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

Pausing and reflecting is good for
our well-being. And positive acts together as a community are helpful in these divisive times.

I use the silence to reflect more broadly on the people who have sacrificed their lives or their health for the benefit of their communities. To think about how amazing humans can be, and at the same time think about how we curtail the madness of armed conflict.

People should be free to go about their day, but it isn’t fair or kind to disrupt that moment for others. Waiting for a minute or so before being served is basic decency towards others.

Well exactly, people complaining about an infringement on their right to decide to observe it or not, while attempting to push other people who are observing it into interacting/serving them.
Bit hypocritical.

I do think about my family members who lived through the war and what it must have been like, including my grandmother, whose first husband was killed during it.
My son, a teenager, will be working today at a place where they will observe the silence. We haven't discussed it, but I doubt he will be thinking much other than waiting for the silence to be over, as he didn't know any of these family members.

( many people also don’t agree with war )

I don’t agree with war, I do think remembrance is important precisely because I don’t agree with war. Those who ignore history are destined to repeat it.

Yes, it’s what they’re willing to do and what that’s in service of that’s the issue.

Well said

No, it’s entirely voluntary. A shop is within its right to pause service if it wants and a customer is entitled to speak if they want.
If I’m out and my 1 or 3 year old need me to speak to them then I will.

I think a tanoy announcement is a good idea.

I think they should stop shoppers entering too.

I have accidentally made noise because I didn’t realise the time and I went in to the shop and asked the staff where something was.

I do think that if the silence means so much to you, then you should go shopping at a different time or sit in your car or something.
Not everyone is going to do it and some people with kids or SN may not be able to help it.

If someone making noise is going to upset you, then make sure you’re in an area where you know you won’t be disturbed.

Thank you.

I grew up in the military, my dad was away as much as he was home. When he was in the Falklands, he lost his personal kit when one of the ships went down. Seeing the padre arrive on our street and knock on the door opposite, hearing the scream as my friends mum was given the news that her husband wasn't coming home, is not something I have ever forgotten. That could have been us.

Thank you to everyone who uses the two minute silence to reflect, it's for moments like the above- and there are many many moments like this throughout those who have,are and will serve in our forces. For me it's a tiny way of saying thank you for my freedom to choose to all those who step up and are prepared to make the final sacrifice.

Everyone coming together in the moment warms my heart. Thank you to those who aren't dicks.

This ^^ !!!

So it's okay for mass murder or genocide of helpless individuals then as long as nobody goes to war?

Whilst I agree it’s disrespectful for people to talk etc during the two minute silence that’s being observed I do not think people shouldn’t be able to go out.
I didn’t even think about it occurring till I read this post.
Louds of people won’t be aware so
YABVU

( many people also don’t agree with war )

You've said what I was trying to say, just much better.

Why do people keep bleating on about "celebrating war". If that's what you think it is you have seriously missed the point.

Yes I find this too.

That is a very good point

The act of remembrance is to be respectful to the people who gave their lives so that we have freedom and choice. We cannot force people to be silent but it is fair to expect them to respect your want to observe the silence.
So as long as what they are doing/ want does not impact on someone's choice to remember then that is what people died for in the first place- freedom and choice- the cigarette person is just a cf who is rude.....

I would genuinely be interested to know if psychological studies have ever been done in if people actually do think / reflect more deeply on something on an organised 2 minutes of everyone being silent than they do in other situations/ ways of remembering. Not being argumentative, genuinely interested.

Because I don't feel like I do. I think as soon as it's a set thing, no matter how much I actually care about the subject and want to reflect, (eg a loved ones funeral etc) then thoughts in my head will include 'make sure you don't make a noise, don't cough now, are my kids being quiet, how long has it been now, do I look suitably serious etc, alongside all the reflection. I probably think more deeply in the shower or out for a walk or something! Might just be me though.

If you want to ensure a 2 minute silence then stay at home or make the effort to go to a church or organized parade/service.
Society is made up of cultures now that were on different sides in wars & there are many people who are still suffering from actions of British army (eg in northern Ireland) and have lost relatives as a result of actions of the British army. There were great sacrifices made by soldiers in the 2 world wars that have given us great freedom but that does not make the British army since then the squeaky clean heroes remembrance season tries to portray

I think the woman shouting about fags was being an idiot & I think it's appalling to deliberately disrupt or protest at a remembrance day service/parade etc but people should not be forced to wear a poppy or hide themselves away because they choose to avoid it.

If you've got shopping to do etc then you are free to continue to do that but be respectful that the staff may not be able to serve you or speak during the silence. Don't deliberately disrupt or be noisy but you don't have to stand to attention in silence in a shop/on a bus/in a hospital etc

My Dad was in Sainsbury’s last year. He asked a woman where the such and such was. She scowled at him and then said Shhhhh!!! and put her finger to her lips. He was momentarily confused then it dawned on him it was the 2 min silence for Remembrance Sunday. He felt truly awful and was kicking himself.

But he’s 82 and deaf. He didn’t hear the tannoy announcement.

People who want to observe the silence can do so. People who don't can go respectfully about their business using their indoor/library/funeral voices for two minutes so as not to be too much of a distraction. Do adults really need to debate and negotiate and be given a steer on how to navigate something so straightforward?

My Grandparents served in WWII, like many thousands of others, they were rewarded for their sacrifice with the welfare state, the NHS and free education for life. 2mins silence and some poppies just doesn't stack up compared to what's been systematically dismantled.

They all lost brothers in WWII, their parents all lost brothers in WWI. If you want to respect their sacrifice I think honouring their wishes for a fairer world would be a fitting tribute.

That doesn't mean you have to be a dick about it though.

I stay silent to remember my grandfather and his peers who volunteered to go through unimaginable horrors so that we are free to choose. If he and others like him hadn’t done that we would very likely still be living under a dictatorship where you would have very little choice in most aspects of your life. Personally I think joining with others to reflect for two minutes is the very least I can do.

I'm a village church goer and wouldn't disapprove of you chatting to your friend. Not convinced that Christ would be massively disappointed in you either.

Well said vivian