Probably - but people too lazy to cook their own christmas dinner are spoiling mine

[SheinIsShite]

My youngest DS is 16 and works in a pub kitchen. Dish washing, food prep, plating starters/dessert. He is contracted to do 8 hours a week which is usually OK. Obviously this time of year is busy and because he is not at school he has more shifts.

School finished on Friday, he worked Friday evening. And Saturday, and Sunday. Did an extra shift on Monday afternoon as they were short. Yesterday was rostered 11-6 but got home at 22.50 as they were so busy and needed to prep for the 700 covers they have booked today between 12 and 4.30pm. He starts again at 10am this morning, and although they have said he'll be done by 6.30 I don't believe that so he will more than likely miss our family meal.

So all of you paying £85 a head for Christmas lunch in a very standard chain pub, thanks for that.

Totally appreciate that some people have to work and we are all grateful to the police, fire, midwives etc. But going out for your Chrtistmas lunch is not essential.

Possibly one of the most ridiculous posts I’ve seen this year.

Don’t work in hospitality then? Have your Christmas Day on one of his days off?

What a bizarre post!

No it's not essential, but it's a service offered by pubs etc. There's obviously some benefit to them for opening (i.e. making money to keep struggling pubs still open...) or they wouldn't do it.

Berating paying customers for availing themselves of a service being offered is ridiculous. So is getting a job in hospitality if you don't want to work extra over Christmas.
I can totally understand you feel sad to miss your boy, but the people keeping him in employment are not mean for doing so.

Yep and that's saying something 😂

Im sure he’s grateful for the pay.

Wow you can be immensely proud of him. That’s a great work ethic at 16. He’ll go far ❤️
Happy Christmas!

This. I am forever amazed by people who choose to work in an industry that stays open for Christmas and then complain that its open for Christmas.

Really - it was hardly a surprise was it? 🤣

Massively unreasonable OP but you know that!

Maybe aim for a later dinner if you’re so worried

YABU, sorry.

My brother works in a hotel. He was out until 2am last night at work, he still got up at 8 to open presents with us all before starting at 11. He will be out until 6/7 tonight, and the same again tomorrow. But he has chosen this job and he accepts that this is part of it. When Christmas is over and it’s January and he’s got a lot less shifts, we’ll all have a big family meal to make up for it. But at the end of the day, this is the world of work. Hospitality doesn’t keep it quiet either, you’re aware that working Christmas will be part of it.

Quite the achievement 🙊

I think your issue is more with the owner of the pub taking advantage of your Son, he should finish at his contracted time.

He’s likely on a 0 hours so no contracted finishes.

Your DS is working overtime, that's his choice he could have said no if he's only contracted for 8 hours on a weekend. Or you could have Xmas dinner when he's off. Or he could get another Saturday job which is closed on Xmas- my DD works Saturday in a cafe, it's shut today. It's not the customers fault.

Wow- stop acting like a big baby.

When I was his age I used to work all over Christmas too. My parents simply moved our meal to a time that could suit me and I very much enjoyed earning some extra cash over Christmas. It did not scar me for life FFS

If my parents had started whining like this and saying "it's not faaaaaiiiir" it would have made me want to work more over Christmas to get away from them. geez.

If it means that much to you why dont you pay him his wage out of your pocket instead so he can stay home

It's one of the few days a year that many pubs make lots of money, by all means advocate for pubs closing at Christmas and other big occasions but don't expect them to survive it! I worked a couple of Christmas days in pubs as a teen and it was fine, people in good spirits and plenty of tips 😊

Don’t be that mother OP.

i am really looking forward to my lunch out, not in a place that does 700 covers though

You're embarassing yourself OP

GROW UP. The caps were accidental but I'm going to leave it as I think it fits.

Your son isn't a little boy anymore. Christmas changes, and will keep changing as their lives grow.

You're in for a tough road ahead if you think tou can be Mama Bear forever more.

YABU.

It’s just my dad & me today, I’m vegetarian & he isn’t & his oven is crap, instead of going to all the hassle of cooking we’re going to the local pub for lunch.

Because they’re open & offering the service.

Would you rather the pub was empty all day & lost lots of money from it?

He didn’t have to work today if he’s done his contracted hours already this week.

he didn’t have to take a job in a pub
you could have your Xmas day on another day entirely like tomorrow or at the weekend.

I agree. It’s my son took a job in hospitality but I don’t think he should have to work shifts I don’t agree with. Peak MN. 😂😂

It's one of the few days a year that many pubs make lots of money, by all means advocate for pubs closing at Christmas and other big occasions but don't expect them to survive it!

Exactly. I bet OP would be the first to complain if they shut over Christmas/NY then had to close permanently due to lack of profit. Then she'd be saying the owners didn't think it through properly and how unfair it is her boy had no job.

...and then there are those elves...🤷‍♀️