So now Sainsbury's are holding TWO silences this weekend

[Enid]

one on Saturday and one on Sunday

am I alone in finding these enforced silences irritating and annoying?

I was cross when they suddenly went up to 2 minutes - somehow that is sooooooo much more reverent than 1 minute, er, not.

But now to have them on both weekend days. Makes me [hmmm]

I think there are plenty of other ways of showing the government (or Sainsbury's or whoever else is offending so many of you (!) with their 'demands' that you observe four whole minutes of silence ) without disrespecting the memory of the people who died in war.

If you don't want to take part, don't.

As long as those who don't do it refrain from throwing their non-observance in the faces of those that do, where's the problem?

I don't feel that these silences are enforced - of course we have a choice of whether to observe them or not - but the fact that the times are chosen means that everyone who wishes to take part does so at the same time. I think this adds to the impact of the statement.

I think the views here are a bit polarised. I am not disrespectful. I will most likely wacth the Remembrance Sunday parade on TV as I usually do and have done annually for over 40 years. I just don't see the need for it in Sainsburys. What happens if you are in the middle of a wee in the shop toilet when 11 o'clock strikes? It can't be necessary to stop at that precise point and I deeply resent people telling me to stop, or judging me as disrespectful because I do not stop.

"itis totally voluntary in the privacy of your home, but it is somewhat enforced when you are out and about in the shops and everyone else comes to a halt"

So you do it because you feel you have to, rather than because you want to? Then that is worse then not doing it

"All locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead." King George V

THAT is the point of it happening in Sainsburys and all other public places.

Yes, when in Sainsburys, I do do it because I feel I have to. Teriible isn't it? how dreadful that I am being forced to stand still and pretend to think about people who died 60 years ago when really I am tutting under my breath and wondering whether my frozen peas are defrosting.

Exactly the reason why I shouldn't be made to do it. My respectful silence occurs at times of the day when I am ready to be respectful and contemplative.

think the pea argument is a WEAK one dg

Thanks Cod. Just as I was getting into a complete steam, you made me lol.

For my own health, I am now leaving this debate. I really shouldn't let it get to me, but it has.

oyull haev to agre to disagree

[titter at ff's city shorts and lip gloss]

God, how shocking to be asked to stop and think for a minute about lots of men, just like your db or dh who died too soon. If you feel so strongly about it don't stop, carry on shopping, no-one is making you stop!

Ah JT, but have you ever tried not stopping when all about you others are?
And I repeat again, (with steam coming out of my ears) that I do stop and think and am grateful, just not at 11 am on any other day of the year other than Remembrance Sunday.

HumphreyCushion, the times aren't chosen, they are set in history.

"On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the guns of Europe fell silent. After four years of the most bitter and devastating fighting, The Great War was finally over. The Armistice was signed at 5am in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiegne, France on November 11, 1918. Six hours later, at 11am, the war ended"

er we dont need to be taught thansk a lot

adn there is eveidence that the time was PURPOSELY chsoen by the politicnas at the time actuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuually

But it is essentially a silence, I doubt anyone would expect anyone to stop mid pee, for heavens sake!

Ahem. I am a history graduate, thanks.

erm me too thanks

So i take it you have heard of the 1 and 2 WW, cod?

What you mean is you feel uncomfortable if you don't stop.

If you feel strongly that it's a lot of nonsense you should have the courage of your convictions, why not let all the other shoppers know how out of order Sainsburys is?

(should have said men AND women died )

"Yes, when in Sainsburys, I do do it because I feel I have to. Teriible isn't it? how dreadful that I am being forced to stand still and pretend to think about people who died 60 years ago when really I am tutting under my breath and wondering whether my frozen peas are defrosting.

Exactly the reason why I shouldn't be made to do it. My respectful silence occurs at times of the day when I am ready to be respectful and contemplative"

Then please, dg, don't do it. Pretending to care is worse that not caring, imo.

thoguht ww stodd for world web

And what if he times were chosen cod? It is still our history, whether chosen or not.

I agree with Enid. It's not the fact of the minute's silence, which in itself I think is rather moving and worth observing. It's the recent sentimentality which says "It had better be longer to be worth anything" and "We'd better do it twice just to show we really care".

It doesn't mean any more than the one minute silence, and in fact, it is much more productive to reflect for a shorter time, rather than stand there thinking "Oh, is this still going on?"

And there are silences at the drop of a hat now.

ye s it used to be a munite didnt it?>
My dad complains abotu htis

here here saintgeorge

So does my aunt.