Smile? Really?

HarryJ185 · Joined: 10 Dec 2008 Posts: 368 Location: Belfast

Terry Hall once said in an interview:

"I got stopped in Camden by one of those students who wear aprons for different charities," he says. "And this was from the mental health charity Mind. I've suffered from depression quite heavily for years. And he had a clipboard and said, 'Come on cheer up.'" A look of disbelief. "That's not how you approach someone who's got an illness. 'Cos I've had 'cheer up' since I was fucking four. You've got to think about how you're going to approach people."

And, I would have thought this was well documented over the years but any time I see a photograph of Terry on Facebook, there always seems to be someone who cannot help themselves:

The latest photo of Terry, Lynval, and Horace:

"Would love to see Terry crack a smile". Facebook The Specials Official

"Smile Terry" Facebook - 2 Tone Central The Museum for 2 Tone

The photo from the studio recording:

"Terry Hall is actually smiling" and "Good grief, Terry Hall might be smiling - a rarely seen event" Facebook - The Specials at 40

I doubt Terry trawls through all these facebook groups, but it does seem utterly thoughtless to post these types of comments.

marigold · Joined: 16 May 2010 Posts: 3213 Location: washington. d. c.

I believe it is bullying, Harry - "Big guy peer pressure" is cruel and especially harmful to health issues.
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marigold

HarryJ185 · Joined: 10 Dec 2008 Posts: 368 Location: Belfast

Marigold - cannot believe how often people feel the need to say it. It is as bad as that awful phrase "Cheer Up, It Might Never Happen". I suppose part of the problem is mental health issues are invisible so people don't realise, or stop to think about, the impact comments could have.

Imani · Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 1615 Location: Bradford

Those street charity people should also consider how their presence can annoy anyone in general who happens to be walking in their direction. They're clearly trained to be mildly aggressive in their demeanour and body language. The smiles are fake and apparently, a number of them are from the acting profession.

Charity muggers. Or 'chuggers'.
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