Asking because this year we’re going to the pub for Christmas dinner for the first time – we’ve always cooked at home, but just feel like a change and my mum isn’t in the mood to cook. I’m super nervous about what it’s going to be like. What the mood will be like and what the social norms are on Christmas. What if I don’t like something? What if I want more gravy or potatoes or something? Sorry for asking such a weird question I’m just having a lot of anxiety about it and don’t want to piss of the server
11 comments
Have you been to pub to eat before?
Years since I’ve done it but it was very different from the usual. People in a good mood, extra gravy and veg etc when asked for. We gave the servers a decent tip for being awesome and working Xmas.
Usually, like they are normal, just the menu is more traditional. They don’t get new chefs in just for the day.
Depends entirely on the pub
Did this once as a kid and I would never do it again.
Christmas without leftovers is crap.
Disappointing. That’s what they’re like. Can’t you do the cooking if your mum doesn’t feel like it? It doesn’t have to be the full turkey, there are simpler options.
Pretty standard experience I’d say except the staff would probably rather be at home more than usual, they earn more from tips, and people are generally in a more jolly mood and not necking half a dozen pints watching the game.
Worked in a pub for several years before my current career.
I always volunteered to work Christmas Day because it was a piece of piss and also because it was just me and my mum and neither of us are bothered about Christmas. The above also plays into this because the first year the boss knew it was just me and my mum so specifically gave me Christmas day off, which meant I worked Boxing Day….
Boxing day was like your worst Sunday daytime times 100. Just chaos, non stop, busy busy busy. Christmas was one sitting, total silence in the kitchen, everyone almost military in precision. This was just a country pub, nothing special, but that was worth it. Four hours open to close, double time. Heaven.
But while I had no stake in this game, I agreed with the head chef – married with kids. He kept his head down, worked like a madman, did everything he was asked to do and more, never complained loudly (unusual for a head chef…)
But he did say away from Christmas he thought it was rude to eat out on Christmas Day. He wasn’t even annoyed, angry, being dramatic, he was just being honest. Why should your desire to eat our deprive people from seeing their family on Christmas Day? A pub meal is never _that_ special.
As someone who doesn’t give a toss about Christmas, I fully agree.
Can imagine the waiters are miserable, doubt many want to be working Christmas Day. Pity
I’ve just given birth so with me unable to cook this year we’ve booked in a cute pub we had Xmas dinner at a few years ago. We honestly love it, every one is happy, you get very well looked after.
We tend to arrive about an hour before our tables booked to have a drink in the bar first.
If you would like more gravy etc just ask nicely as you would at any other time.
Have a lovely Christmas 🎄
Expensive and shit normally