This is undoubtedly me entering senility, but wtf has happened to Bank Holidays? Ages of struggle to get a few days off for working people and what do we do with it? Work. All the shops seem to be open, everybody is busy consuming, I have a long list of thing 'to do', none of which I actually want to do. Despite it being very clearly flagged as 'Public Holiday' in my work calendar I've had numerous people, including from the UK, trying to put meetings in for today and Monday (all declined with a terse note). What about - - all shops (including supermarkets etc) close on Bank Holidays - while we are at it, all shops to close at least one day a week. Hey, why not make it Sunday? - pubs and bars to close at 11.30 pm. Bring back last orders - internet turned off one day a week. Hey, why not make it Sunday? I am considering turning off my home wi-fi on Sunday, but am worried about the physical risk this will create from other family members - everyone has a personal log in to the internet, which allows a maximum of 4 hours use a day - Professional football matches take place on Saturdays and Wednesdays only. - Only 4 TV channels allowed to broadcast on one day a week. Hey, why not make it Sunday? Back to the future!! Of course this may have been brought on by the complete absence of coffee of any kind, let alone the ultra strong espresso I require at least six times a day, from my house. Thank Christ the shops are open. Back soon.
So what's the deal with this Public Holiday thing? Does it really mean anything at all? The pubs are closed here, that's the only thing I can see that's different from a normal day.
clubs are open pubs must serve food some still not allowed to open all shops are shut that was today not sure about sunday unfortunately the railways have been closed so I get to work all day tomorrow and all day sunday
They can't close the pubs here, there would be riots. As far as I can tell, the pubs don't close at all now. The only day that is definitely 'different' is Christmas Day, where the shops really are closed. Though of course the internet sales have already started. I think some shops may be closed on Sunday or Monday here over Easter. I've got an extremely powerful coffee now so am slightly calmer. I actually like the convenience of everything, but I'm sure we have sacrificed quality of life for it. Sooner I buy that little place on a hill in Abruzzo, within a stroll of a bar and a trattoria, with no internet connection, the better.
I spent some time in NZ in the 80s Kiwi. Man, it was quiet after 5.00 pm, except Auckland. Greymouth on a Sunday a good approximation of a coma. Most beautiful country I have ever been to though.
Stan, some people can't afford to not work for 4 days on the trot mate. Take away their double time etc for working on a Sunday or Bank Holiday and they're ****ed. Not everyone can go and live on a hill in Abruzzo mate.
2 days a year retail has to close. Christmas day & Easter sunday. Guessing all those minimum wage workers will be on time and a half today. Well they will if they have a decent employer, but then again if they are on minimum wage then thats unlikely. Poor sods. Spent 18 months in retail between jobs and found "Christianity" can prevent an employer making you work Sundays. Sudden conversion on the road to work. Praise the lord !!
I didn't think being a believer counted any more all people working here on public holidays MUST be paid time and a half and receive a day off in lieu although some businesss add 15% surcharge
I'm aware of that Col. We should pay people more. Work to live. The place on a hill in Abruzzo will cost less than 50% of my terraced house in Leamington mate. Two courses of home cooked food and unlimited local wine at the Trattoria about 10 euros a head. Roll on retirement, 9 years and counting.
(Rhino, your technological services will not be required tomorrow, my friend. You can have a day off cos we're on Sky! )
I'll second this but in 8 years it'll be Mallorca for me. A pile of books, my LPs and a decent red. No more clients or bloody Saab driving architects to contend with. Modern life is rubbish
I used to work bank holidays in a shop in Polperro... But then got a day off in Looe. Do I win a chicken?
Funny how at Easter time, especially Good Friday ....... people expect you to eat fish on the day. Look out if you ask for meat, you get frowned upon! Yet, these are the same people who never go to church on Sundays ............... funny that. Me, well ................ I make a point of asking for the bigger steak in the house and throw in a couple of snags as well! I'm not going to be hypocritical just because it is Good Friday.
Cornwall for me...........in around 5-6 years (hopefully!!). Simple life, near the beach and much less stress (again, hopefully!!). Modern life is indeed rubbish.
QPR 5-2 Forest I wouldn't be so sure about that Wubba. Oddball said before he was thinking of buying a pad out there
Never let facts get in the way of an inflammatory statement NY. http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/sty-religion.html I am delighted that those, like me, with no religion' are the fastest growing segment. Interestingly, the vast majority of immigrants/not born in the UK are Christian. Can't get the same info for the US, at least not from a reputable source, as your Census does not ask about religion. But by all accounts 'no religion' is growing fast there as well.
It is a Bank Holiday here but NOT a Public Holiday....go figure......So only those who work in Banks, Government Offices and Bars get the day off, the rest of us have to work, joys of self employment in my case..... Still had a pleasnat few hours off and went to a cracking Garden Centre just outside Carlow, nice coffee and scone, spent some hard earned cash on plants and tubs and now Mrs TR is busy planting while I'm working, but also checking in here and beeb text for up to date scores..... Can't retire until I'm 66 so another bloody 13 years of trying to make ends meet........
