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What happened to British reserve?

(82 Posts)
rosequartz Sun 14-Dec-14 16:00:06

I just typed this as part of a post on another thread and it got me thinking. What has happened to British reserve?
Studio audiences now always seem to be screaming, shouting, caterwauling etc. Do people generally seem to have less self-control than they had when we were younger?
Is this a bad or a good thing - a lot of what we hear on tv seems a complete over-reaction to whatever is happening in the studio. Or is it better to 'let it all out' with enthusiasm?

Gracesgran Sun 14-Dec-14 22:01:00

Obviously not blatantly Agus.

As there seems to be some general confusion about replies this is re your post 14-Dec-14 21:37:46. Your comments in your first paragraph are personal to you but my comments were never about anyone in particular. It is always a shame when someone chooses to see these things personally.

You have not in any way put forward any point offering a counter to my comments which were "it is not unreasonable to say that the older and old members of society are not, except with few exceptions, the change makers."

Eloethan Sun 14-Dec-14 21:57:17

rosequartz I know just what you mean. There's that embarrassing moment where you're not quite sure what to do, then an awkward lunge, followed by the feeling that you have made the wrong choice. It was so much easier when hugs and kisses were reserved for family and very close friends.

janerowena Your "I blame the Price is Right" made me laugh.

gracesgran Once we start accepting that older people have "had their time" that suggests to me that they are of less importance. I'm not sure that's the sort of society we should aim for - after all, such a remark wouldn't be acceptable about any other group of people, and most people get old.

Agus Sun 14-Dec-14 21:46:48

And nastier still Gracesgran......"can you not read Anya"

It was blatantly clear Anya'was responding to soontobe

soontobe Sun 14-Dec-14 21:42:32

smile Anya.

But we can never be equal if we have had the benefit of living 60 plus years or whatever, and they, youngsters have only lived for 20 years.

But this thread is a bit of a sinking ship as you say, so that may be my last comment!

Anya Sun 14-Dec-14 21:39:20

The post of 21.36 was to Grace this us getting very confusing!

Anya Sun 14-Dec-14 21:38:04

soontobe that is not a sensible analogy. When did we get into this sinking ship! wink

Agus Sun 14-Dec-14 21:37:46

Gracesgran it really isn't difficult to understand, I still have a voice and use it along with voices of mixed generations who feel strongly enough to want to at least attempt to right the wrongs.

I find your tone insulting and patronising personally and to our generation.

Don't hold your breath waiting for me to justify myself to you.

Anya Sun 14-Dec-14 21:36:11

Can you not read either....did I say YOU said that? It was soontobe I was responding to, if you read the post previous to yours hmm

Get off your high horse.

Ana Sun 14-Dec-14 21:35:30

Gracesgran, you wrote 'this is their time not ours' to which Agus responded 'We are all a part of society and as I'm not dead yet, it is still my time too.'

Which it is, of course.

It does seem that you are the one getting het up about nothing, and being rather rude to other members in the process.

Gracesgran Sun 14-Dec-14 21:19:57

Can you not read Anya. No where did I say that youngsters come first.

It was Agus who personalised this by saying she/he would still see myself as a a useful member of society still capable of making progressive changes. I only asked what those were.

Please do not criticise what you would like to view as what I have written. I don't mind you commenting on what I actually write but making things up is not a discussion. I would not comment on someone personally - I do not know you all beyond what you write.

We all fulfil different functions in society at different times and it is not unreasonable to say that the older and old members of society are not, except with few exceptions, the change makers. That is a fact and not really one to get het up about.

soontobe Sun 14-Dec-14 21:06:55

So in a boat accident, you wouldnt let a youngster get off before you?

Anya Sun 14-Dec-14 21:06:49

What a ridiculous demand to make of Agus .... hmm

Anya Sun 14-Dec-14 21:04:56

No, youngsters do not come first. This is not a competition, everyone is equal here.

Gracesgran Sun 14-Dec-14 20:56:47

Agus I am not saying you are not a useful member of society and, of course you could be part of the generation that tends to make progressive change. I would describe that as the 20 - 40 year olds but it may be narrower than that. Of course some older people make hugely important contributions to change and progress but they are few and far between. I would love to hear just how you intend to improve life for the rest of us as you obviously believe you can - which is great.

You really only have to read many of the comments on this thread to see that change is the last thing many older people want and progress always means change.

soontobe Sun 14-Dec-14 20:54:15

But we dont want to deny youngsters their way of doing things. They come first in my opinion.

Agus Sun 14-Dec-14 20:50:19

It is relevant to me as I still see myself as a a useful member of society still capable of making progressive changes but perhaps you don't.

soontobe Sun 14-Dec-14 20:41:52

It must help them I assume Grannyknot. Everyone grieves differently. Not sure whether I would have done it. I could imagine my daughter doing it though. Hope she doesnt have to. But, and here I may be oversharing, her husband lost a brother in that way.

Grannyknot Sun 14-Dec-14 20:37:46

feetle there is a trend again to be photographed with babies who are stillborn. I've seen photos like that recently of a mum with her baby; and also mum, dad and the infant who was "born sleeping", which is the term used. I don't know how I feel about it.

The photos are unspeakably sad, as can be expected.

Agus Sun 14-Dec-14 20:33:48

Thank you Ana. Still alive and kicking grin

Gracesgran Sun 14-Dec-14 20:33:37

Agus I have never seen (historically) an older generation make progressive changes but perhaps you have. Of course we are all part of society but I am not sure how that is relevant.

Agus Sun 14-Dec-14 20:32:57

The kissy thing, I enjoy with my family, especially GDs but I'm uncomfortable doing this with outsiders.

Whilst living in France, I got to a point where I really got fed up with it.

Ana Sun 14-Dec-14 20:29:08

Well said, Agus! tchgrin

Agus Sun 14-Dec-14 20:27:15

this is their time not ours
We are all a part of society and as I'm not dead yet, it is still my time too.

soontobe Sun 14-Dec-14 20:22:25

I agree Gracesgran.
I used to think that generations changed for change sake. But I dont think they do now.
I cant explain why things change, but they do. And a generation is largely in agreement with itself.
My daughter I thought had some new odd ideas about weddings. But we let them happen as it was her wedding.
But then I got talking to a couple of cousins a couple of months later, and their daughters were thinking exactly the same thoughts as my daughter.
I for one like the exuberance of the young. They are friendly and upfront.

Gracesgran Sun 14-Dec-14 19:50:28

I'm sure I have said this on her before but in the court of Henry VIII you would have been greeted by a full kiss on he lips. It's just that times have changed and will change again. Our young people will no doubt, in years to come, be complaining about things which discomfort them but seem entirely reasonable to their offspring.