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AIBU

Are we becoming too sensitive?

(56 Posts)
Sago Thu 23-Feb-23 18:38:47

I have just received my first email from a supermarket asking if I want to unsubscribe from Mothers Day emails.
There was no shortage of Valentines emails but for some reason companies don’t seem to worry about this being a trigger.
I appreciate the sadness some people may feel on the loss of a parent but do we really need to be warned?

cc Sun 26-Feb-23 11:56:54

From my point of view it just means that I can cut down on advertising emails, whilst still staying on lists for products that might be interesting.
I find the Black Friday ones the most irritating as they go on for so long and offer few genuinely low prices.

Katek Sun 26-Feb-23 11:42:39

Hear, hear Amalegra

Amalegra Sun 26-Feb-23 11:39:07

The whole of society is being encouraged to be what are these days termed ‘snowflakes’ IMHO. Opt out emails for Valentine’s Day, Mothers Day et al. Trigger warning on TV programmes/books etc. And for the most inoffensive things too-we can’t even laugh now for fear of offending someone! As for Mothers Day-no, it doesn’t upset me to see it all around. It’s a lovely tradition, one of the few we have left although I don’t know how long the Thought Police are going to tolerate this definition of a woman. I lost my beloved Mum four years ago so the day will never be the same for me. My children are lovely and always make it special, but with Mum gone, it is empty somehow. But death is part of life and we have to carry on. Perhaps our snowflake society should realise that life is terribly tough sometimes.

Grantanow Sun 26-Feb-23 11:37:01

Mother's day, Father's day, Valentines, etc. are all marketing cons to extract money from the consumer. They would probably invent Cousin's day if they thought it would pay off.

FannyCornforth Sun 26-Feb-23 11:32:15

I can easily get very sad on Mother’s Day.
I definitely avoid going out at all then.

I’m not a mother and I have been without my own for 26 years.

When I was a TA I prided myself on making sure all of the kids made something of really good quality to take home for their mums (it was a very deprived area).

To be honest, I find the ‘opt out’ emails even more intrusive than the actual marketing.

I know that I’m sensitive (I’m actually something called a Highly Sensitive Person).
I don’t think that sensitive is an inherently bad thing.

In fact, when people accuse others of being ‘too sensitive’, it’s usually because they themselves have done something rude and are too pig headed to apologise

Lilyflower Sun 26-Feb-23 11:21:23

I miss my mother who died in 2019 but I think my daughter, who has just has her first baby, should be able to enjoy Mother's Day -and even when I go too. The 'common theme Is death of fathers' - and mothers too.

Lilyflower Sun 26-Feb-23 11:18:39

"'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,
To give these mourning duties to your father;
But you must know, your father lost a father;
That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound
In filial obligation for some term
To do obsequious sorrow. But to persever
In obstinate condolement is a course
Of impious stubbornness. 'Tis unmanly grief;
It shows a will most incorrect to heaven,
A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,
An understanding simple and unschool'd;
For what we know must be, and is as common
As any the most vulgar thing to sense,
Why should we in our peevish opposition
Take it to heart? Fie! 'tis a fault to heaven,
A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,
To reason most absurd, whose common theme
Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried,
From the first corse till he that died to-day,
'This must be so.' "

Seems somewhat relevant.

LovelyLady Sun 26-Feb-23 11:13:17

Yes we are being too sensitive. Just because it hurts some, and that’s sad, this ought not to dilute the message. Yes yes and yes we’re far too sensitive.

micmc47 Sun 26-Feb-23 11:12:07

Such messages have nothing to do with sensitivity. They are totally marketing orientated. Personally, I opt out of everything possible as regards so-called "reminders", as the vast majority of such emails are simply encouraging me to spend money on something. Exceptions are NHS, DVLC, personal insurances, and my Bank.

Shelflife Sat 25-Feb-23 18:34:24

I am a mother and my AC always remember me on mother's day , however …....... It has never been the same since my lovely Mum died and I will always miss her.

Alioop Fri 24-Feb-23 18:08:03

I gladly accept the opt out emails as I don't want to be bombarded with ideas for gifts for my mum. I will be taking flowers to her grave like I do every year.

silverlining48 Fri 24-Feb-23 17:49:52

I have just received my email from M&S about mothering sunday. So i wasnt forgotten after all.
My mum died 10 years ago this week and yes I miss sending her a thank you card. I took flowers to the cemetery instead.
Gentle hugs to those who mourn. flowers+

PoppyBlue Fri 24-Feb-23 17:09:46

A lady I know lost her 3 year old son.

It's not always about losing a parent sad

Palmtree Thu 23-Feb-23 21:34:55

I don't think this is a bad thing. I must admit that I feel very sad when I pass by all the Mother's Day cards in my local supermarket. They mark another year that I won't be able to buy one for my wonderful mother who died in 2020 and mother in law who died in 2010. I miss them very much.

Nannagarra Thu 23-Feb-23 21:24:17

💐 Aldom

Aldom Thu 23-Feb-23 20:49:09

Since the tragic, untimely death of my adult son I appreciate Waitrose offering me the choice to unsubscribe from Mothering Sunday promotions.

Smileless2012 Thu 23-Feb-23 20:04:02

With the amount of television advertising for mothers day, I'd have thought that emails were neither here nor there.

Well if you're a cynic then so am I Baggs; sensitivity and supermarkets!!!

silverlining48 Thu 23-Feb-23 20:00:19

I havnt heard anything from a supermarket about these things. Feeling left out! ( only joking). grin

Yammy Thu 23-Feb-23 19:56:06

I think it is all just PR for their company and delete. We are all different and sensitive about different things. The loss of a parent or partner is high on the list. Will they ask when it is fathers day I wonder?

maddyone Thu 23-Feb-23 19:17:41

I’ve had a couple mentioning unsubscribe if I don’t want Mother’s Day adverts/emails. I ignore them and delete them. I know this coming Mother’s Day will be sad as she died last year, and the same applied when I lost my Dad. Are we too sensitive nowadays? I don’t know, but I do find the displays of the cards in shops difficult and try to ignore them.

BlueBelle Thu 23-Feb-23 19:09:17

I just delete what I don’t want to read easy peasy

Hetty58 Thu 23-Feb-23 19:08:02

I see it as (mainly) an excuse to send you yet another unwelcome marketing mail. They want us to see them as 'caring' - and promote brand loyalty. I'm forever unsubscribing from those that send too many emails - just so annoying.

Baggs Thu 23-Feb-23 19:01:50

I agree, VS, but I'm a cynic when it comes to the supposed sensitivity of supermarkets.

VioletSky Thu 23-Feb-23 18:55:25

Being sensitive is not only positive but it is a strength.

It takes strength to make time, listen and understand and live your life in a way that isn't disregarding others.

How many people do we come across who just say what they like and don't seem to care what others feel about their words and people think that's strong... well it's not, it's basic and unintelligent.

What is strong is being able to live your life, say what you think and articulate yourself in a way that is sensitive and isn't offensive.

Simple example, how much easier is it to say "get over it" than it is to really understand what someone is going through and feel a little of what they feel.

Sensitive is emotional intelligence.

It's a good thing

Theexwife Thu 23-Feb-23 18:54:51

If they didn't offer to unsubscribe from triggering advertising I expect there are those that would complain, they really can't win.