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?

@corblimeygov

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.

That is a completely incoherent argument.

*I’ve got the impression also having a period of silence on the 11th (the actual anniversary) in the UK is a fairly recent thing….5

You’re right. 1995.

Are you sure about that? I recall as a schoolgirl in the 80s, we would be allowed to wear our brownie uniforms to school, and we had an assembly where we had two minutes silence.

My gran was a deeply religious woman who did a lot for charity. However, she never observed remembrance day, and it was the only Sunday she didn't go to church. When I was old enough she told me why. Her brother died needlessly as a young man in an absolutely horrific botch of a battle in the war, leaving a widow and 3 young children including a newborn baby. She gave money to veterans and war widows charities etc but thought that remembrance Sunday and the two minutes silence were hypocritical, pompous and unhelpful. Just presenting a view of someone who didn't take part, but had the utmost respect for servicemen.

@BoredZelda

*I’ve got the impression also having a period of silence on the 11th (the actual anniversary) in the UK is a fairly recent thing….5

You’re right. 1995.

Are you sure about that? I recall as a schoolgirl in the 80s, we would be allowed to wear our brownie uniforms to school, and we had an assembly where we had two minutes silence.

I remember the minutes silence being on remembrance Sunday.

@UpThePodge

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

That's just not true. After WW1, Armistice Day was commemorated on 11 November, but this was changed to Remembrance Sunday in 1939. No one in civilian life publicly marked November 11 from 1939 until the last 15 years or so.

The further we get from the realities and moral complexities of war - WW2, in particular - the more it is Disneyfied. A lot of this is imported from America, with their misty-eyed public rhetoric about the military (which doesn't stop their forces treating servicemen and women like shit). I've been raising money for the British Legion since I was 18, and I'll continue, but I am now almost embarrassed to wear a poppy because remembrance been so hijacked by sanctimonious virtue-signallers like the OP.

It has always been the nearest Sunday to the 11th for the 2 minute silence. When did it change?
Wrong side of 60 confused!

Think so much of this is due to virtue signalling. Like the NHS clapping on the doorstep: bloody ridiculous of some people judging others for not being seen clapping. My husband is a doctor and was absolutely snowed under during the pandemic - we don’t need to stand clapping like fools to show our respect. Plus, we live in a small village and my husband would see the same people who were moaning about others not clapping, come into the surgery and abuse the staff. So much for respect and gratitude.
The judgment around others not joining in the two minute silence is the same if you ask me. Stopping in Tesco’s or wherever for the silence is as much due to societal pressure as anything. Some people will be genuinely reflecting on lives lost, others will just be waiting till they can resume shopping.
As for the OP complaining about this, seems laughable that someone so concerned with this would be at the gym in the first place. Standing around in your swimsuit is a weird way to show respect for the fallen soldiers. Maybe you should have visited a nearby memorial or stayed at home and lit a candle if it mattered so much to you. I am glad the instructor didn’t stop the class as it should be free choice whether or not to participate and clearly most of the class were happy to continue

Sunday is the day for silence
Not a normal work day

@ElinoristhenewEnid

It has always been the nearest Sunday to the 11th for the 2 minute silence. When did it change? Wrong side of 60 confused!

I was in the Forces for quite some time pre-1990 and I don’t recall any commemoration on the 11th…,associated parades and observing of a one minute silence was as done on Remembrance Sunday.

It's an individual choice, you chose to get out of the pool, others didn't.
We do have it in work but if someone didn't want to participate that's up to them.
I didn't have a meeting at 11 today so it wasn't an issue.

It does sound like you are wanting to police others, you have no idea of their thoughts or actions and are placing too much importance on the act of being quiet for 2 minutes. People can remember in their own way.

@Europilgrim

So 2 minutes silence on the 11th is a thing now? Why not just on Sunday?

I don't think it's a thing now- it's been a thing for many years - I remember the silence at work for a long time, not just on the Sunday

What's not true @MissLucyEyelesbarrow? I stated what happened years ago where I live
It may not have happened where you live but it certainly happened where I am

If people are observing a 2 minute silence it sort of defeats the object to be looking around the room judging whether everyone else is observing it. Just focus on observing it yourself if that's what you have chosen to.
Not everyone is able to observe it at a specific time for various reasons, but it doesn't mean they don't care.

Yes. And since then it's become more performative every year. To the point that I no longer wear a poppy, because it no longer speaks of quiet respect, but of either obligation or performance wearing.

Yes this - I have the portraits of my great uncle in uniform as an 18 year old and his medals as treasured family heirlooms. He died at Ypres. I buy my poppy but I don't wear it. Once all the fashion jewellery poppies became popular it lost all its meaning.

@Iloveallofthem

So much disrespect on this thread. Appalling.

Makes me annoyed with myself having read it.

There hasn't been a shred of disrespect.

Unless your definition of respect is someone being seen to do something, just for performance.

It has all become about this performance. Actual true education is woefully lacking.

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

Poor thing, from where do you find the strength to carry on?

it really was a thing in the 1970s and 80s!

I remember it in the eighties, but then it was one minute.

@corblimeygov

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.
It's to commemorate ww1. A war which was started due to political arguments between royal families in a time when the vast majority of Europe and the world were authoritarian states at the mercy of their royal famlies.
I dont see how you got from the outcome of this war to the current democracy that we currently live in. Unless you are equating it to ww2? The rise of far right extreme views often caused by increasing poverty within a population. Mmmm beginning to sound erily familiar. How about we look at history and learn from it in the hope that we and our children dont need to relive it.
I dont think 2 minutes of silence is an accurate way to do that.

We did it at work today. (Nurse) first time I've ever known us do it. I was really surprised.

Think so much of this is due to virtue signalling

Do you feel the same way about Pride month or Black History month. They are whole month celebrations, but some think it's ok to disrespect the majority who decide to observe 2 minutes of silence remembering those who have lost their lives so that we can enjoy our freedom. Appalling

Why is it that some causes appear to be fair game for a few but others are sacred?

I recall as a schoolgirl in the 80s, we would be allowed to wear our brownie uniforms to school, and we had an assembly where we had two minutes silence.

There definitely may have been things that schools did - all as part of learning about history and WW1 - just like harvest festival. But as a national event of commemorative remembrance, no. I remember wearing my Brownie uniform to school in the ‘70s too. That might have been for St George’s Day, though.

Some people would be irritated if they had paid for an exercise class that was cut into to slow down and be still.

I’d assume that if people wanted to observe the silence, then they would not choose to be doing an exercise class at the same time.

I was at the gym today, 2 minutes silence announced & observed by everyone, it was very touching & respectful.