The Christchurch Massacre

[Sqad]

Internationally one has seen the sympathy afforded to the victims and relatives of the outrageous act of terrorism in New Zealand and quite rightly so, it was and still is a tragic event.
One can understand the outpourings of grief seen on TV amongst the muslim community as they grieve for those involved.
However, I question the degree of emotional involvement of the Prime Minister Jacinda Arden as, although difficult to find the right pitch, has overstepped the mark for somebody of her standing , in the physical actions of cuddling and embracing the involved. One would accept this from the relatives and friends but not from the head of state....i.e the prime minister and one could not imagine such outpourings physical and emotional sympathy from the Queen or Mrs T. May.
At times, as on AB, I find the over-reaction beginning to verge on insincerity.

[naomi24]

//At times, as on AB, I find the over-reaction beginning to verge on insincerity.//

Making the right noises and the right gestures seems to be the way of much of the world now, sqad.

[Sqad]

LOL...well it does naomi and I might doe the same, but here i feel that it is grossly exaggerated.

[melv16]

There's not much outpouring of grief about the 1,000 or so honour killings (mostly women), that happened last year in Pakistan!

[ummmm]

Stiff upper lip, eh?

[spathiphyllum]

I mean disastrous news has become a bit of a norm hasn't it.. Making the 'next one' that little bit less shock horror surprising

[naomi24]

I really can't imagine you doing it, sqad. :o)

[dannyk13]

Protocol in New Zealand is much more casual and relaxed that it is in the UK.

[piggynose]

Sqad, are you saying we should all have a stiff upper lip?

[anneasquith]

I very much doubt mrs may or the queen are capable of showing any affection to anyone , even the recently bereaved .

[naomi24]

^I don't think that's true. Rather than join in with mass hysteria, as seems to be expected these days, some people prefer to maintain their dignity.

[ChillDoubt]

Agree with the OP, it’s to the point of virtue signalling now.

As a side issue, I’m perplexed by all the ‘this is a quiet, peace-loving country’ quotes.
I say this because I had absolutely no idea that the personal gun ownership and firearms industry in NZ is on a par with the US.

[ummmm]

There is nothing undignified about showing empathy and compassion.

[naomi24]

Empathy and compassion don't equate to joining in publicly with mass hysteria in order to demonstrate to the world that you possess those qualities. That is undignified ..... in my opinion.

[ummmm]

We're not talking about Joe Bloggs here.

[ChillDoubt]

Her abhorrence of the crime is understandable however it’s reaching fever pitch and as premier she needs to reign it in a little before she begins to prejudice a fair trial, not so much for the shooter but certainly the teenager who edited the footage who is currently on remand.

[naomi24]

No - but if I'm Joe Bloggs, count me in with those who prefer to maintain their dignity.

[Calicogirl]

She, as head of State, represents the grief of the whole country and thus it's perfectly fine for her to embrace the recently bereaved etc- because the most natural human response to an horrific event is to embrace. Nothing undignified about being honest in your emotions, whoever and whatever you are, beats the heck out of a stiff upper lip.

[agchristie]

//because the most natural human response to an horrific event is to embrace. //

...and not always in pity to the twisted.

[mushroom25]

sqad, calicogirl, just as a point of pedantry (since you've both mentioned it) -

ms ardern is not head of state of new Zealand.

[Sqad]

Calico.......you have missed my point i think.
I respect your opinion in toto, but accept it only in parts.
My point is that her "gush" of emotions and depth of empathy, highlights modern trends of grief, exaggerated both in frequency and in depth verging on insincerity.
That was my point.