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AIBU?

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Original poster

FFS if you want to commemorate something don't be a dick and release HELIUM flipping BALLOONS!

263 replies

flashbac · 05/12/2021 17:01

No matter how sad the occasion is or how tragic the story. Releasing helium balloons into the atmosphere is a really dickish thing to do.

OP posts:
PinkWaferBiscuit · 05/12/2021 17:04

Agree 100%! I've never understood the logic of how filling the earth and sea with more plastic or an animal eating the deflated balloon is a tribute.

I honestly couldn't be friends with anyone who thought it was an appropriate way to commemorate anything, we're not ignorant anymore to the damage they do.

purpleneon · 05/12/2021 17:05

Imo there are worse things that we do as a society to destroy the environment than release some helium balloons.

Not ideal but if that's how someone chooses to commemorate a loved one I don't really mind!

I could say don't be a dick and go abroad every year on a plane, but many of us do more than once per year even...

shampooing · 05/12/2021 17:05

Agreed. Give the balloon money to a charity relevant to the cause you wish to support instead of causing pollution and possibly the death of wildlife.

kikipie · 05/12/2021 17:07

I don’t understand how anyone still does this

Sirzy · 05/12/2021 17:08

I don’t know why it is still allowed to happen. It’s littering. Your balloon doesn’t go the the person it was sent up for. At best it lands as litter at worst it damages wildlife.

There are much better ways to commemorate someone’s life. I went to a funeral recently and we were all given wildflower seeds to spread, much nicer and when you see the flowers you can remember the person.

coronabeer · 05/12/2021 17:08

I would ban balloons completely, if it were up to me.

Original poster
flashbac · 05/12/2021 17:09

Sorry. I should have phrased my post better, it's insensitive. I saw it on the news and saw red.
Flowers to anyone who is suffering from a tragic event. Please don't mark it with helium baloons though.

OP posts:
AuntieMarys · 05/12/2021 17:09

Totally agree. It's a stupid inconsiderate thing to do. Plant a tree, give to a charity or whatever...

Saucery · 05/12/2021 17:09

Totally agree. Same with those horrible lanterns that harm wildlife and are a fire hazard.
I wish people would do something like scatter wildflower seeds instead. But I suppose that doesn’t give the same opportunity for Conspicuous Grieving.

BakedTattie · 05/12/2021 17:09

Any type of balloon really.

I once had to pick 3 or 4 balloons out of my horses field once. One was covering his water, so he had no access to water because of it.

CeratopsofthePharoahs · 05/12/2021 17:14

I like the wildflowers idea.
You could make a donation (or volunteer some time) for a charity that the person you are commemorating liked.
Plant a lot of trees (with permission obvs)

There are many ways of doing something very productive in the memory of a loved one that don't involve balloons or those awful lanterns. Yes, they look pretty but they cause all sort of problems.

secretllama · 05/12/2021 17:14

Agree... or those Chinese lanterns! The worst part is the person is grieving so you don't want to be seen as a dick telling them at that point. But I can't believe people still do this.

Soubriquet · 05/12/2021 17:16

Problem is, you tell anyone not to release balloons, you’re told you’re being insensitive because they are grieving/remembering/honouring someone

It’s a very tricky line to walk

MegSpace · 05/12/2021 17:19

I'm amazed people still do this, any type of balloon or the lanterns, knowing the impact of the environment and the risk to wildlife and farm animals, I think there should be penalties for what is clearly just litter that floats for a short while after you drop it but no one feels like they can challenge people who are grieving so it will keep happening.

Sirzy · 05/12/2021 17:20

@Soubriquet

Problem is, you tell anyone not to release balloons, you’re told you’re being insensitive because they are grieving/remembering/honouring someone

It’s a very tricky line to walk

I agree that’s why it is important to have the conversations about things like this so loved ones know. Personally my family all know if anyone lets off balloons when I die they will be forever haunted by me!
MrsTophamHat · 05/12/2021 17:21

I really thought people had woken up to this too. I know it's often done from a place of pain, but there are other considerate and poignant ways to commemorate something.

Warmduscher · 05/12/2021 17:21

@purpleneon

Imo there are worse things that we do as a society to destroy the environment than release some helium balloons.

Not ideal but if that's how someone chooses to commemorate a loved one I don't really mind!

I could say don't be a dick and go abroad every year on a plane, but many of us do more than once per year even...

You do know it’s possible to talk about more than one thing being bad for the environment, don’t you?

You say you don’t mind - if you had a horse who ate the balloon and became seriously ill, or a Chinese lantern set your stable on fire, how would you feel?

Or are you ok with it because it doesn’t affect you personally?

Doomscrolling · 05/12/2021 17:22

We’re short on helium and it’s essential in some industries - medicine, arc welding, a coolant for reactors etc. The last one hung we should be doing with it is filling balloons and littering.

ErrolTheDragon · 05/12/2021 17:25

@purpleneon

Imo there are worse things that we do as a society to destroy the environment than release some helium balloons.

Not ideal but if that's how someone chooses to commemorate a loved one I don't really mind!

I could say don't be a dick and go abroad every year on a plane, but many of us do more than once per year even...

Of course there are worse things, but two wrongs don't make a right.

Balloons and fire lanterns are a direct hazard to wildlife. They serve no useful purpose which couldn't be achieved in some other way.

And the balloons, of course, waste helium which is a finite resource which is essential for various important scientific and medical applications.

Soubriquet · 05/12/2021 17:27

@Doomscrolling

We’re short on helium and it’s essential in some industries - medicine, arc welding, a coolant for reactors etc. The last one hung we should be doing with it is filling balloons and littering.
This is said on every thread about helium. The helium used in balloons is different from the medical grade helium. It doesn’t matter
FingersofFish · 05/12/2021 17:28

This was my thought when i just heard it on the radio. I'm shocked tbh surely everyone knows this is a blooming awful way to mark a tragedy? It's really irresponsible and no more effective than all lighting a candle or doing a vigil or March just incredibly thoughtless.

10yearwarranty · 05/12/2021 17:30

Agreed - balloons and chinese lanterns - both cause death. How can anyone think it's a good way to commemorate the loss of a loved one? What exactly is the mindset when there is so much awareness now of the damage done?
I couldn't help cringing when they did that massive balloon release for David Amess. He seemed to be a great MP, aware of issues, I wonder if it's something he would have supported.

etulosba · 05/12/2021 17:31

We’re short on helium

Apparently, that is an internet myth…

medium.com/a-microbiome-scientist-at-large/science-monday-are-we-really-running-out-of-helium-c5365852cbd3

megletthesecond · 05/12/2021 17:31

Yanbu.
I'm trying to get our council to officially ban them but they won't. Makes a mockery of their wanky ''Climate Emergency' pledge.

HACSU · 05/12/2021 17:34

Wholeheartedly agree

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