The angry thread

[Bealman]

Welcome to Christmas in my suburb. 

[daveg]

A bit sad really but some folk, I have to suppose, don't celebrate or enjoy Christmas for whatever reason.

Dave G

[Webbo]

It's the employees that have to work on Christmas Day that I feel sorry for. I suspect that they have a choice of working or losing their jobs.

Webbo

[railsquid]

Welcome to Christmas in my suburb. 

Do they take reservations?

[daffy]

Ah, another example of the commercialisation of the world as all times for family, friends and humanity are seen as merely a chance to make a dollar/pound/yen or what you will by so many.

Money makes the world go around, or so the saying goes, but perhaps we are spinning too fast already.  Time to slow down and smell the roses - and I don't mean the chocolates!

Can I ask for Peace on Earth and goodwill towards Mankind?

Of course sir/madam, would you like fries with that?

[Malc]

Unfortunately, for a lot of workers, Xmas day is just another working day. Power workers, hospital staff, priests, all have to work. I worked in television for my sins, just imagine Xmas day without The Great Escape.

[zwilnik]

I used to love working on Christmas day or new years eve. Apart from the bonus pay, it meant I could avoid the awful parties and had something to do. Besides, I was providing a service for everyone else (albeit a minor one, keeping a local radio station running).

While some people might prefer not to work on Christmas day (or Sundays), they may still be glad of the chance to do it because they need the money. As long as they have the choice to do so and aren't forced into it. Likewise, I'm betting the people that do have to work over the holidays, like police, ambulance, nurses, doctors, firemen etc. are glad there's a few places still open where they can grab a bite to eat (that's how American police got the "doughnut eating" tag, as the only food shops open to them during late night shifts were doughnut shops).

I'm more for sorting out employment laws so nobody gets unfairly treated and having full 24/7 trading *if you want to*, not dictated by the religious leaders.

Having lived and worked somewhere with no Sunday trading laws, I can tell you it's actually rather nice not to have to deal with people panic buying before everything shuts for a day or so.

[scotsoft]

Welcome to Christmas in my suburb. 

Do they take reservations?

I suppose it all depends on how many live in the reservation 

Cheers John.

[daveg]

Unfortunately, for a lot of workers, Xmas day is just another working day. Power workers, hospital staff, priests, all have to work. I worked in television for my sins, just imagine Xmas day without The Great Escape.

True Malc and I am more than grateful for those that do all of the above jobs and a few more besides.

I reckon however that we can offer the person that switches the switch to run TGE can have the rest of the decade off!

Merry Yule to all. 

Dave G

[snitchthebudgie]

We lived next to the London to Brighton line for a number of years and always noticed how quiet it was on Christmas Day - no trains.

This year, I doubt whether anyone living next to a Southern Railway line will notice the difference.....

(Whoops, Mr Moderator, was that a political comment.)

[scotsoft]

No political comment, just a light hearted play on words.

Cheers John.

[trkilliman]

When I joined Royal Mail in the early 1980s christmas pressure was nigh on 3 weeks of consecutive 11 hr shifts. You did earn some good money and a bonus at the end of it. This was put aside to take the kids on our annual holiday to Cornwall...possibly why we chose to move their 10 years ago.

When on nights they would let you go home Christmas eve morning around 0430 but pay you until 0600.  I would just be coming out of the Zombie state Boxing day evening, and it was back to work next day.  These days I really enjoy the build up to Christmas, something that was somewhat difficult in the past.

[GroupC]

I'm working Christmas eve, Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day (and I didn't have a great deal of say in the matter) in one of our services that never closes and from previous experiences it will be grim beyond words. Even worse than a normal day, hence my looking to leave.

Yes, the pay is worth having but spare a thought for us who may be at, or driving to, something horrible at the time you're probably tucking into turkey and roasties.

Can't wait till Feb 15th. 2017: payday, when we get the money for doing it! That's right, it takes them 6 weeks to process the o/t claims we submit electronically and which therefore arrive in the payroll office instantly.

By the way, our boss's idea of a generous flyer is 10 mins. But we have a 1-hour overlap between shifts. Hope he's not at work for the important days cos we will all slope off well early.

Anyway, Merry Christmas one and all!

[Newportnobby]

Yes, the pay is worth having but spare a thought for us who may be at, or driving to, something horrible at the time you're probably tucking into turkey and roasties.

So - you work at Asda then*

*Other horrible supermarkets are available.

Before you shoot the feeble attempt at humour I'm guessing you work for one of our excellent emergency services.

[railsquid]

For the first time in umpteenth years I probably won't be working on a Christmas Day, as it evidently falls at the weekend this year and I live in one of those heathen countries where they take the Germanic decorations down on the 25th to prepare for New Year. On the upside I shall probably sneak a day off on the 23rd in honour of the local Deity-annointed Emperor, and as it's usually quiet around the end of the year in my particular line of work will TOIL in January, when people wake up from hibernation and start demanding real work.