We just had an announcement over the loudspeaker here at work that they were holding “a moment of silence for the victims of the horrible trajedy today”. I turned away from my computer and bowed my head. But I noticed the woman across the aisle from me was still working away, although quietly.
My question is, how should one behave when a moment of silence is called for? I was always taught it’s similar to a silent prayer – you sit quietly with your head bowed to show respect. Anyone have any other ideas?
Similar to yours. Stop whatever work are you doing and pray or meditate or thing about what happened. If you are walking, stop and remain standing. If you are typing stop your work.
I already work quietly, so if I just go on typing, I will probably not be having the moment of silence.
Yeah. You stop what you are doing and stay still and silent. (Of course, you are free to think about whatever you want.)
The point, I think, is to show respect–not just to be quiet.
To keep working, even if silently, is rude.
It would be proper to bow your head and stop whatever you are doing. Some people think it is proper to close your eyes too.
I basically treat a request for “a moment of silence” as I do a request for prayer (which is really what AMOS is, just a prayer request)…that is, I don’t interrupt others, but I do go about my own business if I can without bothering others. I’m an atheist, and I don’t believe in prayers OR moments of silence. Others might think that I’m rude, but I think that it’s rude to tell me when and where and how I should pay respect to victims. YMMV.
The Montreal transit corp. held a minute of silence at 3:15 on Friday, during which time they even shut down the metro.