To be saddened by the behaviour of the public

[diligesmore]

In regards to the Queen’s coffin in Edinburgh. As it makes its way through the city the public have their phones out so blatantly and some with smiles on their faces.

Similarly, people shoved their phones in Charles’ face when he greeted the crowd outside Buckingham Palace.

Haven’t we lost our way a bit? Do they really need a photo or video when they should just be kind, present and respectful?

There's been a massive decline in a socialital sense of decorum and manners and it pre dates lockdown imo.... I remember when Diana died and the royals did the rounds inspecting the flowers etc and there were fairly hushed tones and an air of solemnity amongst the public... yesterday around Windsor the amount of people shouting their names and shoving cameras in their faces was embarrassing

Eh, the peasants have always been revolting.

Why is the monarchy a disgusting concept? I love the Royal Family and all the history that has seen it change so much.

We had a road accident fatality at the end of our road, leading to the main through road. It was posted on the local page and someone complained that it would take him longer to get to work.

Actually I've seen photos on FB- it's kind of nice for those that can't be there. And in future years they will pop up.

The ones shared weren't inane grinning selfies, mind!

I've been thinking the same.

Yes I agree totally. Horrible and disrespectful.

I don’t know it’s that terrible. I am not “in mourning” personally but I am interested to witness history. My 9yr old is not that interested but I’m sure he will be pleased he was there when he’s older. A photo helps document the moment and assist in memory / reminiscing in years to come.
But no, I wasn’t on my phone the whole time or videoing.

There have always been people like that. My mother worked with someone who was a friend of the family of one of Sutcliffe 's victims. She took photos at the funeral, had them developed and brought them in to show round at work.

You're right. Everyone wants to show that they were there. Same as at concerts. Just watch it and experience it rather than watching it through your phone. Drives me mad.

They used to be, overall but those days are long gone.

The first one is OK I think. People are just witnessing what they feel is a momentous occasion, they're not personally grieving.

The second is not. It's a grieving man and shoving a phone in his face is awful.

Too many people with absolutely no notion of how to behave respectfully. How would they like someone to shove a camera in their face when they have just lost
a loved one. Morons.

I'm sure similar comments were made when all and sundry could afford cameras. One thing that's really annoyed me in the various commentaries is the expressing of surprise at how things were being done, because it hasn't happened before. Don't they realise that in 70 years many things have moved on, changed?

I agree with your post.They DO need educating on how to behave. They just haven't been getting that education for at least 20 years though.They have been educated to 'know their rights' though and that 'all their feelings are valid'.

I was dreading someone would ask for a selfie with Charles! I remember when my Nan died ten years ago. Some on the street silently bowed their heads as her coffin passed. They were patient and kind. I would have been devastated if some thought we were inconveniencing them.

I mean, people used to see executions as a great day out. Do you think they would not have filmed them if they'd had cameras/phones?

Fucking hell.

@Bluevelvetsofa I was in the crowd on Whitehall during Diana's funeral in 1997. We slept outside the previous night. This was before smartphones obviously, and we took photos of us camping out. But when we saw Diana's coffin pass us, it just didn't cross our minds to take photos. The moment was to pay respects, after all.

It makes me wonder how many people in the crowd were there to actually honour Her Majesty and how many were just there for likes.

Lost our way?! We have lost it waaaaay, waaaaay before this little debacle.

We are beyond cruel, unbelievably selfish, plague of little cockroaches. Me, me, me. We care for nothing but ourselves and what WE can get. There’s very little compassion or human empathy anymore.

Exactly human nature hasn’t changed it’s just played out now on phones etc. hanging would have been watched people selling pies pamphlets.

I thought this too. Horrible. Just a sea of mobile phones.

At least the politicians/officials nearer Hollywood had the decency to bow their head as coffin went by.

My point was largely about how it is second nature to record and photograph things on phones nowadays - how appropriate that is depends on the context and the situation perhaps. As an aside, I work with young people and there was a social event where previously I would not have minded getting up and having a silly dance - but now I don't, because there are mobile phones and tik toks and I have to be careful about social media and having anything filmed. So there is one example of changed behaviour.

But I stand by my point about the BBC staff - I am sure there are policies in place about mobile phone use in their studios anyway, never mind filming so you are visible on screen as the Queen's death is being announced. I hope they are pulled up on it.

@OhMerde

Yes completely agree. There’s always been a class of people like that.
They’re not there to pay respect but to gawp and tell their mates afterwards. It’s just entertainment to them.

Everyone I know who are going to watch this in person are going because they think it is a major historical occasion and they want to be part of it. And that is how it is sold to us. If it was simply the death of a 96 year old woman, nobody but immediate family would turn up.