Minute of silence - appropriate? Or not?

[bohemianbint]

I really hope this doesn't spark any arguments, but it's something I've been wondering about this morning.

Is it a good, useful thing to do? Will it "raise awareness"?

Or is it a bit strange? After all, we don't know that she isn't alright at the moment.

What do you think? Are you going to observe it?

Obviously I'm actually just assuming you all know what I'm talking about without me mentioning any names!

I assume you mean there will be a minutes silence for Madeleine McCann? If so I think it is a bit weird.

a minute's silence - seriously?
I think it is in very poor taste - silences are for people who have passed away

To me that suggests most people think she is dead now

Inappropriate...

I think it is odd and inappropriate

Very strange. Only appropriate for remembering the dead. I still sincerely hope she is not one of those so, no, I wouldn't observe.

and what callisto said

I think that nicking the Minute of Silence idea cheapens the ORIGINAL minutes of silence which was to commemorate the people who died during the wars fighting for our country.

With all due respect, it's hardly comparable, is it?

I think that the family are probably just trying to keep this in the news and in everyone's minds.

same as taylormama - not a good idea

I agree, MorningPaper. Tragic but not on the same scale.

I'm with MP re: original significance of one minute's silence...

not keen on it

[settles back and waits for an umpteen posters telling me how awful I am, despite 11 posts below basically saying the same thing]

Agree with MP. Raising awareness is one thing, but let's face it, there can be very few people in the UK who don't know about her - there's been plenty of press interest, after all. Raising awareness elsewhere in the World might be more useful.

Popcorn, Enid??

can't find anything on bbc website about a minutes slience...

Heard about it on news this morning and thought very odd.

I know the family are probably grasping and every and any idea to keep her in the public eye (understandably) but this one seems inappropriate for various reasons.

it's in Portugal isn't it?

I think it's being done to make people stop and think about her and try not to forget about her - but agree, don't think it's appropriate.

Reminders such as ribbons, balloons, posters etc can still help keep her in people's minds but the minute's silence is likely to cause controversy that might backfire (we're already seeing the backlash in the media).

cant see the point of it, i think most people have been thinking about the little girl anyhow, what good is a minutes silence going to be to her.

I really cannot understand why there is going to be a silence for Madeleine McCann.

I support the two minutes' silence on Rememberence Day. But not a silence for this. I am probably uncaring, unthinking etc but am bewildered by this.

macabre and morbid for the missing imo

where has this idea come from? It is really a horrible one and as MP says cheapens what it truly stands for ... I don't want to have to put my hard hat on again but this obsession is so hard to fathom

is this a press idea or the family's? either way it isn't appropriate.