Two minutes silence and refusing to serve customer

[BalugaBelle]

At work today I was on the checkout (large retail store) and the silence was announced over a tannoy.

A woman (on the phone) came up to the checkout during the silence, so I shushed her. Motioned to poppies next to till!

She then said, "I'm going to miss my train, please continue serving me!"

I refused, shook my head and sat silently for the two minutes.

At the end I put her items through, she moaned at me and called me rude and petty and then went on her merry way.

So was I being unreasonable to respect the two minutes silence, even if it meant a customer was unhappy at me doing so?

I know good customer service is needed but surely the two minutes silence takes priority? She clearly had no respect!

Quite frankly I didn't give a damn about her train, I was paying my respects as was everyone else in the shop. It was literally almost silent apart from young children (understandable) and general noise, i.e., heating making noises!

If this is too personal for you and you're getting upset then it may be best to step away.

Yeah, not upset as much as I think people who have no connection to the armistice ( and lack the imagination to see how other people might)are being dismissive of something they don't seem to be able to grasp, even in a broader historical context.

Those that want to observe the silence at 11am shouldn't have to forgo that option to attend to someone who doesn't want too.

I thought of my nanas favourite brother who died when the shop he was serving on went down specifically.

My son is only a few years younger than those that went to war. It's very sobering.

Yanbu during national anthem in thailand 2 times a day everyone stands stilll and other places too.

Show some respect.

Like that happened

He's married to th a ukip councillor who unfortunately got voted in last year. I run a community project. He's a racist, sexist fucker.

I don't really care if you believe me or not

Yanbu during national anthem in thailand 2 times a day everyone stands stilll and other places too

Um....

I think people who refuse to observe the 2 minutes silence are utter bell ends. It wouldn't take much to just STFU and sit still for 2 minutes.

It's rude, ignorant, and arrogant. Thing is, I bet this woman who was rushing for the train and demanded to be served, (and ignored the 2 min silence,) is the same type who would beep at a funeral procession and get arsey because she can't get past, and she would demand to go in front of you at a checkout because she only has 3 items and you have 10. (Not wait to be offered/asked to go first, but expect it,) and she probably complains profusely and stamps her feet when she is a minute late for the bus or train and the conductor/driver goes off without her, because she is so much of a special snowflake that the bus or train should be delayed for everyone else that day - for HER.

I know this type well, and they always think the world revolves around them,. And what kind of massive arsehole goes to the shop for something when their train is due to leave in 120 seconds? And then bitches and rants when they are delayed?

Stupid bloody woman.

YANBU. I would not have served her either. Entitled bint.

And it's so pathetic to accuse people who want to observe the 2 minutes silence as 'war mongers.' All people are doing is respecting the war dead. You know, the ones who gave their lives so you could have the freedom to sit there - in your country - bitching at people who want to show their respect!

Because I think you're just full of flannel posting on a forum trying to make well meaning people feel shit about themselves because that makes you feel good

LyingWitchin, no Jacques was just trying to be personally rude to me. Trying to insult my apparent lack of intellect, asking me if I need things explaining to me and if I was stupid. Really uncalled for, the levels some will sink to.

Because I think you're just full of flannel posting on a forum trying to make well meaning people feel shit about themselves because that makes you feel good

You couldn't have missed the point more.

I don't CARE whether other people choose to observe a silence or wear a poppy. I expect the same courtesy and as is evidenced by this thread I wouldn't receive that

asking me if I need things explaining to me

You seemed to be having difficulty

I don't even buy into the whole 'died for your freedom' line especially - I just think about all the thousand and thousand of young people, young boys mostly, who went, and either never returned, or returned damaged in one way or another. It's about compassion for the horror they saw.

I don't really subscribe to the 'died for our freedom' part. War is too complicated for that.

No you wouldn't. Because you're disrespecting an established important British tradition.

Not that hard to understand is it?

Jacques, here we go again, grow up.

Elephantsandtigers, I agree, that's what I think of too.

Strange, we all post from our own reference and perspective. My grandfather fought in WW1 (and I think in WW2 also) and I often think about what that was like. These men were so young and must have been terrified. The numbers lost seem 'matter of fact' when you hear them in millions, but each one was a whole and meaningful life lost.

LastPersonStanding, I would have been proud too. That's a powerful piece.

Because you're disrespecting an established important British tradition

And like sheep we all HAVE to follow traditions blindly without question?

When I used to be at work I would quietly work through the silence. I wouldn't go out of my way to ruin it for others but I choose not to participate.

Where is the problem? Because if it is prescribed that we all have to do something that hard fought for freedom is rather made a mockery of

Why does it matter so much to you? Do you enjoy trying to be different?

I just think about all the thousand and thousand of young people, young boys mostly, who went, and either never returned, or returned damaged in one way or another. It's about compassion for the horror they saw.

@Strangelookingparasite

I do agree with you, but I do also believe they died for our freedom.

Why does it matter so much to you? Do you enjoy trying to be different?

How would anybody know if I am unobtrusive.

I object because I don't believe we should remember on one day. I object because rather than an enforced and token moment of "respect" I prefer to show my respect by doing something tangible.

But just because you don’t observe the two minute silence doesn’t mean you don’t understand the historical context or don’t care it just means you’ve drawn you’re own conclusion.
I have not seen a single poster say that they would either disrupt a silence or that they think people shouldn’t do it, but I have seen people who don’t observe the silence called ‘bellends’, ‘scum’ and ‘as bad as holocaust deniers’.

From what I can see on this thread, all name-calling is from observing posters who are denigrating those who don't, or who haven't said they do. It's not very respectful either is it?

What's the point? Live and let live and be glad that we have the freedom (at the moment) to do that.

I missed yesterday's observance, didn't today but I think of the service men and women every time I pick up my car keys as there's a plastic poppy keyring on there. Not intrusive or noisy, just there.

Nobody on this thread knows really what other posters do or think about this subject and it's not really important that they do know - just that they know what they themselves think.

No you wouldn't. Because you're disrespecting an established important British tradition.

Someone earlier in the thread indicated it had only been around since the year 2000 and was a governmental imposition.

You should have served her - no question. You have no right to impose your view on someone else. We all remember in our own way.

I never wear a poppy as my father refused to - he served in Singapore and I cannot imagine what he saw and suffered. His view was that remembrance has never changed anything or stopped more wars, so forgetting and getting on with a peaceful life is the way to go. I do not wear it as a mark of respect to him.

So? That's 17 years. How long does it have to go on before it can be called a tradition then?

If I HAD served her, like I said, it would have been to prevent a scene. I'd rather my two minute silence was disturbed rather than everyone's. However as it was she making a racket irregardless of what I did, so my first thought was you know what, I'm going to do what I want to do and observe the silence. So yes I put myself first but like people had said even if I had served her I still would have found it to be disrespectful, yet would have done so if it meant there was less disturbance.

Also even if I didn't believe in the silence as an act I would still be quiet for TWO MINUTES to allow others to observe the silence.

Even if you think the silence is an outdated act or you just sit there and think about what you're doing for dinner tomorrow, it's still polite to at least be quiet in respect for others.

its really basic manners, to be honest.

Yes- I asked what the something more tangible is but you seem
Intent on keeping it secret. Mind you plenty of people manage to combine their tangible acts with respecting the 2 min silence