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

Surely they ask a neighbour nicely?

I'm eating breakfast before I go looking for my missing cat, lost cats don't have Christmas Day off either so nor will I.

I have been swimming and am now eating my breakfast in a cafe run by people from north Africa. There are several other tables occupied by single people.

The 2 Turkish mini-markets are open and there are a couplenif restaurants open for lunch. In previous years we have eaten at an Indian restaurant or an Israeli cafe.

We don't all want to sit at home today for many reasons - big, meaningful ones or tiny, trivial ones.

One size does not fit all.

Yes our Asda garage is open, when it was co op it wasn’t.

Surely being a MN neighbour they won't open their door because they hadn't arranged for them to call round though?

I have a very unwell adult (not child fortunately) for whom I can’t get any medicinal support (electrolytes, Imodium). I agree it’s great people don’t have to work but I could really do with an open pharmacy less than 60 miles away. If he deteriorates so we end up at A&E that will be a massive waste of resources. Glad you’re sorted but we’re not

My neighbourhood is majority muslim - the two corner shops and the garage are both open. However they are doing reduced hours, and it's pretty quiet outside. Most of my neighbours aren't celebrating Christmas as a festival, but they are getting together as families because it's a bank holiday.

No, of course not. Or not many, at least.

It's extremely telling that so much of this discussion comes from people who want to be able to benefit from the labour of others on Christmas Day. If it were that important to people who don't work on Christmas Day to be able to, one would've expect big campaigns from retail unions and so by now. But there's not. There's a reason for that.

In any case, it's not like there's a shortage of jobs needing Christmas work. Both the care and hospitality sectors have big recruitment issues, for example. It's not like the option doesn't exist.

I understand the Romans used a sponge on a stick and vinegar as their 'toilet paper'.

Whilst you have missed the boat for this year you might like to buy something like this,

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/365232859283?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338757644&toolid=20006&customid=d22337c36b1c76c65a764e65f6c13fe7&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1albyAbDYQdSwbAo60BOSGA30

for next year's event. Buy one for each guest or hang one on a hook for general use. They are telescopic too for those 'hard to reach places'.

i dont blame him either

petrol stations are open

What a strange thing to think. It’s supply and demand. When I was young I waitressed in a hotel and did 3 Christmas days and it was ace! Triple pay, staff enjoyed a glass of fizz before service started, all customers happy nice and relaxed. My recollection is everyone was very happy to work. Broke up the day a bit. As an adult I’ve gone on holiday several Christmases and staff have always seemed very happy and hospitable.

And the people who keep utilities going.
If people want to work in smaller shops etc let them. I'm going out to lunch at a local restaurant later.
Some people don't celebrate Christmas or regard it as just another day which is nothing special.

Oh ffs! I didn't say it did. I quoted the act to show the history of sunday/christmas/easter trading, and to show that shops used to be closed, by law, on these days.
I was illustrating that many shops that do open are run by non-christians; ibdid not say 'exclusively non-christians' open these shops.
Lighten up, it's bloody christmas

I forgot toilet roll too at Tesco the qué at 4pm was long so I got a self scanner and used that for one thing I felt daft but smug when I was in and in 3 mins

Have friends who are not Christian but decorate their homes with Xmas tree as find it cheerful during dark nights. Plus they eat foods they can eat based on their religions.

They all love Christmas pudding, mince pies and alcohol free mulled wine

Two years running I volunteered with Crisis. My nearest centre is 150 miles away and I had to stay in a hotel. Should I have had to join the street homeless to enable me to do it?

He's behind you....

I am quite light as are my posts- yours on the other hand🤣

Ps you might want to read the first post I replied to again to see what you actually posted 😉 The only shops open are those run by non-christians or non-believers.

Walked past Aldi car park on Easter Sunday and about 5 cars pulled in and drove out again.

Aldi’s car park is always busy. Does the empty car park give the clue that they are closed?

I was pleasantly surprised that a few buses are running in our area.

Not really! It’s pagan in origin.

Who else remembers shops closed at lunchtime & half day closing?

I only remember garden centres and small corner shops open. But we didn't have much money so we didn't do all those other things.