to think it's weird to celebrate the marriage of strangers?

[moogster1a]

I don't get this having street parties etc. for the royal wedding. I have nothing against the couple but think it's really odd that you would celebrate for people you don't know and never will.

i shall be watching avidly on telly. i think i have a bit of a girl crush on la Middleton. and dd1 is excited about watching someone Become A Princess in a Big Dress.

But the moon landing was a huge achievement in man's technology / exploration etc. geting married isn't really in the same league.
And the Diana thing I also thought odd. I did think what a shame for a young woman with two young kids, but only the same way I'd think if I heard of any other stranger it happened to. A friend has told me of her husbands's cousins' wife who's dying and leaving 2 babies, and I always think how awful but I'm not going to start wailing in the street and throwing flowers at the funeral cars.

Well it is a bit weird to celebrate the wedding of people you don't personally know, but on the other hand an event that brings people together is a good thing. There's far too much gloom and doom in the world. I remember going to a street party for Charles and Diana's wedding and am quite pleased that DS will be able to go to something like that.

Well I for one am looking forward to a short working week.

Not staunchly royalist...but I'll be watching it all from the comfort of my own home.

Moogster I didn't cry for Diana either, I just mean they are historic events of national interest, even if the people involved are not your friends and family.

It's bread a circuses to keep the proles quiet innit. We can all sit and gawp at how shiny and bejewelled our betters are, while munching wotsits and drinking value cola.

On the Bank Hol thing - employers are not legally obliged to give it, so many employers aren't. For people who work at those places it's a normal work day and they will have to take hols if they want it off.

You can't compare people crying when Diana died to the moon landing! Of course hers was a tragic death but it is happening somewhere every second of the day. Hardly in the same league as mankind's amazing progress into space.

Christ are people really lady di dying to the moon landing?

I'm go to parties! Any excuse.

No I wasn't comparing Diana to the moon landing, just thinking of historic events that people have gathered to watch in the past, in the same way that people will watch this wedding. Of course these events are different in every possible way.

I hope it is only historic in that it is the last royal wedding this country has to bear. Soooo out-dated and undemocratic.

SardineQueen "It's bread a circuses to keep the proles quiet innit. We can all sit and gawp at how shiny and bejewelled our betters are, while munching wotsits and drinking value cola."

I couldn't have put it better myself.

Sorry, I was being dense about everyone getting a bank hol. I forgot that employers aren't obliged to give it as a holiday.

I couldn't give two shiney shits.

Philip Schofield was bleating on about how we should all be able to enjoy this happy day together. It doesn't concern me. I am not invited (I won't forget this, William), the marriage will not affect me. Whilst I am not unhappy about it, I don't see why I should be happy about it either, waving a flag like a gurning chimp at a couple who wouldn't piss on me if I were on fire.

I don't like being reminded that the monarchy exists. I resent being a subject.

YANBU

We know they're not divine. We know they drain taxpayers money away from our precious welfare state. So why the heck are we celebrating their marriage?

People like to party. I don't believe most people are actually celebrating the marriage, it's more of a good excuse for a get together and bit of fun.

Who is paying for all of this???
Bet its not Mum and Dad Middleton.

The Royals annoy me intensely, especially the thought of what they cost the taxpayer when their personal wealth is huge.

Yes I will probably watch the edited hightlights just to look at her frock, same way as I look when I go past any random church when the bride is coming out!

We are of course!

And I for one am happy to switch down to value cola in order to provide their holy graces shindig.

I hope it rains. RAINS like it has never rained before

APOCALYPSE! That is evil. You will ruin my street party

Moogster and Gracie - it is counted as a bank holiday so it is taken out of my holiday allowance, leaving me with one less day to take as a holiday I choose (i.e. 28 days minus 9 bank holidays leaves me with 19 days maximum days for my choosing, it's usually 20 days maximum). Most people are gaining an extra day, but my section are loosing one day out of our holiday allowance - great isn't it.

The royals have nothing to do with me, I'm not celebrating it and I don't see why I should loose a holiday because of it.

I work full-time.

I work for the government btw, for the last 9 years but through an agency so the contract rules are different.

I think its great for the country...it does generate lots of tourism so whilst the Royals are very priviledged, they do bring the visitors to the Uk and i feel proud that they are part of our great country's history... Its also a good excuse to have a piss up and meet your neighbours.....nothing wrong in that!! he he

YANBU

The only way this concerns me is the extra holiday, which I am delighted about.