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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:
ReindeerBollocks · 09/03/2011 21:58

DH feel's it's an infringement on his rights to let anyone know this information Hmm. He's supposedly intelligent too.

I'm going to complete it. Realistically, I can imagine the people who complain about the census (including DH) have Facebook/twitter accounts where this information can be accessed by others. But hey, why would we want to help the government collate information that may be useful in the future.

Each to their own but FWIW they did convict people who were purposefully awkward last time. Not worth the risk IMO.

BiddytheKnackerwoman · 09/03/2011 21:59

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

Hahahahahahahaha

(toeing the line)

It takes 10 minutes then forget about it and on you go with your life.

BuzzLiteBeer · 09/03/2011 21:59

apathy and stupidity are not mutually exclusive. As we can see, it's quite possible to be both.

gaelicsheep · 09/03/2011 22:01

If it wasn't compulsory how many people do you think would bother? 20% maybe?

I cannot believe just how many ignorant moaners and whingers there are in this society. They obviously don't know how lucky they are.

pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 22:01

No FB or Twitter here. I've got no interest in arse licking celebrities, or resurrecting people from the past to irritate me in the present

ReindeerBollocks · 09/03/2011 22:15

I didn't mean you directly PFP, more the people I know in RL who have complained about it.

StayFrosty · 09/03/2011 22:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 22:35

Normally before bed I count sheep in my head. Tonight I can count them on this thread instead. Goodnight, try to calm down some of you. Think of your blood pressure

StayFrosty · 09/03/2011 22:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DrNortherner · 09/03/2011 22:40

OP YANBU.

Just get on and fill the bloody thing in and stop moaning is what I say.

Jeez. Some folk do not know they are born.....

BuzzLiteBeer · 09/03/2011 22:44

Don't flatter yourself that you could raise anyones blood pressure.

DilysPrice · 09/03/2011 22:46

I think you're all being very mean to PFP, I'm very impressed, I certainly couldn't have done an MSc when I was 14.

pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 22:49

Don't flatter yourself is a bit "talk to the hand" ish. Do better FFS

pinkfluffyprincess · 09/03/2011 22:50

Yeah, that was witty at least. Am 32 though.
Now say baaaaaa

BuzzLiteBeer · 09/03/2011 23:12

talk to the hand? its the 2011 census, not 1991. Hmm

ladydeedy · 09/03/2011 23:53

what census? have i missed something? have received/heard nothing about it!

Bunbaker · 10/03/2011 07:16

pinkfluffyprincess "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"

I am speechless at your arrogance. What makes you think you are so important that you are exempt? Or are you just one of those people who just like being bolshie for the sake of it?

Chil1234 · 10/03/2011 07:50

"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 would be 'toeing the line'... just to pick you up on your intellectual capabilities.

It's nothing to do with your opinion or the amount of time you have available. The decennial census is one of the few legal actions you're required to take as a resident of the UK. If you turn away the people that come to check your form they won't particular care personally, but they'll chalk you up as being a candidate for a fine - and fines are much more probable this time around. Same as a traffic warden doesn't particularly care that you parked in the wrong place, they'll issue the ticket anyway. Assuming you abide by the law more generally in your life, why is compliance on this issue such a problem?

pinkfluffyprincess · 10/03/2011 08:50

Don't pick me up on anything. It doesn't put me down in the slightest, getting high degree marks as a single mum is what validates me, not the hysterical opinions of Mumsnetters. It's amazing that people get so overwrought about what others are or aren't doing.
All this "you think you're too important". I never said that did I? I'm just not willing to do it. Get over it, I doubt we all live in the same area, do we?

Any spelling mistakes in there? If so, be sure to point them out. Those type of things have always been important on Mumsnet. It's very childish

pinkfluffyprincess · 10/03/2011 08:52

And the rudeness and arrogance shines through in particular when one person refuses to tow the line. That's what leaves me "astounded" "speechless" and "saddened". Not.

bebemooneedsabreak · 10/03/2011 09:16

I too think a lot of people are over-reacting
I had a friend who was affronted that asked if her son was married (and he was 5) another was upset that they wanted to know if her 21yr daughter spent more time in or out of the house (i.e. wasn't really living at home but with a partner)

From what I've seen the questions are not really abt you as a individual, you're not personally being judged. It is to gather information on a whole of the people of the country. It's useful information 1. because it shows how the people themselves see themselves 2. because the information can then be used to tailor ideas/programs to what people need. 3. it will be able to help future generations track family/relatives.
So much of what we know about past civilisations 9and our country too) is because they had a census which we can refer. We'd not know half as much about ancient Eygpt, for instance, if they hadn't had census. I think it's a great honor to be a part of history is such a way... Not everyone will feel the same. I understand that.
As I told my friends, if your truly have a problem with the census and how it's been handled/ worded or ???? then why not write to your paper or MP, offer suggestions as to how it could be better and why it offends. Even that information will/can be used to help make all questionnaires better.

Fetlock · 10/03/2011 09:32

i'm not happy about having to disclose my religion, not happy at all

Bunbaker · 10/03/2011 09:41

Why not just put no religion at all then?

Fetlock · 10/03/2011 09:44

i haven't looked at the form yet but someone said i had to put my religion, if i get the option i will put neutral..not sure if they mean the religion you were born into or the religion you are supposedly practicing now

Rabat · 10/03/2011 09:57

YANBU - a load of fuss over nothing. I am more than happy to fill it in, DH doesn't give a hoot that he is perons #2 either Wink. It seems like a lot of issues have arison because people haven't taken time to read it properly and appreciate that the religion question is voluntary; you do not answer the question on how well you speak English it if is your first language (or your children's); there is no judgement in placing the questions about employment before non-employment etc.

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