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Covid

Just been introduced to the stiff upper lip mentality of the brits

33 replies

auslass · 05/03/2020 08:58

I'm an aussie who has recently come to UK with my English Husband, and as part of my welcome to Britain induction I think I have been introduced to the “stiff upper lip” mentality. Hub's work have a suspected Covid19 case, HR send out an email, saying it’s ok to come in based on PHE advice, but if anyone isn’t comfortable they can work from home. Hubby's manager on the other hand called everyone (note not on email, so it's not "in writing") and told them to come in regardless, and basically to ignore “the fluffy HR advice” 😂

Is this stiff upper lip? Where does it come from? Why does it exist? Or is this guy just an a-hole?

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Maranello4 · 05/03/2020 21:54

No I think it’s just him being silly. Nothing fluffy about it at all, there are fairly pragmatic reasons why they should work from home and travel less - at least for the next 30-60 days. If he works where I think it is in CW then I’m in the building next door. We’re being encouraged to work from home to minimise risk.

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auslass · 05/03/2020 20:12

@GinDrinker00 I know. FFS. If I wasn't pregnant oh the amount of booze I would be drinking. Mama needs it.

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Abraid2 · 05/03/2020 20:12

Heartbreaking, Rick.

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GinDrinker00 · 05/03/2020 20:09

There only cleaning the bit where the infected guy works? Seriously? No wonder it’s spreading so damn quick!
If I was your husband I’d be insisting to work from home or at least wipe down where he’s working regularly with alcohol Wipes etc. Fuck that!

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fedup21 · 05/03/2020 20:08

He’s an arse.

It’s not a description of ‘stiff upper lip’ though. That’s not showing your emotion about something.

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RickOShay · 05/03/2020 20:05

And still have!

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RickOShay · 05/03/2020 20:04

@Abraid2, and sadly it has affected the generations that followed.
Boarding school at seven?!
No wonder they all had issues.

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jurgenkloppisoursaviour · 05/03/2020 19:55

@WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo this isn't about businesses closing, it's about working from home. Of course it makes sense to reduce the amount of crowded places we visit right now. I don't mean self-isolating (unless you need to), but if you can get away with not getting on a crowded tube twice a day then why would you not?

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middleager · 05/03/2020 19:54

So long as people keep up handwashing and door handles etc are wiped down often I don't see why any business would need to close.

But people don't stick to it.
Jabbing at the photocopier with the finger that have stifled a cough, infecting door handles, toilet flushes, cups, microwaves, phone receivers, with air con blowing it all around.. Not everybody is so vigilant, as i have witnessed at my place this week.

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user1471439240 · 05/03/2020 19:39

The problem is that a stiff upper lip can lead to a stiff bottom lip, and whole body.

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Abraid2 · 05/03/2020 19:35

RickOShay

I think there must have been so many of them who were emotionally stifled. ☹️

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ChiaraRimini · 05/03/2020 18:44

Wanker.
I've told my team to ensure they are set up to WFH if there is a need to. With people using public transport to get to work in an urban area, and working in a large open plan office, the chances are that at some point one or all of us is gonna be affected and I l, as an asthma sufferer who gets chest infections every year, do not want to catch this.

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WelcometoCranford · 05/03/2020 18:43

I'm British born and bred. I'm not being gung-ho about coronavirus but equally I'm not isolating myself. I bath daily (sometimes twice), wash my hands properly and try to minimise contact with public surfaces.puts hand gel back into pocket

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MrHodgeymaheg · 05/03/2020 18:40

His team need to get together to speak to HR, particularly if people are pregnant or have vulnerable relatives. They would be responsible if it spread through the workplace after giving advice like that. Besides, what's better? Everyone getting ill in two weeks and being off, or a well team working from home? Really shortsighted isn't it?

People don't just sit at desks all day, they would move around the whole building and talk to eath other/have meetings The building would need a deep clean at the very least, but chances are someone would just bring the virus back in anyway soon after. What a dick his boss is.

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WhentheRabbitsWentWild · 05/03/2020 18:35

Hahaa
British born and bred and I agree OP

I hate the saying and the action of the "stiff upper lip".

As a PP said its certainly not all of us . Certainly not me.

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auslass · 05/03/2020 18:28

Agree, thank Christ I can I work from home. It might be the same building. And yeah, keep off the tube as much possible. It makes sense to slow the spread as much as possible!

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WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo · 05/03/2020 18:26

I've stuck a pack of Dettol wipes into my bag to wipe down touchscreens but other than that it's business as usual for me. And will be until I'm forced to do otherwise.

So long as people keep up handwashing and door handles etc are wiped down often I don't see why any business would need to close.

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jurgenkloppisoursaviour · 05/03/2020 18:18

(And I'm not planning on cocooning is all but right now if you can easily avoid the squashed hell that is the London Underground network why the hell wouldn't you?!)

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jurgenkloppisoursaviour · 05/03/2020 18:16

I wonder if our DH's work in the same building, OP? Mine got an email when he was at home today. He showed it to me this evening, and I immediately said "well that's that then, you can work from home for the foreseeable". Because there is no reason why he can't work from home all week, rather than the 1-2 days he does now. Everything he does can be done remotely. I'm hoping his boss is not going to be a dick about it Sad

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auslass · 05/03/2020 18:07

They're cleaning the section the affected person was in. That's it.

HR also have toned down their fluff and have said "if you don't feel comfortable, talk to your leader" the leader is an a-hole, of course he's going to make his team go in. Most of them have kids and or pregnant wives (I'm one of the pregnant ones).

I can feel myself getting sick already - probs all in my head but still!

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RickOShay · 05/03/2020 18:03

You are spot on @Abraid2
Such a tragedy for so many families.

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CoolcoolcoolcoolcoolNoDoubt · 05/03/2020 18:00

Okay that’s bizarre. Most places are closing for deep cleaning in confirmed cases!

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auslass · 05/03/2020 17:58

Confirmed case at his work now, and the manager is still expecting everyone to go in! Crazy.

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SunshineAvenue · 05/03/2020 09:18

Interesting post @abraid2

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SmileyClare · 05/03/2020 09:15

I agree, "stiff upper lip" is not showing your feelings when upset or putting a "brave face" on. I suppose you could say the manager is taking a stiff upper lipped approach to coronavirus but from what you've said, the risk is negligible.

I think he sounds fairly sensible.

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