. No one needs the shops open. Those that insist on opening at some unearthly hour should be boycotted- utterly ridiculous!

RebootYourEngine · 08/12/2015 22:37

I worked in retail for years and hated christmas because i could never relax on christmas day and i didnt really see my ds because id be working past his bedtime christmas eve and then he would be at mums on christmas night coz i needed to be at work for 5am on boxing day.

I am so glad that i no longer work in retail. This year i have a few days off around christmas and i can not wait.

FretYeNot · 08/12/2015 22:53

Triple time? Wow. We get time and a half. Or did, I've heard rumours of normal hours and normal wages this year. They already scaled down the bonus. To zilch for most of us.

CreepingDogFart · 08/12/2015 22:55

OP my nephew's birthday is Boxing Day and YANBU- people need to chill out and enjoy calmness if possible and family if possible.

Footle · 08/12/2015 22:56

My daughter in law tries every year to get Boxing Day off. She's on a zero hours contract for 6 months of the year ( works elsewhere the other 6 ) which is convenient for her but gives her no leverage about holidays. We can only have Christmas with them by going there, as they have no time to get to us and back again.
Thanks Debenhams.

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