Two minutes silence and refusing to serve customer

I'm saddened and disappointed in the few posters who cannot understand why the majority of us feel that spending 2 minutes once a year reflecting on those who have lost their lives defending our country is the right thing to do.

Shame on you. And, yes, I will judge you

I worked retail today. We did the silence. Don't have a tannoy but did let customers know that it was 11 so we would not be serving. No issues thankfully but I did envisage someone complaining about it.

scarlet i get its your freedom to choose but you dont find it rude if someone deliberatly went against a social norm of politeness just to prove a point that they dont want to? To me thats like snubbing a handshake or ignoring someone saying hello. 2 minutes is not a long time to wait patiently.

She was rude for being on her phone whilst expecting to be served. And as the silence was well-advertised store policy YWNBU however there is nothing rude about not observing the silence

She should've timed her supermarket trip better if 2 minutes was going to make or break her ability to get the train.

YANBU. Impatient woman.

Martha. I disagree. I wouldn’t make others not be silent but the whole point of this wonderful freedom that’s been fought for is that we don’t insists others do things. Some people don’t choose to pay respects publically and that’s ok with me. I did today and I’m glad I had the choice to but if I was not able to, I wouldn’t be questioning my gratitude to those who fought.

Selfish cow, I hope she missed her train and had a really horrible day 😡 Well done OP ywnbu

Really shocked by all the people saying that you should of served her
You are absolutely NOT being really unreasonable OP - the woman should be ashamed of herself.. 2 minutes to show respect for those who fought and died for our freedom is not much to ask. Disgraceful woman

I'm in Retail in a large store. We announce the 2 minutes silence 10 mins before then 5 mins. We also tell our staff to step back from the tills and not to serve.
Last year some guy really kicked off at a pregnant member of staff about why he had to wait to be served and how our guys kill innocent people and then went on to describe babies being killed etc...staff member was obviously trying to hide it but getting very upset. Took over for her and served the guy. First time I've ever met that kind of hatred towards it

YWNBU.

In the stores I’ve worked in we were instructed by management to observe the 2 minutes silence. This included stepping away from the tills and not serving. If customers don’t want to observe it that’s up to them but no way would I serve in that time.

Guaranteed if you had served, someone else would have complained about staff being disrespectful!

Hope she missed her train

Yanbu When I worked in retail we would log out of the till and step away so there was no mistaking we were observing the silence. We also used to dim the lights.
The poppy seller was the same bloke every year and had fought in WW2. He used to clap at the end of the silence. He died on the 9th November 2006. A fair few staff cried during the silence that year. I know it's a tangent but this thread reminded me of him.

scarlet why do you think not being quiet doesnt mean lack of respect? If you purposely talk in the 2 minute silence you are being disrespectful massively. The 2 minutes silence is a small well known social queue of respect like shaking hands is polite. If you deliberatly go against that its the very definition of disrespect.

I respect those who fought. However, I also respect the freedom not to want to take part in the silence. Not being quiet does not equal lack of respect. So I think I’d have served her.

rafflesway i agree. I personally know and am related to people who died/suffer severe ptsd as a result of wars they faught in and the horrors of wars past. People are becoming very dickish lately. If someone does something as a sign of respect they are being respectful they dont need to justify how or why they chose to observe the 2 mins silence.

@treaclesoda the 11th is Armistice Day which is why the silence is held st 11am in addition the one on rememberance Sunday.

Yeah, I know that's the date and time of the Armistice I've just never been anywhere that did a two minute silence for it, except when we were at primary school. I didn't know it was something that took place in public places like shops etc because it doesn't happen where I live.

Baluga you were definitely NOT being unreasonable!!

Enough said!

God bless everyone who lost their lives in conflict enabling us to live our lives to the full. God help any lowlife who can’t respect that! 😡

@LouBlue1507 as has been said numerous times on this thread, booking a Saturday in the middle of November in retail is very difficult and in many stores impossible. Why not just accept that you have to wait 2 minutes to be served instead. Which at this time of year, is likely to be an underestimate anyway!

We observed 2 minutes silence on a train last year where the train came to a comolete stand still. You were right op 2 minute silence is respectful and silence doesnt just mean talking it means unecessary booping of the checkout. If she was going to be late she should have planned earlier. 2 minutes is nothing for what people sacrificed so 100 years later we could be here buying groceries on a normal day.

YANBU I bet if you had served her, someone else would be complaining that you and the shop were not respecting the silence.

@treaclesoda the 11th is Armistice Day which is why the silence is held st 11am in addition the one on rememberance Sunday.

I went in a shop today which had a notice above the counter saying that the staff wished to observe the silence and they asked customers to respect that. The customers then had a choice to go elsewhere if they didn’t.

Yes, it's standard to fall silent in all public areas at 11am on Armistice Day.

YANBU. When I worked in retail all staff were told to stop and show our respects for 2 minutes. I’d have got a very strong word from my manager if I’d have served her.