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Original poster

To blame the full moon?

22 replies

BlueJean · 13/05/2014 23:06

I work with the public -taking enquiry calls.
Today I had the most horrible day ,one call after another which was awkward ,hysterical or plain downright odd.

This is in contrast to other days (most days really)where everyone is lovely and direct and doesnt need longwinded solutions spelled out for them.

'Twas a very frustrating day all round. Talking to colleagues they also had a similar day and were ready for home at the end of it.

Is the moon to blame or just a coincidence that everyone had weird problems today?

OP posts:
RedPony · 13/05/2014 23:27

I have heard somewhere that the full moon makes people act strangely but I'm not sure if it's been proven or not

Onesleeptillwembley · 13/05/2014 23:30

Ask anybody in the police, fire, prison services or NHS if they ever notice a difference on a full moon. I guarantee they will.

WorraLiberty · 13/05/2014 23:31

I don't think it's been proven

I read once that apparently crime goes up when it's a full moon, but that was explained by witnesses simply remembering the moon was full, because no-one comments on any other kind.

There must have been days in the past that a lot of you found difficult too, but everyone probably though it was just them.

Original poster
BlueJean · 13/05/2014 23:35

I wonder if there is any research done on this .

The effects on services for example must mean that more personnel is required in some areas.

I know that nothing is mentioned in my place of work but it will have a knock on effect all through the lines of contact.

OP posts:
Waltonswatcher1 · 13/05/2014 23:37

I'm sure I read that it makes no difference to anything - other than lunar moths !

WorraLiberty · 13/05/2014 23:39

Scientists have looked for a correlation between phase of the Moon and such things as murders, violent crime, or births. In particular, many police officers or emergency room personnel have noted a seeming rise in activity in their line of work during full Moons. Scientific studies done to isolate this have, however, shown no correlation, contrary to the beliefs of those involved. In other words, the Moon's phase doesn't seem to have any affect on the number of crimes committed and babies born.

So why do people seem to notice an increase in these things around the time of the full Moon? Social scientists speculate it's because people are more likely to notice, and remember, a full Moon, rather than the Moon at other phases. Thus, if a strange murder is committed when the Moon's a crescent, people covering the crime may not remember the phase of the Moon that night. If, however, the Moon is full, a police officer might be more likely to remember the phase of the Moon that night, since the full Moon is bright and very obvious. Thus, crimes, births, and strange occurrences happen all month long, but only those on the full Moon are associated with the Moon's phase when people talk about them.

Taken from this link, although it's dated 1997 so not sure if any other research has been done

AnandaTimeIn · 13/05/2014 23:42

Yes, it, s well known...

No coincidence that La Luna - the moon has the word lunatic derived from it....

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 13/05/2014 23:42

Full moon tomorrow according to one website.
Maybe they were just limbering up BlueJean

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 13/05/2014 23:44

Worra no need to be so logical Grin
D'you think there's a teeny bit of the Full Moon Theory that holds water?

I'm sure my patients take on a new patina of weird when it's Full Moon .

MerryInthechelseahotel · 13/05/2014 23:44

I heard that as the moon affects the tide so it also affects us as a big percentage of our body is water but that might be a load of rubbish

AnandaTimeIn · 13/05/2014 23:45

Oh yea, and as for remembering cos of seeing a full moon...

Bet there are more full moons covered by grey skies!

FruVikingessOla · 13/05/2014 23:46

MN has a Moonwatch. Click on the small picture of the moon - underneath Advanced Search www.mumsnet.com/info/moon

stickygotstuck · 13/05/2014 23:51

Ananda, that's the only reason why my DD is not called Luna! Sad. DH really was afraid it may be too inviting for future pisstakers Hmm.

I don't know about the moon affecting people's behaviour. Being a big fan I'd really like to believe it. On the other hand I am positive the wind does!

BillyBanter · 13/05/2014 23:59

As Worra says. No evidence has been found.

apart from it just being more noted than other phases, the full moon affect is very much lodged in the public consciousness. If we have a weird night no one says 'oooh, the moon was waxing gibbous last night 35% illumination! That'll be why'. They won't have remembered/noticed the phase. But if it was a clear night with a full moon they will say 'ooh, it was a full moon last night. That'll be why'.

Original poster
BlueJean · 14/05/2014 00:05

Oh yes. I used to work in a school and we dreaded windy days - the children were very flighty .Wink

Interesting about the conclusion that we remember a full moon and I can see why this may be - but what about during the day? We work during the day and this is when we see the effects . I had no idea of what phase the moon was in today so it wasn't a self fulfilling prophecy but when I moaned a lot asked around I heard lots of similar stories.

Im interested to see if there is more than anecdotal information about this.

OP posts:
pluCaChange · 14/05/2014 07:34

I understood that the link between trouble and the full moon was clearer in the past, especially the rural past, when there wasn't street lighting, so people were more likely to go out on a full moon night, and get in trouble in the village.

As for the daytime effect, people who were "getting up with the sun" would be unlikely to have blackout curtains, so their sleep might be affected by a bright moon.

These factors are unlikely to be at play these days, hence the seeming lack of evidence, despite the strong "folk" history about "lunatic" behaviour!

EatDessertFirst · 14/05/2014 08:33

DP is a prison officer and he definately notices a difference in behaviour. There are more likely to be violent incidents in the few days surrounding a full moon. I also know a police officer that says the same thing.

Its become a bit of a running joke in our family. Not really sure what causes the phenomena but it is an interesting concept.

EatDessertFirst · 14/05/2014 08:35

DP is a prison officer and he definately notices a difference in behaviour. There are more likely to be violent incidents in the few days surrounding a full moon. I also know a police officer that says the same thing.

Its become a bit of a running joke in our family. Not really sure what causes the phenomena but it is an interesting concept.

springlamb · 14/05/2014 08:39

I did overnights at the out of hours GP in the 1990s. We always noticed an increase in the number of calls over a new moon, also the type of calls...many more relating to MH, depression etc Hmm

AtYourCervix · 14/05/2014 08:50

I plan my off duty requests around the moon.

Off until Thursdsy when it should be better Grin

Standinginline · 14/05/2014 09:02

Apparently my Great Grandad was affected by a full moon.
In my partners tide book I noticed he'd marked off dates ,when I asked them what they were about he sheepishly said he'd been recording my moods ,lol. What's weird is that all the marks were on and around a full moon !

LuisSuarezTeeth · 14/05/2014 09:15

Ask anyone who works with dementia patients - apparently it has a massive effect on them.

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