Are traditions important?

[french frank]

So maybe the answer depends what sorts of traditions we're talking about - some being more important than others.

Yes, I wouldn't call Richard's idea of the RF as 'an example of sobriety and moral rectitude to the nation' as a tradition at all. A tradition is something more than just an abstract belief, impression or concept: the Queen's annual distribution of Maundy money is a tradition. I'm not sure that it would be considered 'important' in any respect. The UK has been a monarchy by tradition and views on the 'importance' are divergent. The various Parliamentary shenanigans of marching around in funny clothes banging on doors with a silver shillelagh are traditions - which I, personally, find irritating. But someone could - I speculate - explain to me why they are important and I can envisage being persuaded. (But until then …)

On the whole, I don't think one can generalise. Case by case, what tradition do you mean?

[Richard Barrett]

Many traditions are not inherently 'important' anyway, but may mean a lot to individuals. How can someone else decide that they have 'outlived their importance'?

I meant they would outlive their importance for those people they were important to. Not suggesting that "someone else" should decide on this. But I do think that far too many so-called traditions become mindless habits. (Or do I mean vice versa?)

[Padraig]

We're talking traditions in general though, aren't we?

I thought that my statement on the importance of traditions - 'Ours are important - theirs aren't'- was general.

[french frank]

I meant they would outlive their importance for those people they were important to.

Humans being what they are, I'd say that is precisely why traditions DO die out. As they do. I'm not sure whether its possible to tell, infallibly, whether other people's habits are 'mindless'. In some cases one is surely filtering them through one's own opinions?

[ahinton]

I suspect those stalwart comrades who join in singing The Red Flag at the end of the annual Labour Party Conference might be appalled to suddenly learn the famous tradition could be 'closely associated with a conservative point-of-view' ... ?

Richard did open his sentence with the word "most", or didn't you notice that?

[french frank]

Richard did open his sentence with the word "most", or didn't you notice that?

Objection: Mr Barrett said 'Most …will be associated', Mr Tipps said 'could be associated'. Surely both allow for exceptions?

[oddoneout]

[QUOTE=Richard Barrett;591007. But I do think that far too many so-called traditions become mindless habits. (Or do I mean vice versa?)[/QUOTE]
Aided and abetted by commercial interests?

[Serial_Apologist]

I thought that my statement on the importance of traditions - 'Ours are important - theirs aren't'- was general.

I was thinking in terms of tradition in principle there, rather than in specifics.

[Sir Velo]

Richard did open his sentence with the word "most", or didn't you notice that?

Oh you composers! You're as thick as thieves!

[ahinton]

Oh you composers! You're as thick as thieves!

How thick is that, pray? - and who's thieving from whom? (pace Stravinsky's remarks on the necessity of magpiedom)...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

In the end, traditions are just that. There are good ones that encourage friendship and help people, and there are others, like fox-hunting.

"We've always done it this way" is never a good reason for continuing to do something. Each tradition has to be judged on its merits.

[Dave2002]

Aided and abetted by commercial interests?

Not only that - but commercialism invents new ones - "bosses' day", "cleaners' day" "traffic wardens' day" etc. and expects to provide cards and gifts for each occasion.

[P. G. Tipps]

p. g. tipps

Richard did open his sentence with the word "most", or didn't you notice that?

Yes, I did indeed, ahinton, and clearly, unlike your very goodself, I also somehow managed, with little huge difficulty, to also notice the actual wording in my own post ...

[MrGongGong]

[Richard Barrett]

with little huge difficulty

hmmm