No going to work because X died...

RiderOnTheStorm · 14-09-2019 9:59am #1

I was a kid when Elvis died. I know that people did not go to work that day, or the day after. It got me thinking, is there anyone alive today, that has such a social influence that you would take the day off work if and when they died?

David Bowie was one of mine. I wasn't working the day he died, but if I was, I would definitely have rung in sick. Who would it be for you? Bruce Springsteen? Stevie Wonder? Aretha Franklin? .... or maybe somebody from the world of sport or politics or movies?

Is there anyone alive now that has such a big impact as The King did in his day? or has fame been diluted?

So, ignoring family for the moment, whose death would have you take an emergency mental health day?

TheValeyard · 14-09-2019 10:01am

Patrick Stewart. He's awesome. I'd binge watch TNG all day.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy · 14-09-2019 10:01am

Fidel Castro. I even looked into going the funeral.

jochenstacker · 14-09-2019 10:02am

I wouldn't go to work if Trump died.
I keep a bottle of champers on ice for that.

the beer revolu · 14-09-2019 10:03am

If you need a day off work over the death of someone you have never met and you are over 16,then your employer needs a better employee.

RobbingBandit · 14-09-2019 10:04am

Trump to quote Bowie we'd be dancing in the street rather than doing anything else

Hoboo · 14-09-2019 10:05am

RiderOnTheStorm wrote: »

I was a kid when Elvis died. I know that people did not go to work that day, or the day after. It got me thinking, is there anyone alive today, that has such a social influence that you would take the day off work if and when they died?

David Bowie was one of mine. I wasn't working the day he died, but if I was, I would definitely have rung in sick. Who would it be for you? Bruce Springsteen? Stevie Wonder? Aretha Franklin? .... or maybe somebody from the world of sport or politics or movies?

Is there anyone alive now that has such a big impact as The King did in his day? or has fame been diluted?

So, ignoring family for the moment, whose death would have you take an emergency mental health day?

An "emergency mental health day" for the death of a musician you don't know? WT actual F.

If you were going to say a party that day and not work, would you make it? Course.

73bc61lyohr0mu · 14-09-2019 10:05am

Usually I don't care when a famous person croaks but Robin Williams was the one person that genuinely upset me. A massive part of my childhood and just seemed like a very nice decent person.

BuboBubo · 14-09-2019 10:05am

I think when David Attenborough dies there will be a lot of us who won't make it to work that day.

Keith Flints death hit me like a shovel tbh, I'm a massive fan of his since the beginning of his music career. I still went to work though.

I think it's better to go to work than sit and wallow at home. Obviously, if someone close to you dies it's very different. I would prefer to "keep going" and be in the company of workmates than home alone with too much time to think.

PeteEd · 14-09-2019 10:08am

definitely 2-Pac and Aretha Franklin is a maybe

dxhound2005 · 14-09-2019 10:11am

If your dog or cat dies you need time off as well.

https://metro.co.uk/2019/08/16/grieving-dog-owner-sacked-taking-day-off-pet-died-10580937/

Charlie19 · 14-09-2019 10:16am

dxhound2005 wrote: »

If your dog or cat dies you need time off as well.

https://metro.co.uk/2019/08/16/grieving-dog-owner-sacked-taking-day-off-pet-died-10580937/

That's a totally different scenario.

dxhound2005 · 14-09-2019 10:18am

Charlie19 wrote: »

That's a totally different scenario.

Indeed. But pretending to be sick when a non relative dies does not honour their life. Take a day's annual leave, if that is available.

mvl · 14-09-2019 10:24am

no one public for me.

except close family and my dog, it would be just few ppl who are special in my private life.

Spon Farmer · 14-09-2019 10:27am

jochenstacker wrote: »

I wouldn't go to work if Trump died.
I keep a bottle of champers on ice for that.

Why?

What is to celebrate? Or even care about?

Other than bewilderment at how he got to where he is or the frequent amusing news item why would you care one way or the other what he does?

To be honest, the fact that you’d celebrate a death is twisted and creepy.

Gregor Samsa · 14-09-2019 10:36am

Apart from family and friends, there’s no one alive or from history that I’d take a day off for their death. My only real hero is the Greek Cynic philosopher Diogenes of Sinope, who died over 2,000 years ago, and he just wanted his body left out for animals to eat.

I’d also distinguish between taking a day off because someone famous died, and going to the funeral of someone deserving. It’s entirely possible that I’d go to the funeral of someone ordinary who died in exceptionally tragic or heroic circumstances, even if I didn’t know them.

There was a guy in my secondary school who took a few days off when Freddy Mercury died. I thought it was really, really weird.

On a related but tangential note, I had a maths teacher in the same school who was the type who would strictly focus on the maths class no matter what happened. He never took a sick day, never chatted in class and gave homework over the summer holidays (and checked it when you came back in September). The day Margaret Thatcher resigned, he came into class with a radio up to his ear, declared “The bitch is gone!” and we sat for 45 minutes listening to the coverage, him with a big smile on his face. That was the one day in 5 years he didn’t give us homework.

Portsalon · 14-09-2019 10:52am

Spon Farmer wrote: »

Why?

What is to celebrate? Or even care about?

Other than bewilderment at how he got to where he is or the frequent amusing news item why would you care one way or the other what he does?

To be honest, the fact that you’d celebrate a death is twisted and creepy.

But maybe he's related to Mike Pence who would take over from Trump as POTUS, so would be so delirious with joy and excitement that he'd be unable to work!

BDI · 14-09-2019 10:54am

I understand a lot of teachers and public sector workers like hospital staff etc post here but the level of comfort in employment astounds me.

I see people nipping out of work for a couple of hours to go to a funeral of cousins and family friends in my job. No sick pay. Not even if you have real sickness.

To ask would you take a day off because Christina Aguilera fell down the stairs is laughable and at the same time worrying for the state of our country.

14-09-2019 10:56am

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

Apart from family and friends, there’s no one alive or from history that I’d take a day off for their death. My only real hero is the Greek Cynic philosopher Diogenes of Sinope, who died over 2,000 years ago, and he just wanted his body left out for animals to eat.

I’d also distinguish between taking a day off because someone famous died, and going to the funeral of someone deserving. It’s entirely possible that I’d go to the funeral of someone ordinary who died in exceptionally tragic or heroic circumstances, even if I didn’t know them.

There was a guy in my secondary school who took a few days off when Freddy Mercury died. I thought it was really, really weird.

On a related but tangential note, I had a maths teacher in the same school who was the type who would strictly focus on the maths class no matter what happened. He never took a sick day, never chatted in class and gave homework over the summer holidays (and checked it when you came back in September). The day Margaret Thatcher resigned, he came into class with a radio up to his ear, declared “The bitch is gone!” and we sat for 45 minutes listening to the coverage, him with a big smile on his face. That was the one day in 5 years he didn’t give us homework.

not all heroes wear capes!

tedpan · 14-09-2019 11:03am

jochenstacker wrote:

I wouldn't go to work if Trump died. I keep a bottle of champers on ice for that.

Not if, when...!

Vita nova · 14-09-2019 11:07am

There are two people I've been watching on TV since I was a child. I've read their autobiographies and followed their lives and even though I've never met them or never will, I'll certainly mark their passing.
Probably take the day off (self employed), light a candle, head to the sea or the ocean and remember them.

BDI · 14-09-2019 11:07am

tedpan wrote: »

Not if, when...!

His genetics are so good he will probably live for ever. You can see it in his daughter, she will probably become first female president ever.

bobbysands81 · 14-09-2019 11:07am

the beer revolu wrote: »

If you need a day off work over the death of someone you have never met and you are over 16,then your employer needs a better employee.

Except for when Thatcher died... now that was a party!

tedpan · 14-09-2019 11:11am

BDI wrote:

His genetics are so good he will probably live for ever. You can see it in his daughter, she will probably become first female president ever.

Very true, he'll probably transform into some robocop cyborg style yoke and rule the world forever

14-09-2019 11:14am

Don Johnson.

Miami Vice / Nash Bridges / Guilty As Sin : a minor classic

TheValeyard · 14-09-2019 11:17am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

not all heroes wear capes!

da16wkf-535551d1-ad36-4d22-a9e4-c49d59de1463.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzY4NDQxZWQ3LWE5OTUtNDY1NS04OWEwLTJiM2Q5ZTk1MGYzYlwvZGExNndrZi01MzU1NTFkMS1hZDM2LTRkMjItYTllNC1jNDlkNTlkZTE0NjMuanBnIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0._hZRqW0Iv77nz7L9icNRVhzy4t-k8mBVCQniHhnzJBo

the beer revolu · 14-09-2019 11:24am

bobbysands81 wrote: »

Except for when Thatcher died... now that was a party!

No.
I didn't celebrate Bobby Sands dying.
I didn't celebrate Margaret Thatcher dying.
Celebrating people dying is fcuking sick.

PostWoke · 14-09-2019 11:25am

That thread title. Thought your ex had died.

dxhound2005 · 14-09-2019 11:26am

the beer revolu wrote: »

No.
I didn't celebrate Bobby Sands dying.
I didn't celebrate Margaret Thatcher dying.
Celebrating people dying is fcuking sick.

And could lose you your job. PC (Police Constable) gone mad.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/met-police-sergeant-jeremy-scott-resigns-over-offensive-messages-about-thatcher-death-8570179.html

Cee-Jay-Cee · 14-09-2019 11:37am

TheValeyard wrote: »

Patrick Stewart. He's awesome. I'd binge watch TNG all day.

Should that not be STNG?

bucketybuck · 14-09-2019 11:37am

What do you even do if some plastic hero dies? Sit at home staring at a picture for hours and crying as you remember the zero shared experiences you had with that person?

Cop on.

Cee-Jay-Cee · 14-09-2019 11:41am

I know it was 25 years ago but Sennas death had a deep effect on me at the time. I was supposed to travel back to Dublin for work on the Monday but was too upset to and so rang in sick on Monday and travelled down Monday evening for work Tuesday. I got upset everytime I thought of it for weeks after.

I can’t think of anyone alive to day (other than family) whose death would have the same effect on me.

I think if someone’s death is as a result of a tragic accident or sudden illness then it effects people more than someone who died naturally from old age or prolonged illness.

Cee-Jay-Cee · 14-09-2019 11:48am

Vita nova wrote: »

There are two people I've been watching on TV since I was a child. I've read their autobiographies and followed their lives and even though I've never met them or never will, I'll certainly mark their passing.
Probably take the day off (self employed), light a candle, head to the sea or the ocean and remember them.

You would take a day off work for Gay Byrne and Ray D’arcy!?!?

dxhound2005 · 14-09-2019 11:51am

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I know it was 25 years ago but Sennas death had a deep effect on me at the time. I was supposed to travel back to Dublin for work on the Monday but was too upset to and so rang in sick on Monday and travelled down Monday evening for work Tuesday. I got upset everytime I thought of it for weeks after.

I can’t think of anyone alive to day (other than family) whose death would have the same effect on me.

I think if someone’s death is as a result of a tragic accident or sudden illness then it effects people more than someone who died naturally from old age or prolonged illness.

One day off is not enough for that level of upset.

Neames · 14-09-2019 11:55am

My dog.

munster87 · 14-09-2019 11:58am

If you need an emergency mental health day when a celebrity you have never met dies, I can’t fathom how you would deal with the death of a family member.

Vita nova · 14-09-2019 12:56pm

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

You would take a day off work for Gay Byrne and Ray D’arcy!?!?

The day that happens, call the men in white coats to take me to a home for the bewildered.

Your Face · 14-09-2019 1:12pm

Even if i loved what they did, I wouldn't be that invested in them personally to take a day off.
They don't pay my bills.

Squall Leonhart · 14-09-2019 1:16pm

The only celebrity death that stopped me in my tracks was Robin Williams, as mentioned by a previous poster. I didn't call in sick to work mind you, but I was definitely inexplicably upset about a man I had never met and had no personal relationship with.

His death stung, it actually affected me for about a week. I wasn't crying or anything but it weighed heavy on my mind, I just found it all quite sad and upsetting. Even 5 years later when I think of it, I find it sad. Strange.

TheValeyard · 14-09-2019 2:12pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

If you need a day off work over the death of someone you have never met and you are over 16,then your employer needs a better employee.

Think we're just having a bit of fun now.

mrcheez · 14-09-2019 2:15pm

Shigeru Miyamato ...creator of Super Mario etc.

Though, as he is Japanese, he'll probably outlive all of us

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 14-09-2019 2:15pm

Zaiden Careful Sourdough wrote: »

Usually I don't care when a famous person croaks but Robin Williams was the one person that genuinely upset me. A massive part of my childhood and just seemed like a very nice decent person.

I wasn’t a fan but his death was so sad.

Heavy Beast · 14-09-2019 2:17pm

Jack Charlton. Hahahhahahah Alright

RebelButtMunch · 14-09-2019 2:18pm

Mick jagger. Because I'm Mick jagger.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 14-09-2019 2:25pm

Spon Farmer wrote: »

Why?

What is to celebrate? Or even care about?

Other than bewilderment at how he got to where he is or the frequent amusing news item why would you care one way or the other what he does?

To be honest, the fact that you’d celebrate a death is twisted and creepy.

In some cases, it’s fine. I distinctly remember inwardly cheering and thinking “rot in hell” when Myra Hindley died. I love that she spent her life trying to get released and never succeeded (totally barmy of her to think that would ever happen) and finally died in prison. The despicable cunt.

20Wheel · 14-09-2019 3:00pm

mrcheez wrote: »

Shigeru Miyamato ...creator of Super Mario etc.

Though, as he is Japanese, he'll probably outlive all of us

Aww no way not Shigeru.

Thats Monday off.

poisonated · 15-09-2019 7:40am

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts wrote: »

In some cases, it’s fine. I distinctly remember inwardly cheering and thinking “rot in hell” when Myra Hindley died. I love that she spent her life trying to get released and never succeeded (totally barmy of her to think that would ever happen) and finally died in prison. The despicable cunt.

Had never heard of her. Disgusting human being!

_Brian · 15-09-2019 7:44am

I detest the whole “celeb” culture, the death of one of them would have no impact on me whatsoever.

Tammy! · 15-09-2019 8:29am

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

On a related but tangential note, I had a maths teacher in the same school who was the type who would strictly focus on the maths class no matter what happened. He never took a sick day, never chatted in class and gave homework over the summer holidays (and checked it when you came back in September). The day Margaret Thatcher resigned, he came into class with a radio up to his ear, declared “The bitch is gone!” and we sat for 45 minutes listening to the coverage, him with a big smile on his face. That was the one day in 5 years he didn’t give us homework.

15-09-2019 8:34am

Brian Cody.

15-09-2019 8:38am

I'd take the day off if Queen Elizabeth II of the UK died...

I work here for a UK based company and they would presumably all be off so wouldn't notice if I didn't show up.

No going to work because X died...

Comments