Even White Castle closes on Christmas. If they are open then the owner must work and all workers must be volunteers. Maybe three times their normal pay would be nice too.

I was once in Doha, France on "le jour de la libération", VE day. It is still a National Holiday in France. I was struck by two things. First was absolute strangers grabbing me on the street when the found out I was an American and hugging me fiercly while saying "WE do not forget". That was humbling to say the least.

The other was that nothing was open, no shops or business´ and only a tiny handful of Restaurants. My very gracious host had to bring me a dinner his wife had prepared because there was nowhere I could go to eat. (He invited me to his home for most of the day even though this was a business trip).

He explained that holidays ore for family, and business owners witers etc deserve to be with their families as well. I could not help but think that somehow the French were understanding of whats really important than many of us here in the land of the everglowing golden arches.

Christmas is not a holiday for Jewish people, or Muslims, in many places they work for Christian employees, like Christians work for them on their religious holidays. Police and Firemen work Christmas day, other restaurants are open for people who don´t want to cook their Christmas dinner. There are a lot of reasons a place like McDonalds should be open Christmas. I´m sure there are people who appreciate being able to get a cup of coffee, or a quick burger.

But most of the time, the ones who might enjoy getting a cup of coffee or burger as #3 mentions would not be willing themselves to work.
Most people have a good for thee, but not for me mentality.

Given that we live always in a 24/7/365 world...

I no longer care about such things.

As McD´s notes, travelers (of which there are many) need a place to eat.
Lots of people appreciate getting out of the house for a while.
Some people on the go (to work or traveling) need someplace to grab breakfast.
It´s a good place for a break and some caffeine before resuming driving.

And not everyone has family to be with on a holiday.
Why should they have to spend a fortune on a holiday dinner when fast food will do?

This is fine with me. And...
Unlike many, I actually have eaten at a McDonald´s restaurant in Paris, France.
And also in Geneva, Switzerland.
I don´t care what they do there on their holidays.
We don´t need to emulate Europeans.

Btw, Europe is McDonald´s biggest market now. Especially France.
Have to appreciate irony.

My kids were all with their inlaws last Christmas Eve, so I went into the office and let a coworker go home to be with his (school-age) kids. I was the only one there for most of the day. It was a bit weird (I never had to look for the office light switch before, and it was pretty well hidden) but I didn´t mind. I still made Christmas Eve services in the evening. I do feel sorry for people who have to work when they would rather be home, but sometimes the job you have demands it, and that´s part being a loyal worker -- something God honors, I´m sure. If it gets to be too much, then that means it´s time to find something else to do. And if you can´t, then suck it up and do what you are asked to do. Do you think Joseph and Mary wanted to spend Christmas 100 miles from home and living in a stable?

Oh dear, Time magazine has found something it hates more than Christianity. Capitalism.

I never heard of McDonalds or other fast food places being closed on Christmas day. I recall going to see An Officer and a Gentleman with some friends on Christmas day. Lots of people have to work on Christmas. Sheesh.

I don´t eat in McDonald´s very often (actually, I don´t eat out often anywhere), but I do like their coffee and will choose it over a lot of places. Great price, too.

I do sometimes eat at McDonald´s when I travel overseas -- for the noted coffee, but also because it´s quick, affordable and I know what I´m getting. I also travel by myself a lot of the time, and it´s a safe place for me to sit alone.

Per McDonald´s in France; I believe a lot of people realize that the food is affordable, and I believe the pensioners go there because they can get a drink and sit for hours, but in the air conditioning during the hottest part of the summer (and they don´t have/can´t afford ac)

There are people who don´t celebrate any holidays/occasions ... Jehovah´s Witnesses for instance.

and next time you go to McD´s, be sure to order a McRib sandwich.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/11-fascinating-facts-about-the-mcdonalds-mcrib/

If you wanted to eat out somewhere for Christmas, only had $5.00 to your name, then nothing says Yuletide like something off the dollar menu at Micky D´s.

I love McRib!!! Read that article that article that #10 posted and had to laugh. Does anyone who eats at fast food restaurants actually expect to get anything healthy??? Just have to settle for McYummy!!!

We were travelling from Texas to Florida on Chrsitmas day a few years ago, and were honestly very shocked at how serious the good people of the south take Christmas day. There were no fast food places open. We finally found a Denny´s just east of New Orleans that was open. Half way through dinner, their power went out, so they let us all have our food for free (since they couldn´t use their registers).

If we ever have to travel on Christmas day again, we will be sure to pack some food with us!!!

I think it´s too bad. The almighty dollar wins again.

#5 I was fortunate enough to live in Compiegne, France for a year and I remember the howls of protest when McDonald´s came to town. Oh how they complained about the loss of french culture. The place was packed when it opened. We ate there once, just to let my then toddler have a taste of American fast food. Yep, the french like to complain about amercan culture, but they sure do enjoy it!

I’d like for all the folks who condemn those businesses that are open on holidays to take a pledge never to stop for food, drink, fuel or restrooms when traveling on a holiday.

Sounds easy? The year I planned to stay home in Tennessee for Thanksgiving, my dad in Texas had a fatal stroke early Thanksgiving morning. I had to drive back home with my daughter and grandchildren on Thanksgiving to be with my mother and sisters. I was as grateful to every convenience store clerk and restaurant server along our way as I was to those working in the hospital emergency room back in Texas. God bless those who serve others’ needs on any day.

As the Apostle Luke asked, ‘‘Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?’’

Everyone does not have an Traditional Christmas, to many people will be alone and THEY need some where to go to get a hot meal. Hello long haul Truckers!! If my local McDonald´s is open i will be getting my morning coffee from there.

In our faith we try to make Christmas Day as holy as the Sabbath. . We don´t shop, do unnecessary work, eat out, and so on. That being the case, we help others who would like to be home with their families have that joy.

Demand, meet supply. Are we not conservatives here?

Our yearly trek from LA to San Diego to spend Christmas with my sister usually involves a nice meal around 40pm. We leave about 8, and with holiday traffic, expect a three hour drive home.

At about 100, after two hours in tough traffic, there is a nice big McDonalds just at the freeway curves--with some of the toughest traffic still ahead. What a nice break to have a Quarter Pounder and a pie 6 hours after our last meal.

I never thought anything anti-Christmas about it. It was also nice that one time my car was running low on transmission fluid on Thanksgiving, and a Rite Aid was open so I could get some fluid and be on my way, and not have to call a tow.

Still trying to think of what the downside is to all this.

Morons at Time substitute "clack" for "flak." Can´t they teach spelling in j-school?

#2, I know France very well. Where is Doha? Thx in advance.

Sorry for 2nd post, but I want to say, from my own experience working on holidays, that can be one of the best times of the year to work. In general they try to give people with families the time off, but if there´s extra pay, even people with families want in! And since there is often bonus pay, they don´t want to give any one person too many hours so there´s a lot of overlap in shifts. Four hours on Christmas day feeding people while someone else does the work at home cooking the big meal? And getting paid for it? Not bad. Not bad at all.

If they stay open, at least give them overtime or holiday pay. The worst thing about the holidays growing up was being hungry hours before dinner was served and I coul dnot get food because the dinner was being cooked. Let them stay open.

IF you don´t have dinner at home on Christmas, have it at a Chinese restaurant...like you´re SUPPOSED TO DO!

I´m having dinner in Baltimore´s Little Italy. It´s about halfway between where my father and I live -- after several years of stress, I figured out it would be a great compromise, neutral ground, good food and limited time. He can be a bit difficult, and I worried about the actual day for weeks in advance. This works well for both of us.

And I left the server a great tip last year as I happily left for home after a good meal that was a pleasure rather than an ordeal.

Amazing what Time magazine thinks qualifies as journalism these days. Guess they understand what their remaining readers appreciate.

#5 and #14, ditto! Yells of protest when the first Mickey D opened in Paris! But it wasn´t long before the young folks were packin´ the place, munching on "pommes frites" and drinking cokes. The old folks followed not long after.