Page 8 | To think eating out on Christmas Day is selfish

Grapefruitmelon · 2021-12-27T18:23:23+00:00

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.

Bigboysmademedoit · 27/12/2021 20:39

I’ve worked in a restaurant on Christmas Day. Come to work or don’t come back - no choice really. Totally miserable.

ilovesooty · 27/12/2021 20:39

So why did you name change for this thread and write 'waits to be flamed' then?

Cowardly and goady. I should have advance searched you before engaging with you.

2022beesknees · 27/12/2021 20:40

It's not selfish, no.

notimagain · 27/12/2021 20:41

@Grapefruitmelon..

I do think it is wrong, and a bit selfish. That doesn’t mean I think you personally are selfish, it is the action that is a bit selfish.

That’s the bit of your argument I don’t understand - the “selfish” comment.

Do you appreciate that at least some people may have no option other than to use a restaurant/cafe/Diner (delete as appropriate) on Christmas Day?

TooManyAnimals94 · 27/12/2021 20:43

Me and my now DH met working in a pub. We would have dinner after service and have a great time. Most pubs and restaurants are done by 5 so plenty of time to get home to your family for the evening.

Plus the tips were great.

ilovesooty · 27/12/2021 20:44

I certainly could have stayed at home. However I found it nice to get out. I've been completely on my own since Christmas Eve and will be until tomorrow night.

Original poster

Grapefruitmelon · 27/12/2021 20:45

Oh, I always NC Sooty. It’s just common sense, tbh. Obviously if you’ve no need to stress about privacy it’s different but I have a different username nearly every time I post. But you clearly think it’s a wind up thread so why not just report to MN? I’ve been around a while and I’m really just idly wondering. If it’s caused you any personal distress then I’m sorry for that, but I shouldn’t really have to not express a view because someone might be upset.

@notimagain I will be honest and say I struggle to see why someone would have to use a restaurant on Christmas Day, have literally no other option at all.

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2022beesknees · 27/12/2021 20:47

I had to use a restaurant on Christmas Day to visit someone who has terminal cancer and who wasn't really up to cooking and anyway, wanted to go out and do something special.

That's probably not a common occurrence and there will be many families and friends who simply want to not cook on Christmas Day.

needmoreshinys · 27/12/2021 20:48

I think it depends, having worked in retail, boxing day is miserable working.

You have to be in the shop till god knows when Christmas Eve to start setting up for the sales and then get in at whatever time in the morning on Boxing day to finish up, only to be generally abused, shouted at for ruining someone's kid's Christmas because a toy didn't work, while the next customer comes along to tell you its such a shame that you are working.

The retail businesses I have worked in, only open on boxing day if it is profitable, customers don't go to it, they wont open.

As such as a personal choice, I will not go into business on Christmas day or Boxing day as I don't agree with it.

But, there are going to be people who don't celebrate it for whatever reason, businesses with people who don't celebrate and they will want to open and as long as the staff are happy to be in, than that is great, but knowing the hospitality sector I bet alot of staff are faced with work or dont come back.

As for comparing hospitality to any of the emergency services, that is very different and a really stupid example to make, you are not going to die from not eating out for one day.

ilovesooty · 27/12/2021 20:48

I'm not upset at all.

I just don't care for your modus operandi. I won't say any more about what I think of it, except to say that this simply isn't transparent interaction with others. Of course you've made so sure you're operating within the rules, haven't you?

Moooning · 27/12/2021 20:50

How unbelievably narrow minded.

ListenToChickens · 27/12/2021 20:50

Totally agree, OP.

I've always thought this and would never eat out on Christmas Day.

tigger1001 · 27/12/2021 20:50

Considering hospitality have really struggled this year, I suspect they were desperate to get lots of custom for Christmas Day. Especially since Christmas parties were cancelled left right and centre.

I used to work in a bar when I was younger, and single. I always volunteered to work Christmas as otherwise I was on my own. I loved it. Was a great atmosphere where I worked and the tips certainly made it worthwhile.

Lots of people that came in for Christmas dinner lived on their own and said it really made a difference to them being able to be with people rather than in their house alone.

The word "selfish" is so overused these days, it's really lost all meaning.

Original poster

Grapefruitmelon · 27/12/2021 20:51

Right, and that’s awful, but again, possible to argue the reverse in a sense. I lost my mum as a teenager, and her cancer was diagnosed in January and she died by Easter. So that last Christmas emerged to be quite a precious one, and one I could easily have been required to work. I don’t think restaurants opening was such a thing in the late 90s, though.

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DaphneDeloresMoorhead · 27/12/2021 20:52

So, in the best MN fashion, OP refuses to accept the actual real life experience of posters who either work or have worked in hospitality saying they like working and is still convinced she knows better. Presumably never having worked a Christmas Day in her life.

Original poster

Grapefruitmelon · 27/12/2021 20:52

Well you sound pretty upset to me, Sooty, and now you’re doing a bit of posting within the rules yourself - troll-hunting-without-really-troll-hunting. Regardless, it’s the season of goodwill so I hope you enjoy the rest of your break.

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notimagain · 27/12/2021 20:52

@Grapefruitmelon

Oh, I always NC Sooty. It’s just common sense, tbh. Obviously if you’ve no need to stress about privacy it’s different but I have a different username nearly every time I post. But you clearly think it’s a wind up thread so why not just report to MN? I’ve been around a while and I’m really just idly wondering. If it’s caused you any personal distress then I’m sorry for that, but I shouldn’t really have to not express a view because someone might be upset.

@notimagain I will be honest and say I struggle to see why someone would have to use a restaurant on Christmas Day, have literally no other option at all.

So hate to labour the point about airline crew but they are as good an example as any and it’s the world I worked in so it’s a Christmas Day scenario I was very used to…

Let’s say they arrive down route (i.e. away from home to stay in company provided accommodation) in New York/London/where ever in the world late Christmas Eve and are not due to fly again for 24 hours or more….where are they meant to eat on Christmas morning/Christmas day lunchtime?

Original poster

Grapefruitmelon · 27/12/2021 20:53

No, I totally accept it Daphne, I haven’t once said I don’t.

But in fairness, while some might love it, others hate it, and as some have confirmed, often aren’t given a choice in the matter,

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ilovesooty · 27/12/2021 20:53

@tigger1001 good point about Christmas parties being cancelled. I imagine restaurants lost a lot of revenue there.

Original poster

Grapefruitmelon · 27/12/2021 20:54

Surely being in a restaurant alone on Christmas day surrounded by families would be completely miserable, @tigger1001

I spent a fair few christmases alone and I seriously can’t think of anything more depressing!

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Original poster

Grapefruitmelon · 27/12/2021 20:55

The government should have provided support to hospitality. Must have been awful.

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DaphneDeloresMoorhead · 27/12/2021 20:58

@Grapefruitmelon

No, I totally accept it Daphne, I haven’t once said I don’t.

But in fairness, while some might love it, others hate it, and as some have confirmed, often aren’t given a choice in the matter,

They do have a choice, they chose to work in hospitality. And to remain in the sector. When I chose to work in hospitality I knew it involved working Christmas, valentines, Easter, new year., Saturday nights.

DaphneDeloresMoorhead · 27/12/2021 20:59

@Grapefruitmelon

Surely being in a restaurant alone on Christmas day surrounded by families would be completely miserable, *@tigger1001*

I spent a fair few christmases alone and I seriously can’t think of anything more depressing!

But you aren't everyone OP. you seem to be struggling to accept that other people don't think the same as you tbh

Original poster

Grapefruitmelon · 27/12/2021 21:00

Well, having a job or not isn’t always a choice, and I don’t really like ‘,y poverty and not my will consents.’ Of course this extends to other areas of work, but Christmas is special to a lot of people.

Must put my copy of Christmas Carol away until next year!

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ilovesooty · 27/12/2021 21:00

Daphne it wasn't for me either. I agree with your assessment.