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]

It started as two minutes and has always been on the 11/11

Successive governments have downgraded the act of remembrance by letting it slide and only recognising the silence on Remembrance Sunday. In recent years people have campaigned (IMO rightly) to recognise the date and the act as it was originally intended.

OK, I'm wrong about the minute, so will back down then. But I'm sure it was only a minute when I was younger, if not originally.

dg, i missed your post of 9.49am and agree, but we are only dictated to if we ses it that way, surely? I mean there are ads on tv dicating buy this, buy that, but we don't do we, because we don't want to.

can't believe we arguing over a minute

In response to this comment of mine: "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"

Sandcastles, you replied:

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

Well, to be honest, for me to carry on my business in the face of other people's silence would be a level of disrespect I could never show.

Started as 2 minutes. (or the intention was for it to be 2 minutes)

"In a letter published in the London Evening News on 8 May 1919, an Australian journalist, Edward George Honey, proposed a respectful silence to remember those who had given their lives in the First World War. This was brought to the attention of King George V and on 7 November 1919, the King issued a proclamation which called for a two minute silence"

DG, totally understand where you are coming from there. But I would say if I felt as you do, I would avoid it, if possible.

well in your 'enforced' silence why don't you reflect on the thousands who laid down their lives for you?

Sandcastles - I am aware of the timings of the silences regarding the dates.

I meant that the specific times on the days are set, so that everyone is observing the silence at the same time on those dates.

HC, yes, I read your post too quick and when I re-read (after I posted) I realised what you had said. Meant to acknowledge that, but had to put a toddler to bed & then I forgot! Sorry.

I am really reallly [shocked] that this discussion is even going on. I actually think it's shameful that women of today such as us would complain about having our supermarket shopping time interrpted.

They are either heartless or ignorant ( and you can still be ignorant with a history degree) and should be FORCED to abandon their shopping and be taken to battlefields and gravyards in France, and then MADE to read Teatament to YOuth by Vera Briien, and FUCK their frozen peas.

No probs, Sandcastle - just wanted to clarify what I meant!

I am neither heartless nor ignorant, have read "Testament of Youth" (and "Testament of Experience" too), been to WW1 and WW2 battlefields in Europe and Asia, but still think it is unnecessary to have two 2 minute silences on consecutive days. But I would stand and observe them if I were in the supermarket at the time.

On the other hand, I think that the rash of silences for less significant events tends to undervalue this one.

I honestly don't see the issue here it's 2 minutes ffs and even if you don't want to remember the dead when you're busy shopping maybe there are some staff in sainsbury's who do and out of respect for their feelings either stay silent or don't go shopping then.

singersgirl, I do agree that silences are banded around for lesser events. But I think that we should only honour the ones we feel significant/important to us. (if we want to)

I think a 2 minute silence is called for

Yes but I don't think a two minute silence is 'oversentimentality'. I do think they should just keep it to the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month though because that was the time in Britain and France that the armistice commenced and therefore keeps it's significance.

I meant on the thread ledodge!

oops

Thank God you aren't PM Tinkerboo. {angry]

Thank God you aren't PM Tinkerboo

My two cents!
a) this thread makes tough reading... lots of righteousness on both sides. Listening to others is good

b) I remember it always being one minute. Was surprised when it was increased (back to) two. But noticed something: in one minute's silence my brain is still rattling with 'don't forget to do this' or 'wonder what's on TV later'... but by minute two all internal involuntary thoughts have ceased and actually really wholehearted reflect. Rarely have time to be still nowadays. Nice to cherish it and do it 'properly when have the chance.

"Common British, Canadian, South African and ANZAC traditions include two minutes of silence at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month because that was the time (in Britain and France) when the armistice became effective. The two minutes recall World War I and World War II. Before 1945 the silence was for one minute, and today some ceremonies still only have one minute of silence despite this."

Copy and pasted from Wilkipedia.

Sobernow, I am sorry if I offended you. I never meant to offend or upset anyone who cares. But some genuinely (sp) don't. It was those I was hitting out at. Once again, I am sorry.