If you don’t want to observe two minute silence- don’t be out

Nobody said that either.

It depends how you define aggressor.

Where did I specify that I was ever only referring to the British army?

No, I don’t agree. Of course people shouldn’t have to stay indoors - a number of people (including the OP?) clarified that early on. The vast majority of people are discussing what’s appropriate behaviour during the 2 Minutes of Remembrance.

Indeed, that’s what the Mecca/being in a shop post I quoted was referring to.

I wouldn't do that ever, much less actually swear, regardless of what was going on around me.

Ironically, a lot of people that shout "you must be silent" and "show respect!"don't show a lot of concern,care or respect for veterans at any other point in the year.

In my opinion , it's wrong to conflate care and respect with public , performative acts.

There's very little reflection happening, or change , either on an individual or national level.

So would you bow to Mecca? It's only what, a few minutes 5 times a day or something.
If you were in a country that observed this and you were in a shop would you join in?

Would I be so disrespectful as to take part in a public religious observance when I don’t subscribe to that faith, of course not. But I also wouldn’t be disruptive or dismissive of it.

I don't think it is, because literally nobody in the thread has said what the fags-buying woman did was OK.

Just that it's not OK to tell people who don't observe the silence that they should stay indoors.

So would you bow to Mecca? It's only what, a few minutes 5 times a day or something.If you were in a country that observed this and you were in a shop would you join in?

No but you wouldn’t stand there shouting down your phone or shouting for someone to get you fags, would you? That’s the point.

We used to live near Royal Star and Garter Home for Injured Servicemen and Women-
As a child , there were many WW1 Veterans-

Prosthetic limbs then weren’t as “good” as they are now, never mind the “Shell shocked” men, some of whom enlisted very young (WW1) like 15 or 16 by lying about their age.

As a kid, my Riding instructor used to sometimes ride out of Richmond Gate and ride around the old decorative fountain ⛲️, Saluting his fellow Veterans, then back into the Park.

Many were limbless back then. ( Probably as now- War isn’t kind to human bodies or minds.)

There was a lot more respect in those days for Veterans, although post WW1 there was a massive homeless problem amongst Veterans, many who slept rough along the Embankment on the benches there.

The Two minute silence ideally should be a time for reflection .

What point was OP trying to make? She's had plenty to say but not bothered to clarify. Odd. Usually when multiple posts make the same point an OP does make their point more clearly.

It's just the usual goady, hope-to-have-a-bunfight thread.

Unless you are stupid, you are very well aware that no-one means this. What point are you trying to make?

It was given to me. I've had it for many years.

Of course, it costs me no donation. Instead of the British Legion I donate to PTSD UK, sometimes to homeless charities, and I also have personal involvement in the form of support for the Forward Trust (a charity for addicts and their families). All the above are likely to benefit former service personnel who, for whatever reason, don't conform to the label of 'hero' that society persists in attaching to them. In some cases that can be outright damaging. The living matter, too.

I do recall, and commemorate, those who have died or are suffering as a result of serving this country in war. But I will do so in my own way. I have no intention of conforming to a subscribed directive as to how this should be done.

So would you bow to Mecca? It's only what, a few minutes 5 times a day or something.
If you were in a country that observed this and you were in a shop would you join in?

Do you think all babies, toddlers and small dc should be locked away for the duration? Non verbal autistic people? People with Tourette's?

And should caregivers just ignore them when they do make noises? So just stand and ignore a 3 year old boshing their infant sibling with a baguette whilst shouting that they are an elephant? Because this year I saw one year in a shop during the silence. Of course the parent spoke

Spot on.

Whataboutery at its finest.
Really? Why is there always a what if ... to Every. Single. Thing. someone posts.
Obviously the OP wasn't referring to people who for whatever reason are unable to stay silent.
But you knew that. You just wanted to virtue signal.
I say this as a mother to an autistic child who does not 'get' the need to stay silent. I don't need you to advocate for her thanks.

@jannier

Do you talk through funerals? How sad we used to show respect for others feelings if I'm in a religious environment I don't talk through others reflection or prayers. The country decided to honour its dead soldiers even the ones still dying today.
People choose to attend a funeral. Not a good analogy.

Where is your dove from @SerafinasGoose ?

in the 50s town centres were brought to a halt - roads closed for the parade, and everyone would stop their car for the two minute silence.

it’s not just stopping yourself for remembrance, it’s doing so in an atmosphere of silence, so I do feel non-participants should shut up until they’re out of earshot of anyone participating. They can still go about their business, just quietly

I have respect for those who were forced to go to war and lost their lives. I have none for those who chose to go to the Middle East to murder civilians.

I can. I'm capable of doing so. But frankly I'm unwilling to conform anymore with this kind of meaningless, enforced performativity, a culture with which I'm rapidly losing patience. Exactly the same applies to sporting rainbows or announcing pronouns. Instead of wearing either a red or a white poppy, I wear a small brooch in the shape of a dove of peace.

The cigarette woman was rude, uncouth and objectionable. She'd have been rude, uncouth and objectionable in any circumstances, to the extent that staff would have been quite within their rights to refuse to engage with her at all. The two-minute silence was incidental.

I would not have approached a staffed checkout in the circumstances (although might well have used self-checkout). But as for standing in abeyance with the appropriately solemn expression, instead of going about my business peacefully, silently and bothering no one - now that, no one has the right to dictate.

As for staying at home as the price for holding such a view: No. I'm unsure where people get off in issuing such directives, but that attitude can - how to put this politely? - exit and multiply.

I posted aboput this. Its not new its a revival. It restarted in 1995

I observe the 2 minute silence but I think when you started compelling people to behave in a certain way you are on a slippery slope.

I was at the supermarket this morning over 11am. There was an announcement to say they would be observing two minutes silence, and everyone stopped where they were when it started. There were babies and toddlers making noises, as expected, but the majority observed the silence. One couple in the same aisle as me begrudgingly stood still for 30 seconds, tutting the whole time, before the wife loudly declared 'oh that's long enough now, we've not got time for this' and they proceeded to loudly jostle past everyone, throwing tins in their trolley etc. It was embarrassing to watch, but they clearly weren't bothered about that. I did see an older man approach them after the silence to tell them they'd been disrespectful, but they just ignored him.
I could completely understand someone forgetting about the 11am silence and being in a rush to get in and out of the supermarket. But they could have continued their shopping in a far more thoughtful way once they realised other people were observing it.

Definitely wasn't the done thing anywhere I've worked. And will guarantee tomorrow won't be any different at my work. People, can observe it by being quiet themselves, but certainly won't be an office wide thing.

And not in shops etc either until last few years.

And when my son was younger and played football on a Sunday morning, it was a 2 minute silence before the game but not at 11am as that was in the middle of game time .

Definitely become a lot more performative in recent years. Tv hosts etc slated if they choose not to wear a poppy etc.