to think it is good that supermarkets/express/garages are all closed christmas day

[WillowTit]

i am sure in previous years shops would open for a couple of hours
discovered that we dont have enough wine but apart from premium overpriced stores shops are shut
and major garages too
i have enough petrol,
we will manage without the extra wine
i am glad the shops are shut
aibu

Just be careful you don't flush and block the waste pipes!

I think it’s selfish to go out for a meal / stay in a hotel over Christmas. Poor staff. Most of dds gap year friends are working all day today running after these lazy lumps. Thankfully dds restaurant closed today and tomorrow.

I remember the days when most retail outlets were shut on Sundays too. The sense of peace and people not rushing anywhere. Not for going to church, but just for us. We've lost something in making most days identical.

But the glitter....😃

Some people don't celebrate Christmas you know. Shops around me are open anyway 😁

That sounded so morally superior.
Things happen to throw plans awry.

Lovely for the many people working in retail who have the day off but as said above there are lots of people still at work.

I totally appreciate the staff who do work today in emergency services, hospitals etc

Perhaps it had something to do with the fact we did all stop going to church...

Why do you presume they don't want to be at work? I used to get double wage working in hospitality at Christmas

Where we used to live, the small electrical shop run by a couple of Asian brothers used to open for a few hours on 25th, they sold more batteries then than the rest of the year combined! They told me there were usually a few customers, men looking sheepish, waiting for them to open.

I've worked Boxing Day sales in a department store, absolutely loved it, it was triple time. We were asked New Year's Day or Boxing Day. New Year's Day was just double time so Boxing Day won, I then went out New Year's Day.

I hate the patronising of shop staff that goes on. They do get a choice to work, same with hospitality (I've done that too).

Lazy lumps? What a hideous attitude. What about people who have no family/friends to spend Christmas with and want a little treat or some company? Around where I live in London there are cafes and restaurants that open and actively promote lunches for people who are alone on Christmas Day and want some company. I suppose you imagine you'll never be in that position.

I agree, but you get so many posts on here insisting the staff are actually beside themselves with excitement about it so who knows.

Clearly you've never worked in retail or hospitality

But presumably you wanted attractions open to do things, parks, cinema, cafes, public transport, etc. Don’t understand why people don’t want shops to open but still expect to be able to go places and do things.

I don’t think that others should have to sacrifice their day with their family because of those who have none, no.

Either the day is special (hence people not wanting to be alone for it) and so we shouldn’t have others working unnecessarily for us on it.

Or it is not special, in which case it doesn’t really matter if you’re alone for it.

It certainly isn’t the responsibility of others to open a cafe for me.

No - briefly in hospitality but not retail. So I take your word for it: it still feels very uncomfortable to me, especially for young people who may need the money but really shouldn’t be in that position.

And what if they don't have family. Or they don't like their family? Not everyone has a perfect life you know

My local pub is open, they've put on a table for all those who would spend Christmas alone, all paid for by the pub, the community jumped at the chance to help, and have also donated presents. That's what Christmas is about not people saying it's wrong to open.

If they were shut these people would be at home alone with no presents and I'm sure the landlord has had many staff offer to work. It's actually fun to work these days (and the tips can be pretty good).

There are people out there with no one. Just because you have the jolly happy family Christmas doesn't mean everyone does

peace and goodwill folks

People always go on about retail but what about hospitality? Do they not deserve a break?

On Easter Sunday in England and Wales, shops that are limited to open 6 hours are closed. So large supermarkets, clothes shops etc.

Yet the Tesco Expresses, Spars etc are open. Always a queue for their 8 spaces car park as people can’t cope with big supermarkets closed.

These people need to grow up

I’m aware @MauveGoose but it isn’t really about whether you have a perfect life or not.

My objection is more that I think Christmas Day should be a day for families. I came late to this motherhood business (was 40 when I had my first) and lost my own parents young, so I’ve had more experience than most of Christmas days alone and it does suck a bit, there’s no two ways about it.

But there is a knock on effect. The more places open - cafes and restaurants and shops - the more places need to open, as those workers might need petrol and snacks and in the end buses and trains and taxis need to be out and before you know it it’s stopped being a special day (with the accompanying pay) it’s just like any other day.

Irrespective of peoples individual circumstances, I think that’s sad and I think people are kidding themselves if they think all the above are overjoyed to be working. Some will be: many won’t be. In the end the choice is removed.

😂😂 sure love, that's what you were trying to do by posting in Aibu

Absolute nonsense