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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to beg for no more balloon releases

286 replies

Newspeaker · 27/05/2023 08:49

Why is it that at the times of the worst tragedy so many people still think it is OK to release dangerous litter into the sky? Surely in every group who plan these events there will be at least one person who understands the implications and can push for an alternative?
That's it really. Don't tell me people need to grieve - there are plenty of other ways to signal your grief, if you feel the need to do that. Does anyone want the memorial to their loved one be tainted by - just one real life example - a dead donkey foal with a balloon and the string in her gut? It seems particularly ironic that our young people can be so vocal about environmental issues, and yet they still flock to buy the balloons and take part in these releases.
It just breaks my heart to see this, knowing that the odds are some animals will suffer or die from our thoughtlessness, and yet again the land will be littered.

Any time someone posts about this they get accused of bad timing and insensitivity. Caring about our environment and feeling deep sadness for tragic losses aren't mutually exclusive. We have to find some time to speak up, because however much we do, it still happens.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
maximist · 27/05/2023 08:55

They should be banned. Along with Chinese bloody lanterns.

LadyWithLapdog · 27/05/2023 08:55

I agree with you, OP. Though in cases such as these, sudden (I assume you were reminded of those two teenagers), it may be the first thing that springs to mind as easy to organise.

SunnySaturdayMorning · 27/05/2023 08:56

You can beg all you like. I’m still going to do it.

Menopants · 27/05/2023 08:57

SunnySaturdayMorning · 27/05/2023 08:56

You can beg all you like. I’m still going to do it.

Why?

Whinge · 27/05/2023 08:57

SunnySaturdayMorning · 27/05/2023 08:56

You can beg all you like. I’m still going to do it.

Why? Confused

Willmafrockfit · 27/05/2023 08:58

SunnySaturdayMorning · 27/05/2023 08:56

You can beg all you like. I’m still going to do it.

cant you light a candle instead?

Thesunwillcomeoutverysoon · 27/05/2023 08:58

Ignorant people obviously don't like donkeys....

WestwardHo1 · 27/05/2023 08:59

SunnySaturdayMorning · 27/05/2023 08:56

You can beg all you like. I’m still going to do it.

Why?

HappyKoala56 · 27/05/2023 08:59

Yanbu. I used to be a balloon artist and would refuse services to people who were planning balloon releases. No need at all

DontTouchMyMug · 27/05/2023 08:59

Ah yes, let's commemorate the tragic and needless loss of life... by tragically and needlessly killing more creatures.

I get they look symbolic and people feel the need to do something in light of their grief but there has to be alternatives.

ThirstyThursday · 27/05/2023 08:59

SunnySaturdayMorning · 27/05/2023 08:56

You can beg all you like. I’m still going to do it.

That doesn't surprise me one bit.

Chasingadvice · 27/05/2023 08:59

I don't like them either but begging on mumsnet isn't going to do anything.

Againstmachine · 27/05/2023 09:00

This reply has been deleted

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Jifmicroliquid · 27/05/2023 09:00

Agree with you OP.
Those who release them are selfish and thoughtless.

lifesabitchandthenyoudie · 27/05/2023 09:01

I bet if those people were told their balloon would kill their pet they wouldn't do it. They just don't give a shit because it won't happen to them.

Agree Chinese Lanterns, too.

fyn · 27/05/2023 09:01

I saw the pictures in Cardiff and it was devastating to see. All you can think is how many hundreds of animals are those horrible balloons going to kill.

Againstmachine · 27/05/2023 09:01

I completely agree OP.

However when you criticize them you are tarred as being the worst person on earth as people believe it's their right to do whatever they want as they are grieving.

goldenlocks · 27/05/2023 09:01

Thank you for saying this! Made me so cross to see this stupidity but obviously as it's a sensitive issue I would not menton it publically/non-anonymously. It's idiotic. There are many other ways to mourn and hold vigils. So much damage and little and harm caused with balloon releases. Idiotic really.

Harryyourenogoodalone · 27/05/2023 09:01

Many end up in sea ingested by dolphins and whales and kill them.

LubaLuca · 27/05/2023 09:01

SunnySaturdayMorning · 27/05/2023 08:56

You can beg all you like. I’m still going to do it.

Strong dedication to the balloon release. Weird.

I agree, op. It's thoughtlessly throwing litter into the sky, and so commonly done it has no wow factor at all.

ThirstyThursday · 27/05/2023 09:02

Chasingadvice · 27/05/2023 08:59

I don't like them either but begging on mumsnet isn't going to do anything.

I think it does, sometimes. Honestly some people are still unaware of the damage they do & usually these threads have at least one person re thinking their behaviour. Every little helps.

Hoppinggreen · 27/05/2023 09:03

If people just dumped loads of deflated balloons in a field nobody would defend it but because they release them into the sky first it’s apparently ok.
The type of people who do it are generally show off virtue signalling grief vampires anyway so unlikely to listen to reason

PuttingDownRoots · 27/05/2023 09:04

Seed bombs
Bubbles
Virtual memorials

There are other options

TrippinEdBalls · 27/05/2023 09:04

I agree about the environmental damage but I think it would be more effective to suggest alternatives than to just condemn people for wanting a way to symbolize their grief. Candles seems better but I'm not sure if in reality a candle vigil creates a lot of rubbish?

xabia · 27/05/2023 09:07

Completely agree but you can't convince the selfish and ignorant.

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