I am confused........

That’s great, Chestnut!

I agree Maggiemaybe because it's actually made me plan to ditch cling film!

volver

Whereas the cling film is too clingy thread is a service to humanity.

Well it got people thinking about why they’re using the stuff and maybe converted some to more planet friendly methods. I’d call that worthwhile.

maddyone

Zoejory
I am NOT remotely muddled up about service. Service is what we do for the country and for other people. Opening a hospital is simply not comparable to the service the majority of people who work, sometimes voluntarily, but mostly for pay, put in every day. Without those workers, everything we require and need would not be available. We don’t actually need anyone to officially open a hospital or ward, but we do need the medics to staff it, the cleaners to clean it, the porters to transport people etc. That is service.
What do you think is service?

Of course you are. The serving the monarch does can NOT be compared with our medical health workers.

I know. I worked for many years in a hospital and also have children who are doctors.

I'm not hugely into monarchy. I am no intellect. But I am well aware that service to the public via a monarch is absolutely nothing to do with the brilliant service by health workers.

This thread is very useful for firing up arguers who are always looking for something to disagree with. Fair enough. There's plenty to disagree on in life. Luckily, we live in a free country with an independent head of state.

Whereas the cling film is too clingy thread is a service to humanity.

This thread is pointless because no-one will change their mind after reading what someone else thinks.

volver

So what service has the Queen actually done then?

What have we got that we wouldn't have otherwise?

It is said that she has been a great encourager. She has certainly encouraged the tradition of bowing and curtsying and giving knighthoods. We wouldn’t have Baron Lebedev without Royal approval.

And I agree with volver 100%.

So she is responsible for a warm fuzzy feeling. Not convinced.

What good was she as Head of State when parliament was illegally prorogued? What good is she now that we have a law breaking PM?

She's meant to be Head of State, not encourager in chief

Zoejory
I am NOT remotely muddled up about service. Service is what we do for the country and for other people. Opening a hospital is simply not comparable to the service the majority of people who work, sometimes voluntarily, but mostly for pay, put in every day. Without those workers, everything we require and need would not be available. We don’t actually need anyone to officially open a hospital or ward, but we do need the medics to staff it, the cleaners to clean it, the porters to transport people etc. That is service.
What do you think is service?

She is a focal point for good will. I watched the documentary including her various private reels of film. Her voiceover was very interesting and, I thought, revealing. The world has more people of good will and kindness but we don't tend to hear much about this. She obviously appreciates this and strives to encourage it. She is a great encourager. I don't mean pat on the head stuff although I'm sure you'll reframe this as that. Her attention and interest in people over the years and all over the world has made people feel better. That's not a bad thing.
Her long term experience of 14 prime ministers is pretty useful too.

So what service has the Queen actually done then?

What have we got that we wouldn't have otherwise?

I think you're getting a bit muddled up about service there, maddyone

I think most of us know that the service medical staff do is totally different to the Queen's service.

I'm neither for nor against all this jollity. I'm pleased for those who want to participate. And for those who don't I'm equally pleased.

Can't really compare the Queen's wealth with anything. It's not as if she could suddenly decide she wants to sell Buck House and pocket the proceeds. Her Crown Jewels aren't really hers either.

I don't believe there are many who revere the Queen these days either.

They can see she's been on the throne for 70 years so there's to be a Jubilee. And a couple of days off will please many, be they monarchists or royalists.

Germanshepherdsmum

How can you call the Platinum Jubilee a silly celebration? It marks a unique achievement by a woman who has devoted her entire adult life to this country.

It marks a woman who has lived a long life. Devoted her entire life to the country? Not so much. But the country has devoted itself to her, spent a lot of money on her, and many claim to ‘love’ her even though they don’t know her. Opening a new ward in a hospital is barely service in my opinion. But fighting and dying in Afghanistan or Iraq is service. Medics staff battling through Covid is service. Serving the public in Tesco is service (and rewarded in the most miserable way.) Our values are upside down. We apparently revere a person who has achieved little beyond staying alive for a long time (my mother has done the same, but no one reveres her) but treat the low paid with contempt. If we cared about the low paid we’d pay them better.

volver

^And this has become the latest saying to try to make others feel guilty if they can afford to heat and eat or want to enjoy themselves in any way at all.^

I don't think anyone is trying to make others feel guilty about a sausage roll and a corgi-cake.

For me its the breathless hero-worship of someone who has been head of state for 70 years. 70 years! Some think that's an achievement but I think its unhealthy. She is the past, we're not the same country we were in 1952. And she doesn't represent the country that I think we should be. Nobody who has done the same "job" for 70 years represents the country any more.

Then we have all the extended family, Duke this and Earl that - we're not medieval Ruritania And the hat with its own Rolls Royce. ??‍♀️

The country is in the worst state it’s been for decades. But right now, we are being told we have to celebrate a very well off woman who hasn't done a hard day’s work in her life in order to earn enough to pay the rent. She hasn't been down the mine, she hasn't done a shift in Tesco's, she hasn't saved anyone's life in the operating theatre. She's had an easy life. Nothing wrong with that, but those who say how hard she works are, IMO, opinion, misled. The lady on the till at Lidl today told me how much she admires her, because of all the things she's done for this country. I didn't to ask her to list those things. ?

So, enjoy your trifle by all means. But don't think we all want to celebrate someone embodying a governance system we don't approve of, based on patronage and plutocracy. And I just wish people would stop calling us names…

You’ve said it better than I could volver, so thank you. Exactly what I think.

Crikey. Challenging anything concerning Her Maj on here is like poking a wasps nest with a stick.?

But they're called miseries if they don't want to join in a public event, just have a nice quiet holiday.

What nonsense. No-one is forced to participate as this thread has made clear.

Are they? I'm thinking more like this.

Evenin' all. Come on madam, the Queen's having a jubilee. What do you mean, you don't want to join in? Can't have that madam. Here's your standard issue Union Jack flag and cupcake. Now if you don't join in we'll be watching you Madam. Very suspicious if you ask me....I think I'll just take your name....

The Fun Police are generally considered to be those who want to stop people having fun!

No, no conflict at all.

Its the people with the flags in their hair who are telling me I need to have more fun.

Ergo, they are policing what they think I should consider fun.

volver Just hoped for some peace and quiet and an escape from the fun police, that's all.
volver People with Union Jack flags in their hair, corgi biscuits, being exhorted to take part in street parties and sing Sweet Caroline? Silly.

Don't those two comments conflict with each other? I'd say it's you who are being the Fun Police. ?

I am ???

It's silly ?

No idea but not complaining!