No 2 minutes silence at gym. AIBU

[Mushypeasandchipstogo]

I went to my gym today for a class in the swimming pool. I had totally expected the class to finish just before 11am so that those who wanted to could observe the two minutes silence. By 10.55am it was apparent that this was not going to happen so I just took myself out of the pool and sat in the changing room by myself.
So as to not drip feed, I am from a Forces Family and the wrong side of 50! I found this totally disrespectful of the instructor. He could have, at the very least, mentioned that he had intended to not stop before the class. AIBU to be upset by this?

I would have been faintly mortified if I'd been caught at a gym class or supermarket at 11am today and I tend to plan ahead to make sure I'm not. I don't want to offend anyone but I really, really dislike the regimented, mandatory-feeling two minutes' silence these days. And I also grew up in the 70's and 80's and certainly don't remember this happening everywhere. It just feels forced and often more than a whiff of virtue-signalling. I know that's an opinion that many might find loathsome, so I'm sorry for that.

OP, I think if it was that important to you to observe 2 minutes of silence, you could have just opted not to go to the class today. Not everyone honours the dead slain in warfare in the same ways, and I don't see why it should be imposed on an entire class. Perhaps yes, the instructor should have made it clear there wouldn't be a break to observe it.

I’m also over 50. For most of my life, Remembrance Sunday has been the time that we solemnly reflect in silence about those who have sacrificed themselves for us.

I can’t remember when we started also observing Armistice Day. Personally, I don’t think it’s especially respectful to have a minute or two of awkward silence at the gym or in the supermarket but maybe it’s just me.

You expected two minutes silence in the swimming pool lol? What about those who rather continue swimming than giving two minutes silence? It's hardly going to be a silent atmosphere for everyone else. Good for you that you got out and did this yourself but YABI expecting it from other people.
When they do a minutes silence in the Supermarket, I just carry on shopping. There's always going to be those that aren't interested

Yabu

@Suzi888

YANBU but no one seems to care anymore. Generation ❄️ We wouldn’t win a war these days!

The next war will by cyber. Those ❄️ will be far better equipped than we are.

Enjoying the DM?

I'm the wrong side of 50 and everyone stood in silence where ever they were years ago. All this talk of virtual signaling in utter rubbish. Some people want to show their respect to the thousands of men women and animals that gave their lives to service and the fact that people are out freely do do as they wish is because of them
I agree sometimes it's not practical but don't call out people who feel it's important
I was on my own, in my home. I stood and reflected and will do so again on Sunday

It wouldn't bother me, as lots of people don't adhere to this,as of any importance.. I adhere to the custom, as I was born in the war, and had family members killed in the war. Also had oldie family members killed in the 1st world war.

You are being unreasonable. Very.

I was at softplay and we were told when entering and cane round the tables to let us know they would be observing. Obviously young children can't be expected to keep quiet but half the adults didn't either it was quite sad actually. It wasn't very busy and one woman was stood at someone else's table chatting the whole way through. The softplay put the music off so everyone would realise, but so many didn't bother.

If you actually cared you wouldn't have booked into the gym for the time of remembrance. Come on now.

I used to be in the army until very recently and I think YABU. Its a personal choice.

I'm sorry but the imagery of you fuming in a loud swimming pool while everyone is splashing about is funny to me. You can take literally any 2 minutes out of the day, it doesn't have to be at 11.

I agree with you that the 2 minute silence should be for this occasion, and this occasion only. I think as a nation, we could take two minutes out of however minutes there are in a year to show our respect and gratitude.

...and many of us do take the time to take part in services and ceremonies on Remembrance Sunday, as has been our tradition as far back as I can remember (to the 1960s, so a while).

Exactly. Virtually no-one alive today knows anyone who was around in WW1.

Eh ? How do you work that out ?
All my Grandparents, and most of my Great Aunts and Uncles were around in WW1. Of course, I don't remember those who died - the brothers, the husbands, the fathers, but I remember many, many people who were teens and young adults at the time. I know many, many folk who are up to 40 years older than me, and all of them will remember even more people. Even my dc can remember some people who were alive in WW1 (far fewer of course, but there are some).
You need to check your maths.

All that said, in my silence, I think of all the war widows / widowers and the children and parents of our armed forces who have died in more recent conflicts, not just those who died in WW1, and those injured in those conflicts, both physically and those with PTSD.

I don’t agree. It’s not mandatory and anyone can observe it who likes.

I was in an appointment with a nurse at 11 am. I doubt she had time to just stop for 2 mins.

Out with the dog this morning in a small local country park. Most walkers and their dogs observed the 2 min silence, very touching.

@SunshineCake1

I am with you. I was in a cafe and the announcement was made about silence. It took a while for some to shut up and even when most had I heard a woman laugh twice quite loudly while another was talking to her. Just no respect.

😂😂 oh don't be so silly. 'Just no respect'. Or refusal to join in the performance?

I've just noticed that Edinburgh Castle is bathed in red light this evening. I do find all this quite tiresome.

All my Grandparents, and most of my Great Aunts and Uncles were around in WW1.

Are they still alive today? That’s the point. You knew them, you don’t know them. My grandparents etc were alive in WW1, but they are long dead.

I think it's really sad when companies and organisations choose to ignore the 2 minute silence. Seems totally disrespectful to me. I was at the hairdressers where everyone fell silent, including the nail salon upstairs. The local fire station all stood outside, my children's school all stood outside while someone played The Last Post.

It seems that many thousands of people do believe our fallen war heroes are worth two minutes of our silent reflection.

You did your best OP.

@WhatIsThisPlease

I think it's really sad when companies and organisations choose to ignore the 2 minute silence. Seems totally disrespectful to me. I was at the hairdressers where everyone fell silent, including the nail salon upstairs. The local fire station all stood outside, my children's school all stood outside while someone played The Last Post.

It seems that many thousands of people do believe our fallen war heroes are worth two minutes of our silent reflection.

You did your best OP.

How touching 😊

To everyone saying it's a personal choice , yes it it and it's one you have BECAUSE of those who paid the ultimate price for you to have personal choice.
Two minutes of silence and reflection on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is not much to ask for.

You can take any time you want to reflect. It doesn't have to be a prescribed 2 minutes, it really doesn't. That risks becoming performative virtue-signalling, and somewhat undermines what they fought for, freedom of choice.

It sounds as if your need to feel superior to others is more important to you than reflecting on WW1.

So much disrespect on this thread. Appalling.

Makes me annoyed with myself having read it.

YABU. It sure what it to be achieved by a forced 2 minute silence. It’s a personal choice.