I talked talked throughout the minute's silence - so embarrassed

[greenapplesplatter]

I don't need any berating because I honestly feel like crap about it already!

I wanted into town with DD (4) today to see if we could get her haircut, we didn't have an appointment so I wasn't really aware of the time or what time we'd left the house at.

DD got her hair cut & I was zipping up her coat, she was chattering away asking if we could go to the park & I was answering her. Walked over to the door & asked 'how much do I owe you', hairdresser whispered the amount, thought it was strange but paid said thank you very much. Said to DD what do you say to X for your lovely haircut, she repeats (loudly) & hairdresser mouths you're welcome only then did I twig that the whole salon was silent. I sort of whisper oh god so sorry & bundled DD out of the door (she was still waffling on about her hair)

I wanted the ground to swallow me up. I've had a poppy on all week so I was aware but I just honestly wasn't thinking. I can't stop thinking about the whole thing & every time I do I cringe!!

I've been in the supermarket etc in the past when it's been observed but they've usually made an announcement before to say it's starting. I just wish someone had mentioned it prior to 11 (they shouldn't of had to - I appreciate that) or even motioned for us to shut up but when I think back it must of seemed like ages we were talking for.

Came home & donated an extra £25 to the British Legion online!!

We all make mistakes and you obviously feel mortified! There is another silence tomorrow so you can show your respect them.

I wouldn't worry OP it's a genuine mistake! I lost track of time this morning and although I'm sure I was quiet at the right time (I was home alone) I still just did my silence when I remembered.

I wouldn't worry about it. These things happen. I was in the car with DH at 11 and i said we should observe the silence but he then almost missed the turn off for where we were going. I had to gesticulate wildly and hiss 'turn right' under my breath at him. It was not very contemplative!

Aww op don't worry. You were just caught up with dd getting her haircut.

You have shown your respect by wearing the poppy and it says a lot about your character that you were embarrassed and made a donation.

How thoroughly decent of you.

I hope no one berates you on here.

Oh don't worry, I diden't even know it was armistice day today, thought it was tomorrow. I walk round in a parallel universe, especially i have a challenging dd 10 who has ASD has been really challenging today, along with goady ds 5 winding her up.

If it makes you feel any better I didn't realise it was today as I thought it was tomorrow? My son is doing a remembrance parade tomorrow and I'm certain the silence will be then. Thinking about it, it's the 11th today so suppose it's being done on both days. I've been home all day so missed it today.

During the minutes silence a few years ago we were in a supermarket cafe and everyone stood still, including us. However my then 2 year old had other ideas, grabbed the scooter I was carrying and just went off down the aisle. I was mortified, she never ever scoots in the shops usually.

They did a two minutes silence in the swimming pool this morning during children's swimming lesson. Poor teachers trying to keeps 20 kids quiet

Didn't you notice everyone else had gone quiet? Not being awful ... just that I would have forgotten only for noticing everyone else GOing silent!

Don't worry - I was trying to shush someone myself. Argggggg!!!

Why shush? what?? Eh? What? What's happening? (Whilst I was pointing at my poppy and shaking my head)

The bloody church bells had rung, the bus stopped and turned off its engine at the stop and the old chap on the street beside up had stopped dead and bowed his head.

The minute's silence is wonderful but the fact that you are reflecting on your actions speaks volumes about how important it is to you.

Chin up. We all make mistakes and it's how you deal with them that determines who you are.

OP it is fine. The silence is a respectful gesture but it is only a gesture. You have made a donation which might do real good. Don't beat yourself up.

I'm surprised they didn't say that it was 11am, or have the radio on as a signal actually.

We were out today and neither of us were wearing a watch, we left the shop we were in (which was carrying on as normal) and walked across the road chatting when we realised it was 11am. We instantly stopped still and quiet but I was so embarrassed.

I once walked into our Co-Op wondering why everyone was stood still and quiet.

They had a minutes silence at 4pm everytime there was a Repatriation, but I hadn't know about it at the time

You can have your two minutes anytime.

I was in work (I work in a call centre). We were told we were observing the 2 minutes silence but 60% of my team continued to talk to customers!

Last year at work, the ghastly music was turned off and we had the silence. A couple came in with their kids, shouting and yelling at one another and went upstairs to the sale floor there. They knew exactly what they wanted and basically threw it at the assistant, who was observing the silence. We had been told that we were not to serve anyone during the silence, as if we really needed to be told. Well, the man went off on one, yelling at the assistant and after the silence was over and the assistant explained why he had not been served and he gave her another mouthful for observing 'that fucking stupid silence'.

It can be difficult to observe with a child anyway, so don't feel too bad, OP.

It was an honest mistake OP, please don’t beat yourself up. I have a real issue with people judging or forcing people to wear a poppy or join the silence. It’s missing the point, it’s because we choose to do it that means it’s special. You didn’t mean any disrespect at all, that much is clear.

We do wear poppies and observe the silence because DP is ex army and a war veteran. This morning in the opticians I nearly forgot, despite remembering this morning! Please don’t worry and if anyone is negative about it, ignore them.

I was out with DD and we were on a train. There were two women in the seats in front of us taking about the different places that were going to observe the minutes silence, and how good it was, etc.
I kept an eye on the time and we (me & DD) sat in silence for the duration, whilst the women in front battered on and on.
I was very surprised that they didn't make an announcement on the train and wait, as we were just leaving the station (and all the stations had notices to say that they were participating).

It's not a hanging offence...You were unaware and not being disrespectful so forgive yourself!
There will be many people who have done the same today and thousands who won't have bothered with it at all.
You know whether you have that respect in you, so never mind about what anyone thought about you.

I forgot myself OP, thought it was tomorrow. I'm a regular thinker about those who fought in the wars and I have no time for 'shush-ers' who ought to be focused on what they're supposed to be doing... ie. shutting up themselves.

I'll make a point of observing the silence tomorrow. Kind of you to make the donation, I'm sure the British Legion will appreciate it. I've been collecting the keyring poppies this year, I buy one from every stand I see. The paper poppies just ping off goodness knows where, but I wear them proudly until then.

Totally understandable mistake. Don't give yourself a hard time about it. It's not like you knew and flouted it anyway.

Don't beat yourself up, OP ; your intentions were good, your donation was wonderful, and I'm sure many of those young men who fell - and never had the chance to have children themselves - would have smiled at your DD's happy chatter

And at least you weren't in my local M&S, who didn't bother at all

I was In a coffee shop during the 2 minutes silence and a man walked in and shouted ‘fucking hell its dead in here’.

Everyone makes mistakes OP don’t worry about it!