I don't want to clap

[OrlandoAlice]

I do support the NHS, I'm massively grateful for everything NHS workers are doing at the moment and to everyone who still has to get up and go out to work and keep things going during this crisis. However the clapping just seems a bit pointless to me. As a one off it was fine but to make it a weekly thing feels forced and I resent feeling emotionally blackmailed into doing something so redundant. The Doctors and Nurses I know personally find it cringy and would rather people follow the advice, donate, or volunteer.

As a one off, it was lovely I thought. Weekly, well I can see it might be but I wonder if it would be better to save it until we're past the peak and things are quietening down?

There's nothing worse than a gesture of genuine gratitude and warmth slowing and cooling and becoming half hearted and embarrassing.

I am not. I’m hugely grateful to these amazing people. I know clapping makes some people feel good. I find it cringing

We have clapped once, but we live in a rural area with no neighbours so it all felt a bit weird. 8pm is bedtime story time, so that is what we will be doing tonight. I love my relatives working with the NHS at this time and I support the amazing job everyone else is doing. There really is no need for us to drag the kids outside to clap to an audience of birds.

NHS worker here and I find it cringey.
My local Tory councillor is all over it on FB and I’m desperately trying to bite my tongue. Someone local was complaining about certain areas not doing it and it’s going to get a bit poppyish imo.

This made me laugh/cry.

I'm very grateful to everyone and I think last week should've been for all key workers but I really think it should be a one off.

I have clap shaming neighbours and a Dr DB who is furious about it, and all the other 'hero' crap - free coffees etc etc. WhyTF can't nurses be paid properly? Proper equipment? Proper planning listening to medics not economists. Clapping is no fucking use to a Dr without PPE or adequate cleaning staff etc etc. DB is FURIOUS. It is class social media bullshit. Clap for heros? Fuck off. Pay them properly and prioritise health over money.

Agree OP. It starts to feel like wearing a poppy. My choice not to does not mean I don't remember the world wars on the appropriate dates. If my neighbours are put clapping and don't see me, I don't want them to think I am not grateful for the NHS. Much more important to exercise support for the NHS at the ballot box.

I’ve just also had an invite for everyone to sing Lean On Me ‘loud and proud’ at the same time!

Ooooh, that just takes the cake

I really enjoyed doing it...the once.

Every week does feel forced, and over the top. It will dwindle.

I think it is cringe too, unfortunately my children regard it as a real highlight, so I have to take part.....

@JKScot4 "Yes they are working hard and being paid unlike many.
A nurse pp said they’re so quiet, bear in mind the vast majority of cases are at home only severe are hospitalised ,ppl are carrying on like every hospital is packed with C19 patients; they’re not.
I agree it’s getting a bit much, applauding ppl for going to work, also don’t agree with all the NHS freebies when there’s people with nothing and NHS are in full salary"

This comes across as begrudging and envious as well as implying medical staff, who are being left without access to PPE and testing, risking their health and even lives, are exaggerating their workload. People who are being left with nothing should be directing their ire at the government, not feeling jealous of people who after all are looking after the sick and the dying FFS.

No one else in our road did it, so we didn't. But it didn't mean that I am not grateful. In fact, every day I honestly sit and think how thankful I am to all in the care industry and everyone else that is basically at risk by doing their job, no matter what it is.

I support the NHS by never, ever voting Tory.

"NHS freebies" FFS. Don't clap (and I agree with you about not voting Tory) but don't come across as a dick either.

Even if it's a bit cringey I think it's better to keep on clapping every week than to let health workers be taken for granted and forgotten about. This is going to last a long time and by the time the peak is past many people will just want to move on. The show-offs will probably give up quite quickly. A weekly round of applause keeps health workers in people's minds.

I can make a gesture and do practical things, seeing other people make the gesture reminds me to do the practical things. And it brings people together into expressing an opinion we can all agree on while we're all doing as we're told and sitting in our separate houses the rest of the time.

I don't think badly of people who don't join in either, it's just a gesture. But a nice gesture.

once was lovely and did bring people together. I was surprised at how many joined in

weekly - just no. it'll peter out into nothingness

I dont understand why we cant let last week stand alone as a brilliant moment shared by millions instead of trying to replicate it every week when it will never be as good

My dh and I are both hospital doctors. We don't give a damn about it but my children are 4 and 8, they are going to school every day when their friends are at home and I'm working weekends for the first time since they were born.
We're clapping because it makes our children feel better.

Don't do it, the ones who will continue are like clones of each other. NHS is screwed and we're all fucking clapping? Fuck that shit. I appreciate the hard work they all do but this is fucked up.

The same bastards who clapped over salary cuts for nurses in 2017 now clapping to show gratitude instead of paying people properly or giving them necessary PPE. No thanks.

I mean conservative MPs to be clear. Not just regular individuals trying to show support for hardworking and hitherto undervalued people.

I agree - if people really wanted to support the NHS, they would have voted for a party that actually funds them properly.

Some cock in my neighbourhood is going to play ‘heal the world’ and then ‘you got the love’ through massive speakers at 8 tonight I think the police have overreacted to some things but I'd support them telling him to turn it off.

I find it cringeworthy and I wont be taking part. I very much appreciate all those who are playing a huge part to help others but I really can't stand this sort of thing.

Best thread all week. Someone upthread talked about clap shaming neighbours, oh yeah now if you don't clap you are one of "those". Sometimes I think I am going mad with my whacky alternative views (that's a polite version of what neighbours think of me) so thank god I've read this!

I’m not doing it, I find it hypocritical in a constituency that has had a sky-high Tory majority since time immemorial. My friends in the NHS would rather have decent equipment and adequate staffing levels, neither of which will be fixed by clapping.

This.

Yes once was enough. I’m a nurse and my neighbours know this - I don’t want to stand in the street and clap. I feel embarrassed 😩
It feels vain to me.