Armistice day - do you observe 2 minutes silence
Discussion
I sat at work yesterday and at 11:00 stopped what I was doing and for 2 minutes thought about people I've known and have never known who fought and died or were wounded doing "their duty" - or at least I tried to.
The difference this year was that my workplace seemed to completely downplay the 2 minutes silence being observed, usually there's a blast on the fire alarm with a tannoy announcement and the majority stop what they are doing and sit quietly....maybe thinking about what they're having for tea.....but at least it gave us all pause for thought.
This year - no announcements, no all staff email, no tannoy.......no silence.
This has annoyed me (I typically don't get annoyed) and I'm thinking about raising this with "management" but then I wondered....am I just being an old fuddy duddy and out of step?
Did your workplace take 2 mins to reflect at 11:00 on 11/11 - or is it now not the done thing?
The difference this year was that my workplace seemed to completely downplay the 2 minutes silence being observed, usually there's a blast on the fire alarm with a tannoy announcement and the majority stop what they are doing and sit quietly....maybe thinking about what they're having for tea.....but at least it gave us all pause for thought.
This year - no announcements, no all staff email, no tannoy.......no silence.
This has annoyed me (I typically don't get annoyed) and I'm thinking about raising this with "management" but then I wondered....am I just being an old fuddy duddy and out of step?
Did your workplace take 2 mins to reflect at 11:00 on 11/11 - or is it now not the done thing?
Yes, we did mark it here, same as you would expect, an email from the facilities team, a notice by reception, and the fire alarm used to mark the start and end. As far as I know everyone in the building stopped for the couple of minutes.
I don't think you're in the wrong to raise it, despite everyone's best intentions it can be easy to forget to mark it at the right time and you need a clear indication of when it is starting/stopping
I don't think you're in the wrong to raise it, despite everyone's best intentions it can be easy to forget to mark it at the right time and you need a clear indication of when it is starting/stopping
Shakermaker said:
Yes, we did mark it here, same as you would expect, an email from the facilities team, a notice by reception, and the fire alarm used to mark the start and end. As far as I know everyone in the building stopped for the couple of minutes.
I don't think you're in the wrong to raise it, despite everyone's best intentions it can be easy to forget to mark it at the right time and you need a clear indication of when it is starting/stopping
Our place used the firealarm (they sent an E-mail).I don't think you're in the wrong to raise it, despite everyone's best intentions it can be easy to forget to mark it at the right time and you need a clear indication of when it is starting/stopping
But I was on a train at the time.
A guy who had 2 poppies (one on his shirt, one on his jacket)
He did not honour the 2 minute silence and instead was chatting s
te to his mate. 
but we had an alarm at 10:55 and gathered in the gardens for the silence. It's optional, but a respectful gesture.I was born in 1950. I distinctly remember Armistice days being respectfully observed. Traffic actually stopped - I've a good notion that the flow was regulated by bus drivers. If they stopped in the middle of the road, everyone else had to. Shoppers walking in the street would stand still.
What we have today is a shadow of this. I'm pleased to hear that businesses still observe, but I reckon in most large cities pedestrian traffic allows 11.00am to pass by before they realise. Probably a sign of the passing years and passing generations.
What we have today is a shadow of this. I'm pleased to hear that businesses still observe, but I reckon in most large cities pedestrian traffic allows 11.00am to pass by before they realise. Probably a sign of the passing years and passing generations.
towser said:
PAULJ5555 said:
Yes - why wouldn't you.
No idea....I was wondering if there's a concern that it offends some group or other....therefore the corporate world is now treading lightly on this. Net result is that it kind of offended me.... :-(
We do at my place, short fire alarm burst to alert people when it's time (shop floor guys not allowed to wear watches).
Didn't stop a coworker deciding that was a good time to come and give me some work to do, even told me to "wake up" while I was trying to have a quiet contemplative think about it all.
Kind of tried to quietly shoo her away, which didn't seem to go down well, but I'm wondering if someone else had a word with her afterwards, as I was expecting hassle as a result and didn't get it.
Didn't stop a coworker deciding that was a good time to come and give me some work to do, even told me to "wake up" while I was trying to have a quiet contemplative think about it all.
Kind of tried to quietly shoo her away, which didn't seem to go down well, but I'm wondering if someone else had a word with her afterwards, as I was expecting hassle as a result and didn't get it.
I was at the classic car show at the NEC on Sunday. Mention was made on the PA at 10:45, they would be doing the 2-minute silence at 11 am. I noticed a LOT of people wearing poppies, so thought it would be honoured – it was. Rather humbling to see the place packed but in total silence.
Yesterday at work, the place stopped, almost everyone gathered at the memorial on site who could do, last post was played, substantial amount of people wearing medals. Then again, it is Aldermaston.
Yesterday at work, the place stopped, almost everyone gathered at the memorial on site who could do, last post was played, substantial amount of people wearing medals. Then again, it is Aldermaston.
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