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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not join in with the social distancing street party tomorrow.

131 replies

GJAK9729 · 07/05/2020 20:07

Our local village are doing a social distancing street party tomorrow and everyone on the community website is quite excited about it.

Me and dc have learnt about VE Day and why it happens this week. We have made some bunting to put up.

But I really don’t want to join in with the street party. We generally keep ourselves to ourselves. We know our neighbours but not really friends with any of them. Our neighbours are quite a sociable bunch and we are not.

Plus our eldest child has additional needs. I can’t fully trust him to remember to socially distance and I would be a nervous wreck about him being out the front. He has no sense of danger plus he’ll get over excited which often turns him into a bit of a nightmare.

Aibu not to join in?

OP posts:
Peggysgettingcrazy · 07/05/2020 23:02

Does it matter?

Yes. Since people are referring to it as "the invitation" as though its from anyone official.

The fact that people think its official is giving them the impression that they can go socialise.

Its very odd. Since no one is claiming they created it.

Wonder if there's a peak in 2 weeks, who did create will fess up.

LemonadeAndDaisyChains · 07/05/2020 23:03

for the social side of "being together with" my neighbours that I've got to know a lot better over the last few weeks - the VE Day festivities are just a hook to hang that on

Mus admit that's a nice thing that's come out of all this - I live on a big street and I didn't know what half of my neighbours even looked like never mind spoke to before all this Blush Grin
People might moan at say clapping on a Thursday but it's nice when we all come out, and it gets you knowing your neighbours a but better - definitely more of a community feel than there was before.

Davespecifico · 07/05/2020 23:04

I’m so glad my road doesn’t have a plan for this. My friend’s road is having one and they have a socially distanced disco every week. I’m not a miserable git. I’m just someone who doesn’t want to attend something that has the potential to spread he virus.

TeensArghhhh · 07/05/2020 23:04

I don’t get the sitting out in shouting distance with people you barely know

Don’t you know your neighbours? There is nothing I don’t know about my neighbours.... whether I want to know or not. And the nearest live at least 300m from me 🤷🏻‍♀️

BeardedMum · 07/05/2020 23:09

corona -buffet

thenightsky · 07/05/2020 23:12

I don’t get the sitting out in shouting distance with people you barely know!

I was the one who posted that we would be sitting in shouting distance and eating our own scones etc. I DO know my neighbours and they know me. We've all been supportive of each other during these last few horrible weeks. Half of us are retired over 60s and half have young DC, from 3 weeks old to 16 years old. We get on. Why wouldn't we be happy sitting in the sun, eating scones, chatting at a distance?

Rosehip10 · 07/05/2020 23:13

The "invitation" is not from anyone "official" - I think it just started on social media a week or so ago and then took off?

There is no mention of these social distanced parties on the british legion site or offical VE day pages.

Mulhollandmagoo · 07/05/2020 23:15

We don't have anything bloke that going on on our street thankfully, just a fair few houses with some bunting up and it smells like there's been loads of baking going on today, but I wouldn't be partaking if there were. I'm hoping them be some sort of belated marking of 75th anniversary of VE day at a later date though

pinkrocker · 07/05/2020 23:19

@thenightsky we're doing the same and I've just baked banana bread for it. Pity the bottom has gone soggy!!
We live in a terrace and we will sit in front of our front doors and talk loudly to each other, we won't be getting any closer than 5m.
I think it's nice, anyway each to their own.

Peggysgettingcrazy · 07/05/2020 23:20

@Rosehip10 and yet people are saying 'the invitation says you need to

As though its actually a thing. Rather than something just made up.

The reason no one official is endorsing it, because theres a lockdown and no one wnats to be seen to be encouraging it.

I imagine the police will be busy tomorrow.

salemcat · 07/05/2020 23:20

Happily dont have neighbours 😀 & I think it's more of an English thing to celebrate with street parties, none of my friends do it either 🤷‍♀️

saleorbouy · 07/05/2020 23:21

A bit daft during lockdown, there will obviously be some social distancing lapses and sharing of items which are possible contamination situations. Can't really see the point of the hassle, I'd stay clear. Enforced fun isn't fun!

SonjaMorgan · 07/05/2020 23:25

Hot and sweaty buffet food so you can be at risk of food poisoning as well as covid-19, yum.

Peggysgettingcrazy · 07/05/2020 23:27

Hot and sweaty buffet food so you can be at risk of food poisoning as well as covid-19, yum.

Yep and lashings of alcohol.....i wonder if the nightingales can be used for people with dysentery, just for next week.

JessicaDay · 07/05/2020 23:31

It’s a recipe for Covid Spike 2 in a fortnight.

No wonder lockdown isn’t being lifted and easing doesn’t start til Monday.

Bowerbird5 · 07/05/2020 23:37

It was mentioned to me tonight. The others have obviously planning it for days/weeks. They all have bought bunting out. I sat and made some things to put out this afternoon. They are all making something for it and are putting it on the green. I said “No thanks” to the buffet and the look I got. I have food allergies and sometimes have to go to A&E for five hours. I certainly don’t want to be going there at the moment apart from ...Coronavirus. Keep 2 metres distance. Use sanitiser. Eat something someone else’s hands have been all over...er no thanks!
I don’t particularly want to join in either especially as the other neighbour seem to be all very friendly but one lot stopped speaking to us last year over something. Awkward.

Please yourself OP. I might go out for ten minutes then the phone might ring.😊

VerticalHorizon · 07/05/2020 23:38

Coronanation Chicken anybody?

bellsbuss · 07/05/2020 23:41

We are , all 10 houses in our road, bunting out , picnics in our own front gardens, gin and fizz. No mention of a buffet table thank God.

CherryStoneTree · 07/05/2020 23:50

Buffet?????

SaigonSaigon · 08/05/2020 00:10

Our uk death rate from corona in a few short months is half that of the uk death rate in the entire 6years of ww2.
Its the highest death rate in europe.
This whole celebration is inappropriate

@Branleuse - totally agree. I was thinking we'd do the one on our street despite some unease, just to join in. Not sure I will now.

PhilSwagielka · 08/05/2020 09:56

Me not doing much isn't because I'm being a miserable git, it's because 1) I live on my own and 2) I'm not well at the moment. I've been quite headachey for the last few days due to RLS-induced lack of sleep, plus I'm on my period. I'm hoping it brightens up a bit later so I can enjoy the sunshine for a bit.

GabsAlot · 08/05/2020 09:58

course you dont have to-my dsis got a poster through the door she said she feel bad but doesnt want to do it
just a diaster waiting to happen
how the fuck does a buffet work with SD-

PhilSwagielka · 08/05/2020 10:09

@lilgreen Me too. I don't see why I should have to stand on my doorstep to observe a silence.

TabbyMumz · 08/05/2020 10:23

Didnt think it was allowed? They've asked people this morning to stay in their homes.

VickyEadieofThigh · 08/05/2020 10:23

Buffet

Jeez...