The debate about extending retailing on public holidays keeps popping up, almost as often as there's a Briscoes sale. Retailers want the option to trade any hour on any day. For our benefit, the consumer, of course. How many times have you been stranded at home on a public holiday and thought, I wish I could buy a lounge suite, or a laptop, or a latte, but I've got to wait until tomorrow? Public holidays get in the way.
Labour Day was to honour the reduced working week. Really? Someone must have not got that memo. Retailers want to be modern day Arkwrights, open all hours. The significance of the eight-hour day is lost with the junk mailers chocking my letterbox with discounts and deals.
There's been a push to rid society of religion interfering with our lives, from the classroom to the bedroom. As a society, we've rejected Christian notions of what's appropriate. So why keep religious holy-days which many people don't identify with anyway?
Christmas has been on the way out for years. Many families find it too tiring, too stressful and too commercial. We've already got rid of the "Christ" and replaced it with an "X". Now it's time to make the whole event an ex. Of course, Boxing Day follows. What's with the boxes anyway?
Good Friday and Easter Monday would also have to go. Play word recognition with "Easter" and you're more likely to get "egg" or "chocolate" or "bunny". The crucifix has been replaced with a hot cross bun. Kill this long weekend.
