Working on Christmas Day at a fast food restaurant in London might sound bleak, but for one 22-year-old employee, it’s just another day – albeit a quieter one. The early morning walk to work, thanks to the lack of public transport, offers a unique perspective on a silent city, almost like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie. The stillness provides a moment of peace before the long shift begins.
The employee works at a well-known fast food chain, but the decision of which locations open on Christmas is left to individual store managers. This results in some employees consistently working the holiday while others never do. There’s a camaraderie among the Christmas Day crew, a shared experience of spending the holiday away from family and facing a day of unpredictable customers.
The day is filled with routine tasks: replenishing condiments, cleaning tables, and ensuring the restrooms are in order. The usual pre-shift smoke break is replaced with a shared coffee and conversation among the staff, united in their holiday predicament. There’s a sense of shared responsibility and understanding.
There’s a palpable sense of boredom throughout the day, punctuated by the occasional customer. The slow pace allows for some rule-bending, like discreetly drinking from water bottles. For some employees, the extra pay is a welcome incentive, particularly for those who don’t celebrate Christmas. Others work out of necessity or simply because they have nowhere else to be.
The customer base on Christmas Day is diverse, ranging from loners and those with nowhere else to go to essential workers like doctors and nurses seeking a quick meal or a change of scenery. The absence of the usual tourist crowds makes for a different atmosphere. The orders are a mix of regular menu items and festive specials, but predicting customer preferences is always a challenge.
The quietude is occasionally disrupted by families coming in for a Christmas meal. While their joy is apparent, it can evoke a sense of sadness for the employees, a reminder of the traditional holiday experience they’re missing. Wishing customers “Merry Christmas” feels ironic when many seem to be spending the holiday in a fast food restaurant.
One of the perks of working on Christmas is the freedom to play their own music, filling the empty restaurant with the sounds of popular artists. The high-quality speaker system enhances the listening experience in the quiet environment. Ultimately, working Christmas Day at a fast food restaurant is a unique experience, a blend of monotony, camaraderie, and unexpected encounters. It’s a reminder that even on holidays, life goes on, and for some, work is an unavoidable part of it.
