Today in my local Tesco we were all asked to stop shopping and to observe a minute's silence to show respect for the victims of the Grenfell fire. A few weeks ago, it was the same for Stephen Lawrence, and before that for the victims of the Manchester Arena attack.

Why?

What purpose does it serve to do this nationwide? Why am I expected to show 'respect' for these total strangers who were in the wrong place at the wrong time? Whilst I am very sorry that they lost their lives and that there are families left to mourn them, I don't feel that it is my place to do so.

I can understand, and will gladly observe a silence for Remembrance Day - these were people who went to war and laid down their lives so that the rest of us could live in freedom from tyranny (well, that was the intention), so yes, they deserve a national time for reflection and respect for the sacrifice they made for their country and all in it. Likewise, if it is for someone whose life was in some way entwined with mine - a fellow Palace fan/player/manager or a local person who has served their community of which I am part and who in some way has had an influence or effect on my life - at least I can relate to it.

However, this having the country stop for any and every event in which someone died is going to get increasingly ridiculous - why don't we start a Hither Green Memorial silence, an Aberfan disaster silence, a London IRA bombing silence, a Moorgate Tube disaster silence...... the list could go on and on until we end up standing still for the better part of every day.

Does anyone actually think that this is a good thing or that it serves any useful purpose, or is necessary to anyone?

This tragedy was truly horrific and relatively recent.

But the greater point Becky makes is spot on. The Falklands anniversary passed and hardly anybody noticed.

It's the nature of things and maybe that's best, unless we are talking about world wars with living relatives.

However, we are living in an emasculated nation full of 'Diana' types....and that's just the males.

People die every day in large numbers often in accidents. These particular people died needless horrible deaths but I see no real difference.
The best tribute one could pay would be to ensure that this sort of tragedy doesn't happen. In fairness, it was already a very rare event.
The families of the victims need to mourn in their own way but the current trend toward mass mysery is not traditionally a very'English' thing.

Today in my local Tesco we were all asked to stop shopping and to observe a minute's silence to show respect for the victims of the Grenfell fire. A few weeks ago, it was the same for Stephen Lawrence, and before that for the victims of the Manchester Arena attack.

Why?

What purpose does it serve to do this nationwide? Why am I expected to show 'respect' for these total strangers who were in the wrong place at the wrong time? Whilst I am very sorry that they lost their lives and that there are families left to mourn them, I don't feel that it is my place to do so.

I can understand, and will gladly observe a silence for Remembrance Day - these were people who went to war and laid down their lives so that the rest of us could live in freedom from tyranny (well, that was the intention), so yes, they deserve a national time for reflection and respect for the sacrifice they made for their country and all in it. Likewise, if it is for someone whose life was in some way entwined with mine - a fellow Palace fan/player/manager or a local person who has served their community of which I am part and who in some way has had an influence or effect on my life - at least I can relate to it.

However, this having the country stop for any and every event in which someone died is going to get increasingly ridiculous - why don't we start a Hither Green Memorial silence, an Aberfan disaster silence, a London IRA bombing silence, a Moorgate Tube disaster silence...... the list could go on and on until we end up standing still for the better part of every day.

Does anyone actually think that this is a good thing or that it serves any useful purpose, or is necessary to anyone?