Wearing a poppy at job interview

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AIBU to wear a poppy on my shirt when I go to a job interview? I have two interviews lined up this week, one on Tuesday and one on Friday.

My sis says I shouldn't wear a poppy for an interview and certainly not after the remembrance day e.g. on the Friday.

A lot of people have strong feelings about poppy wearing - is it red, is it white, is it on the correct lapel, is it too early, is it after the event, etc. Personally, assuming you actually want the job, I can't think of one sensible reason to risk your poppy eliciting the wrong response in your interviewer. You can insist that it isn't so, or complain that it shouldn't be so, but it's a risk nonetheless.

Wrong lapel??! Never heard that in my life.

@Chocolatepeanuts

Where do you live? Not a chance I would wear a poppy to an interview but Im in NI. Way too divisive.

I was just coming on to say this! Depends on where you are. In this part of NI you really shouldn't wear one......

I lived in London for years and always wore one but I understand why it would be an issue here so I don't.

I've got an interview on Tuesday too and will be wearing one, it is for the police though.

@Maireas

Wrong lapel??! Never heard that in my life.

Oh yes, have a google. Flanders Field was written by a Canadian and the Canadian legion says you should wear a poppy on the left and 'as close to your heart as you can'. Not everyone is British.

There is a little virtue signalling on both 'sides'. All ridiculous but it's there.

Oh, I've never heard of that. Maybe it's just a suggestion. I wear mine on my lanyard at work.

Leading up to Armistice Day I always wear a purple poppy alongside my red one. The purple poppy is in remembrance of the millions of animals that have served and died alongside the military of all the allied nations. Eight million horses, mules and donkeys died in WW1 alone. Hundreds of thousands of pigeons, dogs, cats, elephants, camels, oxen, bullocks, canaries, even glow worms have served our military and died in our wars.

There is a beautiful Animals in War Memorial at Hyde Park with the simple inscription:

"They had no choice."

www.animalsinwar.org.uk/index.cfm?asset_id=1374

I will wear mine until Wednesday which is the 11th and then remove it. I wouldn't think anything bad of someone wearing one later.

Why on earth would it be an issue? I think it shows respect

Maybe you could compromise by starting the interview wearing it and then taking it off halfway through and placing it on the table.

I wouldn't. You want the job?!

I would think less of a candidate who had not worn a poppy if the interview had been last week. If somebody is too mean to contribute a small amount to something so important will they contribute to my workforce? For an interview on Tuesday I would give them the benefit of the doubt as they might have discarded it after Remembrance Sunday rather than kept it until 11th November as many people do. By Friday I would not mind either way even if it crossed my mind.

Wear it on your coat, but not on a blouse etc. wearing it on a coat - normal, even on the day after. Wearing it on a blouse for an interview (especially after the day) - virtue signaling and attention seeking (or indicating doubtful personal hygiene). Not a great first impression.

Personally, I think it might send a positive message that you're not someone who thinks there's something wrong with remembering those who gave all for their country.

If they're ridiculous enough to be bothered by it, you probably don't want to be working with them, anyway, because they're likely to have a number of other strange opinions and attitudes.

I would think less of a candidate who had not worn a poppy if the interview had been last week. If somebody is too mean to contribute a small amount to something so important will they contribute to my workforce?

Not wearing it will mean you avoid working for people with such narrowminded thinking as this!

I wouldn't, but that's because of where I live where it would be viewed by many as deeply offensive. If I were in England I wouldn't imagine people would give it a second glance.

It's an interview at a secondary school by the way, if that makes any difference. I will probably wear the poppy on my coat on Tuesday as i normally would but not on Friday as it might be perceived as inappropriate.

DS's secondary school has a fab poppy display in the library and will be having an assembly of sorts.

@Jellycatspyjamas - I’d be questioning why someone might find it offensive

I would find it offensive as it commemorates the perpetrators of bloody Sunday(s), the black and tans etc etc.

@Yourpartjewishfriend - It breaks my heart my deceased friends won't be respected because of something we did 200 years ago.

Attrocities perpetrated by British forces in Northern Ireland are a lot more recent than 200 years.

@CatWithKittens

I would think less of a candidate who had not worn a poppy if the interview had been last week. If somebody is too mean to contribute a small amount to something so important will they contribute to my workforce? For an interview on Tuesday I would give them the benefit of the doubt as they might have discarded it after Remembrance Sunday rather than kept it until 11th November as many people do. By Friday I would not mind either way even if it crossed my mind.

And I'd think less of an interviewer who so poorly informed as to think that the poppy has the same connotations for all. As an Irish person you won't get one on me ever. Many, many reasons out there for not wearing them.

[quote OchonAgusOchonO]**@Jellycatspyjamas* - I’d be questioning why someone might find it offensive*

I would find it offensive as it commemorates the perpetrators of bloody Sunday(s), the black and tans etc etc.

@Yourpartjewishfriend - It breaks my heart my deceased friends won't be respected because of something we did 200 years ago.

Attrocities perpetrated by British forces in Northern Ireland are a lot more recent than 200 years.[/quote]
ODFOD. HOW DARE YOU!

Let’s talk about the IRA blowing up soldiers, police officers, men, women and children. Giving coded warnings and then planting bombs to target people being moved to safety.

ODFOD. HOW DARE YOU!

Let’s talk about the IRA blowing up soldiers, police officers, men, women and children. Giving coded warnings and then planting bombs to target people being moved to safety.

You might have a point there if Ochon wanted everyone to wear an Easter lily. But they don't, they're just stating why the poppy is not a positive symbol to many. You wear your poppy, you do you - but no way in hell will I donate to a group who potentially support soldiers from Bloody Sunday etc.