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Original poster

Given the world conflict situation are fireworks in bad taste?

113 replies

MatildaTheCat · 02/10/2024 14:00

I will preface this by saying that I’m no fan of fireworks anyway especially domestic ’ displays’ consisting of endless huge bangs which scare my dog into a state of terror.

Watching the news recently it occurs to me that seeing endless bombings of innocent civilians, many of whom are children, is essentially what firework displays are emulating. Bonfire night was originally meant to celebrate the events of the gunpowder plot to blow up Westminster. Terrorism in other words.

Is it not just a monumental waste of money and in incredible poor taste to have celebrations of this sort as people are literally being killed by actual explosives and not so very far from us?

Is there a better way of holding an autumnal celebration without using explosives?

OP posts:
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CrazyAndSagittarius · 06/10/2024 02:04

Oh the joy police are out in force again. 🥱

One thing social media has made very clear is that if it were up to some people, no one would have any fun ever again.

Childfreecatlady · 06/10/2024 00:46

Yes, they are always in bad taste, not BC of war but BC they are horrible and incredibly harmful to pets, wildlife, people with PTSD, etc etc. But of course there are always going to be twats out there who put their own 5 mins of pleasure above another creature or person's suffering so it is what it is.

Outnumberedmummy2022 · 04/10/2024 06:06

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 03/10/2024 09:06

When I was a child, back garden fireworks were much more the norm - small rockets stuck in a milk bottle, small Roman candles, etc - hardly any really big bangs. Big displays with mega-bangs were a relative rarity.
I used to adore Bonfire Night.

Nowadays it’s (sadly IMO) been overtaken by Halloween, and I’m sure that’s very largely down to the vast amount of black and orange tat in the shops. Apart from fireworks and sparklers, there was no ‘merchandising’ (money-making opportunities) for Bonfire Night.

Yes I have a vivid memory of the Catherine wheel my father lit shaking the fence. We thought we were done for 😂

mpsw · 03/10/2024 09:21

I think sales of fireworks (other than sparklers) to the public should be banned.

But I'd hate to see us losing the tradition of Bonfire Night

There have been a very few years since 1800 without a war in some part of the world.

War and Peace - Our World in Data

We didn't stop the British tradition during the wars when the Former Yugoslavia fell apart - which was much closer to home and involved a British deployment. As we could carry on then, I think we can carry on now.

BabyR · 03/10/2024 09:07

It’s tradition and brings in a bit of light and happiness. I imagine it would feel very glum to ignore Guy Fawkes night.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 03/10/2024 09:06

When I was a child, back garden fireworks were much more the norm - small rockets stuck in a milk bottle, small Roman candles, etc - hardly any really big bangs. Big displays with mega-bangs were a relative rarity.
I used to adore Bonfire Night.

Nowadays it’s (sadly IMO) been overtaken by Halloween, and I’m sure that’s very largely down to the vast amount of black and orange tat in the shops. Apart from fireworks and sparklers, there was no ‘merchandising’ (money-making opportunities) for Bonfire Night.

cookiebee · 03/10/2024 08:32

The ‘it’s tradition’ argument is wheeled out for so many shitty, selfish and pointless things we do. Bonfires can kill wildlife, as when the wood is gradually stacked they wander under for shelter. Fireworks terrify domestic animals and wildlife and can be fatal. Fireworks leave litter scattered around and of course fireworks bought by irresponsible folk injure and are used to terrify neighbours if you live in the wrong area, I grew up in one where lots taped their letterbox shut. But of course people prattle on that it’s their right and as none of these things affect them then why should their rights be trampled on, I think fireworks have had their day.

Original poster
MatildaTheCat · 03/10/2024 08:12

Thanks for all the responses, some good points have been made.

I haven’t actually said fireworks should be banned altogether I guess it could read that way. However I do fully agree with the posters who sensibly suggest that domestic fireworks are a complete menace ( and what bother me most). A well organised public display set to music doesn’t rely on massive bangs to provide entertainment. And restricting fireworks to a few days around each celebration would make sense. Where I live they go on for months and yes, it can feel like a war zone.

For those saying it’s traditional well yes, but the practice of letting off random rockets throughout the night for any occasion whatsoever isn’t. And traditions can and do change- I haven’t seen a guy being thrown on a bonfire for decades. Why has that changed? Quite possibly because it’s poor taste to pretend to burn another person.

@savannahowl not really so very’how Mumsnet’. I haven’t suggested replacing the evening with a night of algebra and turnip crafting.

@BrieHugger good plan.

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 02/10/2024 22:29

MatildaTheCat · 02/10/2024 14:00

I will preface this by saying that I’m no fan of fireworks anyway especially domestic ’ displays’ consisting of endless huge bangs which scare my dog into a state of terror.

Watching the news recently it occurs to me that seeing endless bombings of innocent civilians, many of whom are children, is essentially what firework displays are emulating. Bonfire night was originally meant to celebrate the events of the gunpowder plot to blow up Westminster. Terrorism in other words.

Is it not just a monumental waste of money and in incredible poor taste to have celebrations of this sort as people are literally being killed by actual explosives and not so very far from us?

Is there a better way of holding an autumnal celebration without using explosives?

Yes. Because of the terror it causes animals if nothing else.

I bloody hate them

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 02/10/2024 22:27

I don't think they are intentionally bad taste no. I do see what you mean though, and having watched the news recently I don't think I'll ever
be able to enjoy them in the same way. I can see how they might be triggering for some people.....

AutumnTimeForCosy24 · 02/10/2024 21:29

Moonmelodies · 02/10/2024 14:58

Ban the rockets and bombs so that people can enjoy the fireworks in peace.

@Moonmelodies

inthink you're onto something there!!

Chateauneufdu · 02/10/2024 21:12

I do get your point

AutumnTimeForCosy24 · 02/10/2024 21:11

It's just that the op seemed to be saying that they personally hate fireworks, so let's use all of the people currently caught in conflict as an excuse to ban them. It feels disingenuous

yep!!!

RedHelenB · 02/10/2024 21:10

Ablondiebutagoody · 02/10/2024 14:10

5th November. Guy Fawkes. Its our history not some generic, wishy washy Autumnal celebration. We burn an effigy of Guy on the fire so hardly a celebration of terrorism either.

Also I frikking love fireworks. And burning stuff. Yabu.

This.

AutumnTimeForCosy24 · 02/10/2024 21:10

A whole month of firework moaners! Just what we all need 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

Donyoubreally think us not having fireworks is going to make even the slightest difference to thise children

if you want to make a difference DO something. Whinging about fireworks on MN isn't helping anyone, just making life that bit more miserable.

Wakeywake · 02/10/2024 21:06

I hate fireworks and wish they were banned, but in bad taste because of bombing elsewhere? No, no connection whatsoever.

MurdoMunro · 02/10/2024 21:03

Fair enough @SprigatitoYouAndIKnow I see your point. I hadn’t picked up on that subtext.

Rass · 02/10/2024 20:59

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

SprigatitoYouAndIKnow · 02/10/2024 20:50

MurdoMunro · 02/10/2024 18:05

@SprigatitoYouAndIKnow I’m one of the ‘haters’ I suppose but i haven’t got any further than saying that I find the particular noise of them troublesome and have explained why. I don’t have a case for banning them to make for you, but I do think it’s acceptable to say I don’t care for them. Same to @Rass, you’ve gone off like a rocket there!

I would actually prefer they were restricted to professional displays only and would be perfectly happy for them to drastically reduce or remove the noise made. My kids hate them now and were always bloody woken up as babies when I had just got them to sleep! I do enjoy them, but garden ones are always rather crap in comparison with a proper show.

It's just that the op seemed to be saying that they personally hate fireworks, so let's use all of the people currently caught in conflict as an excuse to ban them. It feels disingenuous.

daisychain01 · 02/10/2024 20:18

What's very Mumsnet is calling pet owners "entitled".

I'm not a pet owner and I don't really enjoy domestic animals, but I absolutely do support pet owners in defending their lovely animals and not wanting them to be frightened and distressed at all the bangs and flashes, so cruel.

Firework users are the entitled ones!

LifeofBrienne · 02/10/2024 20:11

No. That would be like saying that because there’s starvation in Gaza or Sudan, it’s bad taste for someone in the UK to go on a diet.

abracadabra1980 · 02/10/2024 20:05

5128gap · 02/10/2024 14:14

No. The use of explosives to kill people and the use of explosives to create pretty patterns in the sky to give people pleasure have about as much in common as the use of a knife to stab someone and the use of a knife to spread jam on your Granny's scone. I detest fireworks personally and wish there were tighter controls to protect people and animals from the harmful impact, but the link to war is so tenuous, well, there isn't a link at all.

'Granny's scone' I had to titter at that fantastic analogy 🤣

TheNoonBell · 02/10/2024 19:47

Looks like the annual "my pet is scared so I will use any old reason to try to drum up support for a ban" season has begun.

Simonjt · 02/10/2024 19:20

Odd that you want to ban fireworks, but you seem okay with bombs and missiles. Then again it seems you support a terrorist, so not a huge surprise.

I can’t wait for a great diwali firework display.

NRTFT · 02/10/2024 19:16

I think a quiet procession holding lit torches, sparklers and bonfire toffee followed by a good old sing song round a smallish (carefully built to avoid killing hibernating frogs, mice, slow worms and hedgehogs) fire would be just lovely.
No harm to anyone or anything.

Fireworks and huge fires need banning now. They've become too much of an environmental problem and they disturb, wildlife, pets and people.