Gransnet forums

Coronavirus

Would (will?) you snitch on your neighbours?

(180 Posts)
MawB2 Thu 17-Sep-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”.

Hetty58 Thu 17-Sep-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'!

SuzannahM Thu 17-Sep-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.

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

Mine driving a car whilst sorn and he has glaucoma ?

M0nica Thu 17-Sep-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.

BlueBelle Thu 17-Sep-20 17:03:08

NO way I would not report at all I certainly would report child or animal abuse but no definitely not neighbours for meet ups it’s their business

EllanVannin Thu 17-Sep-20 17:29:09

>>>>>>>>>is not a snitcher !

MissAdventure Thu 17-Sep-20 17:32:08

I think snitch is a very childish term, and denotes someone who actively delights in finding out others' business.

Witzend Thu 17-Sep-20 17:39:43

I wouldn’t.
One immediate set of neighbours had family and/or friends round every weekend during lockdown. When it was hot it was blatantly obvious because of all the different voices in their very small garden.

It didn’t occur to us to report them, but I’m rather surprised that the neighbour on their other side - a nitpicking old misery-guts, didn’t. Maybe a stretch too far even for him.

lemongrove Thu 17-Sep-20 17:49:09

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.

Good post? and I totally agree

Glorybee Thu 17-Sep-20 18:01:23

?

MerylStreep Thu 17-Sep-20 18:09:51

Doodledog
Absolutely agree. My dearest friend/ neighbour is one that would dob someone in. It's very difficult for me.

Urmstongran Thu 17-Sep-20 18:14:27

I think this is about Covid transmission. Not about asking a neighbour to turn the music down!

Actually I wouldn’t do that either. Live & let live.

allium Thu 17-Sep-20 18:21:29

Have to live with neighbours long after this horrible thing is over, wouldn't bother to snitch, life's too short.

Namsnanny Thu 17-Sep-20 18:26:19

Glorybee!! grin grin grin

vampirequeen Thu 17-Sep-20 19:34:56

The Gestapo managed to wield control by fear. It wasn't the number of officers on the streets that made them successful but the willingness of the general population to denounce each other.

MissAdventure Thu 17-Sep-20 19:40:11

So, are there rules on things it's ok to snitch about?
I can't understand the logic of not stopping a potential life threatening spread before it starts.

I'm abiding by some form of good manners that I don't entirely believe in.

grannyrebel7 Thu 17-Sep-20 19:42:56

Never been a grass and don't think I could ever do it. Hate people flouting the rules though.

LauraNorder Thu 17-Sep-20 19:54:33

Goes against the very essence of Britishness 'I ain't no grass guv'nor. BUT
I would most definitely report physical or mental abuse if I was sure of the facts. I would report a crime that endangered life. I would report serious theft or fraud if it impacted on others.
I would feel very aggrieved if neighbours had large groups in their home and were obviously flouting the rules but wouldn't report.
I certainly wouldn't feel aggrieved if I knew families of five or six were mixing with two or even four grandparents or other close relatives or friends as long as they took sensible precautions, most would only do so out of need.

Callistemon Thu 17-Sep-20 20:00:01

vampirequeen

The Gestapo managed to wield control by fear. It wasn't the number of officers on the streets that made them successful but the willingness of the general population to denounce each other.

Yes, vampirequeen
And the Stasi
Setting neighbour against neighbour was one of their tactics. And it worked.

MawB2 Thu 17-Sep-20 21:15:03

MissAdventure

I think snitch is a very childish term, and denotes someone who actively delights in finding out others' business.

If I am being criticised for using the term, well tough!
It has been the term of choice in the media because it precisely describes the childish and sneaky idea of reporting one’s neighbours to the police.
So YES I chose to use it.
And NO I do not delight in finding out others’ business. ???

Franbern Fri 18-Sep-20 08:26:46

The Gastapo and Stasi tactics of control have been been mentioned here. Sadly, I think this country is going along that sort of neo-fascist society. Even the fact that we need to discuss whether or not neighbours should 'spy' on each other in this way is so sad and frightening.

I am waiting (in horror) for one of this present government to suggest that schools should encourage their pupils to report on their families if they should 'break' whatever is that weeks rule/law on social gatherings.

It is all very well, for all the indignation about 'Not okay for six children with adult to feed ducks in park, but okay for 30 adults to shoot wildlife' - but the very fact that this has gone ahead, (Special legislation) and has been largely accepted by the great British public, shows how much the feeling of despair and 'it is outside our control really is.

I have to admit that I am very very frightened, not about Covid - but about the future in this country for our children and g.children.

trustgone4sure Fri 18-Sep-20 08:32:56

Same here PinkCakes.

Galaxy Fri 18-Sep-20 08:44:50

The germans are doing much better than us with regard to covid, I was discussing national characteristics on another thread. In this situation the following the rule mentality will produce much better results. It's interesting.

GrannySomerset Fri 18-Sep-20 08:47:34

Absolutely right, Franbern, though I am intrigued by the way in which we all interpret the advice to fit our own circumstances. Seems to me that large gatherings are obviously unacceptable, but otherwise the police don’t have the resources to deal with small local infringements. In our part of the world they can’t turn up to deal with burglaries so I don’t think that slightly over large family parties are at risk.

GrannyGravy13 Fri 18-Sep-20 08:58:10

Our neighbours are senior NHS staff, they think that the rules do not apply to them already???

I wouldn’t snitch as they would know that it could only have been us!!!!