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'd be tempted to go as far as your first paragraph, explaining the need to look after your child due to their actions, then finish it with SO DO FUCK OFF.

Dear "community",

We received your letter last night, and would just like to inform you of the reason why we don't go outside and clap. As you are aware, I have a toddler. What you may not be aware of is that she becomes distressed by loud noises. So, I'm usually comforting her, due to the unexpected noise everyone is making. SO DO FUCK OFF.

Love & Kisses Number…..

Your letter is too nice - you don’t need to justify yourself!

In their defence they don't know that your child has sensory issues. It is a personal choice and of course we can't know other people's circumstances.

I don't think this is any defence at all.

The OP might not be outside clapping because she thinks it's fucking ridiculous, or because she hates the NHS and is inside busy sticking pins into little voodoo dolls dressed as nurses, and those reasons would be just as valid as not clapping because your child has sensory issues because WE LIVE IN A FREE COUNTRY WHERE YOU CAN DO OR NOT TO WHATEVER YOU LIKE AS LONG AS IT IS LEGAL.

Surely that is the point here. Children or pets who get distressed by loud noises are secondary issues compared to the primary issue, which is that nobody has to justify their clapping or lack of clapping to their neighbours or anyone else for any reason whatsoever.

I would respond: not clapping is not against the law... however, harrassment by letters is...

...“It (trying to keep the law) grants you the power to judge others and feel superior to them. You believe you are living to a higher standard than those you judge. Enforcing rules, especially in its more subtle expressions like responsibility and expectation, is a vain attempt to create certainty out of uncertainty. ... Rules cannot bring freedom; they only have the power to accuse.” ― Wm. Paul Young, The Shack

And the clapping isn't even a rule.

I would not send that letter. You do not need to justify - it is up to you to decide and not up to them to enforce or know why.

I wonder how many of these virtue signalling wankers would walk past someone with an NHS charity box.

Wankers parade 😂

I’d put a huge A4 note on my garden gate. I’d say yesterday I received a letter telling me I was letting the side down by not clapping. I’d explain that my young daughter was terrified by the noise and you have to comfort her. I’d add that you are really disappointed that the community feels it’s acceptable to bully and shame residents for not joining in. Finally I’d point out that even if people don’t clap they probably still support the NHS and may well have other reasons they can’t, just like you do. Tell them to be kind and not judge. I’d also attach the original letter (with strong glue.

I bet the rest of the street don’t know anything about it.

Bunch of absolute pricks, please do NOT feel uncomfortable and write the best letter back, calmly outlining what you were doing instead in your own home with your child. Not for one second do I think you owe them an explanation BUT I would make dam sure they know how out of order they are!

'Community' bullshit, these people have pissed me off for you!! 😡😡😡😡

The clapping and pan banging has got pathetic. The first time I thought it was a lovely gesture and gave us all a chance to say hello to neighbours etc but now it's just been diluted and a good excuse for pathetic people to judge neighbours who don't do it, it's not fucking compulsory!!!! 🙄🙄🙄🙄

Dear clapping Stasi, fuck right off.

Just ignore it it’s not worth your response. And it’ll piss them off more.

It's a free country clap or dont clap it's up to you 🤷‍♀️

Definitely don’t dignify it with a reply! We don’t clap as I have two teenagers with ASD and both hate loud noises - in DD’s case it’s almost physically painful for her. I couldn’t give a shiny shit if any of our neighbours have noticed that we don’t clap. It’s a completely pointless, rather bizarre ritual and I have other ways in which I support the NHS but don’t feel the need to shout about it to the neighbourhood...

I'm more inclined to think it's Next Door Doris expressing her opinion, rather than the 'Community'. My letter would read as follows:

Dear Community,

I was unaware that we are currently living in post war East Berlin where neighbours are actively encouraged to report infringements of their fellow citizens.
I do not have to justify my reason for not participating at this optional weekly event but the noise upsets my young child.
My family have chosen to show our appreciation for the NHS in other ways.

I would put this note outside for all to see.

We don't clap... not least because we have a doctor living opposite who is usually trying to sleep at that point before another 12 hours on the Covid ward. There are a few people nearby who let off fireworks and he'd really rather they showed his appreciation by letting him sleep and staying at home rather than congregating in the street as some nearby seem to be doing.

Not clapping does not mean we do not support the NHS

Hmm. I’d be tempted to ignore.

Alternatively you could write

“Dear X

My child hates loud noises so we don’t join in the clapping.

I consider your letter to be a form of harassment. Please do not contact me in this way again.”

You don’t need to say anything more.

Don't respond at all, that's exactly what they want. They aren't upset or offended by you not joining in the clapping, they are bored and desperately trying to stir up some drama to keep themselves entertained that's all. Leave them to find some other entertainment.

The best thing about lockdown being over will be the end of this clapping idiocy.

It's for people to act like they're making a contribution when they're not.

We don't clap... not least because we have a doctor living opposite who is usually trying to sleep at that point before another 12 hours on the Covid ward. There are a few people nearby who let off fireworks and he'd really rather they showed his appreciation by letting him sleep and staying at home rather than congregating in the street as some nearby seem to be doing.

Right?! Seems so obvious.

What cunts they are.

I'd post it and my response on the local Facebook page.
Twats

In their defence they don't know that your child has sensory issues. It is a personal choice and of course we can't know other people's circumstances.

There is no defence at all for this nastiness.

Dear Community,

I was unaware that we are currently living in post war East Berlin where neighbours are actively encouraged to report infringements of their fellow citizens. I do not have to justify my reason for not participating at this optional weekly event but the noise upsets my young child. My family have chosen to show our appreciation for the NHS in other ways.

I don't think the OP should respond, but if she does, this is perfect.

Oh this thread has had me in stitches.

The glitter, the burning effigies...

I too am uncomfortable with the clapping thing, particularly since they started telling us to do it. Nothing brings out my inner rebellious teenager like being told I should do something.

Also, when does it stop? "We are no longer clapping for carers - bored of that now"? In reality it will probably fizzle out gradually but it makes me wonder about Waitrose.

So Waitrose let the NHS jump the queue, which is nice (though it grates the care home staff in the queue for their vulnerable clients) but will they one day say "fuck off to the back of the queue"? I suppose it will stop when queuing stops. My neighbour loves it though, she does admin for a small NHS service that has shut down during all this as it's not essential or urgent, so she's sitting at home in full pay apparently and she's using her lanyard to skip the queue! I hope she's bloody doing some shopping for an isolator or she's taking the piss a bit but you can't really blame her I guess.

I would explain in a way that makes them feel guilty and then say fuck off.