# Should you feel guilty going to a restaurant on Christmas? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 26, 2015, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364 "2015-12-26T03:59:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/21 "2015-12-26T08:14:28Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > WEmployees get paid well on Christmas day, no? In fact some of them probably volunteer to work and get the hell away from the crazies. ^ This. I volunteer to work _every_ holiday I can, because I need the money. Pay rate for the holiday is 2.5 times my normal rate. Hell yes, I worked Thanksgiving! I would have worked Christmas, too, except that’s the one day of the year my employer shuts the doors. I’m not Christian. I grew up in a family where a lot of people worked in places like hospitals and thus frequently were on duty during holidays so that’s entirely normal for me. A lot of my family is gone now so “family holidays” where everyone gets together no longer happen for me anymore anyway. Yes, some folks do not want to work the holidays. Because there are people like me, though, it is possible for them to stay home. Meanwhile, someone has to keep the lights on and the machinery running on those days, too, so it might as well be someone who wants to be there. In other words, if you see me working on a holiday do not be sorry for me - be happy for me. Please don’t pity me in a manner that deprives me of wages, I need the money in order to have _my_ holiday a day or two later. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/22 "2015-12-26T08:21:42Z")
Missed the edit window: I also want to mention that even when I was above working poor economically I _still_ worked the week between Christmas and New Year’s when almost everyone else in the office was out on holiday. I did this by choice. Work was more relaxed with so many people out of the office, and it did make me feel happy to know that I was helping other people spend time with their families and friends. In my case, at least, it’s not just economics (although that is certainly a factor these days). Generally, even if you do work on a holiday it’s typically a normal shift length, sometimes less so you can still spend time with other people, meet them for dinner or another meal, and so forth. It’s not like you’re locked in a box for 24 hours! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/23 "2015-12-26T08:34:31Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > Well, I do! > > I look up at the screen and feel sorry for poor ol’ Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Morton Downy Jr., Brad Pitt, Jennifer Lawrence, Johnnie Depp, et al having to act on the day little Jesus was born, while I stuff popcorn and coke down my gullet. I think I love you. Regardless of your gender. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/24 "2015-12-26T08:50:04Z")
For a few Christmases, I went to the big city, got myself a hotel room in one of the best places in town, and lived the high life for a few days. The bar was open its usual hours Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and the dining room was open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day also. On Christmas Day, they had a great breakfast buffet, before setting up for the Christmas Day dinner. Housekeeping made up the rooms as usual, and room service was available. I never felt guilty. The hotel, and its services and facilities were open to hotel guests, and the bar and dining room to the public and hotel guests. I’m sure that some employees were unhappy about working the holiday, but most were cheerful and pleasant. I certainly tipped well, which may have helped, but I think many hotel employees had nothing better to do that day, and saw it as a way to make some extra money, in holiday pay and tips. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/25 "2015-12-26T09:38:06Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I think I love you. Regardless of your gender. Well, ok, if you insist. We can meet at Motel 6. You bring the K-Y and gerbils. Remember, I’m the pitcher; you’re the catcher. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![T.M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@T.M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.M)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/26 "2015-12-26T09:47:37Z")
Family come to me and I love cooking for them. Today (Boxing day) is round 2 those who could not make it yesterday are coming to clear up the left overs, I always cook to much for the spare seat at the table. Those of you who prefer to eat out go for it the day is about enjoying family and friends and if the parties to big for the house, go for it ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/27 "2015-12-26T09:57:21Z")
> [@T.M](#): > > Family come to me and I love cooking for them. Today (Boxing day) is round 2 those who could not make it yesterday are coming to clear up the left overs, I always cook to much for the spare seat at the table. Those of you who prefer to eat out go for it the day is about enjoying family and friends and if the parties to big for the house, go for it I wish English was my first language, like it is yours. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![OleOneEye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f14d63/32.png) [@OleOneEye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OleOneEye)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/28 "2015-12-26T11:08:00Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > I wish English was my first language, like it is yours. 🙂 … ? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/29 "2015-12-26T11:27:49Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Thanksgiving (Turkey holiday?) isnt religious, so atheism isn’t really relevant. > > Many folks can’t cook for themselves, don’t observe the holiday, observe Christmas Eve, or Orthodox Christmas. Why should my evening be blocked when it’s not even my holiday? > > We went out, dropped close to $250 on dinner plus a very generous tip. I don’t think anyone felt bad serving us tonight. If you believe Christmas is not Christian, then you probably believe Thanksgiving is not religious. Who are we supposed to be thanking? Ancestors, or god? Either presupposes some form of religious faith. Each other? Maybe, but I’ve never heard anyone suggest that. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/30 "2015-12-26T12:28:55Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > I think we need more feedback from people who had to work on Xmas, outside of the police, fire department, hospital/emergent room, etc. I’ve worked holidays when I was nowhere near family or friends and frankly it was much better than not working it… gave me something to do other than scratch my ass. One of the best deals I’ve ever made was trading an “on duty” Fourth of July (in which I was going to work from home anyway) for getting the Seventh off (hey, it’s a holiday for me - the Fourth isn’t!). I didn’t even need to miss the parade on the Fourth, since it was three blocks away from my house and at a time at which it was ok to close TeamSpeak. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/31 "2015-12-26T13:23:02Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Waffle Houses, truck stops, and Chinese restaurants are open. Why not eat at one? Actually, I’ve found waiting lines to get into a Waffle House on Xmas. Heh. Not Christmas Day, but Christmas Eve. There was a period of time when my room mate was the assistant manager at a gas station, (part of a chain). Corporate policy was that the only time during the year they closed was Christmas, 8pm Christmas Eve to 8pm Christmas Day. She and the manager would start at eight and after clearing the pumps’ totals, sending the reports, setting the alarms, and chaining the doors shut (there was no lock) it was generally nine or nine-thirty. Not being in trucker territory, the only place open that late would be the WH a mile down the road. There would be one cook, one waitress and (but for one year) just us there during the time we ate. I’d leave a $10 cash tip for a $20 meal. This year, my sister-in-law (brother’s wife) died the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Nobody’s felt like doing the Christmas thing, especially hosting the feast. Restaurant it was, and we reminisced her life. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/32 "2015-12-26T13:51:28Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > If you believe Christmas is not Christian, then you probably believe Thanksgiving is not religious. Who are we supposed to be thanking? Ancestors, or god? Either presupposes some form of religious faith. Each other? Maybe, but I’ve never heard anyone suggest that. I’m confused. I don’t believe Christmas is not Christian, so we’re good there. As an atheist I am perfectly capable of being thankful without having a deity to thank. I am appreciative all the time for the wonderful things, people, opportunities, luck, in my life. A god is not required for gratitude. I don’t need someone to be listening for me to be grateful. And you betcha I express my gratitude to the people who help make my life great, on Thanksgiving. And FWIW my mom’s sisterhood group from our Synagogue used to volunteer at the hospital to give Christian volunteers the night off ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/33 "2015-12-26T14:03:30Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > The [Chinese-Jewish connection](http://www.jewishboston.com/rachele/blogs/4288-why-do-jews-love-chinese-food-on-christmas-you-ll-probably-want-an-eggroll-after-this). > > Actually I know several people ( rigidly anti-Christmas types, mostly not Jewish ) that go out for Asian food on Christmas. It’s a bit of a thing. Not one I participate in, but pretty understandable from where I’m sitting. As a matter of fact, I happened to read some FB yesterday on the subject and one other relevant fact mentioned was that the lower east side was the home to both the first major Jewish immigration (save for the German Jews who came earlier) and Chinatown. And while Chinese food is far from kosher, they basically never use dairy products, so as long as you stick to beef and fowl, you are eating allowable foods. It was not a tradition known to me growing up in Philadelphia but is widely known and practiced in NY. Yesterday we were invited to a holiday dinner, but might have gone to a Chinese restaurant if not. Why not? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/34 "2015-12-26T14:10:08Z")
Y’know, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, with Passover as a close third are my important holidays days. No one worries that I have to work those days, sometimes skipping synagogue or having to rush put together a holiday meal after work. My son, who’s at college, can’t be guaranteed to be able to come home if he’s got work or classes he can’t miss. Christmas becomes a generic family holiday because society schedules school breaks, work closes (mostly), and people fuss if other people are forced to work. Since society makes those accommodations, people who do observe don’t see how American culture can been constructed to make it easy to observe. However, to put it in a pedestal of holidays when the religious/traditional holidays of other religions barely get a societal work around and how challenging that is seems rather myopic. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/35 "2015-12-26T14:11:05Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > I think we need more feedback from people who had to work on Xmas, outside of the police, fire department, hospital/emergent room, etc. > > Even people who are not christian/religious still want to spend that day with family. And many, many don’t. Is this concept really that difficult to understand? Not everyone is like you. > [@](#): > > Even if you are well paid, it is just a sign that in the overall sense that you are being exploited, if, you think giving up time with family to “make $250” is a “good opportunity”. For people who are not close to their family, or, living in another city, it may be a good chance for them, however… but I doubt most bosses who “require” people to work holidays are really thinking of their employees situation… Yes. They are all evil. All of them. > [@](#): > > Chinese/Jewish run restaurants might be an exception to this, IDK. Thanks so much, dude. Your grudging approval of our traditions means the world to us. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/36 "2015-12-26T14:32:07Z")
I had Chinese delivery last night. I assure you, no Christians were harmed in the process. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/37 "2015-12-26T14:49:46Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Wow. What a massively presumptuous and fucking stupid premise. Not everyone celebrates your lame ass holiday. It’s a fairly universal time to be with your family and friends regardless of any religious affiliation. It’s basically like the 4th of July or Memorial Day. If I went to a restaurant on Christmas the tipping would start at 30%. If it was a place like Waffle House I would probably double it. Happy it-sucks-you-missed-a-three-day-weekend. So, no soup for you. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/38 "2015-12-26T14:53:00Z")
Your waiter is already there and working. The only thing worse than going into the restaurant when you don’t want to be there is going into an _empty_ restaurant when you don’t want to be there. You’re not making any money and you will very likely be required to do a bunch of other work. So yeah, go to a restaurant. Tip nicely. Be friendly. Make your server’s life a bit less shitty for thirty minutes. Whether or not you’re a tool of a customer is always, irrespective of the day, completely up to you. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/39 "2015-12-26T15:00:35Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It’s a fairly universal time to be with your family and friends regardless of any religious affiliation. It’s basically like the 4th of July or Memorial Day. No, it’s not, as many of us have demonstrated. Your culture is dominant in the US, which is fine, but it’s not universal. Others of us want something different to do on a boring day. Have you ever gone out to eat on July 4th or Memorial Day? Is that not allowed either. > [@](#): > > If I went to a restaurant on Christmas the tipping would start at 30%. If it was a place like Waffle House I would probably double it. Happy it-sucks-you-missed-a-three-day-weekend. Goody for you. It’s so nice to know what you would do in an imaginary situation. This xmas, I was the only one in my group who went into work to check on things and start a couple of tests so no one else would have to do so. I’m a salaried employee so I got no extra pay for this. Then I went out to a restaurant staffed by Buddhists with a pagan friend. I tipped 40%. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364/40 "2015-12-26T15:01:24Z")
For background: I’m Jewish. My family gets together on Christmas because everyone has the day off. And because the whole country exchanges gifts that day, so we do, too. When I was a kid, my father always worked Christmas. We’d open presents early, then he’d go to the hospital to do rounds, and be the senior doctor available. As the only non-Christian, it was understood that he would covertly the others, so they could spend the day with family. In exchange, he never worked Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashanah, no matter what the rotation said. There were several years when my brother and father clashed. During that time, my brother always volunteered to work on holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Passover, so he had an excuse not to join us. I don’t know how many people are voluntold to work the holidays, but I know there are people who truly volunteer, for one reason or another. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-you-feel-guilty-going-to-a-restaurant-on-christmas/741364.md?page=3)