2 minute silences

[coastwallker]

If you want to observe the silence you can do it alone. I was on a train at 11 this morning (we called at Huntingdon at 1101). I did wonder whether the crew would say anything but they didn't so I just sat quietly for a couple of minutes.

 

[Ianigsy]

I always think the Royal British Legion are very gracious about this sort of thing- whenever the issue arises, the response is generally that you shouldn't feel compelled and that you should do what makes it significant to you. The idea of observing the silence prescriptively and without feeling goes particularly against what the dead of the Second World War fought to secure.

What two minutes does allow you is time for people to end their conversations, collect their letters from the printer etc. so you have at least a full minute of silence. Less than that and you would no doubt have somebody's phone conversation in the background throughout.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

It was observed impeccably in the messroom I was in today. Same about the gibbering ****wit of a cleaner outside the messroom.

She was given a right good dressing down by two drivers afterwards.

 

[507021]

I too was on a train at 11 o'clock (coming back from Glasgow) this morning, and I observed the two minutes silence. There was a gentleman sat in the table seating area opposite mine who did the same, which I was pleased to see.

 

[Antman]

Whilst nobody should be compelled to take part there is such a thing as respect for others, I've been at football matches where there has been a minute silence for somebody I've never heard of and I'm more than happy to just stand in silence for a minute.

I can't believe some people are moaning that there are silences on the Sunday and the 11th, is a few minutes really too much to ask? Obviously on an operational railway it is difficult but surely non essential activities can be put on hold?

 

[noddingdonkey]

I have to say that I'm pleased that the educational establishment where I work has, for the last couple of years, arranged a very simple act of remembrance, with staff and students invited to gather outside and students from the music department playing the Last Post to mark the start and end of the silence.

Very poignant, and very preferable to attempting to observe the silence privately in the office and having somebody barge in part way through.

 

[aylesbury]

I would like to reply to the poster who said not relavent anymore ,it is a very much needed ceremony as many people have lost family, loved ones in many conflicts.We need to remember sacrifice I know that many young people think its not fashionable but as they get older they will change their mind,these are my views as someone who lost a relative in WW11.

 

[Crossover]

From what I can see, the people whinging on Twitter need to take a step back - what they are saying is pretty unwarranted. At the end of the day, it is up to an individual if they wish to observe and they can do of their own accord if they wish.

At work, I sat in the office in silence for a couple of mins as did someone else who was in the office with me at the time. Not sure what the rest of the business did though I imagine the silence wont have been observed throughout (in fact last year I completely missed it after getting tied up with something I was doing at the time)

 

[GatwickDepress]

I was given a formal warning at work for not adhering to the two minutes silence earlier this week. I would have loved to, but a customer's child needing first aid takes precedence I'm afraid.

As for the customer ranting on Twitter, I'd be reasonably confident postulating that as soon as November's over, such a vehement respect for the armed forces and their sacrifices therein swiftly disappear from his mind. Some people are born to be free (to be outraged).

 

[me123]

@GWRHelp do you really that the train managers duties are more important than paying respects to the people who gave theirs lives?

Is this for real?

I do appreciate that the silence is important. I respect it whenever I can. Taking the time, even just for a couple of minutes, to pay our respects is important and I encourage people to do so.

However, the TM/guard is in a safety critical role. Frankly, yes, the safety of an active train with passengers far outweighs an act of remembrance IMHO. Stopping at 11am is not mandatory, and if the guard was performing his duties he may well not have been able to observe the silence. I don't work in the railways, but I did not observe the silence at 11am today because it was impractical to do so in my job. This does not stop individuals taking the time, and for people like myself taking some time later for reflection and remembrance (as I have done this evening).

The important thing is not that everyone stops at the same time (which frankly doesn't happen anyway - every clock in this country is not synchronised). The important thing is that we take the time to remember, to reflect, to pay our respects. When and how you do so is a personal choice.

 

[30907]

I

I would like to reply to the poster who said not relavent anymore ,it is a very much needed ceremony as many people have lost family, loved ones in many conflicts.We need to remember sacrifice I know that many young people think its not fashionable but as they get older they will change their mind,these are my views as someone who lost a relative in WW11.

I think the edit "no longer relevant" is a correction/withdrawal of a previous post.

It doesn't make sense as a reply to the preceding post, and i dont take it as a comment on the principle of observing silence.

 

[causton]

I closed my window for the two minutes, with a sign placed in front of the blind. Otherwise, people would still demand to be served!

 

[theironroad]

I was given a formal warning at work for not adhering to the two minutes silence earlier this week. I would have loved to, but a customer's child needing first aid takes precedence I'm afraid.

As for the customer ranting on Twitter, I'd be reasonably confident postulating that as soon as November's over, such a vehement respect for the armed forces and their sacrifices therein swiftly disappear from his mind. Some people are born to be free (to be outraged).

OK, so there may well be more to this, but based on what you say, you need to speak to, preferbaly your trade union rep or if not in a union speak go look at the TUC website and seek some guidance.

A formal warning is part of as formal disciplinary process and the results of this will be lodged in your personnel file.

It is not acceptable to be formally warned by an employee for refusing to participate in the remembrance silence. We do not live in a police state.

 

[Antman]

Apparently a two minutes silence was perfectly observed at Brighton station

 

[Llanigraham]

It was also observed on our stage for the Recce of the Wales Rally GB. No cars entered the stage for several minutes prior to 1100 and none started until after 1102.

 

[Michael.Y]

Read the rest of Ricky Andrews timeline. He hates public transport with a vengeance.

https://twitter.com/RickyAndrews83/with_replies

Probably just looking to pick a fight.

 

[cf111]

Read the rest of Ricky Andrews timeline. He hates public transport with a vengeance.

https://twitter.com/RickyAndrews83/with_replies

Probably just looking to pick a fight.

15,700 tweets from one person and most of them seem to be him complaining about or to companies! I had to stop in short order as I started feeling embarrassed for the chap.

 

[tsr]

Apparently a two minutes silence was perfectly observed at Brighton station

Likewise apparently at St Pancras, London Victoria, outside Reading station... etc. etc.

There's a lot more respect of others' lives and commitments than people think sometimes - you just have to look for the positives. Yes, life is not perfect. In some ways the fact that you are aware a silence has been disturbed shows that it is precious and that you have done your bit to commemorate anyone you feel has died / been injured in pursuit of admirable aims or needs respect for their death in conflict. It is by no means ideal, but sometimes one has to gain personal satisfaction from remembrance rather than seek drama from others' errors or excusable oversights.

I was not on duty during either of this year's Remembrance silences - but my employers made a pointed effort to facilitate it by means of high-priority emails, turning off the CIS annoucements, and so on. It would be entirely possible that I would break the silence during my duties, but would go a long way to avoid it - eg. retiming announcements, not using noisy equipment unless essential, and so on. There's only so much respect you can show before you could endanger the normal life which many have indeed fought for.

 

[Busaholic]

I was married on 11/11/69 and remain married to the same person, so have always been very conscious of the date. Other posters with long memories have made mention of only Remembrance Sunday having the silence in years gone by, and that was certainly my experience. Regrettably, some people nowadays will seek to be outraged at the actions/inactions of others, but it really is down to individuals whether they respect the silence or wear a poppy. I happen to do both those things, but would feel differently if they became 'compulsory'.

 

[AM9]

I was married on 11/11/69 and remain married to the same person, so have always been very conscious of the date. Other posters with long memories have made mention of only Remembrance Sunday having the silence in years gone by, and that was certainly my experience. Regrettably, some people nowadays will seek to be outraged at the actions/inactions of others, but it really is down to individuals whether they respect the silence or wear a poppy. I happen to do both those things, but would feel differently if they became 'compulsory'.

Well they are entitled to be outraged, just as everybody else is entitled to let them get on with it. At least the poppy issue is all now out of the way for another 11 months.

 

[Groningen]

In the Netherlands all traintravel is shut down from 20.00 to 20.02 on May 4 every year in remembrance of the 2nd World War. In the first we were neutral. The next day we celebrate the indepence of our country, but is not a free day. We all need to work!

 

[HarleyDavidson]

I was given a formal warning at work for not adhering to the two minutes silence earlier this week. I would have loved to, but a customer's child needing first aid takes precedence I'm afraid.

As for the customer ranting on Twitter, I'd be reasonably confident postulating that as soon as November's over, such a vehement respect for the armed forces and their sacrifices therein swiftly disappear from his mind. Some people are born to be free (to be outraged).

Take that to the staff reps or union. Can you imagine the backlash if paramedics working on a patient who'd had a heart attack stopped doing CPR for two minutes to observe the two minutes silence and the patient subsequently died!

I'm sorry but medical matters take priority and I think that 99.9% of people would recognise that fact.

 

[Antman]

In the Netherlands all traintravel is shut down from 20.00 to 20.02 on May 4 every year in remembrance of the 2nd World War. In the first we were neutral. The next day we celebrate the indepence of our country, but is not a free day. We all need to work!

Excellent, that's how it should be!

 

[jopsuk]

In the Netherlands all traintravel is shut down from 20.00 to 20.02 on May 4 every year in remembrance of the 2nd World War. In the first we were neutral. The next day we celebrate the indepence of our country, but is not a free day. We all need to work!

Wait, so all trains are halted? Really?

 

[Wolfie]

I was given a formal warning at work for not adhering to the two minutes silence earlier this week. I would have loved to, but a customer's child needing first aid takes precedence I'm afraid.

As for the customer ranting on Twitter, I'd be reasonably confident postulating that as soon as November's over, such a vehement respect for the armed forces and their sacrifices therein swiftly disappear from his mind. Some people are born to be free (to be outraged).

Unless observing the silence is formally part of your job description, or was a formal management instruction (for a voluntary silence? that would almost fall foul of anti-discrimination legislation eg certain Irish folk), then that is rubbish and whoever was stupid enough to impose it should themselves be disciplined! Get your TU involved or seek legal advice.

 

[Antman]

Unless observing the silence is formally part of your job description, or was a formal management instruction (for a voluntary silence? that would almost fall foul of anti-discrimination legislation eg certain Irish folk), then that is rubbish and whoever was stupid enough to impose it should themselves be disciplined! Get your TU involved or seek legal advice.

Well surely common sense dictates that somebody administering first aid wouldn't be expected to partake in a two minutes silence? Is there more to this?

 

[Oswyntail]

Last Sunday, at 11, Radio 3, to which I was listening, broadcast the "silence" from the Cenotaph. Perfect stillness. However, I had my window open, and the silence was broken by a loud and distinct cry of "F**k off, ref" from the local playing field. :roll:
But the silence is as much about the freedoms that allowed the "muddied oaf" so precisely to project his person, that others died defending.

 

[Chew Chew]

My employer tried to make it mandatory for everyone to down tools on Sunday and yesterday to mark it.

A quick reference to how this would have been illegal under the Equality Act and they changed their minds on it.

I don't think that some people realise that when you make things like this mandatory then it loses all impact.

If you want to do it then do it and if you don't then don't. Those who choose not to partake should not be castigated for having a different opinion.

And of course the best way of Remembrance would be not getting into any more wars, that never gets remembered though.

 

[HowardGWR]

In the Netherlands all traintravel is shut down from 20.00 to 20.02 on May 4 every year in remembrance of the 2nd World War. In the first we were neutral. The next day we celebrate the independence of our country, but is not a free day. We all need to work!

Just a quibble. On May 5th - it's Liberation by the allies that is celebrated - perhaps a mistranslation by you of Bevrijdingsdag? May 4th is Remembrance as you stated.

In reply to another poster. Not trains in transit, but certainly on the stations, I believe. Perhaps @Groningen can confirm that, or correct me. I lived in NL for 15 years.

 

[RPM]

My own view is that observing the 11.00 silence is not practical on a train, not unless we agree that all trains come to a standstill for it and everyone just sucks up the resulting disruption - which in itself is probably even less practical.

As a DOO driver it is certainly a distraction that I'm unwilling to commit to: I could be approaching a red, judging a braking point or dealing with adhesion problems or anything on the stroke of eleven o'clock.

If anyone feels that strongly about observing the silence they can arrange their life so they're not on a train at that precise moment, or just observe the silence personally, ignoring any other noise that might be going on. After all, it is surely a matter of personal reflection, not as some seem to think, an opportunity to showboat about how patriotic and respectful you are.

As it happens, this year at precisely 11.00 I was driving over a section of brand new infrastructure which I have only recently signed and am still pretty unfamiliar with. By the time I thought about the act of remembrance it was 11.04. Does it matter my moment of reflection was four minutes late? I don't think so and the folks on my train have good reason to thank me for concentrating primarily on the job in hand and their safety.