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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think people are being oversensitive regarding the census?

116 replies

TrillianAstra · 09/03/2011 16:27

The census is not trying to get at you.

It doesn't matter who is person #1.

No-one is making a moral judgement based on your answers.

Just fill in the form so that the government can count you up and in a hundred years' time your descendants can look up great great aunty Jane and think "isn't Jane a funny old-fashioned name?".

OP posts:
pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 21:18

Not understanding the questions? Nice try, but I'm getting distinctions at Msc level so don't think so. I just have important paperwork to fill in, essays to write etc. As for non compliance officers,they don't have any powers, and I'll be pleased to tell them so should they come knocking with their clipboards and empty threats. I like to be awkward with these things.

pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 21:22

Reducing funding to the local area eh. Recently I applied for a discretionary housing payment. I was turned down and am struggling with my rent right now. So ho hum,lack of playgrounds are the least of my problems. People can fill out forms but when you need help you'll be told to shove it

vitriola · 09/03/2011 21:24

I still don't understand why you don't want to do it, PFP. Because you think it's a waste of your time, because you think it's too intrusive or just because it is a legal requirement and you want to rebel? It doesn't take long enough for it to massively disrupt your important paperwork, especially if you do it online and it's a lot less hassle than having to pay a fine.

vitriola · 09/03/2011 21:25

X posted. I see it's because you have a grudge against your local council. Please ignore my previous post.

BuzzLiteBeer · 09/03/2011 21:26

and how much do you get already pinkfluffyprincess ?

pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 21:28

I just don't see it as important. I have other things on my mind, like meeting my housing costs. I don't care about anybody in the local area, I don't see anyone helping me so that's that. And no fines will be paid by me either

pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 21:29

I work Buzz, a full time job and as and when shifts. My rent is 1250 a month and I'm behind, unsurprisingly.

hmmSleep · 09/03/2011 21:32

But WHY is question 17 intentionally left blank? WHY??!!!

exexpat · 09/03/2011 21:33

...and in the time PFP has spent reading and contributing to this thread, she could have completed her census online and then got on with all her important things to do...

exexpat · 09/03/2011 21:35

hmm - apparently in Wales it's the question about whether you speak Welsh, which they are not asking in the rest of the UK. Might get some interesting answers if they did (I know quite a few Welsh speakers around here - not in Wales).

hmmSleep · 09/03/2011 21:36

I love google. Apparently it's only printed on Welsh forms, asking if they speak Welsh. Can a Welsh person please confirm this so I can sleep tonight Wink.

hmmSleep · 09/03/2011 21:36

X post, thanks exexpat!

pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 21:38

Just shows how much I care then doesn't it? My census form is in the bin anyway, and I'm using a pre pay dongle so not going to do it online as my credit will be wasted. See, awkward

JaneS · 09/03/2011 21:42

It's sad to see someone so selfish and ignorant doing an Msc, pink.

I'm doing a PhD and yet I still have time to fill in this oh-so demanding form ... perhaps if paperwork is so difficult for you, you're in the wrong kind of work?

I use this kind of data often and it is a hugely important resource that takes up very little of our time - filling it in is the least we can do, surely?

pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 21:47

Grin at paperwork being difficult for me.
And why is it sad to see a "selfish and ignorant" person doing an Msc? Some of the most ignorant people in the world are highly educated! Do your census and stop worrying about what other people choose to do with their time

pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 21:49

I don't get why people are so keen to undermine the intellectual capabilities of others just because they aren't towing the line. That's the second post now insinuating I'm a bit fick. Don't think so

BuzzLiteBeer · 09/03/2011 21:49

I hope they come knocking on your door with a fine. See how little you care then.

Hand out for some cash but no time for a pen. Lazy mare.

JaneS · 09/03/2011 21:50

Well, clearly it is difficult or you'd have done it! I don't buy the whiny 'council protest' claim - I just can't believe you're that stupid and doing a Msc. Maybe that makes me an idealist about education, I'm not sure.

Don't you realize that people rely on this sort of data, and selfish people like you are spoiling the whole effort for the rest of us and for anyone researching in the future?

pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 21:52

Their fine won't be paid. They can do the threatening letters and get nowhere if they wish

JaneS · 09/03/2011 21:53

pink, you brought up your distinction-level Msc work, that's why I responded! I would never have commented on your education otherwise, but your attitude is shockingly ignorant for someone whose work is academic. You should know how much this sort of data matters to academics.

You also sound pretty up yourself suggesting your distinction-level Msc work is so important you shouldn't have to bother with the paperwork - loads of people have far more important jobs and still manage to fill in one small form.

tinierclanger · 09/03/2011 21:53

I don't have issues with the census per se. I do have issues with providing my data to Lockheed Martin though.

I'm also curious to know how this data will be gathered in the future if there are to be no further censuses.

BuzzLiteBeer · 09/03/2011 21:53

Even better! You can get a summons and court costs for not paying your fine! Then you could really stick it to the man and spend a month in jail. Right on.

pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 21:54

I don't care Dragon. That's not stupidity, it's called apathy. You should know that if you're doing a Phd

pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 21:56

Jail at the tax payers expense. Oh dear. Now I care, but it's in the bin so.....

JaneS · 09/03/2011 21:56

No, apathy would mean you don't care, not that you care very much about telling us how important and clever you are.