Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 12 13

Original poster

To think eating out on Christmas Day is selfish

320 replies

Grapefruitmelon · 27/12/2021 18:23

I know that there will be people who say they appreciate the extra money and tips and not everyone celebrates Christmas and not everyone has a family to spend it with and I hear all that.

But just the same, it does force some people to come to work who’d rather not.

OP posts:

Original poster

Grapefruitmelon · 27/12/2021 19:19

@Whataday198

Is it also selfish to eat out on Diwali, Rosh Hashannah, or during Eid?

I think if you moved to a predominantly Muslim country and tried to insist on people working over Eid, then that would be wrong.

I used to teach in an area with a large majority of children from Muslim backgrounds and INSET days would be arranged over Eid. So I do think you can be sensitive to peoples cultural backgrounds.

I get that doesn’t work as an exact comparison because most people probably aren’t practicing Christians, but I do think the more people who can have the day off, the better.

OP posts:

Giveaschitt · 27/12/2021 19:19

When I was younger I loved working Christmas day. It was at a hotel/country club, and was for a set number of hours as the hotel itself wasn't open, so they literally just did lunch. Everyone was in great spirits, we got masses of tips, paid handsomely, the lunch hours meant I got the morning at home opening presents etc, and my parents would then do Christmas Dinner when I got home early afternoon.
It was also entirely voluntary - we'd put our names down if we wanted to work it. They were never short of staff!

FruitMelange · 27/12/2021 19:22

I still get met with 'oh poor you working Christmas day' when it's my turn to work. And then these people go on to moan about cooking/family/stresses Christmas

I worked in a pub kitchen when my children were older, and I used to choose xmas day rather than boxing day. DH cooked the dinner for 3pm, I did a 4 hour shift at triple time and tips. Was very worth it!!
And a happy atmosphere.

WonderfulYou · 27/12/2021 19:22

YABU as not everyone celebrates Christmas or they enjoy being part of the celebrations and extra money etc.

However I do get your point as I don’t shop Christmas Eve, day or Boxing Day as I do feel the shops should be closed and people using them means they will stay open.

steff13 · 27/12/2021 19:23

What could go wrong on Christmas day?
Well your house could catch fire, the power could be cut off unexpectedly. Or, worst possible scenario, someone in your house may need to be blue-lighted to hospital. I could think of other scenarios but I won't bore you with them.

That poster was clearly being facetious.

errorcode010010010100010 · 27/12/2021 19:25

We ate out and spent £800 for 5 of us! The place was packed but they were only open from 12 until 5 so they had Christmas with their kids and got to go home early enough to enjoy the rest of the day. They didn't mind at all and were really enjoying the generosity of the tips and I've offered my services next year!

KurtWildesChristmasNamechange · 27/12/2021 19:27

It doesn't 'force' people to work. The rota is done in advance and those more willing to work Christmas will be given those days, and those who'd rather not will get the day off. It's also time and a half or even double time on Christmas Day, ensuring a good wage in January. People who work in hospitality know they'll be working over the festive period at some point or other.

PizzaCrust · 27/12/2021 19:28

I agree, it’s selfish. Same with people going into shops on Boxing Day.

There’s a big difference between healthcare work over the Christmas period (because it’s necessary), and the bloody Boxing Day sales. But, no, Brenda can’t wait to buy her shitty £10 sale “bargain” top for one more day.

KirkstallAbbess · 27/12/2021 19:29

Am chuckling at @fetchacloth seemingly missing @PumpOutTheBilge 's point completely 😂😂😂

I chose to work Christmas Day this year (not in hospitality).

Cakeofdoom · 27/12/2021 19:29

I ate out on on Xmas day, as I have for the past 3 years- my elderly mum doesn't like Xmas day at home since my dad passed away - for various reasons we can't do Xmas lunch at my house or hers. I could either spend several hundred quid at a local Independent pub or in Sainsburys.

I'm glad to be supporting my local pub which doesn't have to open and no one working there is forced to work on Xmas day. I couldn't give a shiny shit if you think I'm selfish.

KirkstallAbbess · 27/12/2021 19:30

@KirkstallAbbess

Am chuckling at *@fetchacloth seemingly missing @PumpOutTheBilge* 's point completely 😂😂😂

I chose to work Christmas Day this year (not in hospitality).

So I resent anyone patronising me saying I don't want to work it and it was somehow forced 🤷🏻‍♀️

gofg · 27/12/2021 19:30

Oh get over yourself! There are many people who work on Christmas Day, not just people in restaurants - should we say people who listen to the radio or watch TV are selfish, as people are working to keep those going? Is it selfish for people to want to go to church on Christmas Day - the vicar has to work? If there is a storm and your electricity goes out would you be happy to wait until after the holiday period to have it re-connected?

I’d never go out for dinner on Christmas Day I do think it’s pretty selfish to go to a restaurant. Fair enough essential key workers need to work but going out for dinner isn’t essential on Christmas Day.

Some people who choose to go out for dinner on Christmas Day don't have family to spend it with and maybe they like to be able to spend time with other people. You are the one being selfish, and if your teens aren't happy about having to work then maybe they shouldn't be in those jobs!!

tillytoodles1 · 27/12/2021 19:30

I've been out for Christmas Dinner twice and it wasn't nearly as nice as what I'd cook at home. On the plus side though, there was no mess at home to clear up and we gave the staff a good tip.
I've also spent Christmas and New Year in hospital and the staff were wonderful..

PizzaCrust · 27/12/2021 19:31

Also in a lot of places, working the Christmas period isn’t a choice. It’s expected.

I had to get up at 6am to go to work on Boxing Day. It’s not something I’d choose. Would have much rather been at home with my young kids. And I don’t get paid a penny more over Christmas than I do any other time 😂.

Lots of utterly clueless people on this thread.

Tropicaltutu · 27/12/2021 19:31

it had been open on the 25th the little swine would've done it for the ££ and to escape from my Christmas Traditions

I suspect this may be a more honest viewpoint. People working quite happily to get out of the ‘family Christmas’ and the person driving the family Christmas can’t say a thing or change it. Someone has to be blamed therefore the people using the service get it in the neck as being selfish!!

oldtableleg · 27/12/2021 19:32

dd earnt £260 for working Christmas day & another £180 on Boxing day. That's her rent for January ... she'd have been screwed if people 'altruistically' stayed at home.

Porfre · 27/12/2021 19:32

My brother in law got offered extra shifts on Christmas day and boxing day.
They were over run with staff offering to do the shifts and they had to share them out. He put his name down for both days but only got one day.

ImInStealthMode · 27/12/2021 19:33

When I was younger and working in restaurants we'd get triple time and more tips than we could carry on Christmas Day. We used to fight over who got to do the most hours.

YABU.

Annike4 · 27/12/2021 19:33

No, it doesn't force anyone to come to work who doesn;' want to, If you work in hospitality, you know full well you will be working over Christmas and New Year. I always did it, and loved it.

RainbowBabyForChristmasPlease · 27/12/2021 19:34

Well that would also mean having a heart attack on Christmas Day, breaking the law, or having your house burn down on Xmas day is selfish for the Paramedics, Drs, nurses, police officers and Firefighters who have to work Xmas day, and let's not forget midwifes and Carers too

gofg · 27/12/2021 19:34

I agree, it’s selfish. Same with people going into shops on Boxing Day.

While I agree that the Boxing Day sales are unneccessary you do realise that it isn't the shoppers forcing the shops to be open?

Waftypants · 27/12/2021 19:36

I agree OP. Unless of course its staffed by people who don't celebrate Christmas. But then again I'm old enough to remember the keep Sunday special campaign, of which i was supportive.

TomBradysLeftKneecap · 27/12/2021 19:36

You know not everyone celebrates Christmas, right? Do you just want them to sit at home watching bad tv?!

ImInStealthMode · 27/12/2021 19:37

Also, my parents went out on Christmas Day, to an Indian Restaurant near them. The owners and staff are more than happy to work over Christmas and New Year, Easter etc.

They do reduce their hours a bit during Ramadan and Eid.

Original poster

Grapefruitmelon · 27/12/2021 19:38

@TomBradysLeftKneecap

You know not everyone celebrates Christmas, right? Do you just want them to sit at home watching bad tv?!

Well, it’s a day off, isn’t it? And I do think an important day.

Perhaps I’ve been watching too much Dickens!

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 12 13