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Original poster

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

119 replies

greenapplesplatter · 11/11/2017 18:29

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!!

OP posts:
iMogster · 12/11/2017 17:51

When I was at work a few years ago, 11th of Nov fell on a work day. I was watching the time. The radio announced it was coming up to 11am and there would be a 2 minute silence, and then went completely silent, so did all the staff in the room. Except my boss. She came over to me and asked me a question and I didn't answer, she asked again. I told her it's 2 mins silence. She huffed and puffed constantly and kept asking if time is up yet. She complained and said it must be 2 mins by now etc. Then the radio came back on and I answered her question. So annoying! Angry

OP, the difference with you is that you spoke during silence by accident and were mortified. So don't beat yourself up about it. Flowers

Arsenicinthesugarbowl · 12/11/2017 17:54

I did this with a colleague a couple of years ago. We were out doing home visits and got back to work calling in at the canteen. Both of us chattering away for at least 30 seconds. I wanted the ground to swallow me up but looked suitably mortified. I still cringe a bit when I think of it but I wear a poppy, my husband and daughter take part in our local remembrance parade and I usually do observe the silence.
I feel your pain OP but you’re not alone!

whataconundrum · 12/11/2017 18:01

Me too....I was trying to manage getting the baby in the lift and forgot...it's the first time that I've done it and I feel awful :(

NewStartAgainReallyThisTime · 12/11/2017 18:02

I think the minutes silences are in danger of becoming meaningless. Some people seem to care more about the show than the thought. Honestly? So what? You obviously care and are respectful, so does a mistake really matter in the scheme of things?

Michellelovesizzy · 12/11/2017 18:02

I did the same in Tesco totally forgot didn't realise me and my partner were just going on about r shopping and what we needed! Some people had stopped but alot of people had not! I just didn't think feel so stupid we just left without r shopping! I feel you shame

CurlyPJ · 12/11/2017 18:55

A couple of years ago at the Remembrance Day Parade the bugeler chap started playing the Last Post. I was standing right behind him. At that immediate point a mobile phone started ringing. It was the bugeler. In his pocket.

Could totally not miss whose it was as I was so close. I felt a bit mortified though as I realised that some people may think it was mine.

Poor chap. Felt for him.

tehmina23 · 12/11/2017 19:55

Don't worry about it - the fact that you care & have thought about it is what matters.

2 years ago I was at work & had to help a very talkative lady with dementia to the toilet during the silence.
Bless her she didn't realise & talked the whole way through the silence... and she was actually in the ww2!
She used to sing "the yanks are coming..."

JamieFrasersMistress · 12/11/2017 19:55

I work in Calais port but we operate on UK time so observed our two minutes silence, both yesterday and today at 12 pm French time. It confused a lot of the passengers travelling through but was announced on the tannoy system and, on the whole (with the exception of a few drunken wankers) it was observed respectfully nonetheless. We dealt with a huge amount of coaches bringing passengers back from Ypres and Passchendaele which really hammered home the significance of the Armisitice.

fpurplea · 12/11/2017 19:56

I've never understood shushers. Observing the silence is a personal thing, it doesn't matter if it's just you in the middle of a football game, if you're silently reflecting, what does it matter it others are? If you're spending the time judging others, you're not reflecting.

I just intensely dislike this judgemental, sanctimonious aspect of it. So what it members of the older generation don't choose to observe it? So what if anyone chooses not to observe it? Unless they're being purposely disruptive to be a dick, get on with your day and let them get on with theirs.

Doomhutch · 12/11/2017 20:00

I've never understood shushers. Observing the silence is a personal thing, it doesn't matter if it's just you in the middle of a football game, if you're silently reflecting, what does it matter it others are? If you're spending the time judging others, you're not reflecting.

I just intensely dislike this judgemental, sanctimonious aspect of it. So what it members of the older generation don't choose to observe it? So what if anyone chooses not to observe it? Unless they're being purposely disruptive to be a dick, get on with your day and let them get on with theirs.

A thousand times yes! Otherwise the whole thing is just fucking futile.

RoseLillian · 12/11/2017 21:40

Stop beating yourself up it was an honest mistake. A lot of people will have remained silent because it was expected, but not thought about the meaning. By posting on here and with your donation you have shown you actually care.

Sparklyglitter · 12/11/2017 21:44

Same here! Mortified! Like poster was in a shop where no announcement was made, was completely unaware of time head down looking at sizes talking quietly to husband. Had vaguely noticed it was a bit quiet, looked up to move to another part of shop and everyone was standing like statues - I honestly thought how *ucking weird are these people...then the penny dropped! I did observe a two minute silence at work on Friday at least! But son is in Army, just miles away and didn’t click!!! Confused

Turnocks34 · 12/11/2017 22:03

I did the exact same thing, except I was in Tesco, and there was an over head announcement I was just to involved In conversation with my three year old that I didn't hear it. So I just tottered along the fruit aisle talking (loudly) about banananas before I clocked the stares. I immediately stopped talking but my three year old Just kept saying 'what you saying mummy? Why aren't you talking to me?'

smilingontheinside · 12/11/2017 22:23

A few years ago I was out with a friend having brunch when the whole restaurant fell quiet for 2 minutes silence. We all sat heads bowed thinking about those that sacrificed their lives for us and about 40 secs in my phone went off! I could have died of embarrassment as I struggled to find it in the bottom of my bag so had to get up and go outside, mortifying. I know how you feel x

BigRedMama · 13/11/2017 08:46

I was in work and one of my colleagues kept talking-completely inane conversation aswell. And completley oblivious to me and my other workmate telling her to shut it!! Hmm

MissionItsPossible · 13/11/2017 09:55

We were having problems with our fire alarm going off randomly at work and one morning it went off and I said "OH FFS NOT AGAIN" just as it hit me that it was signalling the start of a two minutes silence. Was so embarrassed and felt awful.

NewStartAgainReallyThisTime · 13/11/2017 11:13

I was in work and one of my colleagues kept talking-completely inane conversation aswell. And completley oblivious to me and my other workmate telling her to shut it!! hmm

If you were both telling her to 'shut it', you weren't observing the silence either Hmm. And definitely not thinking reflectively...

Sunlover91 · 13/11/2017 13:12

All of us make errors at times. Maybe next year set your watch or phone to remind you at 5 mins to 11 am. Look at this positively, at least you won't forget again and your donation will help those people who need company.
I used to volunteer at the Star and Garter and I don't think that they will worry about it, unless it was meant disrespectfully, which doesn't seem the case.

CamperWidow · 13/11/2017 18:23

When DD was about 2, we were out shopping during her Silence. She tried to chatter to me so I crouched down, whispering, and tried to explain that we were just being quiet for a moment and here have your dummy! After the Silence a man came up to me and said how disrespectful I was and she should have been silent. I calmly pointed out she had just turned 2, had no idea what was going on, and as for disrespectful was he going to be part of the Parade on Sunday as I had been asked to lead it carrying the Union Flag due to my dedication....

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