Any stores open today?

[Reggie Dunlop]

I'm quite lucky in that this year, I'll have Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day off. Probably for the first time in 17 years.

Though I don't work in an essential service, the racket I'm in is fairly ubiquitous. I've probably worked 90 percent of all statutory holidays in my time. Obligingly in early years, but increasingly begrugingly over the years.

Given the choice, yep, there's a lot of folks who love the overtime and I'm not going to call them mercenary. Gotta do what you gotta do, especially if you're trying to make ends meet or get ahead.

Still think it's exploitive though. Businesses open on statutory holidays aren't mining an untapped source of consumer spending -- they're only doing it because they think they're getting a leg up on the competition and/or responding to it.

Given my druthers, I'm not going to tell others how to go about their affairs, but I do know I have little desire to patronize such places on those days.

[krazycanuck]

it's not about if someone can or cannot go a single day without buying anything, I'm pretty sure everyone can...it's about if there is a market for it. Which there is. If businesses were losing money on Christmas Day, they wouldn't open, obviously they're making money so why would they close?

People are demanding the service, why would they decide not to give it to them? Should we also shut down the internet so a few guys at Telus and Shaw can have the day off? Should there be no newscasts on Christmas Day? Tow Truck Drivers?

My point is...where does it stop. If you are asked to work on Christmas Day you're rewarded with extra pay, if working on Christmas is too hard to swallow, look at getting into accounting/business/somewhere where you would never need to work Christmas.

I for one was happy that 7-11 was open today as I had to head into work this evening, so I stopped...got some gas, picked up some food (I use that term loosely with 7-11). If other careers are working, why wouldn't something basic like a 7-11 be open?

[The Goon]

Originally Posted by Azure

I think the problem is that 7-11 adheres to their 'code' of being open 24/7 - 365 days a year.

Someones gotta work Christmas in order for that to happen.

Classic Steven Wright:

I went down the street to the 24-hour grocery.
When I got there, the guy was locking the front door.
I said, 'Hey, the sign says you're open 24 hours.'
He said, 'Yes, but not in a row.'

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by krazycanuck

it's not about if someone can or cannot go a single day without buying anything

Sure it is. I'm the customer. I rule.

Originally Posted by krazycanuck

...it's about if there is a market for it. Which there is. If businesses were losing money on Christmas Day, they wouldn't open, obviously they're making money so why would they close?

I wonder about that. Are they really?

I've yet to see a CEO working a major holiday.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by krazycanuck

My point is...where does it stop. If you are asked to work on Christmas Day you're rewarded with extra pay, if working on Christmas is too hard to swallow, look at getting into accounting/business/somewhere where you would never need to work Christmas.

So we let corporate greed run supreme while owners/bosses stay at home enjoying Christmas with family and loved ones while some poor soul is forced to work Christmas day.

And if you polled most of those demanding the service they'd say no to working Christmas themselves. It's okay as long as it doesn't affect them. That's how self centered we as a society have become.

[krazycanuck]

Well you guys are online right now...someone has to work to support that. I'm sure there is someone working at your Internet provider, and also at the company who is hosting this website. How does that differ to someone who has to work at 7-11? Have you watched TV today? Well there is a few doing technical work down at Shaw, people working at the individual stations, for a live event like the basketball games played today there are cameramen, producers, announcers...etc. Well, there's more people who are working to support your Christmas lifestyle. Should we have no cable tv, radio transmissions, internet availablility because it's Christmas day?

Business is business, people have to work all the holidays. Why should Christmas be any different?

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by krazycanuck

Should we have no cable tv, radio transmissions, internet availablility because it's Christmas day?

I can't see any compelling reason why we do. Really.

Essential services? Yep.

[Bobblehead]

Personally, I don't think people outside of essential services should be compelled to work Christmas (or any stat holiday). If the employer can make it work so the employee is happy and he is happy, good for them. But there shouldn't be any, "work it, or else".

[Dion]

Originally Posted by krazycanuck

Should we have no cable tv, radio transmissions, internet availablility because it's Christmas day?

You need TV and radio transmissions in case a message needs to be sent out through the Emergency Broadcast System. I'm sure the internet would be used for that measure also.

Then again maybe we should open up everything on Christmas day. Turn it into another commercialised holiday where everyone forgets about the true meaning of that day. Just call it another shopping day as we called it when I worked in the grocery industry. That and no one would be able to complain about the lack of quality time with families as no one would have any.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Personally, I don't think people outside of essential services should be compelled to work Christmas (or any stat holiday). If the employer can make it work so the employee is happy and he is happy, good for them. But there shouldn't be any, "work it, or else".

I agree... The boss should have a sign up sheet sort of thing where people can sign up to work Christmas day and what hour, that way, they CHOSE to work Christmas instead of having been scheduled to work.

[krazycanuck]

Originally Posted by Dion

You need TV and radio transmissions in case a message needs to be sent out through the Emergency Broadcast System. I'm sure the internet would be used for that measure also.

Then again maybe we should open up everything on Christmas day. Turn it into another commercialised holiday where everyone forgets about the true meaning of that day. Just call it another shopping day as we called it when I worked in the grocery industry. That and no one would be able to complain about the lack of quality time with families as no one would have any.

The Emergency warning system in Alberta is run through the govenment. It interupts all programming with the push of a button from Edmonton. It would still be run on a tv station playing nothing, as long the transmitter was kept running, same thing for radio. You wouldn't need anyone in the station to make sure that emergency tranmissions go out, just a single person from the emergency warning system command centre.

There is no public warning system in Alberta through the internet.

So, no...television and radio programming and the internet are not an essential service. Although you may not have gone to 7-11 today, you're still a hypocrite if you're making all these other people work to keep you entertained.

How is it any different if I'm making someone work so I can buy gas and a drink on Christmas Day, than if you're making someone work so you can surf the internet and watch sports highlights?

Basically my point is, I'm not going to feel bad if someone has CHOSEN a job as a convienience store clerk and then the week before Christmas cries foul because they have to work Christmas Day. They should suck it up, work the 8 hour shift and enjoy the rest of their day.

[Flames09]

Not everyone celebrates Christmas, and if they do I'm sure people don't mind working with double pay (not saying everyone). It shouldn't be mandatory but if it is it should be stated when you first look into the job that way you make the choice. The world has to run and if people are demanding 7-11 be open it'll be open. I celebrate the 'holidays' and I had the 25th off, our big plans are always for the 25th but I sure wouldn't have minded if I got to make extra money seeing as I don't think I would work the entire day.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by krazycanuck

The Emergency warning system in Alberta is run through the govenment. It interupts all programming with the push of a button from Edmonton. It would still be run on a tv station playing nothing, as long the transmitter was kept running, same thing for radio. You wouldn't need anyone in the station to make sure that emergency tranmissions go out, just a single person from the emergency warning system command centre.

People wouldn't have their TV or radio on if there was no programming. Plus they wouldn't get that message

There is no public warning system in Alberta through the internet.

Maybe not, still it would be another means to get the message out through the media.

So, no...television and radio programming and the internet are not an essential service. Although you may not have gone to 7-11 today, you're still a hypocrite if you're making all these other people work to keep you entertained.

Read my response after the next quote.

How is it any different if I'm making someone work so I can buy gas and a drink on Christmas Day, than if you're making someone work so you can surf the internet and watch sports highlights?

The money I pay for high speed internet and digital cable includes Christmas day wether I want it or not. I don't have the option of paying for one less day of service - i'm billed by the month as other users are. My TV wasn't on today - too bad I couldn't get a rebate for today or when i'm on holidays next month. Or how about the days I don't use the internet - that would be nice too. Sounds like Shaw is the one dictating usage.

You on the other hand have more control than I do. You can choose not to buy gas and food and still not be charged for the service.

Basically my point is, I'm not going to feel bad if someone has CHOSEN a job as a convienience store clerk and then the week before Christmas cries foul because they have to work Christmas Day. They should suck it up, work the 8 hour shift and enjoy the rest of their day.

Not everyone has the job choices that you may have had, so no it's not always a CHOSEN job, rather a necessity to pay ones bills and put a roof over their head.

You should be worried also. What's happening now is just the tip of the iceberg. It won't be long before everything is open Christmas day. Then watch the cry from the masses when they complain further about the lack of quality time with family. It's happening already Stateside - they're just light years ahead of us.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by krazycanuck

it's not about if someone can or cannot go a single day without buying anything, I'm pretty sure everyone can...it's about if there is a market for it. Which there is. If businesses were losing money on Christmas Day, they wouldn't open, obviously they're making money so why would they close?

Again, the market shouldn't drive everything. As someone said earlier, it is simply self-centred acceptance of the "other guy" having to work which makes it ok to want convenience stores to be open so that we can get our coffees and snacks on our way to our Christmas get-togethers.

Thing is, it starts with the 7-11 being open, then the Wal-mart and the Safeway, then it'll be the delivery companies that service these entities, then it'll be a skeleton staff in the head offices of these organizations, then it'll be other companies that have contracts with those companies having a skeleton staff, and eventually it ends up with it being just another holiday like all the rest, where a significant minority of people have to work. And then the one time of year when most families can arrange to get together will be wrecked, just for the greed of those who WON'T end up being the ones working on the holiday. Screw that.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by krazycanuck

So, no...television and radio programming and the internet are not an essential service. Although you may not have gone to 7-11 today, you're still a hypocrite if you're making all these other people work to keep you entertained. .

Nothing hypocritical at all. I'm merely consuming a product I already have at my disposal. I'm not conducting any new business nor purchasing anything. In similar fashion, I'm consuming the food I purchased at Safeway days ago.

[Incinerator]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

just another day to some people

###, and judging from the amount of traffic and businesses open in the NE quadrant yesterday, seems like it's just another day to a lot of people.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Incinerator

###, and judging from the amount of traffic and businesses open in the NE quadrant yesterday, seems like it's just another day to a lot of people.

Yeah but the NE is..... nevermind.

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by fotze

They should go back to their own country where people are free to follow their own beliefs, that is not what Canada is all about.

lol

[Incinerator]

Originally Posted by fotze

They should go back to their own country where people are free to follow their own beliefs, that is not what Canada is all about.

winnar.

fotze never fails to deliver the punch line.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by fotze

They should go back to their own country where people are free to follow their own beliefs, that is not what Canada is all about.

nice, lol.