why do you wear a poppy?

It's called REMEMBRANCE day and the poppy is to show respect for and remember those who died defending our freedom.

It's so simple to understand, it's not political, it's not glorifying war, it's not supporting war mongerers, it's remembering the fallen.

I was often asked this by children when teaching abroad. I would reply that I wore it to remind me that war is a bad thing, to remember the people who died and to remind us to try to avoid going to war in future.

I buy one because I think it's a worthwhile charity.
I wear one when I remember to put in on / it hasn't fallen off already.

It's about the contribution to a good cause for me, not the virtue signalling.

I wear a poppy to remember all those who died in the world wars, and specifically for my grandfathers and great-grandfathers who fought in those wars. I will wear one every Remembrance Day for the rest of my life. As the wording of the service says “Lest We Forget”.
Anyone who claims the poppy has another meaning or tries to change the meaning is shitting on the memory of those who fought and died.

My grandparents were called up in WWII. My great grandfather was shot at the Battle of the Somme in WWI.

For my grandad

I wear one and have sold them in previous years at Charing Cross. As others have said it is to honour those who died for us in conflicts. The money is well spent. While both I and DH were in the forces we went on to do other things career wise. Many are not so lucky…. Many are injured, suffer from ptsd etc. Some cannot cope and become homeless. It is right that we support them. Btw I am half Irish and can understand why not everyone wants to wear a poppy. It’s not compulsory and I certainly wouldn’t take issue with anyone who didn’t wear one. Indeed at times I forget to stick them on. I thought David Lammy was unfairly attacked about not having one at PMQs yesterday.

Maybe instead of jumping on the OP take some time to read what she has said. She is not British, she is asking because it is a custom that she does not understand. Asking a question because you don't understand something and want to educate yourself or hear others views is not being offensive. Telling someone that they are being offensive for asking a question is pretty unpleasant. How are people supposed to learn and understand when someone comes along telling them they are being offensive for asking a question?

How's your grasp of the history of this thread?

Simply put, I wear one to remember those who have died serving their country. I have teenage and early 20s sons so it seems quite close to home - I am so grateful that they don’t have to fight. Also my great uncle was killed in WWII aged 20 -he was an only child and his mother never recovered.
I don’t wear one to support the government or the army per se - but sometimes countries do have to fight to defend themselves and the collateral damage is horrendous.

I think to say that to someone who is Russian shows a pretty poor grasp of world history. More than 25 million Soviet Union soldiers and civilians died in WW2. The sacrifice was immense. Russia was also involved in WW1 - it's participation and huge losses were part of the circumstances that led to the Revolution. So I think Russians know about these conflicts even if they don't know about poppies.

As an act of remembrance for the civilians in the U.K. and across the Commonwealth who were called up - or volunteered - to fight in two world wars. That includes my own relatives. I would think for most people that’s what it is about. It’s not about glorifying war - anyone who’s studied the war poets for GCSE English will be aware that war is anything but glorious - and it’s not about agreeing with every act of the British army.

I'm married to a man in the forces. I tried to join up myself but failed the medical so went into the Police.

I am a firm believer in looking at the people who run towards danger to protecting and help others. And in looking after the people who do the running.

The poppy is a symbol of remembrance of the dead. Of people who gave their lives in service and many many civilians who were killed in war. There are other poppies for the service animals and to represent peace.

I'm on the Fill Your Boots page in Facebook where members have sent in their remembrance of service people they have lost - so many of them are recent and the loss of so many men and women is just shocking. The proportion who have taken their own lives is astonishing and so so awful. I have myself lost two police colleagues to suicide.

In short, we need to support our armed forces in different ways and the poppies represent different aspects of that. The police participate in remembrance, as do other emergency services, uniformed services, community groups and many others.

My husband wears a white one for the same reasons others have said on here. I don’t wear one because I’m Irish, but I don’t begrudge anybody who does. I just hate the culture surrounding wearing one/not wearing one. It seems to be a test of nationalism/patriotism at the moment

It’s not a celebratory symbol - it’s in remembrance of the sacrifice and a practical fundraiser for veterans so the RBL can provide support.
People are wearing them “at the moment” as it’s nearly Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday. I’m old enough to remember when they were only worn for a few days, but like bonfire night spilling to both weekends either side of November 5th and Christmas starting before advent - people are keen to stretch events out.

To remember those of my family who fought and in some cases died or were left disabled.

To remember all of those who fought, died or were left disabled.

Three first cousins of my maternal grandmother were killed in the First World War.

I never knew my paternal grandfather because he died prematurely, having never fully recovered from wounds sustained in the First World War.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

As you say, you’re not British so presumably have no appreciation of the destruction, sacrifice and magnitude of World War I and World War II.

I wear a poppy with pride to honour the sacrifices and hardships of men and women in those generations. A toll and hardships our generation wouldn’t have a clue about.

It’s not glorifying war - it’s honouring those who gave everything for our freedom.

I wear one as a mark of respect for all those who fought or died in various conflicts to protect us, including generations of men in my family, one of whom was a Japanese Prisoner of war. It represents personnel of all armed forces, not just the army and the proceeds go to the Royal British Legion. I agree with a pp that your tone is a little offensive.

To say thank you to those who made the sacrifice .... so that I don't have to.

I used to wear one for remembrance of the lives lost (including a great uncle who died in WW2 age 22).
That's it - remembrance.
I don't usually wear one these days because I just never get around to getting one.
I have also worn purple poppies which is for Animals at War.

Poppies were originally used to symbolise those who fell in the 1st War World War, particularly those in Flanders where the poppies grew among the bloodshed.
They were never to glorify war or armies but to remember those who never came home, and for us to give thanks for what they did for our country - not just the British but from the many countries across the world who made up the Allied army.
Because although we may have our problems here today we are still a free country and I believe one of the best to live in.
Nowadays the sale of Poppies help support injured ex servicemen.

I don’t wear one because I’m Irish and, while I also have relatives who fought in the British army, including two who died at the Somme, I am all too aware of atrocities committed by the same army. I don’t see how anyone who has been following the trial of ‘Soldier F’ , or who has the faintest understanding of 20thc Irish history, could not grasp that the poppy is a highly problematic symbol, or that its goal of supporting ex-service personnel isn’t a necessarily a matter of ‘helping heroes’.

I usually wear a white poppy, my little one also has a purple poppy instead of a red one which she wears.

I’m all for remembering those that lost their life but I avoid the red poppy because of the culture around it. At least in my area it’s very much seen as a celebration of war for the brexiteers and right wingers almost exclusively.