Mikaeel

[hellywelly4]

This will be very controversial I know, but please believe me when I say I'm not being judgmental, just curious.
Why do people take toys to the sites where flowers are laid for people who have had tragic deaths?
I can understand it with flowers as we have always used flowers as a tribute, but the toys have only seemed to start recently.
Also where do they go afterwards?

I do hope I don't offend anyone with this question.

[emmie]

i thought that as well, better to give them to children's hospitals, hospices for children who can enjoy them.

[DTCwordfan]

they usually go to kids homes....

[Sqad]

helly.......i really don't think that offending one is an issue.......I agree entirely with your post.

[ummmm]

I don't know. Maybe people hope it'll be a little bit of comfort for his family.

I assume as they are out in all weathers then they will be chucked.

[anneasquith]

im not sure when it started, but its quite sad to see wee children leaving teddy bears/toys.

[sunny-dave]

It often just seems like grief by proxy - for someone you never knew (or indeed cared much about).

It started in a big way with Princess Diana and has just spiralled out of all proportion since.

[emmie]

SD agree that it's out of all proportion, poor little lad though.

[Mamyalynne]

I think it is an extension of the notion of taking things of comfort and import into the hereafter - rather like items found in tombs and today we place things in coffins.

For those close to you I can see the sense but not at a roadside etc, people exhibit their grief in different ways.

[mikey4444]

I agree wholeheartedly hellywelly. I remember the tons of rubbish left over after Diana died, piled outside the gates to the Royal Palaces. Florists and gift shops must rub their hands in glee every time there is a similar occurrence to what has happened in Edinburgh.

But us humans are irrational creatures and I can't see it changing anytime soon.

[anneasquith]

they don't go to '' kids homes'' most likely destroyed eventually,

[sunny-dave]

Indeed emmie - I have nothing but sympathy for the family and those directly connected.

[DTCwordfan]

tout à fait, d'accord, dave.....

[bookbinder]

I agree with you, sqad, on this matter. I suppose that whoever clears the articles away afterwards will have a delicate task on their hands, so that the clearing up is done in a respectful manner. Removing all the flowers, etc. that were left outside Buckingham Palace after Princess Diana's death was done in a painstakingly slow way, probably to avoid offending anyone who had left them there.

[hc4361]

I find all of it self-indulgent and mawkish, to be honest. I don't like flowers tied to lamp posts near fatal accidents, either.

[Peter Pedant]

.

Also where do they go afterwards?

I am sure the little children go straight to heaven

Tha Anglo Saxons particularly think their dead relatives speak to them (at least 50%) and so I think it seems natural to give the kids , toys.
Been around for a long time. 50y at least.


All used toys given to Children's wards get burnt (infection)
and these may share the same fate...

[mikey4444]

By Boyscouts, bookbinder, if my memory serves me right ?

[anotheoldgit]

Peter Pedant

/// Tha Anglo Saxons particularly think their dead relatives speak to them (at least 50%) and so I think it seems natural to give the kids , toys. Been around for a long time. 50y at least. ///

Why single out Anglo Saxons specifically?

[bednobs]

if it's anything like the teddies at our local cemetery on the children's graves, they just stay there and go manky in the weather

[bookbinder]

mikey, I don't know for sure who removed flowers that were left for Diana. All that I remember is seeing pictures of someone picking up the bouquets one at a time and passing them to another person who was standing in the back of a truck. Must have taken ages.

[DSJ]

I entirely agree with you hellywelly4, I have often wondered why people do this. Flowers are one thing, toys quite another.