To think that postbox toppers are an aberration and those who produce them should be shot at dawn (I should say 'light hearted' here but it goes against the grain)

[IrateAndUnhinged]

That really.

Postbox toppers. Those crocheted monstrosities decorating every postbox within a 500 metres of GAILS bakery.

Why?

My AIBU is am I unreasonable for thinking they add no value to life and represent a huge drain on resources that could be better put to work creating reusable string bags.

YANBU. They’re a metaphor for how our entire country, and everyone in it, has gone soft in the head.

And some of them are twee and naff in the extreme.

Thinking about it more, I'd love some anti-monarchist yarn bombing. Never seems to be around here. I think that's why it's annoying.

As a runner I love seeing them

What has being a 'runner' got to do with liking them? 😂😂😂

As a walker, I couldn't give a shit about them.

VestaTilley · Yesterday 22:46

YANBU. They’re a metaphor for how our entire country, and everyone in it, has gone soft in the head.

And some of them are twee and naff in the extreme.

Thank you, Vesta - you've crystallised this issue for me! I get cross with these things and (as many pps have said) it seems ridiculous really - they're just decorative whimsy) I feel something close to rage when I see them. This is made worse because nearly all my friends love them and some actually make them.

But yes! Now you've said it, that explains my feelings: I just feel it's a sign of us all going 'soft'. I'm afraid I don't like roadside shrines etc, either. I know that sounds callous to some - but I feel just as sorry for the victims of accidents etc as those who leave candles, flowers, teddies etc. But I've got to be honest - I find it mawkish and sentimental. And an imposition on everyone else of something that should be private.

To me it's not a trivial issue - it's a change I'm suspicious of.

Oh god yes OP I loathe them twee horrible nonsense produced by those who think they have the right to litter our spaces with their dubious hobbies.

There's a group in our village and every occasion it is out with the bloody things, not just the postbox but every bollard and railing. The Jubilee and the Coronation were particularly painful. They have set themselves up as the unofficial arbiters of village events and it all involves the bloody knitting. None of them seem to consider that others in the village might not want this rubbish foisted on them.

Remembrance is even worse with cascades of knitted bloody poppies and god awful knitting. Now call me old fashioned but remembrance is about respect and reflection not a jaunty knitted topper and it gets more and more every year. Thing is, I don't think it is even about the remembrance it's about the knitters basking in the glory of the Facebook group comments (don't get me started) the poor souls whose names are on the war memorial don't get a look in.

Although the morons who nearly get themselves run over taking photos of the bloody things might be worse.

Flumpahone
Remembrance is even worse with cascades of knitted bloody poppies and god awful knitting. Now call me old fashioned but remembrance is about respect and reflection not a jaunty knitted topper and it gets more and more every year. Thing is, I don't think it is even about the remembrance it's about the knitters basking in the glory of the Facebook group comments (don't get me started) the poor souls whose names are on the war memorial don't get a look in.

Exactly. It's not even appropriate sometimes, never mind aesthetic.

It does seem to be increasingly about/for the knitters/crocheters self-satisfaction.

I admit I'm a grumpy curmudgeon - but: offer these things to the local primary school or playgroup and leave street furniture alone!

the poor souls whose names are on the war memorial don't get a look in.

They’ve been dead for over 100 years during most of which time nobody except their families gave them a second thought. There’s been much more fuss made generally about Remembrance Sunday since 2014. Where I live they’re really big on it, there are benches and life size metal soldiers all over the place which are just as tasteless as crocheted poppies. You can’t control public art.

Zaha Hadid? She's just off the top of my head. There are some phenomenal female architects out there, no need to pretend that we have to knit or crochet to forge our place,. We're already there...

Women’s art and crafts have never been taken as seriously as their male equivalents. I know the thread is light hearted, but your dismissal of their work as silliness and whimsy, is historically how a lot of female artists were received.

Hear, hear.

A big part of my complaint was really the assumption that it is OK to invade public space with art that I haven't chosen to engage with. Associated with it is assumption that I should like it just because it represents a lot of work by dedicated crafters.

You're absolutely right that it shouldn't be assumed you like it. But nobody has the right to expect never to see things they don't like. You can't please all of the people all of the time. If the only public art and design permitted had to be liked by absolutely everyone, there simply wouldn't be any public art and design.

And there’s no need to throw away or deprecate traditional women’s art just because women are now also successful in other fields. There’s enough space in the world for all of it.

The comment wasn't literal, but the majority of design be that architecture or bicycles is designed by men for men.
What is exactly is wrong with knitting and crocheting. Why are they not held in the same esteem as other craft forms, apart from the fact they are associated with older women ?

I don't know that craft forms aren't held in high regard; aren't they? I know that I've seen Woolly Hugs squares that are breathtaking, I couldn't hope to produce them ever. There are plenty of building installations that aren't 'for me' in terms of design but the difference is, they were commissioned.

This thread is about appropriating public space to display craft items. I don't like it, it's not the items itself, it's the 'I'll do what I like' aspect. Regardless of the talent or whether the items are any good, it's the self-absorption in forcing this on other people whether they like it or not.

Blossomtoes will you be saying the same when mediocare or worse 'talent' is displayed? I personally don't want any of it in public. Banksy art is famous because it's famous. Is it any good? Who knows? Not for me but it opens the door for anybody to do it, however many there are, however lacking their skills.

Do it at home, display it with pride, raffle it off for charity, whatever.

but then is art more interpretation, some will think the mona lisa is omg excellent and others may think "seriously they think thats great, etc

They annoy me loads too

will you be saying the same when mediocare or worse 'talent' is displayed?

Yes, I will. You’re not the arbiter of what constitutes talent. We all have different views. I’ve paid to see lots of right old shit (in my view) that’s widely considered to be great art.

I'm not in the UK and have never heard of postbox toppers. I've just googled them. How bizarre.

I don't know what a Gail's bakery is but I agree.

Hawkins009, absolutely, we all have art in mind that moves us and some that we're indifferent to. Art galleries are the typical place for art to be shown, it's cared for and visited by people every day. Pieces aren't randomly run off on a copier and pasted in public spaces.

The issue that I personally have is that people start off small, putting their crafts in public spaces and then others want to copy. Before you know it, public spaces are littered - and I do mean littered. These toppers were mildly amusing the first time I saw one and now they're everywhere. I would feel exactly the same if people started painting the Mona Lisa and slapping their efforts up on walls everywhere. It's a matter of time before she becomes immortalised in a tawdry topper somewhere.

Blossomtoes, it's you that's been acting arbiter and extolling the virtues of these things everywhere and slapping down any response not aligning with yours. If they were not in public spaces I really wouldn't care whether they were good, bad or somewhere in between, I'd never see them. A difference of opinion isn't a bad thing either.

BIossomtoes · Yesterday 15:51

And there’s no need to throw away or deprecate traditional women’s art just because women are now also successful in other fields. There’s enough space in the world for all of it.

I don't think anyone is doing that. I love and admire skillful knitting/embroidery/quilting, just not in the street all over the street furniture. It's in the wrong place for that particular craft-type. And, if anyone says: well, that's the point - it's meant to be a surprise - well, the surprise element is completely over now, and it's just getting boring, like a repeated joke.

It's as if some twee but well-meaning friend has got into your house and 'festooned it with knick-knacks without your permission. Just annoying - not the end of the world, but very irritating.

A difference of opinion isn't a bad thing either.

I agree. It’s a bit unfair to pick me out for slapping down - the entire thread consists of it.

They look like those doily things that a certain type of laydee used to put on loo rolls to hide the evidence.

This thread is about appropriating public space to display craft items.

Imo appropriating implies stealing or taking something for your own use, thereby preventing others from using it. Making a postbox less aesthetically appealing to some people (and more aesthetically pleasing to others) does not infringe anyone's right or ability to post their letters.

With a little dolly ballerina in the middle?

I knew they reminded me of something!

It's as if some twee but well-meaning friend has got into your house and 'festooned it with knick-knacks without your permission. Just annoying - not the end of the world, but very irritating.

Except that your house is yours and not your friend's. Whereas postboxes are no more yours than they are the crocheters'.

Love this post and agree