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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be saddened by 'glamour and bling' poppies?

123 replies

LayMizzRarb · 06/10/2013 11:47

Do people actually not understand what they represent? Am I alone in thinking that the poppy is a symbol of respect and remembrance for the hundreds of thousands of people who die in wars, and not as a fashion accessory ?
It's all very well the manufacturers saying they will give an amount of money per diamanté poppy sold to charity, but at the end of the day, they are still making a profit.

OP posts:

LaurieFairyCake · 06/10/2013 12:41

I bought one from the RBL last year - it was £20 and since I usually buy a paper one for £1 I thought it was better.

I don't like waste so that's why I bought it as I can reuse it.

And when I can afford to give to charity, having a reusable poppy won't stop me

Sallystyle · 06/10/2013 12:44

I got the ring!

MarmaladeTwatkins · 06/10/2013 12:48

I can't even put my finger on why I don't like it.

I think it's the making a fashion accessory out of a symbol of respect and that celebrities can't sacrifice their image for a couple of weeks by wearing a simple paper poppy.

cocoleBOO · 06/10/2013 12:51

I wouldn't buy one unless it was from the RBL.

I was brought up in the Army and was fasinated by the large poppy's favoured by older women at Rememberance parades. I was desparate for one .

MarmaladeTwatkins · 06/10/2013 12:52

Our old headteacher used to wear a large poppy. Her husband was something to do with the Legion, I think.

BrokenSunglasses · 06/10/2013 12:53

I've just bought the ring! I don't know why I feel guilty when I've just bought something from a charity I support, but I do!

It's not guilt because I won't buy paper ones anymore, because I will and I sell them in our local supermarket every year. There is something that seems wrong about it, but it's hard to identify. Probably that it's a symbol of suffering that has been made into something that is to be enjoyed, it just seems 'off'.

But then I justify it because it's sold by the charity that created the poppy symbol, so I don't know.

MarmaladeTwatkins · 06/10/2013 12:59

It's a bit different, but reminds me of very over-blinged crucifixes.

Crucifixes have lost their meaning, now. People just throw them on without really thinking about it. Whether you're a christian or not, a man was nailed to and tortured on a cross. Seems a bit off to wear a massive diamond-encrusted one round your neck.

perplexedpirate · 06/10/2013 13:01

I've never really thought about crosses that way. You wouldn't wear a diamanté guillotine or thumb screw would you?
Hmm. Interesting.

MarmaladeTwatkins · 06/10/2013 13:04

Oh, I dunno, Pirate.

I've seen diamond encrusted guns (Rihanna wears one) Doesn't seem that far fetched to diamond encrust a guillotine!

PGTip · 06/10/2013 13:05

I have a jewelled poppy as do my daughter and my mom. It's not disrespectful as I still donate every year to the Poppy Appeal I just don't have a paper poppy from them. I don't wear it as a fashion statement and have explained the significance of it to my children, they also understand why we continue to donate every year. The poppy is a symbol and wether it is bling or not is irrelevant.

Awks · 06/10/2013 13:09

Reusing them isn't good though. The idea is that you buy one (and donate) every year isn't it?

PoppyWearer · 06/10/2013 13:11

If you buy the lapel pin with the year on, it's the best of both worlds. Not too bling, but you have to buy a new one each year and they don't crumple like the paper ones.

Job done.

I think I own half the stuff from the Poppy Shop website.

perplexedpirate · 06/10/2013 13:11

Please form an orderly queue for my diamond encrusted thumb screws (patent pending).

LittleMissWise · 06/10/2013 13:12

I've got a Poppy ring. I bought it from the RBL a couple of years ago.

I love those diamanté poppy brooches, I might buy one actually. We have been buying the enamel poppy pins for a few years, but we always buy one with the date on so we have to buy them the following year.

Must buy some actually, DH is away I need to send his to him because the paper ones fall off and I am not sure where he'd actually put it on his uniform.

sashh · 06/10/2013 13:13

I would like to know where they are made.

Giving profits is one thing but if they are made in say, a factory in China that exploits its workers, I don't want it.

mrsjay · 06/10/2013 13:15

you can be respectful and wear a nice broach it still means you are supporting the cause, although hate seeing tv presenters wearing them that seems really false and patronising ,
dd2 has a small pin one she bought the other year it isnt blingy but it is nice and means ordinary ones dont fall off

MrsDavidBowie · 06/10/2013 13:26

I sell poppies every year...my dad was in Bomber Command, and afterwards an active member of the British Legion...as kids we would make thousands of poppies.

I donate every year of course, but will be having a bling one this year as well from the BL. Don't see the issue.

Sirzy · 06/10/2013 13:29

MrsJay - why is it false and patronising for one group to wear them but not everyone else?

FuckyNell · 06/10/2013 13:31

I paid £25 for my poppy. I used to pay 50p a year. What's the big deal? All that crap about 'true meaning'. If I didn't care about the cause I wouldn't have spent £25 bloody quid would I?!

mrsjay · 06/10/2013 13:32

It just seems that the TV companies have thought oh it is near poppy day lets get all the presenters etc a poppy ,

gordyslovesheep · 06/10/2013 13:33

I don't wear a red poppy but I donate every year - maybe bling poppy wearers still donate without taking a new poppy

I'm not seeing the problem OP

Birdsgottafly · 06/10/2013 13:38

I also think that as long as money is being raised, Poppies are fine to come in different styles.

The good thing to come out if this thread is the advertisement of the RBL online shop, the jute shopping bags are good value.

I don't like the designer clothes for the Breast Cancer Pink campaign that only donate £1, out of an item that costs over £40 and get free advertising, as part of the campaign, in media articles etc.

I would rather buy and keep a Poppy, as a piece of jewellery, them have one fall off on the pavement and see them being walked on, as happens every year. As said, it doesn't stop you donating, last year stickers were being given, as well as Poppies, by some sellers.

Howsuper · 06/10/2013 13:40

YABU for using the word 'saddened'. And who cares what the poppies look like as long as they are doing their job?

hiddenhome · 06/10/2013 13:43

I think that perhaps the OP is saddened by a symbol that represents the grief and pathos of the aftermath of WWI being turned into a cheap and nasty bling, bling piece of jewellery. People outdoing each other to find better and better ones where just a humble piece of paper would do is also a bit sad.

I suppose the bling, bling ones raise more money, but there is something nice about a simple, humble symbol that renders financial gain to a position of secondary importance.

If money is what is needed, then that's what comes first. Perhaps Rhianna could help design a C String one this year.

meditrina · 06/10/2013 13:47

If OP really thinks the Royal British Legion 'does not understand' what the poppy represtents, then she is woefully under informed.

Pity.

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