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What has happened to proportion?

When - and why - did we start clapping people for doing their jobs? (In admittedly trying circumstances).

I see no one clapping the government, which is dealing with exactly the same problem.

Difficult to criticise the national religion before, it will be utterly impossible now.

If we want to thank health workers, maybe we could pay them properly instead anyway. A national round of applause is just ridiculous.

Thank you, NHS, and all who work there. But can we get over it already?
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ArishMell · 70-79, M
@Lhayezee Well, he certainly made his point, in destroying the monasteries and confiscating their lands.

Returning to the question itself, this business of applause is new. Apart from the gratitude, perhaps it provides some relief from being largely cooped up away from each other in our own homes and gardens.

As my neighbour remarked last Thursday evening, you don't normally see so many of the street's residents all out at once! (Albeit all of us staying in our own, though very small, front gardens.)
Lhayezee · 26-30, F
@ArishMell It's essentially underlining the often made point that the NHS is the new national religion (which can't be a very healthy way to view it). Instead of communing and giving thanks on a Sunday morning it's now just Thursday evenings!
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@Lhayezee A good point, though I admit I've not heard the "new national religion" idea expressed very often.

ArishMell · 70-79, M
Well, the weekly applauding ended after 10 weeks.

The woman who originated it called for it to end, partly because she feared it could become, or was becoming, politicised.

It had made its point and could not have gone on "forever", though you still see "Thank you NHS" signs and rainbows in people's front windows.
How do you feel about it now?
pianoplayingsteve · 31-35, M
The state has become a religion, in the UK. We still have that religious and tribal part of our brain, take away religion or nationalism and something else will manifest
The governments are dealing with the same problem but in a very different way.

While the rest of us are or should be staying clear of the danger, health-workers are in the thick of it. How many of us (except soldiers, police officers, firefighters and medical workers would go to work if we knew there was a sizable chance we'd catch something potentially life-threatening?

It costs nothing to show appreciation.
Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M
I dislike it because it's worthless.

Sheep mentality for a pointless exercise that is somehow supposed to make us all feel catharticaly 'better for it'.

Yes. They are doing their jobs. Important to recognize that many will die doing it !

This current bullshit about needing a coronavirus test as soon as possible is also worth debunking.
A test serves no purpose other than advising your employer you are either well enough to return to work, or likely to drop dead at some point.
That in itself is worthless. Made worse by the 30+% failure rate of it.

Want to do something meaningful for frontline workers ?
Let's all agree NOT to go shopping for the FIRST and LAST hour during a stores opening hours !
At least that gives them a half-chance of getting the stuff they need without having to fight for it.
MelanieUK · 22-25, F
I pay the NHS though taxes, I went to the door and applauded them because I wanted to show them respect, The Government has failed in the dealings with this Pandemic and lied about the actions they have taken and taken to late, my choice
luctoretemergo · 61-69, M
I need to get better glasses...I thought this said "what happened to prostitution?"...I thought "wow, I'll stand outside and clap for them!
:)
Lhayezee · 26-30, F
@luctoretemergo clap is a different problem there.
Pretzel · 61-69, M
Just heard a news report about some people that clean the hospitals leaving after a shift. The medical personnel start d applauding them.

In times like these many people that are doing their job are doing so much more than that.

I am at my job....but I would be ashamed to take any credit for it. I am not at risk and not missing a paycheck.

I thank the people serving my food and checking me out at the store. Those people are exposing themselves to possible disease without ppe.

Bless them
Paliglass · 41-45, F
It's unity forming. Everyone is isolated but join together to praise people doing good things - it's good.
Karmalives · 51-55, M
@Paliglass Positive energy is always good,those with negative views wouldn't understand. 😉
SW-User

Posted by friend on day5 of her radiotherapy
Quizzical · 46-50, M
I agree... It's patronising.
Karmalives · 51-55, M
So dont clap,Solved.
Lhayezee · 26-30, F
@Karmalives I didn't (though it doesn't mean one can't join in the) sentiment).

The issue for me though is more that a National Clapping Good People (however much thanks might be deserved!) seems a little Orwellian for my country. I really don't like it.
Laughoften · M
They made a spectical of it where I live, people going to exist and clapping at hospitals at shift change.

I dont get it, they are doing their jobs.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
I thought much the same, about it being rather a silly way to show appreciation, and didn't bother to join in!
SW-User
Well that was mature ..
SW-User
Absolutely
Zonuss · 41-45, M
Moderation is no longer valid.

 
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