If you don’t want to observe two minute silence- don’t be out

[Mokel]

Every Remembrance Sunday and Nov 11th, when I worked at retail, we did a tannoy announcement with 5 min, 2 min before to inform customers that the store will be observing the 2 min silence. Then another to start it.

Every time there were customers who kept talking. Plus one time a woman in her 50s shouted “why can’t anyone serve me some fucking fags?” Everyone just looked at her. Some had the courage to say how disrespectful she was once the silence ended.

If you are unable or refuse to observe the silence at 11am today or tomorrow, please don’t be in a public place.

Barbara didn’t say she/ he would negatively impact anyone. She’s just saying as many are on here that some, for personal reasons, don’t want to or feel a personal need to honour the British armed forces.

The Irish, were given as an example but obviously there will be others too.

Ps…My family were shot at on Bloody Sunday so I know for sure they don’t. Everyone’s life experiences matter.

No, they shouldn't have to stay at home but don't you realise that some people might not be able to stay at home, e.g. retail workers? They should be able to observe the silence without some idiot who thinks they are too important to wait 2 minutes badgering them to be served.

Remembrance Day silence here in the UK is officially to remember the British armed forces. Just them. Not civilians killed in war or anything else. Just the Armed forces. So by default that’s why pp referenced them.

Yes I get many people will reflect on whatever they want.

No, it’s not. It’s broadened into a discussion about behaviour during the 2 minutes. That’s how discussions go.

I haven't said I would or have ever disrupted the silence. I would quietly carry on with my business (if I noticed) leaving those who wanted to observe it to do so.

I don't think that makes me disrespectful or lacking in decency, to use some of the terms that have been used in this thread.

I certainly don't think that means I should be compelled to stay home. I wouldn't go to a remembrance service obviously but walking around the aisles in Asda is fair game. Don't really fancy being put on house arrest for the morning because of my nationality or political views, or others because of their disability.

No one has said that retail workers shouldn't be able to observe the silence if they want.

I admit to being among those who question the sincerity of the observance of the customers in a supermarket though. They're there by choice, surely being in an Asda at that particular time is a statement all it's own.

I know what it was officially started for, but it's definitely bigger than that for many of us now.

I respect that it’s a different matter for some. I was simply explaining why pp mentioned the British Armed forces …..as they are officially who is being honoured.

And as I said, for many of us it's bigger than that.

And for many of us it isn't.

OK
I’ll be the first to respectfully stand down and stop repeating myself.

And round and round and round we go eh Barbara.
Oh well

But how can they when people who don't observe the silence, i.e. those in Asda at 11am, think they have to be served there and then? By all means don't observe the silence, they need to respect those who do.

I'm not working at the moment but the company I worked for encouraged us to observe the 2 minutes silence if we wanted to. We could arrange meetings so it didn't clash and I was in one meeting that overran so my boss paused it so anyone could join in. No one was forced to do it but it was nice to be given the choice.

So seeing that’s what the two minute silence is for, and that’s what this thread is about, you have spent the entire thread essentially claiming those that don’t observe it are disrespectful but to you, the two minute silence isn’t for remembering losses in the British Army?

I’m confused, what is the two minute silence and Remembrance Sunday about then? It certainly isn’t about civilian deaths seeing as there is no representative for them during the service today. Foreign military then? I don’t get it.

I think it's sad that on remembrance day every year there is bickering about remembrance day.

This.

As for "I would quietly carry on with my business"........ please don't. Just stop whatever you're doing.

For 2 minutes !

I didn't say it wasn't for remembering those in the British Armed Services, I said it wasnt only for that. Please read the actual words.

I did read your actual words. I may have omitted to write “only for” but the post still stands.

As long as you’re not being prevented from observing the silence and as long as nobody is being abusive, you have no right to tell them what to do.

If observing the 2 minute silence is so important to you, don’t go to Asda at 11 am on Rememberance Sunday. If you are working in a supermarket, then step back quietly and as I said, what other people are doing is none of your business.

I actually have a question for those in retail. If you choose not to observe the silence, in which I mean, stand still and be quiet, and rather just quietly go about your business, what are the consequences? Would anyone actually be brave enough? In which case it is somewhat coersive, in the same way as being made to wear poppies is. It should be choice, no?? I personally don't like the way that remembrance has become de facto compulsory.

But how else would people know that THEY observe the silence and it's oh so important to them, without moaning about and insulting the ones who don't?

More performative actions for the "likes".

Not observing the silence is more performative than observing it really.
Some people are incapable of just going with the flow of majority and making it all about them.

I get this! I work in a cafe and we announce to customers about the 2 minutes silence. Guaranteed we still get customers shouting orders as us, I just turn my back on them

Eh?
🫣

You mean fit in and shut up?
isnt that the kind of attitude we were trying to fight against in the world wars?

How long do we continue to remember the dead of the world wars when we’ve
killed so many more since?

We allow fascism to rise globally and more scarily at home and yet we’re told to go with the flow of the majority, many of whom are the loudest racists and fascists we have in this country, even when those are saying doing so offends them or goes against their beliefs for whatever reason?

This is exactly why we need to move on from this enforced remembrance. How long are we expected to performatively remember the dead from 80-100 years ago wars and yet we turn away from genocides happening now because it doesn’t suit us to stop the predominantly pale skinned country causing the deaths. The hypocrisy is too strong in following the majority. We need to stop being silent and start making a noise against wars and genocides.