Extended Sunday opening hours

[Nearly Sane]

It is lying clap-trap to say that you can't find a few hours out of six days of twenty-four hour shopping, plus six or seven days on Sunday.

Wrong - see my earlier post.

I have, and it changes nothing.  Get organised!!

I am, exceptionally organised. I have all sorts of things organised - work, family stuff, voluntary stuff etc etc. Doesn't leave much time for shopping in normal shopping hours. Just 2 hour in the last 3 weeks.

If you are exceptionally well-organised, then it should not be beyond your ability to do your shopping  -  it's not as though you have to plan to climb Everest, or something!

Funny you should say that - actually last weekend was entirely out because I was away walking with friends doing the Yorkshire peaks.

Sure I could stop doing things I need to do (like work) or want to do for others (such as sorting family life, getting kids to places for clubs, parties etc, sorting them to be organised for trips, etc etc, governors meetings and commitments) and things for myself (e.g. choir), so I can get to the shops. But I don't want to do this and wold prefer that the shops were open a little longer on Sunday to make it a little less likely that I have to organise my life around the shops' opening hours rather than the other way around.

So this week:

Tonight - hour commute home then straight out to daughter's end of term gymnastics performance.
Tuesday - hour commute home then straight out to son's school concert, plus serving refreshments at interval
Wednesday - hour commute home then straight out to the dentists
Thursday - problem day - hour commute home then clash between choir rehearsal and son's last ever scouts, which is a family BBQ
And so it goes on.

Get it.

I think we need to gat the violin out for you:  what a martyr  -  yes, I said, "martyr,"   

You really are a sanctimonious guy. You work so hard, so do many things, and you can't find time to go and do your little bit of shopping.  Are you the only one in your house who works and shops?  Looking at your stats for this forum, I see you've spent a total, so far, of over 57 days on here, posting about mostly innocuous matters, just for the sake of it.  Yet you can't find a few hours to shop!  Pull the other one, Prof!!

Not really - my life is pretty similar to many people I know - you know busy, busy working families.

57 days - no idea where you get that from - apparently (looking at the stats) I post on average about 3 posts a day. That sounds about right and each one takes, what 30 secs, and usually (as now posted) while on the move. Not much opportunity to shop (in a physical shop) while on a train. But plenty of opportunity to check out what's going on here and post a comment or two.

And back to the question that remains without cogent rebuttal. If a shop wants to open extended hours, there are people happy to work those hours and customers who would prefer to shop during those extended hours why on earth should that be prevented by law.

When have I said it should be the law to close on Sunday?  I am saying it is both selfish, and difficult to justify saying that they have to, just for your convenience.  I will not accept that any sensible, organised, person cannot manage their shopping in six and three-quarter days out of the week, six of them 24-hour ones, which is what you are claiming for yourself.

where in the post you are replying to does it say you think it should be the law to close on Sundays?

[BashfulAnthony]

It is lying clap-trap to say that you can't find a few hours out of six days of twenty-four hour shopping, plus six or seven days on Sunday.

Wrong - see my earlier post.

I have, and it changes nothing.  Get organised!!

I am, exceptionally organised. I have all sorts of things organised - work, family stuff, voluntary stuff etc etc. Doesn't leave much time for shopping in normal shopping hours. Just 2 hour in the last 3 weeks.

If you are exceptionally well-organised, then it should not be beyond your ability to do your shopping  -  it's not as though you have to plan to climb Everest, or something!

Funny you should say that - actually last weekend was entirely out because I was away walking with friends doing the Yorkshire peaks.

Sure I could stop doing things I need to do (like work) or want to do for others (such as sorting family life, getting kids to places for clubs, parties etc, sorting them to be organised for trips, etc etc, governors meetings and commitments) and things for myself (e.g. choir), so I can get to the shops. But I don't want to do this and wold prefer that the shops were open a little longer on Sunday to make it a little less likely that I have to organise my life around the shops' opening hours rather than the other way around.

So this week:

Tonight - hour commute home then straight out to daughter's end of term gymnastics performance.
Tuesday - hour commute home then straight out to son's school concert, plus serving refreshments at interval
Wednesday - hour commute home then straight out to the dentists
Thursday - problem day - hour commute home then clash between choir rehearsal and son's last ever scouts, which is a family BBQ
And so it goes on.

Get it.

I think we need to gat the violin out for you:  what a martyr  -  yes, I said, "martyr,"   

You really are a sanctimonious guy. You work so hard, so do many things, and you can't find time to go and do your little bit of shopping.  Are you the only one in your house who works and shops?  Looking at your stats for this forum, I see you've spent a total, so far, of over 57 days on here, posting about mostly innocuous matters, just for the sake of it.  Yet you can't find a few hours to shop!  Pull the other one, Prof!!

Not really - my life is pretty similar to many people I know - you know busy, busy working families.

57 days - no idea where you get that from - apparently (looking at the stats) I post on average about 3 posts a day. That sounds about right and each one takes, what 30 secs, and usually (as now posted) while on the move. Not much opportunity to shop (in a physical shop) while on a train. But plenty of opportunity to check out what's going on here and post a comment or two.

And back to the question that remains without cogent rebuttal. If a shop wants to open extended hours, there are people happy to work those hours and customers who would prefer to shop during those extended hours why on earth should that be prevented by law.

When have I said it should be the law to close on Sunday?  I am saying it is both selfish, and difficult to justify saying that they have to, just for your convenience.  I will not accept that any sensible, organised, person cannot manage their shopping in six and three-quarter days out of the week, six of them 24-hour ones, which is what you are claiming for yourself.

where in the post you are replying to does it say you think it should be the law to close on Sundays?

I didn't say it was in that particular post.

[Nearly Sane]

It is lying clap-trap to say that you can't find a few hours out of six days of twenty-four hour shopping, plus six or seven days on Sunday.

Wrong - see my earlier post.

I have, and it changes nothing.  Get organised!!

I am, exceptionally organised. I have all sorts of things organised - work, family stuff, voluntary stuff etc etc. Doesn't leave much time for shopping in normal shopping hours. Just 2 hour in the last 3 weeks.

If you are exceptionally well-organised, then it should not be beyond your ability to do your shopping  -  it's not as though you have to plan to climb Everest, or something!

Funny you should say that - actually last weekend was entirely out because I was away walking with friends doing the Yorkshire peaks.

Sure I could stop doing things I need to do (like work) or want to do for others (such as sorting family life, getting kids to places for clubs, parties etc, sorting them to be organised for trips, etc etc, governors meetings and commitments) and things for myself (e.g. choir), so I can get to the shops. But I don't want to do this and wold prefer that the shops were open a little longer on Sunday to make it a little less likely that I have to organise my life around the shops' opening hours rather than the other way around.

So this week:

Tonight - hour commute home then straight out to daughter's end of term gymnastics performance.
Tuesday - hour commute home then straight out to son's school concert, plus serving refreshments at interval
Wednesday - hour commute home then straight out to the dentists
Thursday - problem day - hour commute home then clash between choir rehearsal and son's last ever scouts, which is a family BBQ
And so it goes on.

Get it.

I think we need to gat the violin out for you:  what a martyr  -  yes, I said, "martyr,"   

You really are a sanctimonious guy. You work so hard, so do many things, and you can't find time to go and do your little bit of shopping.  Are you the only one in your house who works and shops?  Looking at your stats for this forum, I see you've spent a total, so far, of over 57 days on here, posting about mostly innocuous matters, just for the sake of it.  Yet you can't find a few hours to shop!  Pull the other one, Prof!!

Not really - my life is pretty similar to many people I know - you know busy, busy working families.

57 days - no idea where you get that from - apparently (looking at the stats) I post on average about 3 posts a day. That sounds about right and each one takes, what 30 secs, and usually (as now posted) while on the move. Not much opportunity to shop (in a physical shop) while on a train. But plenty of opportunity to check out what's going on here and post a comment or two.

And back to the question that remains without cogent rebuttal. If a shop wants to open extended hours, there are people happy to work those hours and customers who would prefer to shop during those extended hours why on earth should that be prevented by law.

When have I said it should be the law to close on Sunday?  I am saying it is both selfish, and difficult to justify saying that they have to, just for your convenience.  I will not accept that any sensible, organised, person cannot manage their shopping in six and three-quarter days out of the week, six of them 24-hour ones, which is what you are claiming for yourself.

where in the post you are replying to does it say you think it should be the law to close on Sundays?

I didn't say it was in that particular post.

so why make an entirely irrelevant reply to a post?

[Udayana]

It is as if some would like a social dimmer switch that they could use to tone everything down for everyone at the same time, just like electric lighting, so as to result in a temporary subdued state where everything slows down or isn't available - and of course they want control of the switch and to be able to use it when they decide it is good for the rest of us.

They are entitled to their personal dimmer switch of course, which they can use as they wish for their own situation, but I for one don't want to be constrained simply because others think it would be good for me to have otherwise routine options denied in certain situations on the basis of their personal preferences and/or adherence to traditions.

Yes, good analogy. For Gonnagle (and me) the best advice advice is to set the "personal dimmer switch" to what you feel happiest with. Slow down yourself and the world around you will slow too - use local shops you can walk or bike to, I expect one shop a week should be enough, libraries and pubs as long as they last. Treat yourself, others and the world gently.

There is no "master" switch, no doubt that those who think they are in charge want to arrange things to keep everyone going at full wack (they will burn out if they do) - But ultimately it all comes down to individual behaviour and example.  At the worst, when the lights go out, you will have made the best use of the time to that point.

 

[BashfulAnthony]

NS,

"so why make an entirely irrelevant reply to a post?"

It was just part of my answer.  If you look at comments in that way, half the stuff posted is irrelevant.

[Nearly Sane]

NS,

"so why make an entirely irrelevant reply to a post?"

It was just part of my answer.  If you look at comments in that way, half the stuff posted is irrelevant.

Why is it you want me to justify every post on here?

[BashfulAnthony]

NS,

"so why make an entirely irrelevant reply to a post?"

It was just part of my answer.  If you look at comments in that way, half the stuff posted is irrelevant.

Why is it you want me to justify every post on here?

Forget it, this is a "non-argument."

[Nearly Sane]

NS,

"so why make an entirely irrelevant reply to a post?"

It was just part of my answer.  If you look at comments in that way, half the stuff posted is irrelevant.

Why is it you want me to justify every post on here?

Forget it, this is a "non-argument."

which is what I pointed out when you started with the strawman to the post you replied to.

[jeremyp]

Dear Jeremyp,

I was going to apologise, but no, this is why I am a Christian, it focuses me, I an accused of judging and yes I do, shame on me, my faith teaches that this wrong, but one day when we all focus.

I'm not a Christian.  I have no interest in stopping you from doing whatever your faith requires of you.  I just don't want you to require it of me too.

Islam focuses on the poor, the less fortunate for a month, one day when we all focus on our fellow man, is that to much to ask.

Gonnagle.

Why do we all have to do it on the same day?  Why do we have to set aside a day at all?  Shouldn't we be encouraged to focus on our fellow man all the time?

[ProfessorDavey]

Dear Jeremyp,

I was going to apologise, but no, this is why I am a Christian, it focuses me, I an accused of judging and yes I do, shame on me, my faith teaches that this wrong, but one day when we all focus.

I'm not a Christian.  I have no interest in stopping you from doing whatever your faith requires of you.  I just don't want you to require it of me too.

Islam focuses on the poor, the less fortunate for a month, one day when we all focus on our fellow man, is that to much to ask.

Gonnagle.

Why do we all have to do it on the same day?  Why do we have to set aside a day at all?  Shouldn't we be encouraged to focus on our fellow man all the time?

I agree with both of those points. A top down, one size fits all approach both to managing our individual lives and to supporting concern for others simply doesn't work. Actually it is counterproductive, more likely to lead to stress and resentment than to well being and support for out fellow man.

The notion that the state (acting as the mouthpiece for a religious organisations that have long since ceased to speak for  majority in the UK) should dictate when and how we should live our lives is simply wrong in my view. This is something that the state should simply butt out of, with the exception of situations where there is demonstrable harm to individuals, society or the environment. Whether or not a shop should be allowed to open at 9am on a Sunday if they want to open, there are people happy to work and customers who'd prefer to shop at that time doesn't come close to meeting those criteria for something the state should be interfering in.