Silence

[caddyman]

Five minutes or so to the 2 minutes' silence.

I bet some bugger phones up and then grumbles because the phone doesn't get answered.

Edited to add: In fact no, no phone calls at all. Though some prat across the office somewhere continued typing for a while until they were drowned out by silent disapproval.

Comments

[ed-fortune.livejournal.com]

There's always some ignorant twat who doesn't know how to shut up, in my experience. (Like just now).

[dreamfire.livejournal.com]

Or maybe it isn't about ignorance but about choice. Why should you be forced to stop work because of something other people are choosing to do. Silence observers could do so in a designated space somewhere rather than imposing it on everyone.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

It's about respect, or the lack there of.

We can choose to give or not to give our respect those who have died or been injured in various conflicts the same way we can choose to give or withhold our respect to people of different faiths and cultures.

If we choose respect for all, we cannot reasonably withhold it for the few, particularly when the target of disaffection is not those who made the sacrifice but those who made the sacrifice inevitable.

We have had this discussion before, you and I. We hold diametrically opposed views, or close to it.

I choose to respect that.

[dreamfire.livejournal.com]

I agree that we have different views.

But you called the person typing a prat rather than disrespectful - those are two different things.

I chose not to go to work on November 11th anymore, or arrange meetings so travel time covers the 11am slot - because I would rather do that than hypocritically take part in something that I feel is dismissive of anyone who died any other death than a death in war and raises those deaths above all others - and there doesn't seem to be an option for me to go to work, and not take part without offending those who want to. That lack of choice is what I object to.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

But you called the person typing a prat rather than disrespectful - those are two different things.

True, but if we are to bandy sematics, I would remind you that you effectively put the act of remembrance on the same level as passive smoking by suggesting that those who keep the silence(arguably the majority of the population) go somewhere specifically set aside for them.

There is implied disrespect in that attitude too. Disprespect to the living, not to the dead.

[dreamfire.livejournal.com]

It wasn't intended in that way.

There is an argument in my brain that observing remembrance in the way that we as a nation do is as damaging to life in terms of our understanding of what matters in the world as passive smoking is in terms of life and health - but it isn't one that I would usually raise with people who are highly committed to the belief in the ritual.

I would rather say that I intend it in the sense that we would not expect people to start praying in the middle of an office - instead they would have a chapel set apart to go to - which would be preferable for those of us who did not want to conform.

[ellefurtle.livejournal.com]

I must admit I would find someone praying in the office rather off-putting - and we do have a private room for it. I think mostly because it is so private - I would feel uncomfortable witnessing it and my desire not to disturb them plus my embarassment would be awkward. It would be like someone changing their clothes in the office.

The remembrance thing is different in my mind because it is a national thing, it commemorates something huge and which affected almost every family you know, most people think it's a good thing (even if only vaguely), it requires no actual participation (that just wouldn't work in this country like it does abroad) and isn't embarassing - unless like me you tend to giggle when you shouldn't. I also happen to like things that make me feel proud of my country.

[ellefurtle.livejournal.com]

It costs nothing say nothing for 2 minutes. That's just good manners whatever your views.

[dreamfire.livejournal.com]

Not true. see response to Bry. And good manners are often one of society's biggest problems.

[ellefurtle.livejournal.com]

I don't think sitting quietly respecting someone else's view is 'taking part' necessarily. Anyone deliberately talking over it is making their point at the wrong time - it is just rude, plain and simple. There are plenty of times in life I have held a strong view on something and yet kept quiet for the sake of those people for whom whatever is happening is important. I can fight for my views any time and I can therefore afford to be considerate as well. I don't believe in God, but neither do I think sitting quietly whilst someone says Grace hypocritical - I respect their faith. Saying the words myself would be.

Absenting yourself from the whole issue is, I agree, one way of avoiding it if you see silence as taking part.

[dreamfire.livejournal.com]

Ahhh - now I really really struggle to be around someone saying Grace too.

[ellefurtle.livejournal.com]

I just get horribly embarassed.

[mezzogiornouno.livejournal.com]

It's unusual for the software which powers LJ to become unstuck. When it does happen it's not always easy to spot. An example would be that the first response in the comments section here should be third.

[bluesman.livejournal.com]

I didn't know the five minutes of silence were still observed on Armistice Day. Lovely. It's the least we can do out of respect for those poor brave chaps.

[ladkyis.livejournal.com]

Goodness me what a load of.......
I was going to say so much but I can't. Just be glad that you can write what you think - that you can think what you think - and remember how it came about that you can do this.
The people I remember helped to make it so.

[thalinoviel.livejournal.com]

For the first time in years my kids

a) knew what the 2 minute silence was for
b) knew what the world wars were
c) observed it extremely respectfully.

Am proud of them.