by Poshgill » Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:47 am
I don't think the stores open on Boxing Day for 'no real reason' Elg. They open because that is what the public want. You only have to see how busy the shops are to understand that the majority of the public actually LIKE the shops being open on Boxing day. Now, personally, you would'nt get me within 10 miles of a shop then, but there is certainly a lot of people that like that sort of thing. So, it is incorrect to say that stores force families apart. If no one went shopping, then the stoires wouldn't open and they would not be economic. Ironically enough, I was discussing this point with some train drivers on Saturday. Southeastern Trains want to run a train service to Stratford for the big shopping centre. In fact Westfield are paying for the drivers wages. The drivers are split on this. With half saying that if they work, then it will only be a question of time before it is compulsory to work Boxing Day. My point is that all the time this can be covered with volunteer staff then they should be allowed to work. We are, despite the Tories best efforts, still a Public service. There are more than enough people willing to work Christmas. Not everyone sees it as a jolly good time. There are many that dread Christmas, so if they want to work, then why not?
Our society has changed considerably since the halcyon days of a the little woman cooking Boxing day lunch, followed by a pint with the boys and then off to the male dominated match (no women, but kids (preferably boys) tolerated) before it is back home for tea and jolly funny Morecambe & Wise on the TV. And bloody thank god for that too! I love my Boxing day game, bit only if it fits in with the family plans.