To post a letter back?

[Claplikeaseal]

Sorry, it's another clapping thread.🙄

So every Thursday some of my neighbours go out clapping, banging saucepans etc. Which is good for them. However, my DD is 2 and I suspect has some sensory issues because loud noises of any kind distresses her.

She's usually in bed but of course when the noise starts it scares her, she covers her ears and cries. So, naturally, I don't go outside to clap and comfort her. I probably wouldn't anyway, simply because I feel there are many other better ways to support the NHS which I do make an effort to do.

Last night I received a letter about how the "community" had noticed we hadn't been clapping and they were upset we were letting the "community" down and they hope we make an effort next time 🤨. There was more, it was nearly a full page letter but that's the gist.

I know who posted it, my partner opened the door. WIBU to post a letter back? Basically telling them to fuck themselves but in a way in which will make them think twice next time? I now feel uncomfortable and like all the neighbours are gossiping, but then I don't feel I should have to defend my actions as it should be my choice regardless of my reasons.

I would want to shame them on Facebook. However I would either ignore it or write a response saying you are devastated to have received the note. You are protecting your, who daughter is petrified of the loud, frightening noises and are staying inside to protect her. Ask them if under the circumstance would they abuse their child and traumatise them further by forcing them to take part? Then as they seem to have a lot of influence in the street, ask them if they perhaps could encourage your neighbours to be quieter to protect a young child.

If you do think keep a copy of your letter. This is the least rude fuck off I can think of. And should they take this further, you can name and shame them. Tossers.

It doesn’t help your poor DD’s sensory issues, but I think that we need an ‘alternative clap’ for parents of small children who are either in bed or waking up distressed at 8pm. How about 6am on a Sunday morning, as we’ll all be up anyway?

... What’s that, neighbourhood busybody? It doesn’t work for your routine? Find it disruptive, do you? 😤😤

Seriously OP, I would bin the letter and not dignify it with a response.

Do you have a print.
Print this out in large.
My child can not stand loud noises,
we clap inside .
Leave this on your gate the day of the clap.

I am finding this kind of behaviour very disturbing. I support the NHS, of course I do, but the idea that everybody has to feel the same way and be outside their house at a set time every night making noise to show their support and that if they don't they'll be shamed by their neighbours is deeply worrying.

It just goes to show that the psychological warfare that has people living in dictatorships publicly showing their adoration for the regime on pain of being denounced to the secret police by their neighbours is ingrained in human nature. I have a family friend who grew up in East Berlin and after the wall came down he requested his police file and found out that one of his friends had been secretly reporting on where he went, who he saw, what books he read etc.

It makes books like 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale doubly frightening because you realise that it absolutely could happen here under the right circumstances.

I have nothing against people showing their support for the NHS in whatever way they see fit. The NHS is wonderful. But the idea that everyone must show their support for the NHS in a set way, at a set time of day, and be punished if they don't, is fucking terrifying.

The people that have the fucking cheek to do this need public shaming!

This virus has brought out some right wankers, it really has.

Include glitter if you have some so it goes everywhere when they open it.

This is inspired.

I clap by personal choice. That letter and any pressure is dreadful. I’d want to write back but probably ignore.

I just posted on another thread about this - but basically, I have the same sort of issue. I have two children, a toddler and a baby, by 8pm I have usually got them to sleep. However the last two weeks, the noise from "the clap" has been enough to wake them both up. Last night my toddler woke up scared as it was so loud and my baby woke up screaming......

Pretty much all the neighbours (and us) did it the first time and no one has done it since until last week where they all started doing it again, but now with added noise like pots and pans and a vuvuzela

I am certainly not doing it anymore, it seems to have turned into a "who can make the most noise" contest here and they have forgotten some of us have young children.

Our household hasn't clapped since the first one and we both work for the NHS.
Once was nice, now it's just too much and I think has lost its effect. But I don't judge those who still clap!
It's everyone's personal choice.
All these clappers who abuse non clappers seem to have forgotten #bekind

I would just throw it in the bin and carry on with my own business.
If anyone said anything to me, they would get the short sharp answer.

Next week build an effigy of a nurse and burn it on the front lawn.

Honestly, this stuff pees me off. DH is an ambulance driver and used to be a nurse, I have 6 other family members in the NHS including 2 who have gone back after retirement to provide support.

We don't clap because DH hates it. He's not a hero, he's someone with a job with great terms and conditions compared to most. He has a roof over his head, food on the table and a pension and holidays and sick pay.

Last time I looked we still live in a democracy and can make a personal choice.

Wow! Definitely write a letter back! How unthoughtful and horrible!

Clap the NHS but make other people feel like crap - definitely not good people.

You could always write back to her saying that after receiving her very strange letter, you are reaching out because you are concerned about her mental health during lockdown.

She seems to have become a bit obsessed with a weekly voluntary clapping event and to imagine that it's her job to police it and force people to join in. Now she is sending anonymous letters pretending that they come from "the community." None of this is normal behaviour.

Add a few cut-and-paste tips on mental health during lockdown (the more patronising the better), and some NHS and charity helpline numbers for her to call "when she's struggling."

Say that you wish her all the best at this difficult time and you want to be supportive to her while she is having these problems.

Scrawl across the top in green ink "at some time this will all be over but i won't forget that you did this"
and give it back...

and carry on not-clapping. It's not compulsory like the 2 minute hate.

*Don't mention or justify your own claping in any way. Make the letter all about her and her problems.

"Thank you for your letter, unfortunately my young daughter gets scared and upset when she's startled awake by the sound of screaming and banging of pots and pans so I have to comfort her and help her try to get back to sleep. But I'm glad you're all enjoying yourself"

I've never clapped for the NHS as I'm not comfortable clapping for anything except a short round of applause at the end of a theatre show. I'm a GP Receptionist, I pay into the NHS pension, I am grateful for what they do but I won't clap.

You're neighbour is bonkers and I'd ignore her.

I'd just have to send a letter back (but i find it really hard to bite my tongue)

I'd say:

As you know we've received your delightful letter. As your such enthusiastic supporters of the NHS I thought it might be useful to let them know that your posting possibly contaminated peices of paper into other people households and causing more spread as a result 👍

Oh and get fucked 🖕

Your

We haven’t clapped yet as we’re always sat with the kids for bedtime.

I’d be fuming if someone sent me a letter/ judged me for not clapping.

@GigiLamour

I think your idea is the best 😂

CupoTeap I love it!

You could always, when talking to your lovely neighbour at social distance mention you’ve had a poison pen letter and they are illegal and you’ve thought of going to the police as you found it threatening. (I’m not saying go to the police) - if bad neighbour hears it she might feel ashamed 🤷🏻‍♀️
(And I understand - our neighbours were mooting playing music on our street and I had to ask not to as small children trying to sleep - I am now ignored on the group chat but there’s no music! 😄)

Tear it up, put in a clear plastic bag and pin to your gate/door???

@GigiLamour YES!!!!