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.

I've worked hospitality over Christmas & it's a great laugh & I have great memories - the tips are usually pretty enjoyable too.

You have hardworking kid there. Be proud of that. The hours are to be expected in hospitality. I bet he will appreciate the extra money too so it's not like he is losing out.

As a parent I would do my best to aim for a later dinner.

There will be many reasons people go out for dinner today. It's not selfish. You can't have things your way and not expect others to want to spend the day as wish.

So yes YABU.

Not sure why you are getting the nasty replies. Yes, it is ridiculous.

Oh give over!

YABU. I worked in retail and hospitality for years- in the latter you totally accept that Christmas working is part of that. I hate to point this out but these lazy people you are slating are contributing towards keeping that business going and therefore able to employ staff. If your son doesn't want to work this time of year he would look for a different career.

It isn't ridiculous. Hospitality work includes Christmas, some pubs and restaurants try to rotate years for staff. But it is part of what you accept when you go into it.

Yup this

Of all the things you could be grateful for - able bodied DS, enough initiative to get and hold down a job, team player staying to help his team prepare for the next day even if that means he gets home late himself, earning his own money - you choose to be selfish and find something horrible to stay

Who pissed in your Christmas breakfast?!

I think it can be a helpful way to spend Christmas if you're bereaved.
I know a family where one of the sisters lost her child age 3 to cancer at Christmas - this is 20 years ago now. None of the family can bear to have "normal" Christmas at anyone's home because of that, and to this day they always go out for a lowkey meal together on Christmas day. It helps them be together but not with forced jollity. They always give generous tips to the staff and I know they appreciate the people who work that day. It means a lot to them.

Come on, get a grip. Kids like earning their own money, hopefully he will have been coining it in over these last few days. Be proud of him for having a good work ethic.

My DH was at work yesterday, and will be working today and tomorrow, and for a couple of years DD was doing similar shifts. Its just part of those sort of jobs.

When I was student I worked in hospitality and did mad hours over Christmas. Most young people do at some stage and we realise that it's not what you want so work harder at your education so you've more options.

On saying all that I'm in Ireland and pubs are not open on Christmas day however hotels are and do Christmas meals but not standalone restaurants and pubs so if he was here he would have the day off today.

People pay 85 quid for a Sunday dinner?

Sorry OP but I think you’re being really offensive calling people lazy. Merry Christmas!

why can’t you change the timing of your meal to suit him being there? That’s what my family would do.

Personally I can't understand why anyone would go out for Christmas dinner. Roast dinners are never the same in pubs, restaurants etc. Horrible roast potatoes, often frozen yorkshire. YUK.

And the pub grateful for the hugely inflated price of a roast! I mean it’s almost like people are paying £85 for a standard pub meal as it’s Christmas and they realise that people want additional pay because of that.

Teach your son some assertiveness on managing his shifts or tell him to not take a permanent position in hospitality, because it upsets his mummy!

I think it's great that a 16 year old is working so hard and earning, he sounds like a brilliant employee! I hope he gets a share of the tips.

To be fair to him it's his mother who's complaining.

Entitled much. He doesn’t HAVE to work the shifts, seems he is happy to do so. Perhaps I can see why…

I find the whole concept of restaurants open weird, where I am places close for Christmas.

You’re one of those unimaginative people. We’ve got very good reasons for going out for Christmas dinner this year.

There are not a lot of part time jobs around here for 16 year olds with no work experience.

You are being extremely precious and ridiculous.

Your son is admirably working very hard over Christmas in an industry that he knew full well would be open during Christmas when he took the job.

Loads of us have worked over Christmas (including myself as I worked in healthcare). It's not the end of the world, you just adjust your meal times accordingly.

How about instead of throwing a toddler tantrum, you teach him that its wonderful he is working so hard, that you are proud of him, and that his family will happily move dinner around so he can enjoy Christmas.

Or, you could just continue sulking and pouting and being a misery for the rest for the day.

The choice is yours...

You like shit food then?

On reflection I think you’re getting a lot of stick. It’s a tough one the first year, but you’ll find ways around it to make sure you all enjoy the season

No, he does. He was told in August that everyone would have to wok as much as possible over the Christmas period because they are rural and find it hard to get staff. Saying "i'm off home" or "not working today" isn't an option.