Poland to phase out Sunday shopping by 2020

cbs austin ^ | Nov. 24, 2017 | AP

[bgill]

Poland's lawmakers on Friday approved a law that will phase out Sunday shopping by the year 2020 despite criticism that it may eliminate thousands of jobs. Proposed by trade unions that want shop workers to spend more time with their families, the bill got support from the ruling party that adheres to Catholic values. Critics say it would negatively affect Poland's economy, eliminating tens of thousands of jobs, and hurt supermarket chains, which are mostly western... There will be, however, some exceptions that will allow Sunday shopping before major holidays like Christmas and Easter. Also, online shops and bakeries are to be exempted from the ban.

[bgill]

Bringing back what we knew as the Blue Law and were so glad to see gone.

On a long road trip, one Sunday, nothing was open but a grocery store. At that time, there was little in the way of convenience food items so I decided to buy a can of pork 'n beans. Problem was, they refused to sell a can opener because it was Sunday.

[dfwgator]

You’ve got six other days of the week to get everything you need. Plan accordingly.

[DIRTYSECRET]

No Pro Football?

[dfwgator]

Suits me fine.

[kearnyirish2]

The county just north of me here in NJ has Blue Laws (Bergen County); when atheist-types fought to overturn them on religious grounds many non-Christians rallied to keep them in place. So many NYC shoppers enter this county that Sunday was the only day locals could drive anywhere.

I know I have a religious bias, but I have no problem with these laws because history has shown if employers could work you seven days per week they often would. I’ve met too many people who love the convenience of shopping on Sunday but would NEVER work Sundays...

[Dr. Sivana]

On a long road trip, one Sunday, nothing was open but a grocery store.

When CT had Blue Laws, the supermarkets were closed, but gas stations and drug stores were open, as were restaurants. A modern drug store may as well be a small grocery store, ditto many gas stations.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

Same should be said of alcohol purchasing.

Poland seems to be about the only Gentile Nation that gets it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqdWdG—Lrs

[Hieronymus]

Even if laws force employers to give defined time off, or require overtime compensation etc. to push things in that direction, there is no guarantee that family members can get the same days off when multiple people are working.

[kearnyirish2]

I know; I just think it is a good protection for workers. Heck, they already work for people who are off 7 days per week...

[kingu]

It always ends well when the government decides when you can and can’t be open. If businesses want to close on Sunday, close. If unions want their workers to have Sundays off, gosh, I seem to remember this thing about organizing workers who redress grievances with their employers, but I can’t put my finger on what they were called.

And if someone wants to be open on Sunday and sell things, that’s their business.

[dfwgator]

If unions want their workers to have Sundays off, gosh, I seem to remember this thing about organizing workers who redress grievances with their employers, but I can’t put my finger on what they were called.

Ever hear of "Solidarity"?

[discostu]

But of course most people work 5 of them. In the end it should be the choice of the business owner, the government shouldn’t have an opinion.

[oldvirginian]

“You’ve got six other days of the week to get everything you need. Plan accordingly.”

Very true.
When I was young the businesses in the small towns would close at noon on Saturday and not reopen until Monday morning.
Everyone knew to do their buying by noon Saturday.
Many businesses also closed half day on Wednesday.
With just a little planning everything was fine.

[Tucker39]

After I did my enlistment with Uncle Sam, I used to carry a little C-Ration can opener all the time, in with my pocket change. Somewhere along the way, that fell by the wayside.

[dfwgator]

Well when you move to Poland and become a Polish citizen then you can vote on it.

[Tucker39]

“If businesses want to close on Sunday, close.”
It surely seems to work for Chick-fil-A.

[imardmd1]

Yay! Mom and Dad used to take us on Sunday drives. Not a lot of traffic, and parks with a lot of other fun kids. Lots of Sunday radio programs -- The Great Gildersleeve, Mr. Keene, Tracer of Lost Persons, the Green Hornet, Inner Sanctum, etc. No TV, so no football. Quietness everywhere. No booze joints open, folks.

Great idea to reawaken Polish nationality and family activities, especially just visiting relatives and old friends.

[I want the USA back]

Poland is moving forward, not backward.

[kearnyirish2]

Probably every local government has laws regarding alcohol sales (in terms of when bars close, or when liquor stores can open); is that problematic as well?

[momtothree]

“... it should be the choice of the business owner..”

I agree completely! We flip out when the government tells a family owned bakery to make a gay marriage cake SO we can’t agree that mandatory closing on a Sunday is a good thing IMHO. If a store wants to close... fine. If they want to stay open.. fine.