Seasonal question

[Moliphino]

Blue laws in my state don't allow most stores (including grocery stores) to be open on Thanksgiving or Christmas. I appreciated it when I worked at Macy's and knew I would be able to enjoy the holidays.

 

[Smugpugmug]

That was nice of them.





And I think it's one reason (in a long list of them) why people aren't willing to take those jobs lately.

Just because something has always been a certain way, doesn't mean it actually makes sense, or is actually necessary.

I don't disagree. Working weekends and certain holidays was one of the reasons why I went hunting for a new job. I even chose the retail store I worked at specifically because it was closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 

[MrsPete]

Today I was wondering why people think it's horrible for grocery and retail stores to be open on Thanksgiving but think nothing of it for restaurants to be opened. All are staffed by workers who have families. What do you think?

I think the real answer is, They haven't thought through their complaint.

If you wanted to argue it -- and I don't have a dog in this fight -- you could say that everyone needs to eat, whereas shopping can wait a day, especially shopping for Christmas, which is still weeks away.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Our son recently became engaged to a young lady who immigrated as a child with her family, she recently shared with me that Thanksgiving was a big holiday for them, it was the first holiday they experienced when moving to the US and explained that it made her parents "feel like Americans" to celebrate it. They have extended family all along the east coast that gathers for it every year. It was so moving to hear her tell this story of their first (and subsequent) Thanksgivings.

That's a sweet story.

 

[sam_gordon]

How about everyone, regardless of seniority, works a 4 hour shift that day?

Then you have twice the amount of people upset that they have to work that day. How about if you work Thanksgiving, you get Christmas off. If you work Christmas, you get Thanksgiving off? People can say which they have a preference for.

I don't agree those with more seniority get EVERY holiday off and those with low seniority have to work EVERY holiday.

 

[jrmasm]

Then you have twice the amount of people upset that they have to work that day. How about if you work Thanksgiving, you get Christmas off. If you work Christmas, you get Thanksgiving off? People can say which they have a preference for.

I don't agree those with more seniority get EVERY holiday off and those with low seniority have to work EVERY holiday.

Agreed, that's BS. And I have seniority.

 

[RoseGold]

Which Americans don’t celebrate thanksgiving? Can’t think of anyone who doesn’t celebrate thanksgiving in America or Canada.

My mom picked a fight and fractured the family, so it's been called off this year. Everyone is traveling with their immediate families instead. Yay?

 

[CdnCarrie]

My mom picked a fight and fractured the family, so it's been called off this year. Everyone is traveling with their immediate families instead. Yay?

I would prefer to go down to just my little family over the big extended family at holidays. Maybe one day.

 

[HopperFan]

Today I was wondering why people think it's horrible for grocery and retail stores to be open on Thanksgiving but think nothing of it for restaurants to be opened. All are staffed by workers who have families. What do you think?

I don't know, perhaps they had to work at some point and are upset OR their family member had to work and it messes with their plans. It certainly is a slanted opinion to want some closed and others open.

Personally it's just another day that back when I was working retail, we got paid double pay to work holidays. SIGN ME UP other than Christmas day. I'd gladly work double pay vs working for free cooking a huge meal then having to clean it up.

My DD/SIL were so excited to host her first Thanksgiving for both families last year. DD thought this might be a nice annual event. We had a fun day but afterwards she said - "MOM, that was so much work, I don't ever want to do that again." She is traveling this year.

There are some people who associate thanksgiving, and giving thanks, with religious ideas they do not believe in, even though the holiday has become more secular over the years. There are also people in the Unites States from other cultures where they are not accustomed to celebrating thanksgiving. Many of the holidays that we celebrate without thinking twice about it simply aren’t celebrated on a global level. I also know many people who are US citizens, who simply don’t care to celebrate, for whatever reason. Some of them have bad memories from the past that they prefer not to relive. Some don’t have close family or friends, and don’t want to celebrate with strangers. Some feel they have nothing to be thankful for. I feel those are all valid reasons as well.

There are many reasons people chose to celebrate a holiday, or not, and each one is as individual as the person making it. I would say probably 10-15% of the employees I worked with didn’t celebrate thanksgiving and some of them would actively seek out people to swap shifts with who did want to be off (which some departments allowed so long as it didn’t generate overtime). Our company operated every day of the year, and I don’t recall hearing anyone complaining about working a holiday.

Perhaps people feel differently where you are, and that’s okay too.

ALL OF THIS ^ plus the reality of what the first Thanksgiving was makes many uncomfortable celebrating it.

I think some just use it as their kick off to Christmas, they put up decorations, they go holiday shopping, they head out to a movie.

But once you move here wouldn’t you celebrate it? It’s not a religious holiday.
Up here it’s just a long weekend with a family dinner. Nothing to “celebrate “.a
If I moved to India I would set off fireworks and exchange sweets on Diwali.
And if in Uk have a bonfire on Guy Fawkes night.

Isn’t thanksgiving for all Americans? Which was kind of the whole point of my ancestors on the Mayflower?

Some might, some won't all for various reasons.

To your example I would not celebrate Diwali, it is a religious holiday. There are many not comfortable celebrating other's religious beliefs.

With Thanksgiving it might depend on what you feel the holiday represents or celebrates. The origination story with pilgrims isn't necessarily a positive one.

Well, there are some who consider Thanksgiving offensive because of how they feel those on the Mayflower mistreated Native Americans.
But there is no requirement to celebrate Thanksgiving.

I think this makes it harder for many. Having a history teacher as a kid ... I have many cringe moments.

We have the traditional turkey meal about 4-5 times a year. Random Turkey-Days. It's just a great day with our kids etc. with LOTS of food.

On the actual day we usually go to the beach, are not with extended family and use it as a day of R&R. Thanks doesn't need to happen just one day a year, and not sure that day is one I feel any connection to. My memories of past Thanksgivings are, in short, too much work in many ways.