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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:
Fet2021duejuly2022 · 05/12/2021 18:47

@PinkWaferBiscuit my point is we have bigger fish to fry with pollutants. People need to stop driving silly cars for a start

TheLeadbetterLife · 05/12/2021 18:48

The sensitivity to the grieving thing is not really relevant - grieving via balloons is a new thing, it’s not like anyone is saying ban a centuries old tradition. There are plenty of other ways to grieve.

PinkWaferBiscuit · 05/12/2021 18:49

[quote Fet2021duejuly2022]@PinkWaferBiscuit my point is we have bigger fish to fry with pollutants. People need to stop driving silly cars for a start[/quote]
Yes but it's not one or the other is it ffs. It's like when they banned plastic straws or charged for bags at the supermarket, small things can make a huge difference too.

A580Hojas · 05/12/2021 18:49

@Mrsjayy

There was a balloon release here today I saw it on Facebook a young woman was murdered by her boyfriend last weekend . Her friends wanted to do something for her and the dc left behind, do you think somebody should have said something to them about it ?
I don't think so, no. It would have been wholly insensitive. But it's got to become unacceptable - like any other littering, plastic pollution, pointless excess waste.
ErrolTheDragon · 05/12/2021 18:50

@Mrsjayy

There was a balloon release here today I saw it on Facebook a young woman was murdered by her boyfriend last weekend . Her friends wanted to do something for her and the dc left behind, do you think somebody should have said something to them about it ?
In that moment? Perhaps not. All the more reason for discussions like this, not (as far as I'm aware) directly with people currently in the throes of grief.
A580Hojas · 05/12/2021 18:51

Oh I see the whatabouts are here again. Reminds me of the fool who said I couldn't worry about the effect of wipes on the environment unless I was a vegan.

We're all going to have to analyse and post our carbon footprints before we can ever post about the environment? Is that it?

I don't drive a 4x4 although what it's got to do with the price of fish I have no idea.

QuestionableMouse · 05/12/2021 18:52

@ParkheadParadise

Every year on my dd's birthday I take balloons to the cemetery. I tie them onto the shepherd's hook that holds a lantern. Sometimes they blow away Sometimes people will take them I don't give a fuck what anyone thinks about it. 🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈
I'm very sorry your daughter died, but please don't keep using balloons. My best friend lost a lovely young foal to an ingested balloon. He died in a horrific way and she had to watch.

Try bubbles, or maybe flowers. Just not something that causes animals to die in agony.

DoucheCanoe · 05/12/2021 18:52

@Fet2021duejuly2022, that's a fair point in relation to climate change. This is about killing animals and destroying the environment around us with litter though.

They're not comparable.

@Mrsjayy no one is marching up to grieving people and telling them to stop what they're doing. It's about thinking ahead into the future, balloon releases should be banned so it isn't an option for anyone. No one person is to blame, it's a government issue.

Fet2021duejuly2022 · 05/12/2021 18:52

@PinkWaferBiscuit you’re right to a certain extent but the outrage and hypocrisy on this thread is hilarious. For the record I hate balloon releases too, but I think driving cars is far far worse that balloon releases. People on this thread need to take a look at their own behaviours. People in glass houses etc…

Nanny0gg · 05/12/2021 18:55

[quote Fet2021duejuly2022]@PinkWaferBiscuit you’re right to a certain extent but the outrage and hypocrisy on this thread is hilarious. For the record I hate balloon releases too, but I think driving cars is far far worse that balloon releases. People on this thread need to take a look at their own behaviours. People in glass houses etc…[/quote]
How is that the same?

Fet2021duejuly2022 · 05/12/2021 18:55

I love how people use the (stupid) word whatsbouts when they have no argument 😂

Outlyingtrout · 05/12/2021 18:56

[quote Fet2021duejuly2022]@PinkWaferBiscuit you’re right to a certain extent but the outrage and hypocrisy on this thread is hilarious. For the record I hate balloon releases too, but I think driving cars is far far worse that balloon releases. People on this thread need to take a look at their own behaviours. People in glass houses etc…[/quote]
Driving cars serves a practical purpose. Until such time as we have a universally accessible, sustainable public transport network there will be lots of people who need a car in order to get their children to school, to get to work, to care for relatives, to seek medical attention etc. Releasing balloons into the air to become nothing more than litter which poses a genuine threat to animals doesn't serve any purpose whatsoever.

Fet2021duejuly2022 · 05/12/2021 18:58

@Nanny0gg polluting the environment with plastics or gasses is terrible. I hate balloon releases, it kills animals etc but so do cars and they’re bloody awful for the environment. You’re all massive hypocrites driving your kiddies to school .

LethargicActress · 05/12/2021 18:58

Now that we all know how harmful releasing balloons is, continuing to do it, for any reason, is purely selfish. When there are so many other ways to remember a lost loved one, releasing balloons is basically saying fuck you to the rest of the world. Even if that’s exactly what a bereaved person wants to say, it doesn’t strike me as a positive way to remember someone special.

Fet2021duejuly2022 · 05/12/2021 18:58

@Outlyingtrout here come the excuses

LuneyTunes · 05/12/2021 18:59

Also, Chines Lanterns

Wheresmywoolyjumpers · 05/12/2021 18:59

It is not just the balloons - there is a growing problem with getting enough helium and since it is used in a lot of medical applications, it should be banned to use it for trivial purposes.

Sirzy · 05/12/2021 19:00

I have a disabled son. Not having a car isn’t an option. I use it as little as possible but for him to get to school and his many hospital appointments it’s vital.

Littering, including balloons, is never vital.

Fet2021duejuly2022 · 05/12/2021 19:02

@Sirzy you have a fair excuse - I’m sure most people on here don’t. If they do then they’re just lying

Outlyingtrout · 05/12/2021 19:02

[quote Fet2021duejuly2022]@Nanny0gg polluting the environment with plastics or gasses is terrible. I hate balloon releases, it kills animals etc but so do cars and they’re bloody awful for the environment. You’re all massive hypocrites driving your kiddies to school .[/quote]
So to be clear, you only want people to consider the environment if they are prepared to live an entirely environmentally friendly existence in every single way? I don't understand your perspective at all.
If you actually cared about the environment and wildlife, you'd be happy for every positive change to be talked about, campaigned for etc. You wouldn't be trying to shutdown the debate by calling people hypocrites.

VikingOnTheFridge · 05/12/2021 19:02

[quote Fet2021duejuly2022]@Nanny0gg polluting the environment with plastics or gasses is terrible. I hate balloon releases, it kills animals etc but so do cars and they’re bloody awful for the environment. You’re all massive hypocrites driving your kiddies to school .[/quote]
My household doesn't have a car, the driving mentality on MN as in wider society is a problem, and you're still being risible.

hedgehogger1 · 05/12/2021 19:03

Balloon releases should be banned. Take them out of the equation. People will find other less destructive ways to mourn

PlanktonsComputerWife · 05/12/2021 19:03

I have a small wildlife pond. I am forever fishing plastic bags, balloons, fireworks debris, plastic rings all sorts out of there. And it's only about 2m by 2m! It's an enclosed back garden so this is all dropped from the sky or carried in on the wind.

Given that I dug the damn thing to attract wildlife, I now feel like a psychopath trying to lure them to their deaths!

Fet2021duejuly2022 · 05/12/2021 19:03

It’s so funny how most reply’s are ‘ i don’t drive! 🤣 liars

DoucheCanoe · 05/12/2021 19:03

@Fet2021duejuly2022, how exactly do you know that we're all (I assume by all you mean everyone on this thread? Hmm) a bunch of hypocrites?

Unless you know everyone's personal details and actions then that's a bit of a dickhead insinuation really isn't it.

But of course I imagine that you are absolutely perfect or already never mention anything that you might not quite get 10p% on board with?!