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Original poster

What fresh hell is this? National VE day

842 replies

wetpants · 03/05/2020 10:07

This has popped up on my local FB page, villagers are all up for it too. Apparently it’s a nationwide incentive??

The thing is, most front gardens are tiny or non existent here. There’s no way you could be 2m away from your next door. Also these villagers who are up for this are the same people who few weeks ago cried about a lone bloke sitting on a crass verge, well away from any pedestrians. How is this any different?

I’m not British (have lived here a long time though) so maybe I’m just not getting the fervent VE day misty eyeness Confused

And don’t get me started on 9pm nationwide singalong Shock WHO comes up with these things???

What fresh hell is this? National VE day
OP posts:
SpillTheTeaa · 03/05/2020 14:12

If you trendy younger types don’t want to celebrate your freedom to do whatever you like then maybe you don’t deserve it

Why do us younger generation get the blame for each individual who doesn't want to take part?
Well get blamed for corona next.

Original poster
wetpants · 03/05/2020 14:13

It’s all so ill thought out. Vast amount of houses don’t have a sufficient amount of front garden to begin with.

OP posts:
YetiAnotherNameChange · 03/05/2020 14:14

I've never known VE Day to be "celebrated" but perhaps I'm just oblivious.
Anyway it's a bank holiday on Friday, so get on and enjoy if it's your thing.

Maybethemoon · 03/05/2020 14:14

Who the fuck has dinner at 6pm?

derxa · 03/05/2020 14:14

You're preaching to the converted here, OP. Most mnetters hate their neighbours and don't answer the door so you're in good company.

MintyMabel · 03/05/2020 14:14

Excellent, another excuse for the street prefects to single out people not joining in. Why can a bunch of people decide they are doing something then force it on others, making out those others are the ones in the wrong of they don’t join in?

SpillTheTeaa · 03/05/2020 14:14

I'd rather not have a little picnic with my neighbour. I'd rather chuck a rock hard scone at his head if we're being honest.

Alsohuman · 03/05/2020 14:14

Agree. I think it's a cynical ploy to get a surge of pride going to distract from the fact there are more deaths than the Blitz

Bloody good advance planning then, I know Churchill was considered very clever, I didn’t know he was clairvoyant too.

Smelborp · 03/05/2020 14:15

A whole world of nope. Our school are trying to make it into a school activity too. More nope.

LellyMcKelly · 03/05/2020 14:15

Nope - total cringefest. Completely inappropriate at the moment. Totally agree with the bread and circuses comment. No doubt Farage will be out, egging on the great unwashed.

YetiAnotherNameChange · 03/05/2020 14:16

If you trendy younger types don’t want to celebrate your freedom to do whatever you like then maybe you don’t deserve it

...does that include the freedom to not participate in a front garden party or not? I'm confused.

Roussette · 03/05/2020 14:16

Give over alsohuman you know the point I'm making, you're just being deliberately obtuse.
I'll spell it out for you if your brain can't compute.

user1471510720 · 03/05/2020 14:16

I’m up for it. The virus clearly has been overhyped and not the killer it was Portrayed as so yes a good sing along would be good now.

1forsorrow · 03/05/2020 14:18

If you are as old as me, you will remember the time when cinemas used to play the National Anthem at the end of the evening's showing. This became a cue for everyone to dive for the exits before it started, so they stopped playing it. One of my gran's was an Orangewoman from Ulster, she was horrified at how the English did just what you describe. Was embarrassing going to the cinema with her as you had to stand to attention while it was played and of course the place was empty with the staff waiting to clear up.

BlueJava · 03/05/2020 14:18

I saw this on MN this morning - now it's just popped up on the local whatsapp group. I think I'll be out that day... oh wait... perhaps wfh. :)

Original poster
wetpants · 03/05/2020 14:18

derxa I don’t hate my neighbours. They are all rather nice and we go out to Xmas meal every year. I just don’t want to do this with them. Or with anyone.

OP posts:
NearlyGranny · 03/05/2020 14:19

I blame the red-tops. Forced doorstep jollity, manufactured emotion while clapping and banging saucepans, it all goes in the same basket as ice bucket challenges and eating laundry detergent for me. I'd like to think it meant a better deal for NHS workers in the future but I have my doubts.

Nobody has to join in, though, so I'll carry on cringing while it goes on around me. I do my bit in this crisis with my sewing machine but I don't need an audience for it.

I do come from an individualistic country, I think - England! - though having grown up and been educated in Australia probably gave me a non-conforming, assertive edge. 😉

I'd rather watch clips of people putting their bins out in bizarre ways to be honest.

Roussette · 03/05/2020 14:19

The virus clearly has been overhyped and not the killer it was Portrayed as so yes a good sing along would be good now
I presume this is a joke.

Abbccc · 03/05/2020 14:19

It’s the sheer hypocrisy that gets me too. Few weeks ago you would have been ridiculed if you went out for some scones, cream and jam. It is not essential!!!!!!! Now it’s doing your bit for the country
I see what you mean. But for lots of people,who had planned bigger celebrations, having a scone and a sing along in your front garden is compensation for the bigger party that they are missing out on. For lots of lonely people it will be a rare opportunity to at least see other people and feel some sense of normality.
And it really isn't designed to distract from Brexit or Covid like someone suggested. The 75th anniversary of VE day just happens to be in May this year, not much we can do about that!

jasjas1973 · 03/05/2020 14:20

Just living in the past isn't it? one day we'll stop celebrating this rubbish, just as we don't remember the Battle of Waterloo any more.

None of my relatives who actually did fight in WW1 and WW2 ever wanted it remember, it was all too traumatic for them.

VE day is irrelevant unless you are in your late 80s or older, especially as the 'boomers wont self isolate and will end being looked after by the very "millennials" they so despise.

Jeez they are even now threatening "civil unrest" if forced to self isolate for a few extra months....age discrimination apparently but more than happy to fuck over the lives of everyone else esp the young.

Truthpact · 03/05/2020 14:20

Did I go back in time? Confused This sounds like a 50s thing to do. Are we little women meant to be baking in the morning too? Grin

I get why the day is important, but that programme of events is nonsense.

BirdieFriendReturns · 03/05/2020 14:22

I propose a choreographed Mumsnet Lambeth Walk dance. We can be on the television or something.

andratuttobene · 03/05/2020 14:22

Dear god there are some truly miserable bastards on this site. I don’t understand why so many people are so quick to pat themselves on the back for being so militantly anti-social about everything. We get it, you are far superior to the rest of us. God what miserable lives you must lead!

1forsorrow · 03/05/2020 14:23

it is glorifying the END of war Well it is a shame they didn't wait till the end of the war then isn't it. If you want to celebrate then VJ day is more appropriate.

RapunzelinQuarantine · 03/05/2020 14:23

It’s very cheesy, but why not? Some people will no doubt enjoy it, and those who won’t don’t have to. I don’t have a garden but I don’t mind having a scone on my little balcony and if any of my neighbours start a singsong (which is unlikely) it’s be fun to join in.

I’m completely alone, and the Thursday clapping means a lot to me because it’s the only contact I get with other people.