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Original poster

Any other people think the clapping is stupid and pointless

99 replies

EL8888 · 09/04/2020 23:22

Myself and partner think it’s a load of crap and don’t participate. For clarity we are both healthcare professionals. We would prefer the NHS to be funded properly and the public use it appropriately. Rather than this hypocrisy and “support”

OP posts:
daisydalrymple · 10/04/2020 00:39

I think it really meant something the first week. The second week we were late going out for our walk and were all on top of a hill with views to 4 local villages and heard the clapping, which was very heart warming.
But as weeks go by I think it’s diluting the sentiment and the effect.

RedToothBrush · 10/04/2020 00:41

How am I engaging?

Explain how I have to engage?

What is my obligation to engage?

I don't have to engage if I don't actually won't to. This clap thing has the effect of making some feel obliged to do something or they will be shunned for not doing so because of the way its being done and televised etc etc.

The fact is I see it as a head down get on with it thing, rather than rainbows.

We need people to check in on people properly by asking how they are really getting on, rather than all this surface nonsense which can make it much harder for those who are really struggling in various ways.

Be honest that you have good days and you have crap days rather than this superficial nonsense.

I do think it's creating barriers in ways people don't realise.

When people are so busy talking about clapping and rainbows, they aren't holding a proper conversation.

If everyone is acting all happy clappy and you are really struggling that can be more alienating than feeling like you are part of something.

It's not about showing off what you are doing. It's about just getting on with whatever jobs or interaction you are doing without making a song and dance about it.

RedToothBrush · 10/04/2020 00:45

Have you considered using flamethrowers on the Whatsapp group?

It's highly tempting.

Trouble is main offender is a neighbour and I'm stuck with these numpties for the duration of primary school.

I've already put my head above the parapet a few times only for the rainbow warriors to start pitying me going 'it's not that bad, don't be so pessimistic'. They were only one step away from 'cheer up love'.

The sensibles in the group seem to have gone silent. Tbh I'd leave it completely but I don't think I can do that yet under the circumstances and due to DS's age. Soon as they get new classes next year I get to cull half the group hopefully.

But yes, flamethrowers is about the level I'm at with them.

Mutedgrey · 10/04/2020 00:48

@Redtoothbrush please ignore my question. I actually don’t want to engage on this. Im tired and took the bait..

browzingss · 10/04/2020 00:52

The first one was nice but no more are necessary.

It’s a noise nuisance, I could hear the first clap session whilst I was inside with the windows closed (I was poorly in bed). People banging pans and shouting etc.

If people clap for anything, all of the time, the sentiment loses it’s significance

VaggieMight · 10/04/2020 00:53

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at poster's request.

RedToothBrush · 10/04/2020 00:55

validate their achievements at the moment

And there's your problem.

Fucking validation. Rather than just enjoying the moment or doing it for the pure enjoyment of doing it. Everything has to have approval and cooing. And splattered on social media to prove its value and worth.

Validation culture. That's not community.

PotholeParadise · 10/04/2020 00:55

I suppose you've given me a positive side to look on. My main local irritations on local social media are Clapping for X, Fireworks for NHS (FFS, why?) and the people posting about how everyone else they saw out at the same time was breaking the rules.

Flaxmeadow · 10/04/2020 00:59

Myself and partner think it’s a load of crap and don’t participate. For clarity we are both healthcare professionals. We would prefer the NHS to be funded properly and the public use it appropriately. Rather than this hypocrisy and “support”

People are not just doing it for the health care services. Not sure where you got that impression. They do it because it lifts community spirits as well.

Where I live, a very deprived part of the country, we have many vulnerable and disadvantaged people and they seem to enjoy stepping outside for a few minutes, smiling and waving at their neighbours. Waving at the ever present police cars driving by too. Elderly people and children especially.

Tim understand it must be terribly irritating for you but if you dont approve maybe you could just ignore it and let others have a few moments of exchanging pleasantries with their neighbours during difficult times.

RedToothBrush · 10/04/2020 01:01

the people posting about how everyone else they saw out at the same time was breaking the rules.

Tbh you don't need to be out. They document the whole damn thing on social media for you to look at!

My local fav were the group who decided last week to do an event for clap for the NHS. So a big group of them got together and did it together posted all over social media about it and encouraged others to come along and join them!!!!

Obviously socialising for a community event is essential and obviously encouraging the community to leave their homes to come to said event was a bloody brilliant idea.

And if course you can't criticise it because you end up being labelled the miserable git who spoilt their non social essential community event which breaks all the fucking rules in one fell swoop!

steff13 · 10/04/2020 01:06

It's twee and supposed to make you feel part of the same club.

Or it just makes you want to vomit at how vacuous and shallow it is. Its a way of avoiding the conversation to people about how they are afraid of being evicted, struggling to pay the bills and manage the children. But 'oooo look at all the cute rainbows, arrrrhhhhh'.

I thought the rainbows were for kids to "search for" while they're on a daily walk, to make it more interesting. People are doing stuffed bears in my neighborhood.

Flaxmeadow · 10/04/2020 01:11

Oh its completely contrived propaganda for the government to hide behind.

But it didn't start in this country. It didnt even start in Italy.

It started in Wuhan. In the tower blocks that were under lockdown back in January or early February. Neighbours would call and sing to each other.

Then Italy started doing it after they locked down. Clapping from their apartments as the emergency services went past and also playing music and waving flags

EmMac7 · 10/04/2020 01:12

They let off fireworks here. 😡

It’s not a bloody celebration.

Original poster
EL8888 · 10/04/2020 01:14

@Flaxmeadow we cringe at the clapping for children and for Boris as well. The clapping for children is so ridiculous that my partner thought l was winding him up when l explained it Hmm

OP posts:
EmMac7 · 10/04/2020 01:14

We’re not allowed to drive a few miles for a solo walk — partially on the off chance the car breaks down — but setting off dangerous fireworks is okay?

Original poster
EL8888 · 10/04/2020 01:14

@EmMac7 exactly, lm not celebrating Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
EL8888 · 10/04/2020 01:16

@RedToothBrush the constant search for validation is very wearisome

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 10/04/2020 01:17

but setting off dangerous fireworks is okay?

Apparently so around here.

And people wonder why I get so angry about the whole charade.

It's contrived nonsense not spontaneous solidarity in the UK.

lilmishap · 10/04/2020 01:19

twitter.com/i/status/1248325443893243908

I did like this though!

Flaxmeadow · 10/04/2020 01:21

we cringe at the clapping for children and for Boris as well. The clapping for children is so ridiculous that my partner thought l was winding him up when l explained it

I haven't seen or heard anyone clapping for children or Boris.

My elderly neighbours, who have been in isolation for weeks, like it. They say its 'cheery". I do it for them mostly, as well as for the NHS

If you don't like it, just ignore it. After all. It's only a few minutes once a week

Rubybluesy · 10/04/2020 01:23

Every week someone moans. If people want to clap, let them clap. No one says you have to

Rubybluesy · 10/04/2020 01:24

I will bang my pan as much as I like

Rubybluesy · 10/04/2020 01:25

There is no clapping for children

YourWinter · 10/04/2020 01:25

I'm always at work (supermarket) during the weekly claps. A customer asked why we don't all go outside to clap - if all the staff stepped out into the car park we'd have to evacuate the whole store in order to secure it, and someone would kick off because they've had to queue for 40 minutes to get in and they're in a hurry.

I wouldn't clap if I was at home because my house isn't in view of any others. I'm not sure I'd clap if it was - the NHS needs money, not clapping.

CallarMorvern · 10/04/2020 01:28

I did, but I've just watched a show of support, with police cars and flashing blue lights joining in. There are ❤️NHS signs in so many places and it has just dawned on me, that there is no way the Tories would risk destroying the NHS now after it has become so obvious how important it is to the public.