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.

I’d love some guerrilla origami personally!

Hats. Not hate.

No idea what the connection with Gail’s is as we don’t have any - but we do have postbox toppers a plenty.

The seagull and bee are quite cute, but the decapitated remembrance head creeps me out, sorry.

I agree it's lovely when someone cares enough to hand knit or crochet something as a personal gift.

Sadly we have them in our village. Valentines, Xmas, Easter, coronation, now Wallace andGromit
Sheer vandalism and probably breaking copywrite Red post boxes are iconic. Leave them alone

I dislike the thought of all that work and all those materials going into something that will look shit after the first rainfall. And I crochet and knit.

Haha they’ve caused a few ‘heated debates’ on our local Facebook page! I’m not a fan myself but don’t care enough to wade into the local discussion. No Gail’s here yet though - think Manchester is our nearest!

Normally I am a miserable old cow, but I have to say I quite like them. Ross on Wye is festooned with them, and they do cheer the place up. But I only visit Ross, I expect I'd soon get annoyed by them if our town started spouting yarn bombs.

I absolutely love them, YABU.

If it's acrylic then doesn't that just create microplastics?

If the creators of these things are so community minded, why don't they make gloves/scarves for homeless guys instead? Or would that not be public enough?

I love them. Don't think we have a Gail's bakery close by.

You are being a miserable old witch. They spread a little joy, do no harm and are changed frequently.

<adds OP to list>

You heartless monster OP, have you no sense of community pride? I am reporting you to the WI and you'd better be ready for them when they knock on your door to give you an opportunity to explain yourself. Tea and cakes will be required. Remember to wear a hat if you are summoned to the Village Hall for a formal hearing. Tsk.

They're lovely

I can't imagine objecting to something so whimsical and downright British

Are you a furriner?

@Stroopwaffels that is fantastic.

I like post box toppers generally, but yours takes them to a new level. Thank you.

At least give people the chance to vote!

I like them, quite a few near me and we have a Gail's too. Are you South East, OP?

Well, Royal Mail don't have a problem with it.

Saying that, my town has jumped on the painted mural bandwagon. I know the art is nice and is well done, but it still appears like graffiti to me.

They probably do both.

The postbox knitters or crocheters who I know also knit blankets/hats for the special care baby unit, blankets for refugees, hats for the homeless etc etc. It's not an either/or.

You see I could 'cheer the world up' with Pollockesque daubs on the local postboxes but that would be vandalism.

IANBU

@IrateAndUnhinged Oh op - you are my long lost twin ♥️

The only postbox that has one round here just so happens to be the closest to our local Gail’s.. it’s a conspiracy I never cottoned on to before!! 😛

Who said they don't do that already?

Also, gloves and scarves are dirt cheap. People buy them and donate them usually.

If they are genuinely made of wool, surely they would shrink in the rain and become teeny weeny egg cup toppers?

No. Hot water and agitation shrink wool. Cold water doesn't. Besides, are people sure these things are made of actual wool, rather than man-made fibre? I certainly wouldn't waste nice real wool by leaving it out to get dirty or removed.

I'd make little figures of my enemies and stab them with a crochet needle in the comfort of my own home.

You'd have a bit of a job tbh. Crochet uses hooks, not needles. They aren't sharp. You could poke your enemies with them, I suppose.

I'm not sure why they woild be described as being 'inflicted' on the public any more than anything else you see around town which you haven't personally chosen to be there - window displays, adverts, posters, buildings that don't appeal to you etc. There aren't any near me, unfortunately.