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.

Take it up with his employers.

"People don't NEED to eat Christmas lunch in a pub"
So according to you, they shouldn't.

"He doesn't NEED to work"
So according to your own logic.......he shouldn't.

My chef brother is working today and very glad for the pay and the tips. Thanks to everyone having Christmas dinner in his restaurant, please continue!

If he doesn't need a job he doesn't need to work today then does he? If this meant so much to you you should have explained it to him rather than attack a whole bunch of people because you are inconvenienced. I lost a relative on Christmas Eve many years ago, cooking a Christmas meal was the last thing on anybody's mind.

He’s out earning the money for the trip.That doesn’t sound at all entitled to me.

The lunacy deepens

OP also conveniently forgetting that not everyone celebrates Christmas.

And that doctors, nurses, firefighters, police, pilots and airport/plane crew, hotel staff and so on and so on are expected to cover every day of the year, too. Imagine if someone took ill at your home, OP, you'd be grateful for a fully staffed A&E.

I'm sure the OP wouldn't think twice if she had a business to run and it was extremely busy, had the cash rolling in at Christmas to offset January and 16 year olds were willing to work any shifts to get extra money

Or would she be refusing and telling them to spend it with their families instead?

🤔

My mum died in 2010, just before Christmas. We used to travel 300 miles on Christmas Eve to,spend Christmas with her and DB. I used to cook dinner on Christmas Day as Db was a lazy disorganised person and we’d have had it at midnight if it was left to him. In 2011 we went out to a restaurant for Christmas lunch. It was brilliant, so relaxed and a wonderful meal.
my brother died later that year, and I have happy memories of that meal, it was one of the best ever. And he left a very very generous tip for all the staff. Their hard work was much appreciated and well rewarded.

This is high level nuts OP

I often worked C'mas day (care jobs) at his age, young adults often do - along with lots of other people of course.

There are loads of people going out for all sorts of reasons, not least because they aren't physically able to cook, or often because they've recently lost someone so it's painful to think of doing C'as without them at home (that's certainly when we've done it)

I think this was meant to hold up a mirror to the OP, not that they're listening, but still, fairs fair.

No-one needs an expensive trip away do they?

My God, the entitlement in your posts just gets worse and worse. It's fine for your son to have expensive trips abroad but God forbid anyone disabled or bereaved go out for lunch on Christmas Day. What a bloody nasty attitude.

If he works this year, can he not have next year off.
What about new year is he working then. Maybe you could make that a nice time for you and your family.
We have all worked christmas day at some point or other. I worked every christmas you many years and would do again.
My mother never objected, we just celebrated the next year etc...

I waitressed in a pub from age 16-18 and worked christmas day. It was my choice - double pay, lots of tips, fun atmosphere, free drinks at the end of shift and then home to a lovely christmas dinner cooked by my mum. Definitely didn't ruin christmas! For a few years after that I worked new years eve behind the bar - again, it was my choice. I'd have worked in a shop or something instead if it was a problem.

I think OP has already answered this question with her thread title...

"People too lazy to cook their own Christmas dinner are spoiling MINE."

Not even "ours," let alone "DS's." Because it's OP who really matters here, clearly.

Why is MN always like this - there are no shades of grey, everything is black and white, or extreme.

Believe if you like that every single person eating out today is disabled or recently bereaved, or has some other serious issue which has forced them out of their home. I don't believe people in those categories make up the majority.

And please stop with the ridiculous comparisons with A&E.

DS was told plainly that he had no choice if he wanted to keep his job. It was basically work when we need you over Christmas or there is no job. As I explained before, there is not much choice round here for jobs for people with no real experience or skills. He would prefer not to be working today, he has done loads of shifts, he's knackered, and needs a break. Initially in August when they were told about Christmas working it was said the staff would be on short shifts - 8am to 1pm, or 1pm to 6pm. That changed when they accepted more and more bookings and saying no to extra work is not really an option.

Despite all the accusations about me being thick or dim I do completely understand why hospitality want a lucrative December to make up for a lean January.

Ah you miss your boy, I get that. He sounds a hard worker and will be happy to have money of his own. I work in hospitality and it’s an amazing industry and you learn to be flexible with celebrations. My 19 year old is working in a kitchen today and we will have dins when he is home. I’m proud of him for working and he is happy getting double pay xx

He will have a great day , having a laugh with his co workers and getting great tips as everyone is going to be in a great mood .

First post nails it as usual. Ridiculous post.

Just do your dinner later for the love of the Baby Jesus!

I think maybe the real issue here is why DS is really quite happy not to go through a family Christmas day and how upset Mum is about that.

So then either work or don’t work, why would you expect sympathy on behalf of your son for doing a job (that’s he’s paid extra for)?

You are absolutely right. OP can relax knowing that some good parenting must be behind such a good work ethic. Encouraging to know such young people exist. Merry Christmas x

Not possibly definitely.

Sorry, but you are being ridiculous.

hospitality is really struggling and if they can make money doing Christmas food then of course they will.

its hardly a new thing, I used to work Christmas Day when I was a teenager. Was a great shift to work