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Coronavirus

Would (will?) you snitch on your neighbours?

(180 Posts)
MawB2 Thu 17-Sept-20 11:19:31

As recommended by the fragrant Priti Patel?
What happened to “we’re all in this together”, “Brutush common sense” , “Blitz spirit” ?
From Michael Deacon in today’s DT who puts it better than I could
To encourage us, the Home Secretary Priti Patel has told an interviewer that she would happily snitch on her neighbours, should she catch them breaking the law. (British law, that is. Breaking international law is, of course, a completely different matter.)
Reporters duly travelled to Witham in Essex, to ask Ms Patel’s neighbours for a response. One woman replied that, in the circumstances described, she would cordially invite the Home Secretary to “do one”

Tellingly, the woman added: “It was all right for Dominic Cummings to drive up to his second house. It seems like one rule for them and one rule for us

I think (more than) a few of us are saying “Hear, hear”.

M0nica Thu 17-Sept-20 16:53:43

If it was a quiet family party and the family has 7 or 8 in the house, then no.

A significant number of people, say 10 or more, with half a dozen 15-30 year olds. I would be tempted, but not snitching, is so deeply engrained in ones psyche.

Anyway, since none of our neighbours have ever shown any desire to host large gatherings and the houses are so distributed that house gatherings are only identifiable from the number of cars parked outside, I do not expect to ever be in that situation.

Guineagirl Thu 17-Sept-20 15:42:23

Mine driving a car whilst sorn and he has glaucoma ?

SuzannahM Thu 17-Sept-20 15:12:39

Doodledog

No. I really dislike the side of human nature that has been shown up by this crisis. The sniping, the superior attitudes, the arguments over the letter of the law (even when it is actually advice), the spite, and above all the assumptions about other people's motives shown by some people have been horrible to see.

Like others, I have given up a lot as a result of Covid, but I don't see it as a 'tit for tat' situation, and it doesn't make me feel worse about my own situation when I see others behaving differently.

If neighbours were making a regular nuisance of themselves, disturbing the peace or whatever, I might call the police if a quick word didn't sort it out; but I would absolutely not spend my time counting their guests in and out and gleefully reporting them if the number indoors hit 7.

Likewise.

And often when people are caught out doing something they probably shouldn't be doing, instead of feeling ashamed they just go out of their way to prove they intend to carry on doing whatever they feel like doing, and no one is going to tell them otherwise. Some adults don't have the maturity of some ten year olds.

Hetty58 Thu 17-Sept-20 15:09:51

I'm no fan of Priti (ghastly woman) but I'd have no hesitation in reporting my neighbours. In fact, I have already done so.

I won't stand back while they put others' lives at risk. That would be irresponsible. Would you ignore other risky behaviour (like drunk driving or drug dealing)?

I see it as my civil duty to do everything I can to make sure that the law is upheld.

I'm protecting other people, those who are sticking to the sensible rules - but are vulnerable due to age or health issues. I'm far more concerned about them than the stupid 'party set'!

MissAdventure Thu 17-Sept-20 15:00:36

It has taken the shine off our helpful little community.
It's such a shame.

annep1 Thu 17-Sept-20 14:58:11

I would be very angry. Just because DC and MO did it doesn't make it right to ignore rules.
I wouldn't tell though. Unless it was a huge noisy party.

Namsnanny Thu 17-Sept-20 14:49:42

My circumstances mean I'm ok with no excessively noisy or nosey neighbours.
So it's unlikely I shall be put in this position.
If I was my answer would be No.

This is all getting silly now.

Doodledog Thu 17-Sept-20 14:35:10

No. I really dislike the side of human nature that has been shown up by this crisis. The sniping, the superior attitudes, the arguments over the letter of the law (even when it is actually advice), the spite, and above all the assumptions about other people's motives shown by some people have been horrible to see.

Like others, I have given up a lot as a result of Covid, but I don't see it as a 'tit for tat' situation, and it doesn't make me feel worse about my own situation when I see others behaving differently.

If neighbours were making a regular nuisance of themselves, disturbing the peace or whatever, I might call the police if a quick word didn't sort it out; but I would absolutely not spend my time counting their guests in and out and gleefully reporting them if the number indoors hit 7.

Callistemon Thu 17-Sept-20 14:35:02

Stuck between doing the right thing and feeling like a guilty sneak.

MissAdventure Thu 17-Sept-20 14:31:06

A few people know, and are none too pleased, but I think we're all somehow stuck in a conspiracy of silence.

I'm really angry with people who flout the rules, so I suppose I'm a hypocrite, really.

Callistemon Thu 17-Sept-20 14:28:21

Bathsheba grin
my hand is shaking so much I may drop my delicate bone china cup and saucer!

Callistemon Thu 17-Sept-20 14:27:15

MissAdventure

I happen to know of a party that will be happening on Saturday night, with around 30 people flitting in and out of it.

I went tell, but I really wish I didn't know. sad

hmm I'm not so sure about that.

Could you just mention it to someone who might be inclined to tell?
That's a bit snitchy but justified.

Gwenisgreat1 Thu 17-Sept-20 14:23:43

Depends on the circumstances. If it's a noisy party, yes. If it's a quiet family gathering, no!

Teetime Thu 17-Sept-20 14:19:17

No - you still have to live with your neighbours and the community and to cause problems that then may go on for years and become very serious is not worth the hassle.

Bathsheba Thu 17-Sept-20 12:47:18

Hyacinth Bucket would grin

Urmstongran Thu 17-Sept-20 12:46:49

I’m with Boris, not Pritti on this.
No to snitching.

Kate1949 Thu 17-Sept-20 12:25:57

I don't think I would. Mind you, I was tempted last week when the people opposite were dancing in the middle of the road and letting off fireworks at one o'clock in the morning. There were about 15 people angry

Lucca Thu 17-Sept-20 12:24:56

MissAdventure

I happen to know of a party that will be happening on Saturday night, with around 30 people flitting in and out of it.

I went tell, but I really wish I didn't know. sad

That’s one I would report but families just over the allotted 6 definitely not.

eazybee Thu 17-Sept-20 12:21:30

There wouldn't seem to be much point, as the police were apparently 'too busy' to attend, at 11.30 pm, when neighbours reported a house party of up to 200 people in Brighton.

The 'rule of six'may be annoying, but its intention is to protect people's health, never mind Dominic Cummings and other idiots.

MissAdventure Thu 17-Sept-20 12:21:11

I happen to know of a party that will be happening on Saturday night, with around 30 people flitting in and out of it.

I went tell, but I really wish I didn't know. sad

Callistemon Thu 17-Sept-20 12:19:31

No.
I would steer clear of them if I thought they had broken the rules but they are all sensible, mature people who wouldn't tend to be rule-breakers anyway.

I'd be keeping a beady eye on Priti Patel if she lived next door to me, though.

Galaxy Thu 17-Sept-20 12:15:21

No I just avoid them

Jaxjacky Thu 17-Sept-20 12:15:15

If they had 7 no, if it was 20+, probably...highly unlikely where we live.

PinkCakes Thu 17-Sept-20 12:14:15

I'd only ever report someone for the following:

child abuse
animal abuse
adult abuse
drug dealing

Anything else - like having more than 6 people in their garden - certainly not!

The police have a hard enough job to do, without trivialities.

vegansrock Thu 17-Sept-20 11:53:41

Not if it was people who take my parcels in, feed my cat whilst I’m away, water my garden, pop round with a cake on my birthday etc If they had 7 in their garden I’d smile and wave.